Time to be a bit ambitious.

[tehSAC]

In May I will be in Orlando for a conference. I have a very early arrival on a sunday and I am planning on spending my day at a park, or..... Multiple Parks.

My thought is to park at Epcot and take the Monorail directly to the Magic Kingdom. Hit a few favorites right after rope drop, then walk to the contemporary and take a bus to Hollywood Studios. Again hit a couple favorites, and either grab a snack or a quick lunch. Then take a stroll on the path to the back entrance of EPCOT. Spend the rest of the day, grab my car and head to my room.

I have thought about parking at MK and making that my last park of the day, but I'm not sure if that is a great option.

I'm posting to hopefully receive tips and criticism from seasoned park hoppers.

 

[Tuvalu]

Parking at Epcot: In order to access the monorail you will need to go through security which may take some time.

The Epcot monorail will take you to the TCC where you will need to transfer to the Express monorail or ride the ferry in order to get to MK.

You should factor in at least an hour to do the above if you want to be at MK for rope drop.

There is a direct bus to the Studios from the MK bus gate area so there is no need to walk to the Contemporary (unless you want to.)

It is a good 20 minute walk from the Studios to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. You can also take the boat which will save steps but not time.

 

[tehSAC]

Parking at Epcot: In order to access the monorail you will need to go through security which may take some time.

The Epcot monorail will take you to the TCC where you will need to transfer to the Express monorail or ride the ferry in order to get to MK.

You should factor in at least an hour to do the above if you want to be at MK for rope drop.

There is a direct bus to the Studios from the MK bus gate area so there is no need to walk to the Contemporary (unless you want to.)

It is a good 20 minute walk from the Studios to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. You can also take the boat which will save steps but not time.

Yea that was what I was worried about. I also debated parking at EPCOT, visiting that park until the international gate opened, and then walking over to the boardwalk and catching a bus to the MK. Or parking at the MK, and doing that park first, then to HS, then close out EPCOT, and catching a bus to the Poly to get my car in the MK Parking lot. SO many options just trying to figure out what works best for the money spent for a single day hopper pass.

 

[Tuvalu]

The International Gateway opens at 9 am (or a few minutes prior.)

Parking at MK to begin your day at MK rope drop makes the most sense time-wise. If you end your day at Epcot (even if you stay until park closing) you can ride the monorail to the TTC and catch a tram to get to your car (or walk if you parked close.) No need to go to the Poly first, as the TTC is the MK parking lot.

 

[tehSAC]

Very true. I just wasn't sure if I could still get a monorail to the TTC from Epcot after the park closes. I was only picking the bus and closest location to the TTC in case I couldn't use the monorail.

 

[Tuvalu]

Monorails run 60-90 minutes post park close. And if for some reason the monorail is down there will be buses to the TTC from Epcot.

 

[tehSAC]

So I've narrowed down my plan. I am no longer looking to park hop, but may just ad a day to my trip. Sunday I arrive in Orlando at 7:30 am, so I could possibly get to the park not too late after rope drop. Thursday of that week I have another free day.

Would you just add another day?

or

Would you add another day and add the park hopper option?

 

[DarthVader]

I am no longer looking to park hop

That would be my recommendation, pick the park that entices you the most, for me, I'd go with MK, but everyone is different. I'd go and spend the day there instead of trying to cram two parks in a single day. Especially since that day would be a travel day. Don't discount how flying (and getting through airports), can drain you physically and mentally. So trying to do too much may end up frustrating you.

As for thursday, I'd definitely do another park, say Epcot.

Would you add another day and add the park hopper option?

Personally, I think avoiding the park hopper option is the best, especially on such a short trip. I'd rather enjoy one park the fullest then try to jump to two or three parks and squeeze too much in, but that's just me.

 

[eliza61nyc]

So I've narrowed down my plan. I am no longer looking to park hop, but may just ad a day to my trip. Sunday I arrive in Orlando at 7:30 am, so I could possibly get to the park not too late after rope drop. Thursday of that week I have another free day.

Would you just add another day?

or

Would you add another day and add the park hopper option?

I would add another day. So let me ask you, what is your touring "style"? Me, I'm a "meanderer" I am not running from pillar to post, ride after ride. I can easily spend 90 minutes making my way from space mountain to splash mountain. So if I only have 2 days I'm picking two parks and making the most out of each day.

I can sit on a bench outside of Peco's bill and "chill". I can go to Tom sawyers Island and have a great time.

 

[tehSAC]

I would add another day. So let me ask you, what is your touring "style"? Me, I'm a "meanderer" I am not running from pillar to post, ride after ride. I can easily spend 90 minutes making my way from space mountain to splash mountain. So if I only have 2 days I'm picking two parks and making the most out of each day.

I can sit on a bench outside of Peco's bill and "chill". I can go to Tom sawyers Island and have a great time.

Yea that's kinda my style. I did that last may and still got a lot accomplished. Love just strolling around on Tom Sawyers Island.