Which parks not to miss??

[mumof3girls]

Hi

i am a newbie to DIS and have a million questions and am sure i will find the answers around here as everyone seems to know lots!!

this will be my first trip to disney (first to the US in fact ) and as we are going (my husband and i) on the way to a business trip we will only be there 4 days. We arrive on the 30th at night time or late arvo it is and we will leave on the 3rd about lunch time so really its 3 days. We have a 4 day park hopper and as i have never been before i dont know how much we can fit in!! Obviously its only 2 adults so no kid stops etc which should make life a bit easier. Are there parks that we should give a miss or can we somehow fit in all the good bits?? IF so what are the good bits not to be missed!!

Thanks again for any insight

 

[JPN4265]

My suggestion is the following:

Day 1 - Magic Kingdom (Full day and night)
Day 2 - Epcot (Full day and night)
Day 3 - Animal Kingdom (1/2 day)
Day 3 - Disney Studio (1/2 day)

Note: For your half day trips, choose the park that has the early morning entry or extra hour late advantage so as to pick up that extra hour. The days listed are not to be intended as when you should go, only as how much time you should spend at each park. Also, plan, plan, plan. Don't just show up and ramble along. Know what you want to accomplish before you get to the parks. Good luck.

 

[Silver Queen]

I concur with the first poster that responded to you. Magic Kingdom and Epcot and definitely full day parks. Each park has its own charm and will provide many wonderful things for you and your husband to see and do. If you haven't already done so I suggest geting a good WDW guide. I like Birnbaum but others have their favorites like the Passporter. This will help you decide which attractions you'd like to see in each park. I also agree that it will be important to do some planning ahead. Besides, planning is one way to start enjoying your vacation now! Above all, welcome to our country and enjoy the Magic!

 

[Raenstoirm]

I like that 4 day schedule above as well. A good rule of thumb is follow the fastpass rule...if a ride has a fast pass it is popular. That is not to say that other things are not worth your time such as the TTA and Carousel of Progress at MK and the many shows in all the parks, but if you want a good feel for Disney follow the fastpasses.
You dont mention when you are going. If it is "off season", two adults should be able to ride almost everything once in 3 days if you are willing to spend over 12 hours a day in the parks (and yes I can and have spent 14-16 hours in the parks on a single day).

You'll love it!

 

[DizzDoll]

Welcome to the Boards and the US!! Add me to the concurring list - you have some good suggestions to work with. Regarding guidebooks they're a must (Birnbaum's and the Unofficial Guide are the ones I get every year, and I just added UG's pocket planner to the group), and you can also look into Allearsnet.com and gather a TON of information from that site as well - everything from resort reviews to dining reviews to park reviews...

Wear comfortable shoes and plan on doing a LOTTA walking! And above all, if you see something fun or pretty, stop and look. That's all part of the magic.

 

[mumof3girls]

Thanks very much for all your help, we are going from December 30th - Jan 3rd so i am thinking this will be a very busy time

We plan on doing MK on the 31st December, i think we will arrive early when it opens and stay for the New Years celebrations so that will be one VERY long day

Thanks again, i am finally starting to feel like im getting somewhere with all the planning

Love DIS

 

[Creekermom]

Don't forget if you get tired you can go back to your hotel and rest for an hour and just pick up where you left off when you return to the park.
On the day that you are going to Animal Kingdom, keep in mind that park closes early.. like 5pm So you will have your evening to return to one of the parks of your choosing say MK for example for the evening since you have hopper passes.

We stayed 5 nights 6 days and still didn't have enough time to do everything we wanted to do.

Get an autograph book or make one in case you want to get your favorite characters signatures.

Get the Disney Photo Pass... the park photographers will take your pic at certain locations... They are priceless!

Oh before I forget, you can go to any Guest Services in any of the parks and get your 1st time Badges (buttons) and they are FREE!

 

[danceintherain]

You didn't mention if you're staying on-site at one of the Disney Resorts, or off-site. Off-site means no Extra Magic Hours, which limits the amount of time in the parks a little. The hours are extended during the Holidays, but EMH gives a little extra time.

Other than that I agree with the above-mentioned 4 day plan. Magic Kingdom requires at least a full day. There's just so much to see and do... Also, they tend to "close" the park on New Year's Eve. We were there last year, and they tried to tell us it had reached capacity at around 2pm (it might have been a bit earlier) We were at Animal Kingdom in the morning (we love Park Hopping!) When we decided it was time to move over to MK, one CM told us it was closed, and we wouldn't be able to get in. We went to the buses anyways, and the CM there told us they were just saying that to divert people to the other parks. We ended up getting in, but it was PACKED nonetheless.

I hope you have a great time! We always do!

 

[hourfromdisney]

Me too. I agree that the first plan is an awesome plan. But if it's going to rain the first day I would switch EPCOT out for Magic Kingdom. There is more indoor stuff at EPCOT. Also the Disney website has links on all 4 parks page for fun for Big Kids, to skip the "kids stuff." If thats what you want to do. (I like the kids stuff.) Also, new to the Disney web site is custom maps that you can make for yourself.

 

[Micca]

Wanted to say WELCOME to the Dis, and to our country. If you love Disney you will be so thrilled with WDW. If you are willing to do some commando touring you can actually do quite a bit in four days (although holiday weekends are a whole 'nother thing). Maybe you should save the busy parks(MK and Epcot) for the 2nd & 3rd of January with the hope that some tourists had to get back to real life Please let us know how we can help, and also give us your impressions when you get home. Have a safe trip.

 

[Jchance]

The schedule above is top notch

 

[Dengar]

If you're in good shape, you can probably see them all in one day! Although, you definitely will want to take it easy. There is so much to see and do, that you'll spoil your vacation if you try to fit it in all at once.

Day 1: Magic Kingdom/Epcot
Day 2: Animal Kingdom/MGM
Day 3: Go back and ride the attractions that you had the most fun on.

Your final day, you can easily go ride your favorite rides.. Maybe goto Magic Kingdom and ride lets say Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean.. then maybe head on over to Epcot and ride Mission: SPACE, Soarin' and Test Track. Then onto Animal Kingdom, to ride Expedition Everest and move your way to MGM to watch a few shows! I say that, because those are my favorite rides!

Don't forget to bring a lot of water on your vacation. Disney will charge you an arm and a leg, especially for water! Not only that, Florida can be extremely hot and exhausting! So if you plan to stay at the parks for a full day (it's really hard), bring water! Don't be shy to bring a little backpack to put those in, also.

Most importantly, have fun!