What parks to put on half days? Pretty please?

[O2H O2H]

Scenario:

My husband, me, my 19yo dd, and 2 boys, 8 and 10
First trip together to WDW (dh has gone to MK and Epcot a bunch as a kid, and I have been to epcot once, 13 yrs ago, but that's it). 1 boy doesn't remember DLR at all, and the other remembers it only a bit (WAHHH!!!)

Flying in 12/14, out 12/20
Will try to get an early flight in, and lateish flight out, so I will land at 11 at the latest (will try for one that gets us in by 10 or 10:30) take MDE to AoA, check in, and hightail it to the park. Guessing we would be there in time for lunch.

Would that day be enough to do DHS including having lunch at a CS (could also eat at hotel for lunch) and the fantasmic dinner package (that day has evening EMH, so it doesn't close until 9)

That would leave 2 full days for MK, 2 full days for Epcot, 1 full day at AK, and then the last day go back to where? Crowd calendar puts MK much higher on the 20th.

I guess we could do the partial at DHS on the first day, and the partial at DHS on the last day? The 20th is AM EMH again at DHS, but I don't know what the chances are of getting everyone there by 8 on the 7th day, lol.

The original idea that I had was MK on the first partial, then 2 other full days at MK, 1 full at AK, 1 full at DHS, 1 full at Epcot, and then the final partial at Epcot, as well. That plan really doesn't utilize any of the EMH, and I'm not sure that 1 & a partial are enough for Epcot, esp. since we are doing the Candlelight processional/Illuminations dinner package AND a date night dinner there.

Help me, Obi Wan!!

 

[Perditamarie]

I think AK is a good half day park.

I also like your original plan - we had a strategy to avoid EMH parks, as we found them crowded with every WDW onsite guest! I think as long as you can make rope drop, you will be good even if you miss am EMH.

Happy planning!

 

[Mcbruns]

I think you can do DHS on your arrival day, but....

it really depends on what your must see / must do list is. We enjoy The Studios, but rarely spend a full day there.

 

[O2H O2H]

Things we will want to do at DHS

TSMM (loved this in DCA, so would love to ride multiple times)
Star Tours
Muppet Vision
One of the stunt shows (recs?)
At least one of the stage-y shows (beauty and the beast, little mermaid) recs?
RnR (at least once, maybe more)
ToT (same. LOVE this in DCA)
Captain Jack Sparrow? We do like the POtC movies, etc. Is this something worth seeing/doing?
Backlot Tour
Fantasmic dinner package

That seems like way more than a half-day's worth, right? Maybe if everything was a walk on. Hmm... I will have an ECV, too, so that might slow things down a bit.

 

[Figmentmommy]

We always do a full day at DHS - so much to do! Our 1/2 day is always for AK- usually the day we do MVMCP. If you do decide to do DHS on arrival day be sure to book a FastPass for TSMM. Stand by for that attraction can be brutal!
We will be there almost the same dates as you- great time to visit right?!? We haven't been in Dec in several years and can't wait to see Candlelight Processional!
Hope you have a terrific trip!

 

[Figmentmommy]

Oh- and definitely recommend Beauty and the Beast show......my absolute favorite!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Things we will want to do at DHS

TSMM (loved this in DCA, so would love to ride multiple times)
Star Tours
Muppet Vision
One of the stunt shows (recs?)
At least one of the stage-y shows (beauty and the beast, little mermaid) recs?
RnR (at least once, maybe more)
ToT (same. LOVE this in DCA)
Captain Jack Sparrow? We do like the POtC movies, etc. Is this something worth seeing/doing?
Backlot Tour
Fantasmic dinner package

That seems like way more than a half-day's worth, right? Maybe if everything was a walk on. Hmm... I will have an ECV, too, so that might slow things down a bit.

That is a lot, and HS is going to be extra crowded that day because it has evening EMH and the MK has a Christmas party, so people will flock to any place that has evening entertainment, like DHS. I would probably pick Epcot if I were you, simply because there is a lot to do there but I personally don't think you need two full days (Epcot is actually a half day park for us). If you don't land until 10:30, you probably can't plan on being in a park until 1:00, between transfers from the airport, checking in, and then getting to a park. At Epcot, that would mean you still would have 8 hours in the park, which will give you a lot of time to do a lot of stuff.


ETA: Also note that besides the Elsa/Anna M&G, TSM is the attraction with the longest waits in all of Disney World. Waits are consistently over 60 minutes for the entire day, no matter the crowd level.

 

[Deanie1]

I would recommend doing Indiana Jones for sure, especially with the ages of your two boys. I have not been to Jack Sparrow but I have read that there is not much to it and it is not worth waiting for. On your list, I would skip the Backlot Tour if you are short on time. Unfortunately, arriving later in the day means that the only time you are likely able to do TSMM is with a FP+.

Some people feel that AK is a 1/2 day park but personally, I love it and I usually stay from rope drop until about 4pm. As it closes early, it would not be a great choice for your first day.

 

[O2H O2H]

So, looking back over it, if I do DHS the first AND last day, I end up with 1 day in AK, 2 each in MK/Epcot, and essentially 1 1/2 days total in DHS. That would let me pre-book TSMM, RnR and ToT for FP+ on 2 days instead of one, and once we have used those, we can get more. On the AK day, even though it is a shorter day, I plan to go from there to Hoop De Doo Revue, so it fills out that day, too.

 

[ifjf414]

Things we will want to do at DHS

TSMM (loved this in DCA, so would love to ride multiple times)
Star Tours
Muppet Vision
One of the stunt shows (recs?)
At least one of the stage-y shows (beauty and the beast, little mermaid) recs?
RnR (at least once, maybe more)
ToT (same. LOVE this in DCA)
Captain Jack Sparrow? We do like the POtC movies, etc. Is this something worth seeing/doing?
Backlot Tour
Fantasmic dinner package

That seems like way more than a half-day's worth, right? Maybe if everything was a walk on. Hmm... I will have an ECV, too, so that might slow things down a bit.

You might be able to pull it off but that is a lot to squeeze in a half day. Probably wouldn't get to ride things multiple times. It's worth trying if you've got the last morning to play with. You could always come back for rope drop the last day and squeeze in anything you missed.

I liked the Motor show better than Indiana Jones but they were both close. It probably comes down to if you like stunt fights or stunt races better.

I liked the Little Mermaid show. It was different and I thought it was kinda cool. I HATED Beauty and the Beast. I saw the full stage show with a mediocre touring company and it was significantly better than what I saw at Disney World. I was really disappointed because normally Disney's standards are so much higher. We've done it twice hoping the first time was a fluke. It wasn't. We're going back in September and my wife and I have both said no way we are doing Beauty and the Beast again.

 

[mcconnellfam96]

I would definitely do DHS as your first partial day and last partial day. This would give you six FPs to use, plus if you hit those AM EMHs on the last day you could get in another headliner (RnR or TSMM) without a FP. Captain Jack Sparrow is worth doing once, especially with your boys' ages. I would not wait in a line longer than 20 or so minutes for it though. Also, be prepared - you stand in one place during the entire "show".

Enjoy your trip!

 

[twoplustwins]

We spend at least 1.5 days at DHS. Other than MK, it is their favorite park. Epcot for us is a half day park. We like Soarin, Test Track, Spaceship Earth, and Illuminations. We can do all that in a half day.

 

[csmith041177]

I agree that if forced, you can do a half day in Ak or DS. However, another option is to hit Epcot day 1, and then do just 1 more full day there.

 

[O2H O2H]

The thing with Epcot is that so much of the time is taken up with the candlelight processional, a fancy date night dinner, illustrations, etc and the park is so BIG that I wondered if we weren't rushing with less than 2 days

 

[practicallyperfect77]

In regards to your arrival day, you *might* be able to get all of AK in. I say *might* b/c I think it depends on what shows you would like to see and if you want to go out to Rafiki's planet watch. I arrived Thanksgiving day and was blessed with a great flight that arrived about 10:15. I think we got to Pop and were checked in and changing clothes around 11:30. We ate lunch in the cafe and then headed out to AK. I rode EE 3 time, walked through the trail, watched the monkeys, Flights of Wonder, saw the parade (I don't believe they have this anymore so you could FP+ the safari) and then saw Festival of the Lion King. I am not a fan of primevil whirl or dinosaur, but maybe your family is. The only thing I didn't do was see Finding Nemo. I have seen it before and it is wonderful, but wanted to see FOLK instead. Ended up leaving the park around 5:30 but it was open til 7 so definitely could have done other things. Oh - there is also the Wilderness Explorer adventure....kids do things to earn badges. AK is probably my 2nd fave park but you can still get a lot done in 6 hours.

One thing to consider adding to your HS list - see Osborne Lights...well that is if you like Christmas lights. I believe they usually come on at 6 and stay on til the park closes. As a PP stated, the park with the EMH will be the most crowded. Most folks recommend staying away from those parks if possible....the only caveat is if you have hoppers. So you could go to the park with AM EMH (as long as you take advantage of those hours) and stay til lunch and then hop somewhere else.

Oh and at Epcot during Christmas time they have the Holiday Storytellers around the world. I absolutely loved hearing how other countries celebrate their holiday. France, Mexico, Norwary and the UK were my favorites. Italy was good too!

Have a wonderful trip. There is nothing like Disney at Christmas time!

 

[ZoZo]

You'll get tons of conflicting advice about which park people consider a "half-day park." I think it all depends on the people and their interests. I think as long as you plan at least one day per park, you'll be okay - then you can repeat the ones you like the best or want to spend more time in.

 

[disney meema]

We plan several full days at MK & Epcot and then full day at DHS and AK ... If we want to see and do more at DHS or AK we do another 1/2 day

 

[SplashMo]

I don't think you will get to the park by NOON. It would be a good day for DHS as you can arrive and perhaps have the TSMM FP+ for 4-5PM and then jump in line at park close and ride it one more time. Disneyland is much easier to ride SOARIN and TSMM multiple times. Epcot is also a popular first day destination. You could FP+ SOARIN and illuminations and eat dinner, etc... Don't expect your group to have energy if the flight was from the west coast.

 

[O2H O2H]

Thanks much for all of your input. I decided to do:

Sun DHS
Mon MK
Tue EP
Wed MK
Thu EP
Fri AK
Sat DHS

You guys really helped me a lot, thanks!

 

[andyman8]

May I also suggest MVMCP. If it's your first-time, this is a must-do. Perhaps, you can add it to the end of one of your Epcot days. For example, on Tuesday, stay for IllumiNations, while on Thursday, you can take the monorail to MK at 3:30 to go into the park at 4 for the party.

I'd also recommend throwing in a night at DTD (perhaps after you're doing at DAK or after one of your MK days). Really fun place to do all your souvenir shopping (there's even a Christmas store!) and you'll find some awesome meals like Wolfgang Puck. Not to mention the Festival of the Seasons is very pretty to see.