1 Day Park Hopper!!! Suggestions!!! Please!!!

[ucfjav930]

Coming from Miami to Orlando next Friday (3/21-3/23)

My partner and I are going up for MegaCon with friends. But we will be attending the Disney Parks on Friday (3/21) We already have a 1 Day Park Hopper Pass. This would be our first time Park Hoping at Disney, and need any suggestions ASAP. We've gathered information and seen trip videos and reports. I've never been to Hollywood Studios and he's never been to Epcot We want to hit all the major rides at each park if possible. We definitely want to do Fantasmic or Illuminations . We don't really care for the parades or shows this time around do to our short time frame, as well as Wishes. We are aware of the new Fast Pass Plus and My Magic Bands. We will be driving park to park, and are willing to power walk, jog, and run etc. Were 22, and 2 respectively. No kids. So let us have it, what will it be?

 

Tips?

Suggestions?

Where to eat?

Fantasmic or Illuminations?

Park Order?

What to Fast Pass?

 

Any feedback is immensely appreciated. I'll be doing a video of our trip, posting it to youtube, I'll post a trip report after the weekend in great detail to let you all know how it all goes

[Mrlittle]

I'm sure others will have better suggestions but I would start off at Disney Studios first. Get there when they open, and knock out the big rides there. Toy Story is fun but it will probably have a long wait. So, you may want to skip. Then go to Epcot in the afternoon. Hit up the big rides in the front. Hopefully by then most of the crowd has ventured into world showcase. I would start to walk around the world showcase around 6. Eat at one of the countries. By the time your almost around the lake, enjoy Illuminations. That's how I would try it. Honestly, with spring break and it being a Friday, it's going to be tough to do.

Edited March 14, 2014 by Mrlittle

[bert425]

yeah. .agreed.

 

although for me, at Studios, we only really like Rock & Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror (which are right next to each other).

but if you've never been, you very likely want to do Star Tours, and the stunt show too (and eat lunch at the SciFi drive in).

 

go to Epcot for the late afternoon, then eat dinner in the World Showcase -- all these years later, my favorite is STILL "Marakesh" in Morroco, or the Steakhouse in Canada -- both of which would put you with great views of Illuminations when done.

 

but you very, VERY likely will need reservations (tho we've never had much issue getting last minute seating for just two of us). Still . .make reservations to be sure!

[robbalvey]

IMO, if you've never been to either Studios or Epcot, you're doing yourself a disservice by trying to do both of them in one day.

 

But if you MUST, I would start with Studios, get there BEFORE opening, run and do Tower and Coaster, and then head over to Epcot. Unless you REALLY REALLY care about things like Great Movie Ride or Toy Story Mania (which then you absolutely NEED to do that first and it might still have an hour line), I'd skip them for more time at Epcot.

 

Once you get to Epcot you can reserve some FP+ for later in the day. Test Track, Mission Space, etc.

 

I highly recommend doing either the standby line or FP line for Test Track and I really do feel the whole "making the car" thing adds a LOT to the ride.

 

For meals I'd stick with quick serve places around World Showcase, and also remember that Flower and Garden is going on during your visit so there will be more food booths.

 

I'd watch Illuminations. Get there a bit early and see if you can get a spot on the water next to the shop with the ring carver in Mexico. GREAT place to see the show, and then you're closer to the front of the park when the insane amount of crowd dumps.

 

That's my take on it!