Any tips for Disney World? Critique my plan.

[Leros]

My girlfriend and I are going to Orlando for 4 days with the main focus of the trip being Disney World (she's never been).

I'm thinking:
Day 1) Magic Kingdom
Day 2) Epcot
Day 3) Animal Kindgom
Day 4) Universal Studios or explore Florida (if we're theme parked out)

Do you think the three Disney parks will keep us occupied for a full day?

I don't think we're going to rent a car (we're both under 25, so its actually somewhat costly with the extra fees), probably cheaper just to take taxis when we need and use the hotel shuttle to get to the parks. Think this is a mistake?

Any general suggestions?

 

[Reel]

I would condense Animal Kingdom and Epcot into one day. Do Animal Kingdom in the morning when it is cooler then switch to Epcot for the peak of the day and the evening. I haven't found that much at Animal Kingdom that is engaging for an adult. Epcot has more interesting aspects for adults and better food as well as a good night fireworks show.

Magic Kingdom and Universal can fill up a day each. If the beach holds allure for you, you could consider a trip to Daytona or Cocoa Beach which are reasonable drives from Orlando. Also, the other direction is Tampa which has some decent destinations of its own.

 

[HAL9000]

I would condense Animal Kingdom and Epcot into one day.

Completely this.

 

[Leros]

Completely this.

Good to know. On the Disney site, they advertise Animal Kindgom as the largest of its kind, so I figured it would take a whole day.

 

[HAL9000]

Good to know. On the Disney site, they advertise Animal Kindgom as the largest of its kind, so I figured it would take a whole day.

It may be big, but it doesn't have a lot worth doing. You'll power through it in no time.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Animal Kingdom is sweet. Too bad you're not going to hollywood studios though, that new toy story mania ride is the best in all the parks.

 

[drquest]

What days of the week are you planning these? That plays a lot into it when we are there. Weekends are a killer if you try to do Magic Kingdom on a weekend.

Also don't try to squeeze Epcot and Animal Kingdom in the same days. We usually hit Animal Kingdom and when it closes, which is usually around 5:00pm head to Downtown Disney. My kids really enjoy Epcot and my wife and I do as well and it's a full day there since it's so large and so many things to look at and do.

 

[ussfletcher]

I always go to Hollywood Studios/Epcot in one day and spend a few hours at Animal Kingdom and then go to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[ProfJohn]

I worked there for 7 years so here is some advice from someone who has been to the parks hundreds of times.

Do NOT do the Magic Kingdom early in the week. Many people plan their trip like you and go to the Magic Kingdom first which means that Monday are one of its busiest days. (the weekends are actually the slowest days)

Epcot can easily take a whole day if you take your time and enjoy it and see everything.

So if you want to combine two parks then make it Animal Kingdom and Studios. Go to Animal Kingdom the second it opens and head back to the Safari ride and then circle around the park from there and THEN head to the Studios to complete your day.

If you can take the hotel shuttle to and from the parks then do that to save money on a rental that will just sit in the parking lot. Once at the Disney Park's you can take a bus from one part to another for free. Perhaps you may want to rent a car for just one day if you want to explore, but outside of tourist stuff there isn't a lot of natural beauty to visit in the Orlando area. Could head to the beach or Cape Canaveral and check out the Nasa stuff etc. BTW if you take the hotel shuttle then head out EARLY. They tend to be very slow at getting you to the park since many of them stop at multiple hotels.

I think the best advice I can give is to take your time and enjoy the parks. Don't feel like you have to run from ride to ride and see everything in half a day so you can go to another park etc.

Also, get some maps before hand and make a plan and follow it. Do NOT cross from one side of the park to the other because you want to go ride Splash Mountain and then Space Mountain etc. Just walk in the circle and hit everything along the way and you will eventually see everything and with a lot less stress than running all over the parks.


Any questions feel free to ask

 

[Leros]

We're gonna be there for full days on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

I haven't even heard about Hollywood Studios, not sure how I missed out on that. I like the idea of doing Animal Kindgom, hitting up the Safari ride, then seeing how long the rest of it takes us. I can spend 6 hours at a medium sized zoo so I'm not sure about getting through Animal Kingdom as fast as you guys are saying.

Do NOT cross from one side of the park to the other because you want to go ride Splash Mountain and then Space Mountain etc. Just walk in the circle and hit everything along the way and you will eventually see everything and with a lot less stress than running all over the parks.

Is there a best strategy for this, like starting from the back or going clockwise?

Perhaps you may want to rent a car for just one day if you want to explore, but outside of tourist stuff there isn't a lot of natural beauty to visit in the Orlando area. Could head to the beach or Cape Canaveral and check out the Nasa stuff etc.

Can you recommend a good beach? We probably won't spend a full day at the beach, but just walking around and dipping our feet in the water.

 

[vi edit]

Can you recommend a good beach? We probably won't spend a full day at the beach, but just walking around and dipping our feet in the water.

Depends on what you are looking for. Gulf side is much warmer, sand is softer, and you can walk forever before it gets deep. Atlantic side is cooler water, has more waves and is more....uhhhh...oceany?

 

[ProfJohn]

Beach is an hour away, either direction, so probably not worth the effort for just a little feet dipping. Although you could go to Cape Canaveral and see Nasa stuff and then drive to Cocoa Beach which is fairly decent.

Best strategy... pick the most popular ride in a park and hit it first thing and then go in circle. Counter clock wise probably makes more sense since most people will head clock wise as habit, but that is 100% a guess.

BTW make sure you watch the shows, especially at Animal Kingdom, they are really well done. The Lion King show is awesome and I hear that Finding Nemo is even better.

BTW2 if you want to score major points with girl then make reservations at Wolf Gang Pucks, the upstair fancy place, and get two tickets for Cirque de Soleil and take her out on the town for a night. The Cirque show is insanely awesome and of course Wolf Gang Pucks is Wolf Gang Pucks.

As an alternative there are some amazing restaurants in the Orlando area that offer up some world class stuff. California Grill at the Contemporary hotel, Citricos at the Grand Floridian, Ohana at the Polynesian Resort.

Take time to plan stuff like this out if you have the money. It will really add to the trip.

 

[BTA]

I'd skip Animal Kingdom all together, it's seriously boring, hot, and not much to do. If you get park hopper passes then I guess it'd be okay to spend some time one morning there, but nothing more than that.

Universal (especially if you get tickets for both parks) can easily fill up a full day.

Otherwise I agree with ProfJohn. Take your time at the other three parks as there is a lot to see and little things beyond just standing in lines for rides.

As far as walking strategy, I'm not sure about Magic Kingdom but the last time I was at Hollywood Studios they actually had signs up with the current wait times on the major rides. So if Magic Kingdom has the same, you could just pick the shortest wait big ride you want to do and then go do that whole area first. Then work your way around, or move to the next area with the shortest wait time.

One of those days you should also check out the Disney Downtown Marketplace (if that's what its called these days). It's basically a shopping/dining area built around a lake. It's free to enter and is a nice relaxing area to walk around and have some dinner. You can take the buses from any of the hotels or parks to get there and back.

And since I'm older now and everything revolves around food, here's a couple food tips:

Magic Kingdom: Since you are going with your girlfriend, first thing early in the morning setup a reservation for Cinderella's Royal Table which is the restaurant inside the castle. (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/cinderellas-royal-table/). Yes it's expensive, but the food is good and the setting is great for couples.

Epcot: Lunch at the United Kingdom pavilion, there is a counter service spot with some damn good fish and chips and its cheap (for Disney). Sit off behind the building by the water.

MGM/Hollywood Studios: We really enjoy the SciFi Dine-in Theater. Food is standard park food but you sit in booths made to look like old cars at a drive-in theater with random old scifi'ish stuff playing. Well worth it.

 

[spacelord]

I would hit Epcot and Animal kingdom on separate days. AK closes earlier than most parks... use it to relax and go back to hotel and swim or whatever. They are big parks and can involve lots of walking. Both shows at AK are really good.
Get there right when the parks open. Learn about their fast pass system and use it for the popular rides. You can get quite a few in a day if you do them right.
At Epcot.. go right to Soaring and get your fast passes. That was always a killer wait without them.

 

[CptObvious]

When I was a kid, Magic Kingdom was where it was at. But last November when I took my girlfriend to Disney, I was more into Epcot.

Note: If you are prone to motion sickness, do NOT ride the "more intensive" option on the Mission: Space ride. I normally don't have a problem on rides or rollercoasters but that one made me want to lay down afterwards.

 

[sswingle]

What about Hollywood Studios? If you like rides, it should be on your list, the Aerosmith roller coaster was great.

When we went, we did both Universals in a day, but we were really booking it to get it all done.

We actually did all 4 Disney parks in one day, but we pretty much just did the roller coaster at Animal Kingdom and moved on. Probably spent the majority of our time at Hollywood Studios. Second most time was spent at Epcot.

Went to Cocoa beach Sunday morning and were practically the only people there, was great.

 

[DCal430]

Animal Kingdom was my favorite park. There is lots to see and do there. The expedition everest is great and so is the safari ride. The safari ride is different each time too. The animals around the park are great too. Animal Kingdom closes early so after it closes you should go to downtown Disney.

The last few time I went we went for 5 days at the parks. There was still so much I felt like missed out on.

Stay at the Animal Kingdom lodge, a very nice hotel. Make sure you get the safari view.

 

[Raiden256]

iPhone app named "Magic Guide" was definitely the best $5 spent on the whole trip. Wait times, maps (with GPS), menus, descriptions... must-have.

 

[DCal430]

If you are in California then you can do Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom in a day, since after going to Disneyland all the time the Magic Kingdom was very boring.

 

[ussfletcher]

For dining, I recommend Emeril's at Universal's City Walk, I've been there twice and both times it was excellent, at least on par with the Capital Grill, probably better. Or Boma, at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, its an African Buffet (awesome). Additionally I can recommend the Trails End Buffet over in Fort Wilderness (a quick boat ride from the Magic Kingdom).

I guess having parents that really like that place growing up has sort of paid off. I've probably been there 15 times and we live in Michigan.

 

[sandorski]

Do what she'd want to see the most Last. Possibly Magic Kingdom, depends.

 

[summit]

Epcot!

 

[Leros]

Any suggestions for a good downtown-like area to walk around, maybe look at a few shops, and eat at?

 

[Leros]

Do what she'd want to see the most Last. Possibly Magic Kingdom, depends.

Hmm.... maybe... I'm worried we'll get tired as time goes on. I was gonna do Magic Kingom the first day.

 

[Leros]

Epcot!

Yes. That's what we're both the most excited about.