Disney Parks Question

My DH and I are going to Orlando in September and we have 2 days in which I'd like to visit some Disney parks, I just can't decide which ones.

The last visit we had was in 2008 and I ran us ragged going from park to park to park. It was exhausting. I want to avoid doing that so was I thinking I may want to stick with 1 park a day, unless I can be convinced other wise.

We've been to Animal Kingdom once, but I think that one's off the table. Again, unless you can convince me other wise. I really want to visit Hollywood Studios. Not sure why, just really like it there. And Disney has the new additions I'd like to see. Has anyone been to the new Disney part? Is it a madhouse? Should we just wait until it's complete and avoid that park? Does Epcot have anything new? We do really like the world showcase.

Sorry for so many questions. It's hard pairing down. TIA!!!

Message edited 6/21/2012 3:45:16 PM.

Re: Disney Parks Question

Well it is a VERY personal thing - but I personally like MK and EPCOT as my top 2 - without kids I like HS - but not great with little ones. I would say if you only have 2 days I would skip AK as you said. I don't know I would pick MK and EPCOT only because EPCOT has some nice restaurants for a nice dinner for 2. But I think it depends on what you want. Since it is just you two you could do a bunch of rides in EPCOT and then have drinks around the world and have a nice dinner at EPCOT OR would you rather do some more adult rides like Rock n roller coaster and TOT. They have Toy story mania which is a great ride - but the rest of the park is a lot of shows and only a couple of other rides (star tours, backstage etc). So it really depends on if you want to do more shows or some rides and just have fun walking around world showcase. I would 100% say hit the MK - I don't think you can do WDW and not hit the MK to me that IS THE park. Yes they have opened a few new things - but I would still hit the MK and not skip it. But this is just my personal taste - the great thing about disney is there is something for everyone.

BTW AK is fun too - Expedition Everest and dinosaur and kali river rapids are all fun with height requirements (so good to do when you don't have little ones in tow). There are a few shows - but while I love the AK and we always go - I think if I only had 2 days I would pick EPCOT over AK. But again it really depends on what you are looking for.

What about hitting MNSSHP? That would be fun - great parade and fireworks and everything is decorated for Halloween - starts at 7pm (but you can get in around 4 people report on that ticket) and goes until later at night). It starts around the 11th of Sept I think this year but you would have to check dates.

Also I would definitely hit EPCOT IF you are there end of Sept in time for the Food and wine festival - that is great to do without kids.

Message edited 6/21/2012 5:14:44 PM.

Disney Parks Question

Thank you for the long response. I really appreciate the advice. I'm going back and forth and back again with my schedule.

One thing I didn't mention is we'll be in town 5 days (9/21-25). The first and last are really half days and one other day we are planning on doing Universal and Islands. But if what you're saying about the Disney Halloween is true I may rethink everything.

Can you really get in at 4?!?! The one night we're in Orlando (9/21) I was planning on doing Universal's Halloween, but that we can do the next night (9/22).

Re: Disney Parks Question

Ask mousetales on here but friends have reported getting into the MK on their MNSSHP tickets around 4pm. I am not knowledgable about universal but I think their halloweenparty is more scary and adult. But Dh and I had fun at MNSSHP. My parents came for a while and took DD back to the room after the parade and fireworks and we stayed for a while. Could you do both parties?

Disney Parks Question

I think we will get to both Halloween parties after all. We'll take our chances on a 4pm admission to the MK and do that park the first night. The next night we can do universal's. Still unsure about our 1 day, to do Epcot or HS. Since they seem close we may do HS in the morning and if we feel up for it go to Epcot for the evening.

Thanks again for tip on MNSSH!

Re: Disney Parks Question

We just went with my 3.5 yo. We went to MK many days, Epcot one day and DHS one day.

We liked DHS and MK of course. Honestly, none of us cared for Epcot (I was never a fan growing up anyway).

We skipped AK. Next time we go we will do AK, MK and DHS.

If I had to choose for young kids, I just feel DHS and MK and maybe AK last if time are the best bets. JMO

Disney Parks Question

MK and the studios...

Re: Disney Parks Question

You CAN get in to MK at 4Pm with your MNSSHP ticket. No worries there. If you make that a relaxation day (which i recommend!) you'll save yourself on a park ticket.

When you park-hopped in the past, how did you do it? Did you go directly frompark to park, or did you take a nap/break in between? Where did you stay? Staying close by and taking a nap in between is a very different experience from staying offsite or in a remote onsite hotel and taking naps that take a lot of travel time or taking no naps.

AK is usually a HUGE hit with kids. They love the animals (you're usually more "up close and personal" than at the zoo), they love the characters, The Finding Nemo and lion King Shows are great, and the Dino-land USA area has LOTS of ways for them to run down their energy

DHS is usually the park most people feel has the LEAST for young children, but there are things to do. Toy Story Midway Mania is a hit with all ages (you MUST be there at Rope Drop), there's a Playhouse Disney show, and Play n Dine at Hollywood and Vine. The beauty and the Beast stage show is AWESOME.

Obviously Magic Kingdom is the most kid-friendly part, and you should plan to spend most of the time there. I would NOT avoid the new fantasyland. unless you're there the first day or week they open a new attraction, it will be like any other day. Even BEFORE the expansion, the rule with a young child when you're at Magic Kingdom is to make a beeline straight for the Dumbo ride! It has a low capacity, it's slow loading and every kid wants to ride it, so you can save yourself a lot of time waiting in line if you can avoid the temptations of character greets and the other rides you pass along the way and head straight for Dumbo. The ride capacity of Fantasyland is stillslightly down because Snow White is down and nothing has come up to replace it yet, but one of the biggest issues people have had with Fantasyland is just that it FEELS crowded and the new area has helped alleviate that. if you can do the hottest rides early in the day, you'll be in great shape. Don't avoid the new Fantasyland! Even what little of it is open now is awesome andperfect for the little ones!

Disney Parks Question

Thank you for all the advice. Knowing we can get into MNSSHP at 4pm is a huge life saver. We're staying at the Double tree outside of Universal since that's the main reason for the trip, to see Harry Potter. Visiting Disney was just a bonus. Here's the itinerary I think I've landed on if anyone is interested. Again, thank you for all the advice, I really appreciate it!!!

Fri (9/21) - Arrive 12pm, MNSSHP
Sat (9/22) - Islands (HP!!!), Universal Halloween
Sun (9/23) - Universal
Mon (9/24) - HS in am, Epcot (maybe?) in pm
Tues (9/25) - US and/or IOA in am, Depart 3pm

Through work I'm getting 4 day Universal Park to Park passes for the price of the 2 day pass so we can check out US and IOA the day we leave maybe at no additional charge. As far as Disney, we'll just have to get the 1 day Hopper Pass for Monday. I'm not sure we'll get to Epcot but I like having the option available. And we're renting a car so how ever long it take the get from HS to E, so be it.

Re: Disney Parks Question

3 days is a LOT of time for Universal/IoA honestly. I think you need 2, tops. Make sure you are there first thing for WWoHP.

How old is your DC? The BEST use of a MNSSHP ticket is to enjoy the parade, the characters, and the fireworks, NOT to try to ride a lot of rides. You'll also find that some of the most popular rides will remain crowded during the party.

I am going humbly suggest that you consider adding a day at Disney to really get to experience Magic Kingdom.

Also, if your itinerary stands as is, you'll just have to be very smart about how you plan your split day at HS/EPCOT though I think at this point you plan to do DHS in the morning and EPCOT in the evening is wise.

Disney Parks Question

DC is staying home for this visit. :) It's just my husband and I. I'm just not sure what to do on the morning we leave. Even if we are up and at a park at opening we'll still have to be out by noon/1:00 to return the rental car and catch our 3pm flight. I originally thought maybe we'd just hit Downtown or grab a nice lunch but when I saw the deal at work I figured going back to US / IOA was a nice option since we're right across the street.

Maybe I could do this instead and forgo MNSSHP for a full day at MK.

Fri (9/21) - Arrive 12pm, IOA
Sat (9/22) - US, Universal Halloween
Sun (9/23) - MK
Mon (9/24) - HS in am, Epcot (maybe?) in pm
Tues (9/25) - US and/or IOA in am, Depart 3pm

This could work better since I know I'm going to be dying to get to Hogsmeed, I mean Harry Potter. We did the MNSSHP in 08 and it was fun but might be better to do a whole day.

Re: Disney Parks Question

Ahhh..that changes things. It makes sense to use your partial day on US/IoA.

I could go either way on the Halloween party vs. full day at MK. Getting in at 4pm you do get 8 full hours in the parks, a few hours of which would be dedicated to the party specific stuff. If you spend a full day at MK, it will open at 9 and you'll have to be out by 7, so that's 10 hours if you stay for the entire day and no special stuff.

I think it could go either way!

Disney Parks Question

Just a reminder that the party tickets say 7pm entrance. While we've enjoyed getting in at 4pm in the past, it's best not to count on it until we start getting reports back from actual attendees.

- Kimberly Hill
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