Feedback requested on itinerary

[sswdw]

We're a family with 2 teenagers, with a plan in Aug for a week.
We have a 3-day Park hopper + for Disney (We also have a 5-day Universal pass that we'll use for 3 days in that same week).

Staying at the Hilton WDW only for Fri and Sat night. They offer Extra Magic Hour.

So the plan goes:
Sat - MGM Studios (EMH) & Epcot
Sun - Magic Kingdom (EMH)
Wed - Typhoon Lagoon
Thurs - Animal Kingdom & Epcot

Looking for your feedback -
Are those the right days, right time allotments, right hopping plans for those parks?
Can we fit in MGM in a 1/2 day with R&R coaster, Star Tours, Twilight zone, Great Movie Ride, Indiana Jones and Muppet 3D (especially with EMH)?
Can we fit in AK in a 1/2 day with Dinosaur, It's tough to be a bug, Kali River, Kilimanjaro, Maharaja trek & Pangani trail (but without EMH)?

Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach - which is better for relief from the theme park crush of humanity?
Need some expert opinions! Thanks.

 

[yensidtlaw1969]

It seems like i. GO FOR IT! Do the rideyou want to most first, that way youdon't miss out on them if you run out of time.

 

[crazygirley]

Well, all I have to comment on is that Epcot should have it's own day. Perhaps you can do MGM and AK in the same day instead? MK and Epcot should always have their own day.

 

[sswdw]

Thanks.
You're right - doing MGM & AK on one day and Epcot separately for a full day would also minimize the need for Park hopping.
But I was concerned that AK closes early - 6 pm, while Epcot on 2 afternoons stretching till 9 pm would give us more time?

 

[figmentfan]

I am an experienced Disney Traveler.

My family and I usually can do MGM and Epcot in the same day. We go to the Extra Magic Hour at MGM on Saturday, and do TOT, RocknRoller, Great Movie, Star Tours, and other attractions, and still make it in time for lunch reservations at Epcot.

Epcot is also good to do in the afternoon and at night. During August, Florida gets thunderstorms, and Epoct has alot of inside attractions.

If you want to do Animal Kingdom, my advise is to do Animal Kingdom in the morning. Animal Kingdom can get very hot and crowed during the day. If you do Animal Kingdom in the morning, do the Safari first, then do Kali Raft Ride (you can do it 2 to 3 times without waiting.) Then go to Dinosaur and ride that. After that, you can do whatever. I have never stayed past 1:00pm at Animal Kingdom.

Have fun planning your trip.

 

[sswdw]

Thanks, Figmentfan.

That fits in well with what we want to do in MGM and AK for half-days.
The only regret is not being able to spend an evening to see Fantasmic, which I heard is fantastic.
Unless, one of the evenings at Epcot, we also decide to take the Ferry over to MGM just for that.

 

[Laura]

I would do Animal Kingdom in the morning and then MGM after lunch and then watch Fantasmic.

I am not a fan of Animal Kingdom and get bored after 3 hours in the park. I could never spend a full day there.


I will tell you though, in September my husband and I did all of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Downtown Disney, and Disney Quest in 3 1/2 days and I could barely walk by the 3rd day. It was EXHAUSTING! We were so miserable from all the walking we couldn't enjoy ourselves very much. So try to take some time to relax if you're going to cram a lot of parks into just a few days.


Actually, I see that you alloted a whole day for Typhoon Lagoon...but you can see and do everything in that park in just a couple hours. So maybe do that for half a day and spend the other half of the day sleeping? :lol:

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Miles and Miles

I would suggest that with your somewhat limited time, plan on hitting 3-4 top attractions and slow down and enjoy your time a little. You ain't gonna get to do it all, so just concede that you will have some things to do next visit.

If you do want to pack things in, at AK, I would suggest you leave the various trails for another time, just do the safari. I would suggest you consider catching the lion king show. In MGM if you do RnRC and ToT right off, or do one and fast pass the other, then go to GMR , Star Tours and then Muppets, you could be done before lunch.

If you want to try for Fantasmic, I suggest you book one of the restaurants that has the Fantasmic pass, that way you don't have the 1-1/2 hour wait.

Also at Epcot do the enter one/fastpass other for MS and TT. Unfortunately Epcot is the best "strolling" park, but whatever works.

At MK, also strategize the E tickets using fastpass...its the only way to go for your agenda.

 

[sswdw]

Good points about being selective and not being too exhausted to have fun!

Frankly, the 3 Disney park days will be hectic, but we're planning to take it easy on the 3 Universal days (go there early, leave early pm and laze in the hotel pool or hang out in Citywalk).
At the Typoon lagoon, after a few water rides, hoping to find a shady spot near the beach with a book or for a snooze.

I might take your advice about not doing the trails (at least not both) at AK, and see the Lion King show instead - partly to minimize walking, with Epcot's World to wander around in the afternoon.

By the way, how easy is it to Park-hop? Any specific times when it is better? Drive vs. Disney transport?
AK to Epcot - bus is the only option, right?
MGM to Epcot - Is the ferry better?