If you only had one day in one park...

[Disney Stine]

Trying to plan a quick trip to Orlando. My fiance and I decided to go to Universal for the first time. Since I'm a huge Disney World fan, I always win and get to take week long trips. This time it's (sadly) not the case, and Universal ended up winning. Because I cannot fathom being so close and not going at all, we have decided to give ourselves one full day in Disney.

The trip : Three full days in Universal Studios and one full day in Disney World.
The possibilities: 1-Full day in Magic Kingdom, 2- Half day in Magic Kingdom and half day in EPCOT (Magic Kingdom at night for fireworks), or 3 - Full day in Magic Kingdom and springing for Keys to the Kingdom tour (something I've always wanted to do and being a seasoned Disney traveler, it's about time).
Other: We are on a budget which means to be able to swing option 2 or 3 we will not be eating at any table service restaurants and we are staying off property- most likely close to Universal since we're spending more time in that area.

Which would you pick and why?
Also tips for doing both Universal and Disney at the same time would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Disney Stine]

You guys could be test subjects for us with another thread. Magic Kingdom has that new tour now where they take you on the 10 rides and you get a treat with a CM tour guide. You guys could go do that and see how it makes the most of those rides.

Haha Would love to if someone sponsored us financially to do the tour.

I think we've decided to go with Animal Kingdom because it has new experiences for both of us. I ruled out Hollywood Studios in a heartbeat and he ruled out Epcot because odds are, we'll spend way more money than planned thanks to the temptations of eating and drinking. Animal Kingdom also has some of his favorite rides. Win win. Can't wait for this trip!

 

[JohnD]

Disney Springs is a definite during this trip! We have one extra day that is park free - so this will be our Disney Springs and maybe resort hopping day (not huge fans of resort hopping, personally).


This trip is in the beginning of March (I think a week before official spring break starts). Otherwise, we'd be planning for Pandora!

Depends on how active you want to be. March is the start of the Flower and Garden festival. If you want to ride just a few big ticket rides and browse the countries and topiaries in W.S., this would be the way to go. You can be just as leisurely in AK. With mixing in the attractions, shows, trails, and Dawa Bar, I find it very relaxing. Then, depending on the day, end it with Rivers of Light. Of course, MK gets you all the big ticket rides and is always a must-do park if you haven't been back in long while.

If it helps, I'm doing #2 on my first day. (Half day in Magic Kingdom and half day in EPCOT (Magic Kingdom at night for fireworks). More accurately 3/4 Epcot and 1/4 MK. I'm driving to WDW on 3/31 with planned arrival at CSR about noon. Hope to be in Epcot no later than 2pm. Stay no later than 8pm. Monorail to MK in time for Wishes at 9pm and Once Upon A Time at 9:45. Along the same lines of your not eating at any table service restaurants, I plan to graze the food booths at the Flower and Garden festival. My second day is all day AK.

 

[JohnD]

Haha Would love to if someone sponsored us financially to do the tour.

I think we've decided to go with Animal Kingdom because it has new experiences for both of us. I ruled out Hollywood Studios in a heartbeat and he ruled out Epcot because odds are, we'll spend way more money than planned thanks to the temptations of eating and drinking. Animal Kingdom also has some of his favorite rides. Win win. Can't wait for this trip!

Awesome! Make sure you pick a day in March when Rivers of Light is running. It's not every night until April 9.