We do will not have a park hopper. Hubby and I were in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, & Hollywood studios on a 1 day park hopper back in 2006. Talk about a whirlwind! We don't know the parks/transportation systems really at all. I doubt we will ever return, this will probably be a 1 shot trip. We should be in the parks 2 weeks from today! YIKES! Monday/Tuesday are our Park days. Our musts would be Peter Pan, It's a Small World,and the Magic Carpet Ride. Meeting the Princesses, Meeting Tinker Belle & Mickey/Minnie Mouse. She loves carrousels to so that would be a must. I would like for her to see Eeyore as well, and at least 1 character meal. She wants to see the castle but she doesn't know yet that it's possible to go in the castle (crt).
Thanks for the info. Wow, only 2 days and you doubt you'll ever return. There's a lot to consider!
First, start with the tickets. I assume you have 2-day single park tickets for 2 adults and 1 child. Pre-tax total for these 3 tickets is $516. The same tickets with park hopper option costs $687. This means it will cost you $171 to upgrade, if you decide to. You can do this at Guest Relations near the front of the parks. So,
if you have a change of heart and decide you want to visit more that one park per day, you can do this while you are there. They'll simply ask to to pay the difference, as long as your tickets haven't expired.
Second, you mentioned your husband wants to ride Soarin, your daughter wants to ride Nemo & see Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot, while you have a number of "must do" things at the Magic Kingdom. Without hopper tickets and knowing that you might never return, you should plan for one day at Epcot and one day at MK. Remember, if you get bored at Epcot after completing all your "must do" attractions, you still can go back to Guest Relations and upgrade your ticket to a hopper ticket so you can head to MK. Again, you don't have to make this decision now but if this might be the last time you visit WDW in the near future, you should ask yourself is it worth spending another $171 to spend another half day at MK. Epcot and MK are the only 2 theme parks connected by the Monorail so if you decide to go with a park hopper, it gives you a good reason to ride the Monorail.
Third, with Test Track closed for refurbishment, lines at Soarin are going to be really long. On your Epcot day, be at the gate
at least 15 minutes before opening. Head straight for Soarin or if your daughter wants to stop and enjoy something, send your husband straight to Soarin to get Fast Passes. I realize that it might seem like I'm being pushy but you don't want to spend hours in line waiting to ride Soarin, and Soarin FPs go fast. After these FPs are secured, it's probably best for the 3 of you to head to Turtle Talk and then Nemo. By the time you finish with these 2, you should be able to use your Soarin Fast Passes. Mission Space is the only other attraction at Epcot that can have a really long line but that also has a 44" height restriction. Not sure if your daughter is tall enough or if you want to do this attraction. Everything else at Epcot is pretty good at handling crowds so I wouldn't worry too much about the rest. You mentioned that you want to get your free photo from Chase Disney Visa. That line can get pretty long too but they do try to keep it moving. It's also in the general area of Soarin, Nemo, and Turtle Talk.
Fourth, lines are always the shortest when the park opens. For your MK day, again try to be at the gate at least 15 minutes before opening. I'm not sure how you are getting there but be aware that it can take 30 minutes or longer from the time you park your car to arrive at the gate. It's better to be early than late. Of your MK "must do" things:
Peter Pan, It's a Small World,and the Magic Carpet Ride. Meeting the Princesses, Meeting Tinker Belle & Mickey/Minnie Mouse. She loves carrousels to so that would be a must. I would like for her to see Eeyore as well, and at least 1 character meal.
Only Peter Pan can have a really long line. It's probably best if you do this first or get a Fast Pass for it within the first 30 minutes of park opening. Lines are not as bad as Soarin but it is still best if you minimize the amount of time you spend in line. All the other things on your "must do" list should have shorter lines.
Fifth, since your daughter likes Eeyore so much, definitely keep your lunch reservation at the Crystal Palace. This is the only place in MK that you are sure to see him. Also consider the Winnie the Pooh ride in Fantasyland.
Sixth, have fun! I've thrown a lot at you; I hope you find it helpful.
