WDW in one day

[joeybTNU]

I'm near Orlando this week for work and am hoping for day free to sneak off to WDW, but I can't just go and not try and do everything. My plan is AK for Everest, then off to MK, then DHS then EPCOT. I set it that way to get the best and my favorite out of each park.

Anyone else have a plan like that? or has anyone actually done something like that before?

[Amy]

We park hop between the 4 parks at least once every trip. It is very doable as long as you don't expect to do too much in each park. It sounds like you won't be staying on property? If you are, be sure to take advantage of the EMH ~ one park should have morning EMH, and another park should have evening EMH. That extends your day by a good few hours! Good luck

[Wizzard419]

I would say start at AK, then take the bus to DHS, then take the ferry to Epcot, then take the monorails to MK. That way is more streamlined.

You could also reverse the order of MK, Epcot, DHS.

[Goofyfan]

Thats a lot of parking hopping for one day. I would think that you would be spending more time getting from park to park than it's worth.

[Wizzard419]

It might be, but when you only have a day like he has, that might be the only option.

I forgot to add, there is also a walkway that runs from DHS to Epcot's gate, so if you are up to it you may be able to walk from park to park faster than you would by taking a boat.

[kelpseaweedkelp]

It might be, but when you only have a day like he has, that might be the only option.

I forgot to add, there is also a walkway that runs from DHS to Epcot's gate, so if you are up to it you may be able to walk from park to park faster than you would by taking a boat.

Great suggestion.
Unless you see the boat coming, totally take that walk. It is a piece of cake - just stay on the Boardwalk side and boom you are at the gate.

[kelpseaweedkelp]

I would say start at AK, then take the bus to DHS, then take the ferry to Epcot, then take the monorails to MK. That way is more streamlined.

You could also reverse the order of MK, Epcot, DHS.

I also agree with this plan. AK, bus to DHS, walk to EPCOT, monorial to MK. Def MK last bc they are open the latest.

[Wizzard419]

Yeah, I think TN is way more humid than So Cal, I did the walk from DHS back to my hotel (and this was in late spring) and it wasn't impossible but the extra chunky air really beat down on you.

[horizons1]

I used to do this all the time when I went to Orlando for work. I have done as many as three parks in an evening, so a day is doable. You have to remember to limit your expectations and the best way to have a stress-free park-hopping day is not to set a big must-do list. I've been happiest with this pattern just walking each park with a loose agenda so I am walking toward a specific target and then taking advantage of short lines as I come across them.

[JenMuse]

I'm near Orlando this week for work and am hoping for day free to sneak off to WDW, but I can't just go and not try and do everything. My plan is AK for Everest, then off to MK, then DHS then EPCOT. I set it that way to get the best and my favorite out of each park.

Anyone else have a plan like that? or has anyone actually done something like that before?

I applaud your ambition. I hope you enjoy yourself.

I think Wizzard's plan is quite efficient.

[theBIGyowski]

I'll tag along with the folks saying to walk between DHS and EPCOT.

Even if you catch the boat just right...it takes FOREVER to get from EPCOT to DHS and vice versa. If you care more about relaxing on a very slow boat...then take the boat...otherwise your feet should get you there faster and you'll get to enjoy the pathway there.

[Wizzard419]

Also, it's not like you're walking through back country/hidden paths, it is an illuminated walkway (if you were walking at night) and they keep it maintained since runners apparently like to use it.

[horizons1]

Although less magical, might I suggest driving between parks? Since time is of the essence, it only makes sense to walk between parks if you are going to turn around and go back to your car at the other park later. You can obviously monorail between EC and MK, but you might want your car to get to AK and HS faster. Also, later in the day as you continue to hop, parking gets much easier and you will find close-in parking at all the lots.

[Wizzard419]

Oh yeah, we should have probably asked about transportation they would have.

[Amy]

Although less magical, might I suggest driving between parks? Since time is of the essence, it only makes sense to walk between parks if you are going to turn around and go back to your car at the other park later. You can obviously monorail between EC and MK, but you might want your car to get to AK and HS faster. Also, later in the day as you continue to hop, parking gets much easier and you will find close-in parking at all the lots.

How about traffic though? And does the parking fee cover all the parks ~ like if you park in one park's lot, do you just receive a pass that is good for the rest of the parks for the day?