Which park, which day

[jdm]

Hi

We'll be there, peak time through President's weekend. We'll have 4 day hoppers and we'll be spending Sat thru Tues touring.

My ? for the experienced is - What days should we do what parks for making the most of our time?The parks we are most interested in is Epcot and Animal Kingdom. We just did Disneyland last year so MK isn't too big a deal, except I'd like to see the fireworks. I'm not sure there is a whole lot in MGM but will need to research more. We've seen Fantasmic several times over the years in DL. We are staying offsite so we will not have early entry.

Thanks for any tips
Jenn

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

If you like thrill rides, then Tower of Terror and Rock-n-Rollercoaster are must see's. They are our favorites. I think you are getting a Tower of Terror in DL, so maybe you don't have to go to that, but the rollercoaster is fun. The restaurants are neat at MGM (my favorite is the Brown Derby), the stunt show is good, and the parade is fun esp. for boys because of all of the fancy cars. So you might still want to see MGM, even if only for a few hours.

As far as the parks are concerned....... I hear they are pretty busy on weekends, esp. Holiday weekends and Disney considers this a Holiday weekend. The 2 parks you've chosen will be the best and slowest since MK is busiest on weekends. If you are staying at a WDW resort, use the early entry program which is held for only WDW resort guests and involves 1 park per day. If you check the Disney website, it will tell you which days are early entry at which parks. But then all the books and posts tell you to leave late morning and head elsewhere, because then the early entry parks get packed when you add all of the nonresort guests as well. I also hear that you should do Future World early in morning or late at night and it will be easier to get on the attractions faster. Then go to World Showcase during the crowded times when you are milling about and enjoying the sights. Make PS for eating so you can get a seat quickly and still have a good meal. Also I read that some will head back to the hotel during the busiest and hottest time of the day to rest, swim, or nap. And that is an option to get out of the parks during the hectic time. Although I always found it difficult to do that when I am inside the park... I want to keep playing. But I will have to try this time since I have 3 nappers in the household now, including my husband.

These are just a few suggestions from what I've read and heard, but I usually go during really slow times of the year and usually don't have a problem. So this is what I've read in Posts and in the "Unofficial Guide". Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

 

[jdm]

We are staying offsite at Cypress Pointe (for that portion of our trip) so will not have early entry benenfit. The only other time we've done Disneyworld was New Years 2000 AFTER the crowds left. The other occasions we've been in Orlando this time of year, we've done US/IA staying on site with front of the line privilages.

Anyway, it doesn't look like the hours are too extended for the weekend we're there and temps will probably be cooler so we'll probably stay open to close, or maybe hop.

My kids are dd 11 and dneice 13. We did spend a few hours 4 years ago in MGM but I remember us kind of milling around trying to come up with places to go. My dh did do the roller coaster and loved it. I had forgotten about that one. My neice loves thrill rides so that will be a must for her. I don't know about TOT (scarrrrey). I'm a big wimp!

Are we better off to go to a non-early entry park if we don't have that? Does anyone know which day would be best for Epcot out of the 4?

Any good strategy on hopping from what park to what park?? I feel a guidebook purchase coming on!

Thanks
Jenn

 

[jcemom]

I'd recommend picking up a guidebook or check out tourguidemike.com so you can at least choose your "must do" attractions from each park.

As for which days, using some guidebook info (I've never been on a holiday weekend personally) I'd probably do:
Saturday: Animal Kingdom (this one closes early with no evening entertainment, so you may want to hop over to Epcot later on)
Sunday: Epcot
Monday: MGM Studios (maybe do what you want here, then hop over to Epcot if you get bored with MGM)
Tuesday: Magic Kingdom (will probably be crowded no matter which day you go, but according to all the guidebooks I've read this should be the best day of your given choices)

Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[jdm]

Thanks for posting, that helps me. I needed someone to say, this on this day, that on that day etc!! After you plan and plan and plan, it starts to get overwhelming.

Thanks for the responses
Jenn

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

You are welcome! Hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

Don't be afraid to park hop. We generally start out at a park that has shorter hours and then switch over later in the day to one with the longer hours. Epcot World Showcase is a good one to do later in the day because they are open until 9:00 pm and there is lots of room to move around. If you want to do anything in FW though (especially Mission Space and TT) you might want to pick one day to be there on opening.

I would also agree that MK should be done on Tuesday based on the days you will be there.

Disney Studios (I think they dropped the "MGM") is best done early in the day to hit the rides and more popular shows. The place can get pretty crowded later on and they don't have as much space of absorb all the people that, let's say, Epcot can handle.

We love all the parks ... you might need to do a little research about the attractions at the Studios before you go, so you don't get caught "milling around" as there are lots of shows, etc.

 

[dgaston]

jdm: Some things your crew might enjoy at the Studios
RnR Coaster, ToT, Beauty and Beast show, Voyage of Little Mermaid (tho no one in my family wants to go with me to this), Indiana Jones stunt show, Star Tour, and Muppets 3-D.

 

[ladycollector]

Please dont overlook MGM Studios. (even if they dropped the 'mgm' I like it anyway, heh heh.)

We didn't do much at MGM during our first trip, but this time we were there almost every day! I believe we did RoRC 21 times! (3 or 4 rides at a time)

Some of our other favorites,

Tower of terror
Who wants to be a Millionaire (Absolute favorite of all, we got on twice last time weee!)
Backlot tour
Muppets
Beauty and the beast
Im SO gonna miss the animation studio!

Just walking around is awesome, we love the atmosphere! And dont miss the Sci-Fi restaurant, its an attraction in itself!


Have fun!

 

[jdm]

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas. I didn't realize they dropped the MGM. What is the Who wants to be a millionaire about? I guess we'll have to go and check it out.

Jenn