Trip Planning Decisions

[CoasterAuditor]

Alright ParkFans people. I have my big Florida trip coming up and want input on a decision (sorry Zach and Nicole I wasn't sure to talk about such a broad trip with all these parks but since AK is the park that this would impact I figured I'd do it here). 8/29-9/4 my itienerary now is 8/29: SWO after I check into the hotel until close, 8/30: Universal Orlando both parks open to close maybe Fun Spot after. 8/31 open to close at SWO, 9/1 Open at Hollywood Studios and Hop to AK until close at 7 with only 5 hours HOPING I got on Rise by that point too then go back to HS at 7. 9/2-9/3: BGT.

What I am torn on is if I want to pony up $109 and skip the second SWO day. I already went to SWSA this summer and watched every single show they had and I was there for basically 2 days and there's a risk I don't get a green light for Mako (I'd say a 15-20% chance). So I would go to Animal Kingdom open to close instead and then change the park hopping park to Epcot so basically 6 hours at HS and 6 hours at Epcot the Wednesday instead of probably 7 at HS and 5 at AK. I could also just make the Tuesday a second Universal day where I ride VelociCoaster all day I mean that is plenty appealing. I will note I have NEVER set foot in a WDW park in my life except Typhoon Lagoon...........so yeah would this be worth it? Or is SWO definitely worth the full open to close Tuesday for no additional ticket money? I will have basically 4-10pm on the Sunday when I arrive and I figure I can hit the 5 rides and a show or 2 in that time as well as enjoy the craft beer festival. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[GoHokies87]

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated!!

SWO on a tuesday should be a one day park no problem.

If you show up to BGT 30 mins before open that is also a one day park(Hit Cheetah Hunt and Cobras Curse immediately at rope drop then either go to Scorpion/Falcons/Sand Serpent or Sheikra/Tigris. Whichever of those you do later will most likely get a line, the rest keep short waits). If you want to drop the dough on QQ, super easy to do in one day.

Depending on how much you like sim rides, UNI is either an easy 1 day park or could be worth 2 days.

Disney:

I see you skipped Magic kingdom. MK is either a full day or a half day depending on if you want to get the whole experience with haunted mansion, hall of presidents, pirates, its a small world, etc. or if you just want to nab the coasters and dash.

Epcot is a great place for the not just the handful of rides, but also the food festival. I'd say you can do it in a half day though.

Animal kingdom is vastly underrated in my experience and while you could do a half day there, a full day is also justified. Theres just a lot to look at and a good few rides and attractions as well.

HS is DEFINITELY a full day park. All the new attractions make this a very busy park very often. Getting on all the star wars rides and the other big ones will take a minute. I don't see finishing this park in a half day without missing out on some really cool stuff.

I'd say do whatever you want with that. In the end only you can tell what is good for you.

 

[CoasterAuditor]

^Yeah most of my trip is solo and I don't really want to have a solo visit to Magic Kingdom unfortunately plus it just gives me an excuse to come back. That HS information makes me want to switch it up and make the Tuesday all HS and start at Animal Kingdom Wednesday and hop to Epcot. I am hoping the parks are slower since it's the week before Labor Day but I've NEVER been to a WDW park and will probably find out why people are so intense for planning them.

 

[VB06Hokie]

Definitely following - got a family trip planned December 3-10. Planning 4 days at Disney, 2 days at Universal and a day at SeaWorld. Just wondering what order I should plan - trip is Friday-Friday - so not sure which parks would be best to do on the weekend days. If it was just me I'd wing it, but it'll be my nieces' (6 and 9) first trip to all 3 so we'd like to make the most of it.

 

[Memles]

Was just at Disney in June, so admittedly it was a weird time, but:

1) In terms of Disney days, if you are doing two, starting at AK (to rope drop Flight of Passage) and HS (Rise) is the way to do it. I agree that HS is more of a full day park - my friends and I did manage to do MOST of it after park hopping from AK, but most doesn’t include Rock Roller Coaster or Slinky Dog Dash, and that was without Rise. So my instinct would be a full day at HS, and then doing AK in the morning and EPCOT (for food/drink/etc.) in the afternoon and evening. If your instinct wasn’t to do MK, do it next time.

2) I would prioritize the second Disney day over doing a second day at Universal, personally, but it depends (as others note) on your priorities. We crammed both into one day, and you’ll get some extra mileage out of single rider lines as the day goes on. But we didn’t try to do everything (my friend is pregnant and she was mostly there for Potter and it felt mean to make her sit around while we rode TOO many coasters) so maybe you want to get the full, exhaustive experience. But for me, I’d rather have the full day at HS knowing that if you were to miss out on the 7am boarding groups, you could do the 1pm in the park.

 

[Jesy]

@VB06Hokie
I just checked on some pricing, and assuming you are leaving early on the 10th (so it's not available for park touring,) I'd consider getting one seasonal pass to Universal...but don't do it until after you've booked a room there with the annual pass rate. The seasonal pass is $299 plus tax and has blackout dates, but the parks are not blacked out during your visit. Use this link to book your room at Portofino...https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/d...hildren=0&promo=aph&iata=&group=&hotels=&ada= If you stay there one night, Dec 8-9, you will get express passes for both the 8th and 9th and can arrive at the hotel as early as you wish to avail yourself of early entry and express after you check in. With tax the room is $268.88 but all of you get express passes for both days, (I know I'm repeating myself.) And by all of you I mean two adults and two children. Parking is steep, around $30 a night so factor that in if necessary. If you stay there the following night the price before tax comes to $274.44 per night.

The pool there is glorious and in the afternoon has games for children and adults. Kids win free smoothies and adults get free adult beverages! You can always stay at Cabana Bay (which does not include express) the night before you leave to save some $. It has two very nice pools and a lazy river and can also be booked (currently) at an annual pass rate. Those rates can expire at any time which, if this seems like something you would like, is why I recommend booking the room first.

 

[VB06Hokie]

@VB06Hokie
I just checked on some pricing, and assuming you are leaving early on the 10th (so it's not available for park touring,) I'd consider getting one seasonal pass to Universal...but don't do it until after you've booked a room there with the annual pass rate. The seasonal pass is $299 plus tax and has blackout dates, but the parks are not blacked out during your visit. Use this link to book your room at Portofino...https://res.windsurfercrs.com/ibe/d...hildren=0&promo=aph&iata=&group=&hotels=&ada= If you stay there one night, Dec 8-9, you will get express passes for both the 8th and 9th and can arrive at the hotel as early as you wish to avail yourself of early entry and express after you check in. With tax the room is $268.88 but all of you get express passes for both days, (I know I'm repeating myself.) And by all of you I mean two adults and two children. Parking is steep, around $30 a night so factor that in if necessary. If you stay there the following night the price before tax comes to $274.44 per night.

The pool there is glorious and in the afternoon has games for children and adults. Kids win free smoothies and adults get free adult beverages! You can always stay at Cabana Bay (which does not include express) the night before you leave to save some $. It has two very nice pools and a lazy river and can also be booked (currently) at an annual pass rate. Those rates can expire at any time which, if this seems like something you would like, is why I recommend booking the room first.

Thanks for the heads up, but we've already booked our full stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Plus there are 9 in our group (7 adults, 2 kids) so would be tough logistically. Definitely will keep in mind for future trips though!

 

[Unagi]

Thanks for the heads up, but we've already booked our full stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I hope you booked dining reservations at BOMA while you're staying there. It just reopened 10 days ago. The food is amazing.

 

[Nicole]

AKL has some the best resort food.

Sanaa is amazing, especially the bread service. The Mara is great quick service. I, personally, love Jiko, as well.

Are you staying in Jambo or Kidani? Kidani has an extra bathroom in the 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms.

 

[VB06Hokie]

AKL has some the best resort food.

Sanaa is amazing, especially the bread service. The Mara is great quick service. I, personally, love Jiko, as well.

Are you staying in Jambo or Kidani? Kidani has an extra bathroom in the 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms.

We didn't get a villa, just a block of savannah view rooms. Will definitely look into booking dining now that they're open again!