WDW in a day?

[madmadhatter]

So I’ve got a challenge!

There’s four twentysomethings from NYC going to WDW from Thursday, May 6 to Sunday, May 9. We’re staying at the Pop Century Resort. But we’re only going to the parks for one day, using some complimentary tickets (which happen to be one-day park hoppers). Unfortunately, we can’t afford another day. The other days could be spent at other resorts, the pool, or a water park (which we could afford). One person in our group has never been to Disney before. Ever. So we can’t rush around like crazy. We have to, you know, appreciate the magic. Who am I kidding? We're rushing like crazy.

So how do we do it? How do we maximize our time and do Disney in a day? I know it’s impossible. But we’re young and eager. And we’re willing to forego Animal Kingdom altogether. Here’s some attractions/things we’ve decided we want to attempt to tackle:

Splash Mountain
a water park
Mission: Space
it’s a small world
a bike ride
Rock and Rollercoaster
Dole Whips
the spinning cups
pictures with a Disney villain (face character)
Space Mountain
ride the monorail
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
dinner at Boma
Buzz Lightyear’s Sit and Spin
The River of Time (always a classic)
Big Thunder Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean
Test Track
a parade
Philharmagic
“Drinking Around the World”
Tower of Terror
a fireworks show

Let me know your suggestions! Obviously, some of that stuff can take place on the other two days we're there. We’re willing to wake up early and stay up late! We’ll deprive ourselves of food! We’ll run! We’ll cut in line! Okay, we won’t cut in line and we won’t spend fiftywhatever bucks to go to a park for a second day. We’d rather spend that money on food and booze.

How do we do we do Disney in a day (or three)?

 

[wdwdvcdad]

Last year I did a "grand slam" (all 4 parks in 1 day) witha 7, 5 & 1 year old. They loved it.

1. AK Safari
2. MK Buzz Lightyear
3. EPCOT Spaceship Earth
4. MGM Movie ride

It was fun, & the kids loved it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I haven't taken a good look at your list, but I would suggest eating a good breakfast before heading to the parks, getting to the gate at least 1/2 hour before the posted opening, bringing snacks and water to minimize standing in line getting food (can eat on the run) and when you do buy food, getting it from snack carts or possibly counter serve restaurants. If the parks close early you can just wait until closing to eat dinner.

Since you'll be staying at Pop Century you can start at whichever park has the early opening for the day.

I'm sure that you'll get some suggestions from others. Parking at MK is not the best (takes a long time to then get to the park), but since you'll be hopping to another park it might be your best bet.

T&B

 

[sconnell]

Good luck! I'm sure ya'll will have fun. Remember to be willing to split up your party!

 

[rnnomore]

A majority of your list is in MK. The other big attractions you listed: TT, Mission:Space are in Epcot, which is where you would probably spend most of your time drinking your way through the countries. MGM has TOT and Rockin Rollercoaster. I also think MK has the best Fireworks show in Wishes, as well as the best parade.

Decide which day you are doing the park and which park has EE day. That may help in your planning, as well as noting the hours the parks close on the day you will be there. Make good use of FP, as a lot of the rides you mentioned have them.

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

What time do the parks close on the day you plan to go? Also, which park has the early opening?

T&B

 

[bethbuchall]

OK...I'll give it a shot...

It looks like you can skip Animal Kingdom. I don't see anything on your list from there.

If you go to the parks on Saturday, May 8th, you will have Extra Magic Hour in the morning at Disney/MGM Studios. Head to that park to be there for the 8 am opening. Grab a FastPass for either Rockin' Rollercoaster or Tower of Terror and ride the other. I think that is all that you want to do at MGM.

Walk or take the boat from MGM to Epcot. Grab a Fastpass for Mission:Space or Test Track and ride the other. Then ride the one you have the Fastpass for.

At 11:00 the World Showcase opens. You can ride River of Time and have a few drinks/snacks in the World Showcase.

Retrieve your car and drive to the TTC and take the monorail to MK. At MK you can ride Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, It's a Small World, Teacups, Buzz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain RR, see Philharmagic. You should also be able to find a villian for a picture. Dole Whips are in Adventureland. Fastpass is available for Splash, Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Buzz, and Philharmagic. Utilize Fastpass!

Sorry to say that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is no longer. It was replaced several years ago with a Pooh ride.

MK is open until 10:00pm that night with Spectro at 9:00pm and Wishes at 10:00 pm, so you can see a parade and fireworks there.

Now, I'm not sure exactly how much drinking Around the World you want to do. If this is more than a couple of drinks, you may want to leave Disney/MGM and drive to the TTC and head to MK first. Get as much riding as you can done and see the Share a Dream Come True parade at 3:00. Then head on the monorail (or by car) to Epcot. Ride Mission:Space and Test Track by 7:00 pm when Future World closes. Head to World Showcase for River of Time, drinking, counter service food for dinner. Find a spot for IllumiNations which starts at 9:00 pm.

That leaves three other days for a waterpark, a bike ride, and dinner at Boma.

I recommend a copy of the Unofficial Guide before you go.

I think that covers everything.

To the experts, does that sound like a workable plan? I've never attempted anything like this. Also, are Saturdays crazy in the parks. Would one of the other days be better?

Beth

 

[madmadhatter]

T&B -- To answer your question, we'll be flying in on Thursday morning so we'll have all day Friday or Saturday to spend at the parks. We were looking at Friday. But DAK is the EMH park that day, which does us no good because we don't care about DAK.

The hours for while we're there are as follows: MK is open from 9:00am to 8:30pm; Epcot: Future World is open from 9:00am to 7:00pm and the World Showcase is open from 11:00am to 9:00pm; the Studios are open from 9:00am to 8:30pm.

Thanks for all of your help so far! We'll definitely load up at breakfast to make it through the day. Any more suggestions? Like which attractions to hit up for FP or which ones to ride at the beginning of the day? Or which order to visit the parks in? I'm thinking MK then the Studios then Epcot.

Beth, you are amazing! That's exactly what I was looking for! I like your strategy utilizing the EMH at MGM on Saturday and getting everything else out of the way for MK. Thanks!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I agree with your order if you go on a Friday. MK gets crowded and you should hit it first thing. You don't want to do too many things in MGM, and Epcot is open later and you would then have more time to take in the atmoshere (and to drink around the world). Make sure that you've ridden Mission to Space before doing any drinking!!!

Others can advise on what time to get to TTC to park before MK, but I would think no later than 8am. Do not stay out late the night before at Pleasure Island, etc! Geez, I sound like your mother. lol

Maybe have some snacks in your car to eat after MK. I also love Dole Whips and they are always on my "must drink" list.

I would do everything in my power to avoid MK on a Saturday morning since the crowds are supposed to be terrible. If you really want that day in order to take advantage of the MGM EE then go to MGM, ride the two rides you want to ride and then hussle over to MK. The problem is they are not close to each other so you will end up spending more time in the car and it might eat up the advantage of going to EE. I would stick with Friday and then you can get a little mroe sleep before your very busy day.

T&B

 

[Grand2me]

Originally posted by bethbuchall
OK...I'll give it a shot...

It looks like you can skip Animal Kingdom. I don't see anything on your list from there.

If you go to the parks on Saturday, May 8th, you will have Extra Magic Hour in the morning at Disney/MGM Studios. Head to that park to be there for the 8 am opening. Grab a FastPass for either Rockin' Rollercoaster or Tower of Terror and ride the other. I think that is all that you want to do at MGM.

Walk or take the boat from MGM to Epcot. Grab a Fastpass for Mission:Space or Test Track and ride the other. Then ride the one you have the Fastpass for.

At 11:00 the World Showcase opens. You can ride River of Time and have a few drinks/snacks in the World Showcase.

Retrieve your car and drive to the TTC and take the monorail to MK. At MK you can ride Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, It's a Small World, Teacups, Buzz, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain RR, see Philharmagic. You should also be able to find a villian for a picture. Dole Whips are in Adventureland. Fastpass is available for Splash, Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Buzz, and Philharmagic. Utilize Fastpass!

Sorry to say that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is no longer. It was replaced several years ago with a Pooh ride.

MK is open until 10:00pm that night with Spectro at 9:00pm and Wishes at 10:00 pm, so you can see a parade and fireworks there.

Now, I'm not sure exactly how much drinking Around the World you want to do. If this is more than a couple of drinks, you may want to leave Disney/MGM and drive to the TTC and head to MK first. Get as much riding as you can done and see the Share a Dream Come True parade at 3:00. Then head on the monorail (or by car) to Epcot. Ride Mission:Space and Test Track by 7:00 pm when Future World closes. Head to World Showcase for River of Time, drinking, counter service food for dinner. Find a spot for IllumiNations which starts at 9:00 pm.

That leaves three other days for a waterpark, a bike ride, and dinner at Boma.

I recommend a copy of the Unofficial Guide before you go.

I think that covers everything.

To the experts, does that sound like a workable plan? I've never attempted anything like this. Also, are Saturdays crazy in the parks. Would one of the other days be better?

Beth

DOES IT SOUND DO-ABLE??? I sure am glad you told her not to really sweat 'It's a Small World'. I am writing that down for my own trip in a few days to see if I need to make any different arrangements. WOW...You're good.