Whirlwind Trip - Help planning!

[vicarrieous]

I am working on a whirlwind extreme mini trip for DH and I.

I have 1 day hopper tickets. We would go three days/two nights, staying on property, but really only one full day in parks. We are thinking Jan or Feb but could be talked into another time if people have suggestions. Slower the better, although I am hearing more and more its never slow anymore. We just did a week with little kids in Nov and loved it, and feel like with this trip even though short will be great because we will get to do a few more adult/experience things.

How would you structure a day if we split MK & Epcot? We would go all day. Up early for rope drop and out to end of park day. Its not about doing it all, but just enjoying/experiences things at Disney we might not have caught before. Good food is a must, but we will probably only do one sit down meal so bonus points for must have quick service items or snacks. Also bonus points for any suggestions of things we can do/see without park tickets. Things at Disney Springs? Things at resorts?

Here are a few things about us:
We aren't big drinkers
We (he) doesn't do any big or rollercoaster rides
We want to keep the cost down
We are early 30's

Any advice/thoughts are appreciated.

 

[bhartman]

My husband and I and another couple did a quick trip like this in May 2013. We had one universal day and one Disney day. On our Disney day we rope dropped at DHS and stayed there until about lunch time. The guys don't like coasters or crazy rides so we stuck to TSMM, star tours, and GMR. We grabbed a late breakfast snack at Starring Rolls.

Next we took the boat over to EPCOT and wandered around the World Showcase for a few hours, stopping for late lunch at via Napoli (one of my favorites!) We didn't do anything in Future World, just watched the shows and shopped around in the countries.

After EPCOT, we took the monorail to MK. By the time we got there, it was about 5. We strolled down Main Street and poked around in the shops. Then we headed over to adventure land and worked our way clockwise around the lands. We didn't stop and do every ride, but we did fit in quite a few (jungle cruise, Pirates, BTMRR, splash, haunted mansion, IASW, and Buzz). We ate dinner at Columbia Harbor House. I love the hummus sandwich, can't remember what it's called - the lighthouse maybe?

By then it was about midnight or 1:00, so we headed back to our hotel. It was a long day but one of the best we've spent at WDW.

 

[bhartman]

Just wanted to add that on a long day (rope drop to close), I always like to do a table service lunch. I just feel like it gives us a chance to rest and get ready for the long evening ahead.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Sounds like a great day! If it were me I'd start with RD at the MK as more is open there than at EP. I'd probably stay until noonish then head over to Epcot and have a later lunch ressie around 2:00 or 3:00. Have heard great things about Biergarten but haven't eaten there...yet. In the evening if the MK was open late I might even pop back there as there's just something magical about the MK after dark to me.

Our favourite snack is the caramel, peanut apple available at the bakery on Main St. in the MK.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[EdmondD]

Well, I don't think I have any opinion that is ground-breaking, but here is what I'd do, personally:

Start at MK on a day that is PM EMH at Epcot. Breeze through Fantasyland, Liberty Square, and Frontierland in a few hours and grab a light lunch at Sleepy Hollow Inn, moving to Adventureland and a Dole Whip Float for my desert. Do Space Mountain and then in mid afternoon head to Epcot and do your FP attractions and spend a good part of the evening on things that aren't super popular - the movies in Canada and France, to name a couple. Go into the artifact/art displays in the countries that have them. See the waiter balancing on the chairs in France, etc. Dinner for us would be reservations at Marrakesh. Watch Illuminations.

On the non-park day I'd go to the boardwalk and rent a surrey bike (in the morning, before it gets warm) and do a couple laps around Crescent Lake. We'd also play mini golf at Fantasia Gardens. In the evening I'd try one of the unique offerings like Yeehaw Bob Jackson at POR, or watch a movie on the lawn at one of the various resorts that offers this.

 

[tlmadden73]

Things to do without Park Tickets.

Every one of my trips lately includes at least 1-2 trips to Disney Springs .. the food . the shopping .. the atmosphere is a great way to kick off a Disney Trip when you are arriving mid-day. (and also a great way to close it out).

I've liked Resort hopping for another non-park day. Pick a resort .. grab some reservations at it ... and just explore it and the nearby ones. Do the Grand Floridian and Polynesian .. Do Fort Wilderness .. Do the Beach and Yacht Club .. .lots of cool resorts with awesome atmosphere to just eat and walk around in. Plus some activities at some of those (boating, biking, horseback riding, etc.) are fun.

Or if you want to stretch the budget a bit .. any of the resort shows are fun to try. I can only vouch for the Spirit of Aloha at Polynesian, but I am going to try Hoop De Doo on my next visit ... food AND entertainment ---always fun.

 

[vicarrieous]

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions!
Its been super helpful!