I’m taking DH to WDW Nov 7–11. He hasn’t been since middle school and doesn’t really “get” Disney, so I’m trying to make it a fun and smooth experience for him. I’ve got park hoppers for Nov 8–10 for him (I’ll need to active an AP I bought in 2019 – that could be a whole story) and are staying at the Dolphin. The only reservation I’ve made so far is Hoop Dee Doo.
I definitely want to spend time at Food & Wine in Epcot but want to avoid the worst of the lines. I’m thinking Sunday might be a good all-Epcot day to soak it in, especially since we’re staying so close. Monday I’ve decided to rope drop Magic Kingdom for the 7:30 early entry and then hop to Epcot in the afternoon/evening. My MK priorities are the classics—Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and the PeopleMover—so I don’t think I’ll need Lightning Lanes that day.
Where I’m stuck is Saturday and how to fit in Hollywood Studios and maybe Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom. I’m debating:
Option A: Start Saturday at Epcot, grab a quick LL (like Soarin’ or Living with the Land), then hop to Studios and try to stack LLs there.
Option B: Start at Studios and either hop to AK for FOP or just stay put.
Option C: Start at AK to do KS and FOP then go and use my lightning lanes at HS.
I’m worried about LL timing for Studios. My LL priorities at Studios are Rise of the Resistance, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, TSMM, and Star Tours. Slinky Dog would be nice but not a must. I’m skipping TOT and RNR (scaredy cat here ). If we do Epcot all day Sunday, I’ll probably skip LLs that day altogether.
I’ve been to WDW a dozen times between 2014–2022, so I don’t need to do everything—just want to make it a great trip for him. Any thoughts on how to make this flow better or when to hit Studios for the best LL strategy?
Is he a morning person? Then I would suggest AK with early KS and maybe Na’vi LLMP (also, Zootopia show will have just opened); as soon as you tap in to your first, book at DHS. FoP with LLSP, and then I’m always a fan of the drummers in Africa as well. I’m not sure if Merry Menagerie will have started, but they are having an art signing related to it, so hopefully?
If he’s not a morning person and you want to be sure / not rely on drops (take a look in La Cava for more info), buy LLMP for DHS. You could still go to another park first, just without LLs. You’ll get RotR with LLSP regardless.
(I will say I like the Skyliner hop from Epcot to DHS, but I always try to fit in a trip to AK. )
[Edited because Jollywood actually is on Sunday and thus shouldn’t affect Saturday plans]
This would be my recommendation. I LOVE Epcot, and while Epcot is busiest on Friday evening and all day Saturday, it can still be quite crowded on Sunday as well due to the F&W Festival. Also, since AK closes earliest and opens (usually) earliest, it is a good use of your time to start there. I wouldn’t hop to AK, because you will then likely need to hop again after AK closes. My second choice would be…
While I would ordinarily avoid Epcot on a Saturday, if you are not hitting up World Showcase, then it might work. Is GotG still a LLSP? If so, I’d purchase one of those as well. So, you basically get The Land pavillion, and GotG done before hoping over to HS as the crowds build at Epcot.
In light of this, I would DEFINITELY do MK on Monday. Party days, crowds are significantly lighter at MK, so your plan of hopping to Epcot later in the day for World Showcase is a great plan.
From reading here, I’d say open Epcot, and then HS because some of the popular rides seem to hit the snooze button.
What sorts of things does he consider fun? Is he a always in the go kind of guy or does he appreciate a comfy chair and a good beverage. Thrill seeker or show watcher.
Longest steepist water slide or lazy river.
My sister and I have been swapping the rides for mini golf, painting classes at resorts and beverages/small plates at lounges. But then we’re both Medicare eligible.
My sister especially is a non-people person so we typically avoid Epcot countries, especially later in the day. Also in park evening shows.
A favorite thing for her is an ADR for a park restaurant close to closing time. Walking out nearly an hour after park close is magical
Those sound like long days. Do you think your DH is the park open to park close kinda guy?
Hoping around is fun but can be exhausting and time consuming.
Since you are visiting Epcot Sunday and Monday I would nix it from the Saturday line up. Option C seems like a good option. If you buy LLSP for FoP you don’t even really need to rope drop AK for a low wait time at KS. Just get there within the first 1 hour of park open. Hit KS before FoP. A late breakfast at Satuli would be a nice treat before leaving for HS. I couldn’t help but stroll through the Oasis on my exit though. HS LL drops mostly occur near or after lunch so there really isn’t any rush.
My suggestion it to make sure you aren’t setting too fast of a pace. If you want DH to love it, he should see the softer side to Disney, so to speak.
Thanks, I think I am going to try to start at AK then hop over to HS. Seems like the best option for LLs and seeing Animal Kingdom. The other days at Epcot will hopefully be a lot more relaxed.
). If we do Epcot all day Sunday, I’ll probably skip LLs that day altogether.
)
