What to do with one day at WDW?

[bethwc101]

If you only had one day at WDW what would you do?
My DH and I might do one day at WDW for our one year anniversary. I'm a DLR vet and never been to WDW. So what would you do with one day?

 

[loves to dive]

I've never been to DLR so I can't compare the two but I'd say do the things you can't do there.

 

[mickeymom22]

We have done one day park days before. We have three kids and seems like we always gravitate to Magic Kingdom. There is just so much that everyone can do there compared to the other parks.

That being said, if it was just my hubby and I, we would probably choose Epcot or Animal Kingdom. Epcot is so much fun with World Showcase. We also enjoy Soarin' and Test Track...also the new Frozen attraction will be opening soon. Great restaurants to choose from for that special anniversary dinner too!

Animal Kingdom is just so special with its theming and shows and rides! It now stays open at night, and I can't wait to see the evening light show.

Whatever you pick, I am sure you will have a magical anniversary day!

Happy Planning!

 

[bethwc101]

I have heard park hopping is difficult in WDW. Is it possible to do a few parks or just too much. So what are 10 things you would do in a day at WDW.

 

[Hans Olo]

I didn't find it hard to park hop from Hollywood Studios to MK when we went last year. It was actually my favorite park day of the seven days we were there

What I would do is start my day early at Magic Kingdom and do Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Mine Train and Peter Pan. I'd have lunch at Pecos Bills or Cosmic Rey's. Then I'd head over to Epcot and enjoy World Showcase and have dinner at Yorkshire County Fish Shop!

Last time we were at Epcot (with my four kids,husband and my mom) it rained the entire time and I didn't really get to enjoy everything I wanted.

 

[bwang123]

a few years ago we went to disney world where i had gone as a 15 year old and my wife had never been. we went to magic kingdom the entire day from opening to closing. my wife was hooked and we have been back many times since.

 

[Karin1984]

If you have one day and have never been to WDW, but you do know DLR. I would do things that are familiar but different. Epcot and Animal Kingdom are loved by many, but there are also people who do not enjoy these parks. I wouldnt gamble with one day and go to one of these parks, what if it is not to your living? DHS has many closed rides. Therefore, I would stick to Magic Kingdom. Do the rides you do not have in DLR or are different and then end with a dessert party or dinner at California Grill.

 

[SplashMo]

You could start with AK until 2PM then hop over to Epcot for dinner, World Showcase and Illuminations.

 

[Dreamport]

Park Hopping is not as easy as walking across the promenade at Disneyland, but it's not terribly difficult. Free buses (sometimes boats) are offered between parks and a monorail runs between MK and Epcot. As long as you make realistic plans of only seeing two parks, MAYBE one extra thing at a third, then you'd be okay. I'd actually suggest splurging on the hoppers even for your one day. Focus mostly on Magic Kingdom and hop to Epcot or Hollywood Studios to catch anything which sounds interesting to check out for you. If you really think Magic Kingdom sounds too much like an expanded Disneyland knock off (it's not, even with a bunch of things similar) and/or want to try to fit in all four parks then start early at Animal Kingdom (Everest, the Safari, Lion King show), work your way over to Hollywood Studios (Rockin' Roller Coaster, take in a show and/or TSMM/Tower of Terror) and Epcot (there is a back entrance to the World Showcase countries, work your way forward to Test Track, Living Seas and Spaceship Earth), then hop the monorail and end the night with Wishes in front of Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom. Try to fit in a ride on our Haunted Mansion and 7 Dwarfs Mine Train in New Fantasyland. It would be a VERY full day and most likely only work during times of the year when the parks are open later. You can always have fun just picking two parks as well (I'd go with MK and Epcot) since it really is much more spread out than in California.

 

[MeganMango]

I have heard park hopping is difficult in WDW. Is it possible to do a few parks or just too much. So what are 10 things you would do in a day at WDW.

Park hopping is NOT difficult at all. Super easy. I've done 3 parks in one day to hit my favorite highlights. They say to allow an hour between parks for transportation, but it's never taken me more than 35 minutes to get between parks. Ever. I've done Epcot, animal kingdom, and magic kingdom all in one day before. It also helps when one of those parks is open late. Animal kingdom seems to be open til 11 now and magic kingdom as late as 1am.

Highlights I would do if I only had one day:

Rope drop Animal Kingdom for Kilimanjaro Safari
Dinosaur (AK)
Soarin (Ep)
Test Track (Ep)
Mission Space (Ep)
Spaceship Earth (Ep)
Haunted Mansion (MK)
Space Mountain (MK)
Peter Pan's flight (MK)
Pirates of the Carribean (MK)
Mickey's PhilharMagic (MK)

Those are just a few off the top of my head!

 

[Klayfish]

For just one day and never been to WDW before, for me there is only one answer. Magic Kingdom. It was the first, and to me is the heart and soul of WDW. I would hit any number of attractions there:
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Pirates of the Carribean
It's a Small World (I know some don't like it, but it's classic Disney)
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Buzz Lightyear
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Anything else you can get into

If time then allowed, I'd hop to another park. Which one depends on your tastes. Epcot may have the most to see and do, but Animal Kingdom just did upgrades and is now open at night, so there's tons of new things there.

 

[bethwc101]

It would be a VERY full day and most likely only work during times of the year when the parks are open later.

Well it would be labor day weekend so I'm guessing the parks would be open late.

Is Fantasmic worth seeing?

 

[bopper]

If you go to DLR all the time, then you know what MK and DHS is like (sort of)...
So you could try Epcot which is different than DL.
Or you could try MK and see how it is the same or different.

 

[WatchMeFly]

I did one day at WDW a little over a year ago. We started the day in Epcot and then park hopped to Magic Kingdom. We definitely didn't see everything in either park, but for one day it was cool to get a little of each. What are your preferences when in the parks? Do you prefer shows and parades, thrill rides, or gentle rides? Are you more interested in characters, animals, or eating good meals? I would personally start the day at Epcot or Hollywood Studios (I love the thrill rides at these parks) and stay at the first park through lunch. Last year, we chose Epcot because we wanted to have lunch in the World Showcase and see some of the countries. Then, I would park hop to Magic Kingdom to finish out the day.

My planning last year was a little too fast paced for my group, so if I was doing it again I wouldn't plan for more than 2 attractions in an hour, leave an hour each for lunch, dinner, and snacking in case you feel like sitting for a while, and give yourself an hour to hop parks. You'll probably do more than this, but you won't feel like you're rushing around too much!

 

[Klayfish]

Well it would be labor day weekend so I'm guessing the parks would be open late.

Is Fantasmic worth seeing?

In my opinion, yes. It's a really unique show with lots of incredible special effects.

 

[bethwc101]

I love the little things at DLR. My favorite area is Fantasyland but it is usually so packed we stay away. I just love doing whatever whenever not really running around, but I might have to do a bit of that with only one day at WDW. For me I love DLR because I basically grew up there.
So I think WDWwill be a completely different experience.
Hopefully we can do this trip.

 

[Karin1984]

Mmm... fantasmic is better at DLR in my opinion, so if you had to do a night show, I would suggest Illuminations.

 

[warrenz1963]

Two different ideas that would both be fun for me:
1) Spend your day comparing/contrasting the attractions that occur both here and at DLR. Most of the repeats are very similar, but not all. (Space Mountain is quite different, for example.) I've never been to DCA, but I couldn't imagine going to DLR and not spending some time at DL park.
2) Spend your day at AK or EPCOT, which offer the most overall unique experience.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I would do MK and EPCOT. My first thought is to do MK first and then hop to EPCOT midafternoon so my dinner could be there. But MK fireworks above the castle is my favorite so I think I would do EPCOT first and then to MK midafternoon and stay through the fireworks. Hopping between these two is very easy by monorail from MK to the Transportation Center then switching monorails to the EPCOT line. Agreed that you should allow an hour but it will likely be less.

When we went to DL, we hopped from DLPark to CA a few times in one day. I would not suggest that at WDW. It's easy to hop but takes up precious time. One hop per day is the most I would do. Enjoy!

 

[Dreamport]

Well it would be labor day weekend so I'm guessing the parks would be open late.

Is Fantasmic worth seeing?

For the park hours -- most likely. I've never gone that time of year so someone else might have a better perspective on what all can fit into one day. At this time last year (late June) I was able to do a good deal of Epcot, hop to HS to see Fantasmic! (nothing else, though) and closed out with Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom until 2am, reaching the park in time to see the nighttime parade heading up Main Street and caught Wishes! from behind the castle (you don't see the projections from there). The park hours, show times, and EMH fell into place for this to happen. Research what all those will be to help you plan.

As for Fantasmic!, it's my favorite show so of course I'll say it's worth seeing! The show isn't much different (Pocahontas instead of Peter Pan), but it has it's own stadium rather than being up close on the Rivers of America. If you love the show out west then I'd think about seeing it here, too. If you're lukewarm then there are other nighttime spectaculars to catch. Personally, I'm lukewarm about Illuminations but others here will say don't miss it, especially since there isn't a show like it at Disneyland. If you choose Illuminations then definitely take the time to scout seats along the water to see the lower projections - or try to book a meal at one of the World Showcase restaurants along the shoreline. If you find yourself in Epcot after dark, take the time to ride Test Track. I seem to enjoy it more after dark.