What is the best strategy to......

[Trinity721]

do Epcot considering this:

DH, DD (9months) and I will be driving to Orlando from Jacksonville next weekend on Sunday May 11, and we are planning to check into the CR (if they have a room open) at roughly 8:30 at the latest. Then we plan on hitting Epcot.

My question is what is the best strategy to do the park? We really don't have any must-do's or must-sees for this trip, we just want to relax and take in everything b/c it's DD's first trip and we don't want to wear her out too much. We do have a PS for Teppanyaki in Japan for 1:30. Most likely, we would like to take a break and get back to CR after that. WHat time is best to head back to Epcot, maybe finish WS and see the fireworks? Or should we do WS first when we get there, and do FW later in the day?
Any suggestions would be really helpful. I usually don't plan out our days at the parks, just let things happen... But I'd sort of like a rought outline I'd appreciate anyone's help.

 

[InstImpres]

Your post doesn't say when you are going but WS usually doesn't open until about 10. So that is not a choice for first. Your other option is to go straight to Epcot and leave after lunch to check in.

Good luck,
Sandy

 

[Trinity721]

Thanks InstImpres, I totally forgot to put down the date! I modified the original post. We will be arriving May 11th next weekend. Less than a week to go!

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I'll try my hand at this

If you make it to CBR by 8:30, you can drop your things off at bell services to be held until you check in. You should make it to Epcot by about 9, which gives you two hours before WS opens. You could start with SSE, but the lines are usually pretty long early in the day, so that one may best be saved until you are on your way out for a mid-day break. So you could do...

The Land
Living Seas
Journey Into Your Imagination
Honey I Shrunk the Audience (May be too scary for DD)
Ice Station Cool
Ellen (again, DD may not like darkness/dinosaurs/etc)
Innoventions
Wonders of Life Pavillion

You probably won't fit all of this in before WS opens, but its a start You can spend a lot of time just sitting and relaxing in the pavilions,

Take your time wandering the WS, and then catch your PS in Japan. By the time you finish your meal and take the bus back to CBR, your room should be ready!

You'll probably want a decent sized break here, as I'm sure that five hours in the parks with DD will be exhausting, even if you're taking it easy!

If you're planning on catching Illuminations, how about staying at the resort for a nap or a swim until about 6, and then catching the bus back to Epcot. (I'm assuming Illuminations will be at 9).

This gives you about two hours (allowing half an hour to get there) to see parts of WS that you didn't get to earlier before finding a spot for Illuminations. I'd suggest getting a spot at least half an hour before, and picking up a snack from one of the carts (Beavertails are lovely if you're in Canada ) to eat while you wait for the show. Afterwards, you can sit back and relax while the crowds clear up, and then back to CBR Be sure to notice the lights in the sidewalks in future world on your way out.

I didn't include dinner in here, so you may want to grab something quick before you leave the resort to go back to Epcot, or as you're touring WS, or after you get back to your resort, depending on how hungry you get

If your DD isn't up for staying for Illuminations, you can enjoy leaving as it starts, and not having to wait in huge lines for busses!

Not sure if this helps any, but thought I'd at least try!

 

[poohangel]

WDW Poly Princess, I think you did a wonderful job.

poohangel

 

[Trinity721]

poly princess, I agree w/ poohange... I think you pretty much covered it! I will definitely take your suggestions. Oh, also just a little correction... We are staying at the CR, not CBR which probably makes things even better since we won't be waiting for the buses. We'll just be taking the monorail, and hopefully the lines won't be too long for that.

I don't think we'll be doing Honey I Shrunk the Audience, DD wouldn't sit for it. Same for Ellen, but I didn't particularly like that attraction anyways.

Thanks for your suggestions, I would certainly welcome more!