UK them parks v US parks - time

[Elaine Guidi]

We have just visited Chessington World of Adventure and spent 7 hours there - didn't do everything! We (DH, DS(9), DD(6) and myself) went at an average pace and stopped for a picnic. Queues were average and the day was hot. We reckon this park was only a fraction of the main Disney Theme Parks and are now doubting we will get to do all the things we want to do. We go Feb, when the hours are shorter but queues supposedly relative. Will we need to be selective or should we get around the parks in one day - which is what we hoped to do

 

[SpottyDog]

Elaine, it's possible to do the parks in a day but you might be exhausted. At least in February there should be fewer lines to slow you down so it's at least feasable to see and do everything you want to do.

How long are you going for? You may have time to do some parks more than once (tickets willing). My advice would be to make a plan to make sure you allow yourselves time for everything you want to do. Remember to allow for specific shows and parades you might not want to miss - they're not always on everyday - and 'pad' your park visits around those.

Use all the great guide books that are available as well as park information available all over the web - starting at the Dis Home Page - to compile your 'must do and could miss' list.

If you don't get to see everything, you can always go back

 

[WDWfan uk]

Hi Elaine, you can get around all the parks in one day, except perhaps to really see all that Epcot has to offer you probably need two.

The popular rides in WDW have Fastpass which cuts down your queuing time and I would recommend arriving at each of the parks a little before opening.

I think that with a little planning so that you get the maximum from your day at each park - and we can help there - you'll be able to experience most if not all of the attractions

By arriving early, you can cut down the need for some Fastpasses e.g. If you get to the Animal Kingdom just before opening, head straight for the Kilimanjaro Safari and you should get on with a minimum wait - the same applies in the Magic Kingdom. We arrived for opening on a very busy day, we got the Walt Disney Railroad to Frontierland, went straight to Splash Mountain and we were on the ride in 5/10 minutes!

 

[BevS97]

While I agree with Dave and Shirley that you probably could get around the parks in a day - personally I wouldn't recommend it. Long days in the park are tiring, and people start to get ratty. Also, you may find you enjoy some of the parks so much that you just want to go back and do some things more than once.

last year, we had the 10 day passes, and visted all 4 of the disney parks multiple times. If you are also planning on doing Seaworld, and Universal/IOA then I would probably suggest the 7 day passes, this will give you 1 day at each park, and 3 more days to redo your favorite things.

Also you can split the park days up -so you could go to MK in the morning, have a rest in your hotel in the afternoon and go to Epcot in the evening, which is more relaxing than a long day at one park.

Bev

 

[Elaine Guidi]

Thanks for your suggestions. We are going for 2 weeks (1 which overlaps Presidents Day!!). We will have the 5 day hopper plus and the Orlando Flex ticket. Because of the shorter hours we thought it would save time to have a refreshment stop in the parks instead of breaks back at our accommodation - which is off-site. The only time we plan to park hop would be to see Spectro, Fantasmic etc. Perhaps I should just take SpottyDogs suggestion and plan to go back to do the rest

 

[BevS97]

I have to admit, we never make it back to the hotel - we always plan on it, but it doesn' t happen very often.

i would still vote for a 7 day pass if you can find the extra pennys - there is a lot to do in Orlando, but imho the best bits are at disney. (I know there are some who would disagree with me there).

Have you tried making a plan likethis.

m - mk
t - epcot
w - ak
t - mgm
f - ioa
s - universal
s - seaworld
m - collapse from exhaustion and maybe take a pool day
t - mk
w - epcot
t - water park day
f - wet n wild
s - shopping
s - mk


this is not a serious plan - you would die from exhaustion if you tried it (unless you are spotty dog, in which case it's your standard plan.) but seriously, I would make a plan. I would also plan on somedays getting to the park at opening and being done around 3, and other days get there around lunchtime and stay until closing.
Your kids are a bit older than my dd (she's 4), but she can't take a full day in the parks - for that matter, neither can I.

Bev