Andrew gave me a good idea for a blog post this week... If I had just one day to spend at Disney World, what would I do? A normal person might just answer with their one or two favorite rides and call it good but you know I'm not normal. I have thought and thought about this and knowing I would want to squeeze every possible second out of the day, I've come up with the following plan of what I would do!
First of all - I've preached this before - be at the parks at OPENING!! In fact, be early. I'd start my day at Magic Kingdom and I'd be there about an hour and a half before opening. Yes that's early, but they open Main Street an hour before the rest of the park. To make my one day plan work, I'd want to be through security, maybe have a snack on Main Street and be ready to head into Fantasyland as soon as the rope drops. I'd save my FastPasses to use at my next park since I won't be at those when they opens.
At Magic Kingdom, I'd be sure to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain as soon as possible. Those tend to have the longest lines and although I'd want to hit my other favorites (Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan...), I could do those later without hopefully quite as long of a wait.
Running from one ride to the other, I'd grab a Dole Whip (being sure to use Mobile Ordering to move quickly). IF I found a character with a short wait, I'd get a couple of pictures but would probably have to skip most of those on this trip. I'd for sure have to get a pic in front of the Castle though!
On to Animal Kingdom next by way of Disney bus transport. (Luckily, the bus times are on the My Disney Experience app now so I could really wait until the last second to run for the bus). Once at Animal Kingdom, I'd need to use a FastPass since I want to ride Flight of Passage. Waits are still ridiculous for it so this would be a perfect use of it.
The moment I scanned my MagicBand for my Flight of Passage FastPass, I would pull up the app and look for a Slinky Dog Dash FastPass at Hollywood Studios which is where I'll head next. I could certainly use my other 2 FastPasses at Animal Kingdom, but let's just say I'm there on a day when lines aren't overall that bad.
After riding Flight of Passage, I'd hit Dinosaur and the Safari. Not that I don't love the other rides but I'd head out after that. If Everest had a short wait, I might hop on it - but honestly I wouldn't be too sad if I couldn't. I love and hate that ride. It's really cool but that last drop makes me question why on earth I would ride it every time.
I'd grab lunch - using Mobile Ordering again - and eat while heading to the bus. Next stop - Hollywood Studios!
Now, I know at this point I would completely regret using my FastPass on Flight of Passage if I wasn't able to get one for Slinky Dog Dash. But the wait on it is typically a little less than Flight of Passage at this point so I'm going for time-savers here. Whatever the wait is at Slinky Dog, I would do it. So let's hope it's short!!
Depending on the other wait times, I would also want to hit Toy Story Mania and Rock'n'Roller Coaster (taking advantage of the Single Rider Line). Also after each FastPass I used, I would check and see what's available for later in the day. You never know when one will open up and I'll grab any I can.
Back to the buses - should probably grab a Mickey Bar to eat on the way - and off to Epcot. Hopefully I was able to get a FastPass for Test Track after using my last one. If not, there's a Single Rider Line there too which is usually quick. And you naysayers may scoff at my other must-do there, but it's Spaceship Earth. I could rest my surely sore feet by this point and enjoy the smell of Rome burning - isn't that one of your favorite smells, too??
I'd hit Club Cool for some free caffeine as I'm sure I'll be moving a bit slower by now. Fueled up, it's back to Magic Kingdom by way of the Monorail. I know, I know, I've already been to Magic Kingdom. But I honestly can't think of a better day than starting and ending it there.
Assuming I've made it by dinner-ish time, I'd go straight to Casey's Corner for the world's best hot dog. I've surely been smart enough to plan this on a day when Magic Kingdom is open late and will now make my way around all that I missed in the morning. Making sure to stop and watch the Fireworks, I'd run from ride to ride until they kick me out.
Did you know that if you are in line before the park officially closes, they won't kick you out but will let you wait in line and ride? I did that once on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - park closed at 11pm and I got in line at 10:45pm. It was an hour long line at that point so I was one of the last to leave the park.
Leaving the Magic Kingdom is always a really sad thing for me. But being able to leisurely stroll out with very few people makes it a little better. I feel like I can soak it all in one last time.
Now if I only had a day to test out my plan... If this ever happens, I'll be sure and let you know! Of course, I HIGHLY suggest taking more than one day to do Disney World. Give me a call and I'll help you plan a much less hectic schedule.
** Stay tuned next week for a blog post on Disney After Hours at the Magic Kingdom. It's a special ticketed event that would make this day much easier to do. I'll explain it all then!!
