kbmartin
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2014
- Messages
- 796
Hi everyone! I am a seasoned WDW veteran, but I have not visited WDW during December since I was very young. It's getting close to my FP+ reservation date, so I need to have my schedule finalized ASAP. I am really second-guessing myself regarding which parks to visit each day and could use some reassurance and/or advice.
My concern lies with crowd levels at the parks on Saturday, Dec. 9th and Tuesday, Dec. 10th. I will write my concerns on those days below - they have to do with differing opinions on crowds on two reputable Disney blogs. I know some people might suggest going to the parks on different days, but I like to have a "rest" day in between each park day if possible - touring the parks one day after another is really hard on my flat feet.
Here's my current itinerary:
Thursday, Dec. 7th - arrive late at night, stay at Pop Century
Friday, Dec. 8th - switch from Pop Century to Coronado Springs (we have free dining starting on this day), visit Disney Springs for lunch and head to the Orlando Outlets. I don't want to do a park on this day due to switching resorts - I'd rather just get settled in our new resort and do some low-key activities.
Saturday, Dec. 9th - rope drop Animal Kingdom EMH. Go straight to FOP to ride standby and ALSO have a FP to ride it a second time. Other FPs: Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest. We will probably not spend a ton of time at AK - just hit our favorite rides and maybe do one show. MAYBE go to HS. Later on, go to Epcot. Mostly stick to Future World and do the rides but go to Via Napoli with a reservation right before close. Leisurely walk out of the park and get on a bus once the lines are mostly gone. My concerns: One site lists this day as having "heavy crowds" and says that all parks are "the worst" to visit except HS. Another site lists all parks I plan to visit that day as a 6/10 when it comes to crowds. I am wondering if I should rope drop HS this day instead of going to AK, but I like morning EMHs, and we won't stay there long...
Sunday, December 10th - Brunch at the Top at the Contemporary around noon. Spend a couple hours there, then do the monorail loop to see the Christmas decorations and hang out on the beach at the Poly. By 4 pm, head to MK for MVMCP.
Monday, December 11th - Sleep in, swim, shop at Disney Springs, maybe mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens, late dinner at Narcoossee's at the GF. If this turns out to be a really nice day, we would consider Typhoon Lagoon.
Tuesday, December 12th - Rope drop at HS. FPs for ToT, TSMM, and Star Tours. Switch to MK for the afternoon to catch a couple rides, have lunch at LTT, and see the Festival of Fantasy parade. Eventually switch to Epcot for the rest of the night - they have EMHs until 11:30. Mostly stick to World Showcase since Future World lines might be bad due to EMHs. Maybe catch Illuminations as DH has never seen it. My concerns: Both sites warn against going to Epcot. One site says that AK and MK are the best parks with crowd levels being a 3/10. I'm debating if I should rope drop AK this day instead.
Wednesday, December 13th - Sleep in and swim at Coronado with a late check-out. Check baggage and head to Disney Springs to have lunch, shop, and see a movie. Perhaps do free mini-golfing. If a really nice day, possibly head to Typhoon Lagoon. DME pick-up around 3:30.
So, what are your thoughts regarding Saturday and Tuesday? Am I overthinking things since I am pretty good at making efficient touring plans? Do you have any advice regarding craziness at one of those parks vs. another? Will we really experience "heavy crowds" on Saturday, Dec. 9th? Thank you for any of your thoughts!
My concern lies with crowd levels at the parks on Saturday, Dec. 9th and Tuesday, Dec. 10th. I will write my concerns on those days below - they have to do with differing opinions on crowds on two reputable Disney blogs. I know some people might suggest going to the parks on different days, but I like to have a "rest" day in between each park day if possible - touring the parks one day after another is really hard on my flat feet.
Here's my current itinerary:
Thursday, Dec. 7th - arrive late at night, stay at Pop Century
Friday, Dec. 8th - switch from Pop Century to Coronado Springs (we have free dining starting on this day), visit Disney Springs for lunch and head to the Orlando Outlets. I don't want to do a park on this day due to switching resorts - I'd rather just get settled in our new resort and do some low-key activities.
Saturday, Dec. 9th - rope drop Animal Kingdom EMH. Go straight to FOP to ride standby and ALSO have a FP to ride it a second time. Other FPs: Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest. We will probably not spend a ton of time at AK - just hit our favorite rides and maybe do one show. MAYBE go to HS. Later on, go to Epcot. Mostly stick to Future World and do the rides but go to Via Napoli with a reservation right before close. Leisurely walk out of the park and get on a bus once the lines are mostly gone. My concerns: One site lists this day as having "heavy crowds" and says that all parks are "the worst" to visit except HS. Another site lists all parks I plan to visit that day as a 6/10 when it comes to crowds. I am wondering if I should rope drop HS this day instead of going to AK, but I like morning EMHs, and we won't stay there long...
Sunday, December 10th - Brunch at the Top at the Contemporary around noon. Spend a couple hours there, then do the monorail loop to see the Christmas decorations and hang out on the beach at the Poly. By 4 pm, head to MK for MVMCP.
Monday, December 11th - Sleep in, swim, shop at Disney Springs, maybe mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens, late dinner at Narcoossee's at the GF. If this turns out to be a really nice day, we would consider Typhoon Lagoon.
Tuesday, December 12th - Rope drop at HS. FPs for ToT, TSMM, and Star Tours. Switch to MK for the afternoon to catch a couple rides, have lunch at LTT, and see the Festival of Fantasy parade. Eventually switch to Epcot for the rest of the night - they have EMHs until 11:30. Mostly stick to World Showcase since Future World lines might be bad due to EMHs. Maybe catch Illuminations as DH has never seen it. My concerns: Both sites warn against going to Epcot. One site says that AK and MK are the best parks with crowd levels being a 3/10. I'm debating if I should rope drop AK this day instead.
Wednesday, December 13th - Sleep in and swim at Coronado with a late check-out. Check baggage and head to Disney Springs to have lunch, shop, and see a movie. Perhaps do free mini-golfing. If a really nice day, possibly head to Typhoon Lagoon. DME pick-up around 3:30.
So, what are your thoughts regarding Saturday and Tuesday? Am I overthinking things since I am pretty good at making efficient touring plans? Do you have any advice regarding craziness at one of those parks vs. another? Will we really experience "heavy crowds" on Saturday, Dec. 9th? Thank you for any of your thoughts!
