What would YOU do in 4 days? Help me plan.

[jz6982]

DH and I will be at the World Wed Dec 8th to Sun Dec 12th. We are 28 and 30 (I have never been). No kids.

Which park do you suggest we go to each day, considering hours, crowds, etc.? (it is Pop Warner week) What do you consider a "must see" - rides, restuarants, etc.? Character dining is not an interest.

We are staying within Disney. We our ending our Disney vacation to do a 7 day cruise (non-Disney) so I'm not concerned with laying by a pool, etc. I want to see as much of the parks and all that Disney offers.

Help me make the best use of our time and see the most magical parts of the parks!!


Thanks!!!!

 

[OregonGirl]

Hi jz -

First, I recommend you join the official DECEMBER 2010 solo trip thread in this same DisBoards section (I will bump it so you can see it towards the top) - there are a bunch of us adult single/solo travelers going around that same time and we're working on scheduling various meets, ADRs, etc.

Second, in general, rides I would suggest are:

IF YOU LIKE ROLLERCOASTERS
Magic Kingdom
- Space Mountain
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Splash Mountain
Epcot
- Test Track
Animal Kingdom
- Expedition Everest
- Dinosaur
Hollywood Studios
- Rock n Roller Coaster
- Tower of Terror
- Star Tours (except the ride is being refurbished until 2011)

IF YOU LIKE 'EXPERIENCES'
Magic Kingdom
- Philharmagic
- Train ride around the park
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority
- Space Ranger Spin
- Haunted Mansion
- Hall of Presidents
Epcot
- Spaceship Earth
- Sourin'
- Living Seas
- Captain Neo (replaces Honey I Shrunk the Audience)
- ANY of the World Showcase movies or restaurants
- Illuminations
Hollywood Studios
- Motors Stunt Show
- Indiana Jones
- Great Movie Ride
- Toy Story Mania
- Animation Walkthrough
Animal Kingdom
- Kilimanjaro Safari
- Festival of the Lion King
- Jungle Trek
- Forest Trail

In general, my favorite restaurants are:
Magic Kingdom
- Liberty Tree Tavern
Epcot
- Les Cellier
- Rose & Crown
Hollywood Studios
- Brown Derby
Animal Kingdom
- Yak & Yeti
- Rainforest Cafe
Downtown Disney
- T-Rex

For crowd levels and suggested parks each day of your trip, I recommend the trip advisor service through allears.net - they list up to about 30 days in advance (unless you want to pay to see the whole year). Since you ARE going during Pop Warner, I recommend to STAY AWAY from any of the All Star resorts and maybe even Port Orleans (both) as that is the spill over moderate for the groups. I have heard nightmare stories but fortunately these kids are not in the parks except for some evenings and weekends, and as long as you avoid any packs of cheerleaders (they're not hard to spot) it shouldn't be a big deal.

You will never see it all in 4 days. I am excited for you and your first trip! You are going during a good time. I also highly suggest taking advanage of at least ONE Very Merry Christmas Party while you are there.

There's lots more I could say but this should at least get you started.

 

[jz6982]

I just got our tickets for MVMCP. Do you have to be there at 7 or can you come anytime after 7? Any suggestions for dinner that night?

 

[Sha]

I just got our tickets for MVMCP. Do you have to be there at 7 or can you come anytime after 7? Any suggestions for dinner that night?

you can go into the park as early as 4pm with that ticket. Book as soon as your window opens. Depends on if you want to be in the park or not for dinner.

 

[nurse.darcy]

I just got our tickets for MVMCP. Do you have to be there at 7 or can you come anytime after 7? Any suggestions for dinner that night?

I recommend booking a dinner at Tony's Town Square for 5 p.m. or later that evening. Really fun and Italian cuisine. You will love it and already be in the park.

 

[solpo]

My first adult trip was also my wife's first trip, and we had two and a half days and managed to get a good taste of the park. If you want to do as much at the parks as possible, take a look at the touring plans in the Unofficial Guide to WDW or at their website which will cost you a couple of bucks to which to subscribe. If you follow their one day plans for adults, you'll see just about everything. The key is to get to the parks early--like before opening time, and move as fast as you can in your first couple of hours. Doing this will leave your afternoons and evenings relatively free to explore and really experience serendipitous Disney magic. Another thought is that both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios can be done in less than full days, leaving extra time to spend at MK or Epcot.

If you don't want the Disney commando experience, then just get there early, ride a couple of the big rides and get fast passes for the others and take your time. The key thing is to know that you'll be going back....

Just about anyone can give you the big "E-ticket" attractions, but here's a list from memory:
Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids (you will get SOAKED)
Epcot: Soarin, Test Track
Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, Rock n' Roller Coaster
Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion

Given judicious use of fastpasses and moving quickly, you'll be able to get all of these done, every day, well before noon.

 

[My Grandpa]

We bought the Birnbaum's Park Guide last year and it is great. You don't need the big guide with all the info about the resorts. I lent it to a co-worker who did a girl-friends trip a few weeks ago and she loved using it.

Our top picks .... repeating some things from the other posts:

Epcot at night to see Illuminations. Find your favorite food and book a dinner reservation that gets you out by 8:30 p.m. The Japanese stakehouse is a load of fun - you dine with others if you are up for that. In Epcot Soarin Soarin and Soarin. Go there first when you come into the park and then when you get off ... grab a Fast Pass to come back later. If you are cool with being in tight enclosed spaces and don't get motion sick ... Mission Space for sure. More Soarin. Test Track. Going thru the nations is fun. Like to shop ... go to Japan. Best inexpensive lunch: The Cantina (I think it's called) outside of Mexico. Like beer? Germany or the Pup at England.

Okay ... stay with me ... because you might think this is too sappy .... arrive for "Rope Drop" at the Magic Kingdom. It is a group excitement rush that is the spirt of Disney. Mickey's Philermagic (I'm not spelling that right). Love all the 3D experiences!!!! My recommendation is that if you are going to Disney .... you really should do the Magic Kingdom. The attractions are so varied you are gonna have fun!

Buy park-hoppper passes. That way you can go to another park at night to mix it up.

Do some advance planning!!! Know what you want to do and see and study the maps about how to get there. It is a little sad watching folks turning the maps around trying to figure out where to go next.

Animal Kingdom .... it is not a zoo. Go straight to the tree and see "It's a Bug's Life"

Spend an evening at Downtown Disney. It is not a park ... and you need to show some gift shopping control ... but it is fun. And if you've got the budget and have never seen a performance ... go see Cirque de Soleil. Earl of Sandwich makes great .... sandwiches and you don't have to spend a lot of wait long to get an easy dinner.

You are so gonna have fun!!!
Cheers, My Grandpa