WDW (and Universal) in Jan - Are rehabs common?

Post by **subsonic** » Apr Thu 13, 2006 4:31 pm

I'm finally planning a trip to Walt Disney World (and Universal). I haven't been in 8 years and will be taking people who have never been.

What I want to know, mostly from non-regular visitors (I'll explain later), is how many days are required for each park?

Magic Kingdom
EPCOT
MGM
Animal Kingdom
Universal
Islands of Adventure

Since I'll be going with people who have never been, we'll be wanting to see everything (minus certain shows and parades, we aren't as into that).

Again, we'll be going in the least busy time of the year (Jan), I'm told the wait times are 0-20 minutes. So, I'm looking at 6 parks. We're mostly likely going to be there for 7 days and I've heard it's possible to double up two parks in one day.

Have at it!

kgmadorin · Post by **kgmadorin** » Apr Thu 13, 2006 4:48 pm

Exciting, exciting! Man, am I jealous!

Even though I used to be a regular visitor, I hope I can offer some good advice. At DSA we used to plan vacations for guests who had never visited Orlando before and had very tight schedules. We would even bring them to Universal (Shhh!!! Don't tell anyone!) when they desired to go. Based on my experience, here is what I recommend:

Invest in park hopper tickets. They will give you added flexibility and maximize what you can see each day. With that said, and seeing as you are bringing WDW virgins along, I think you need to plan for one and a half days at both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Spend most of a full day at each, then return to catch anything you missed or anything you want to see a second time. MGM and Animal Kingdom could each be a full day, but that would include seeing shows you may want to bypass. Altogether, I'd give yourselves five days for the WDW parks.

Universal and Islands of Adventure can easily be seen in a single day, especially during off-peak seasons. Start at the park that opens first, then hop over to the other.

That leaves you with one day remaining, which you might want to use to check out DisneyQuest, Downtown Disney, CityWalk, the resort hotels, etc.

Hope this helps!

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Apr Thu 13, 2006 5:55 pm

It usually takes about a day for MGM, EPCOT, and AK. It's almost impossible to do everything at MK in one day, however we've only gone mainly during peak seasons. I haven't been to either of the Universal parks in quite a few years (we're going back there next visit) but from what I remember they can be done in about a day each (or maybe both in a single day if the crowds are low). It's always good to have maybe one or two days towards the end of your visit to park hop and do either things that you missed or want to repeat again.

cmcd13 · Post by **cmcd13** » Apr Fri 14, 2006 7:25 am

I was at Disney a few years ago in January. I think you could do AK and MGM in a day each. MK and Epcot, plan 3 days. You can see most, if not all, of each park in a day, but an extra day to go back to favorites or missed things is good. Crowds are much lighter then, so that will be nice. Universal you probably want 2 days for. Definitely plan a day to sit by the pool or something, all those parks are exhausting!

Mickeymac · Post by **Mickeymac** » Apr Fri 14, 2006 8:38 pm

Sub, who are the kinds of folks going with you?

If a group of young'uns, count on two days for MK.

A group of mature adults, count on two days for Epcot.

Loads of teens and young adults, add DTD.

Universal, IOA at that time of the year can be done in one day handily.

If you are planning on January, try to go *after* MKL day. The Marathon and MLK weekend keep it pretty hopping.

I'm glad to hear you're coming to 'our' neck of the woods!

MouseMan · Post by **MouseMan** » Apr Tue 18, 2006 11:01 am

If you're staying at a Disney resort make sure you plan it out to take advantage of the extra magic hours!! Another thing to remember is that AK closes earlier than the other parks and there is no fireworks show. You should get the parkhopper and if you do AK use that day to go to the fireworks at MK or Illiminations at Epcot after the AK closes.

Also there are lots of guides you can get that really help. Passporter is a good one www.passporter.com. And since we have kids my favorite guide is "Disneyworld with Kids" by Kim Wiley. Many guides have sample itineraries that can be a good jumpping off point.

Post by **subsonic** » Apr Tue 18, 2006 12:38 pm

Thank you all for your feedback. This is really helping me get a feel for how much time we'll need at the parks. I'm still debating if we need 6 or 7 days. If two parks can be combined in one day, that'll equal 5 days and leave a day for revisits. I HAVE to have a day for revists

Also, looking at AK, we don't need to do the safari. I mostly want to see Everest and the Dinosaur ride. And yes, I plan on staying on site at one of the resorts. I'd prefer the moderate resorts, but my wife brought up, "would you rather spend the money for a moderate resort or stay at a value resort and have another day?" I'd rather have another day.

Mickeymac wrote:Sub, who are the kinds of folks going with you?

Mostly my age (30s) and some older adults. No kids though. We are planning on splitting up, my group will probably be going at a faster pace.

MouseMan wrote:Also there are lots of guides you can get that really help. Passporter is a good one www.passporter.com.

Thanks, this site looks informative.

Now I have to start contacting all the travel agents that have wanted to become an "affiliate".

There's gotta be some way I can get some discounts after running this site for several years...for...free! Muahaha

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Apr Thu 20, 2006 4:50 pm

I can't stand it! I have to reply as a regular visitor - I personally think you're going to miss out if you don't do one day per park, have two days for the two parks at Universal and then a day for catch up. It's hard for me as a regular visitor (at least annually) to get my fill in a week.

Enjoy it man! Keep your eye out for codes and discounts - you just might be able to swing that moderate and still have an extra day. And, just my two cents - but POR is my favorite moderate level resort.

Have fun!

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Apr Thu 20, 2006 10:13 pm

Since I'll be going with people who have never been, we'll be wanting to see everything

Is that even possible?

Post by **subsonic** » Apr Fri 21, 2006 11:16 am

As I want as much an average as possible, I also posted on Mouse Planet. Someone brought up a wonderful suggestion that I didn't know of. If you stay at one of the Universal hotels you can show your room key to get to the front of all the lines. That could save a lot of time. It was also suggested that visiting USF/IOA first is the best plan of attack. I agree. I don't think it would be good to visit USF/IOA in the middle or end of the trip.

Overall it seems like
USF: 1
IAO: 1
MK: 1 1/2
EPCOT 1 1/2
AK: 1/2
MGM: 1

That means I need to plan a 7 day trip.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Apr Fri 21, 2006 12:06 pm

That looks about right, and while we're on this topic, does anybody know what park is the least crowded on the weekend (Including the universal parks)

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Apr Fri 21, 2006 12:26 pm

Brilliant idea - we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and utlized the room key feature - TOTALLY worth staying over there for the couple of days we toured Universal. All three resorts are actually quite luxurious . You'll be a bit spoiled going from one of them to a Disney Moderate/Value - but I completely agree, do USF first and then hit Disney.

I think you'll do great with a 7 day trip - enjoy planning.

Post by **subsonic** » Apr Tue 25, 2006 12:24 pm

Ugh, the most annoying thing now is trying to organize a big group. Too many people have different schedules. I think I'm just going to decide for myself and then people can work theirs around that.

foldmama · Post by **foldmama** » Apr Wed 26, 2006 8:27 am

Sub: Your chart above looks good, but I don't think you will need a full two days in Universal. I went to Universal for the first time last year and I was extremely disappointed. There are a few great rides in each of the parks and that's it. I was really disappointed with a lot of them.

MGM is definitely 1 full day, Don't miss the Lights, Motors Action show. Your group will really enjoy this show.

MK - 1 full day

Epcot - 2 days if you want to see all the films and shows in the World Showcase. I went last year for the first tiime with adults and was really shocked on how much time I spent in Epcot and I enjoyed every minute of it. Plus you have extra time to ride TT and Soarin". Plus spend time in Innovations, there is a lot to see. If you finish early the second day run back to MK to ride your favorite rides again.

Animal Kingdom 1/2 to 3/4 of a day - I grow to like this park a little more each time I visit. Living in New York very close to the Bronx Zoo that I visit at least once a year I really though AK would not interest me much, but it's an absolutely beautiful park and definitely worth a visit. I usually visit DTD the same day I visit AK.

1 additional day to visit your favorite places and maybe a little down time!

8 days would be perfect and may not feel as rushed!

Have a great trip and enjoy the planning!

D Rae · Post by **D Rae** » May Mon 01, 2006 1:56 pm

Also, AK will most likely be closing at 5p, so you'll have the whole evening to enjoy another of the parks.