What would you do? Park days...

[hlm2007]

So we are thinking of making a last minute trip to Disney with our girls (11 and 13) at the end of the month and staying at the Swan. We fly in on the morning of the 29th until afternoon Feb 1. We are considering two plans and I'm wondering which everyone thinks is the better plan to enjoy ourselves and maximize our time.
Plan A (3 day non park hopper ticket)
Jan 29th Epcot (could get to the park by 12:30)
Jan 30th MK
Jan 31 HS

Plan B (2 day park hopper ticket)
Jan 29th No park (explore resorts, pool if weather permits, etc)
Jan 30th AK and MK
Jan 31st HS and EP

Those two ticket options are basically the cheapest for the time we have there. Obviously a 3 day hopper would be fantastic but I don't know if I can wrap my head around the cost of it for such a short trip since this is already going to be pricey of course.
Thanks for your advice in advance!

 

[MMR76]

I like the 1st option. I think you would want a full day in both MK and HS since both parks have so much to do.

 

[NashvilleMama]

I vote Plan A as well....it'll feel more relaxing and you won't have the pressure of squeezing in all you want to do at the parks in just a few hours so you can hop to another.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I would say B because I can't imagine ever skipping AK.

 

[BarbLynnM]

I agree with the above poster regarding not skipping AK; personally, while I enjoy all the parks, it's my favorite. I love the greenery, the rides and the "vibe," and Pandora at night is my most favorite part of any park--it's just magical to me.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

I would also do Plan B. I would rather hit some highlights of all 4 than skip AK. The safari ride and FOP are two of our favorites in all of WDW. Iwould use touring plans to maximize the partial days at each park and help you to decide what you want to skip.

That said, you will lose time each day hopping between parks and if you feel like that would be a real waste of time, then you may be better served by Plan A.

 

[sethschroeder]

Skip AK

Option A - you need to hit Rope Drop for MK and HS. If you did the park hopper and started at AK then you will have a hard time getting through MK and starting at MK means early Park closing and long lines at AK.

 

[CynBeth]

Plan A. There is no guarantee you will get hop to another park it depends on availability and travel can take time. With such a short trip would just do full days in as many parks as you can.

 

[tstein12]

Have you all been to WDW before? That could factor into your decision if you all have been to all of the parks already.
If you haven't, I would go with Plan A (since AK is not a full day park at the moment).

 

[disneygirlsng]

Have you all been to WDW before? That could factor into your decision if you all have been to all of the parks already.
If you haven't, I would go with Plan A (since AK is not a full day park at the moment).

The bold is a personal opinion. It is more than a full day park for me at the moment. Of course everyone is different, but I wouldn't say that is a definite.

 

[tstein12]

The bold is a personal opinion. It is more than a full day park for me at the moment. Of course everyone is different, but I wouldn't say that is a definite.

I definitely agree with it being a personal opinion! It really depends on what you are interested in...if they are newbies, AK could definitely be a full day park even with no entertainment/shows.

 

[sethschroeder]

depends on availability

There is pretty much a 0% chance they can't hop anywhere they want in a couple weeks when they visit.

 

[sethschroeder]

The bold is a personal opinion. It is more than a full day park for me at the moment. Of course everyone is different, but I wouldn't say that is a definite.

It's a full day if you can't get there at park opening and have long waits or you want to spend a bunch if time watching the animals.

So yes an opinion but suspect most people will hit the primary attractions and possibly walk the trial.

There is a subset of people who can easily spend a day there but not likely someone who planned on skipping it to start with.

 

[hlm2007]

We have been to Disney several times. The only reason my kids would choose to go to AK would be for Flight of Passage and I don't know we would want to waste part of a day on just that ride. If we could go there just for FOP and hop after that, I would do it without hesitation but not being able to hop until 2pm definitely could be an issue. We have never done the new Star Wars rides in HS though and I think they would love that. When I was at Disney in November with a couple friends (moms trip!)l, we had just a couple hours in AK and it was plenty of time - that park is just never a full day park for us.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Your arrival day could be just explore since you can easily get to the SkyLiner and then Disney Springs by bus / or early night to relax and prepare for early morn park entrance.

 

[sethschroeder]

We have never done the new Star Wars rides in HS though and I think they would love that.

Rise is a better ride in pretty much every aspect they should love it.

 

[ghtx]

Plan A

 

[VandVsmama]

Plan A.

 

[Erzengel]

Plan A.

 

[Blondie58]

So much is personal preference: With kids I would do MK and HS and have some time for R and R. Without children my choice would be MK and AK. If this is a last minute mid-winter break from "lock-down" and Covid mania, I would not want to be rushing around. A trip to the Swan/Dolphin Spa for a manicure might be fun too. I bet Dad won't mind some down time. lol My thoughts are what would best suit me - you know you better. Have a great time!!