A few logistical questions inside..

[sirjohnly]

Due to work/school schedules, our trip to Orlando will only be 4 days and 3 nights. The good news is that we'll be staying on site close to the theme parks. I plan on going in early September - from what I hear, the park is less busy during this time (to what degree I have no idea).

I plan on spending 2 days at Disneyworld and 1 day at Universal Studios. Here are my questions:

1. Although 2 days is not enough to explore all of Disney, what would you say are the highlights of Disneyworld that can be seen within 2 days? (I heard Magic Kingdom, Epcot, downtown Disney, and the boardwalk are the places one should see).

2. Assuming I go to Magic Kingdom and Epcot, does each place take 1 full day to see and experience the main attractions?

3. I've heard both Magic Kingdom and Epcot have daily fireworks in the evening. Are they both worth seeing (in your opinion)?

4. Has anyone here ever been to Disneyworld in September who can comment on how busy it is or length of lines? Is it fairly empty, or can you still expect a long wait for rides?

5. I've looked through a couple threads are here are the main rides I've noted:

Magic Kingdom:
Haunted Mansion
Pirates
Small world
Space mountain
Thunder mountain
Splash mountain
Carousel of Progress
Mine train

Epcot:
Test track
Soarin'
Spaceship earth
Mission: space
World showcase
Illuminations


Does this list look good to you ? Are there any other rides you can recommend or specific things within the Magic Kingdom or Epcot I should check out?

6. This question is regarding food. I have a hunch that food within the theme park costs an arm and a leg. What do you guys usually do for food when you go there? Do you buy a dining package? Bring in outside food? (Is outside food and water even allowed?) Know of somewhere decently priced to eat within the compound?

Thank in advance to anyone who can answer any of these questions for me.

 

[mammaminnie]

I love going in September right after Labor Day weekend, the crowds are much smaller and you don't feel quite as rushed to get everywhere. As others have said, you can choose the number of days for a park ticket, you do not have to go with the same number days as you are staying nights.

 

[Roakor]

I normally go to disney mid to late sept. The lines are much shorter, 15-20 mins for most. Some rides are pretty much walk on outside of peak hours during mid-day. Some will always have lines though (peter pans flight at MK and soarin,test track at epcot). Weekends will be more crowded. One word of advice is bring your own poncho, you don't want to buy one there, and pack shoes that do will if they get wet (sandals). Sept is the start of hurricane season and while they don't pose a serious threat to disney it can make the daily 30-40min thunder storm last all day instead. Most rides operate if its raining and the lines all but wash away. As long as you don't have to meet every character in the park you will have no problems doing all of MK in a day. Epcot will be more of a challenge to do in a day. It depends on how much time you spend going through all the exhibts/shops. Ride wise there isn't much at epcot but there is a lot to see. Was just there last sept (3rd week) and had a great time.