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Long Weekend - 5 theme parks - do you think my itinerary is okay?

Flying in Friday Morning early Feb and Leaving 6 pm Monday night. Hoping to cover 5 parks

From Mary Nikisher
Posted January 18, 2011 at 11:39 PM
I am in my early 50's travelling with my 22 year old daughter. We are both somewhat fit and are planning this itinerary.

Friday: arrive airport 11am pickup rental and drive to Islands of Adventure till close, then check in Hotel

Sat: Universal Studios all day

Sun: Hollywood Studios 9-3 Epcot 3-close

Mon: Check out Hotel early Magic Kingdom 9-3 head to airport and fly home 6pm

Does this Itinerary sound do able? Or am I being unrealistic? Any comments or sugguestion would be appreciated. Thanks.


Comments in chronological order. Most recent at the bottom. Scroll down to respond.

From Samantha McCrae
Posted January 19, 2011 at 4:26 AM
Yeah, i think it's doable! Although, get to HP REALLY early OR do it last thing

and I don't think you should miss Animal Kingdom! I personally think it's great and way better than Epcot, but maybe thats just me? :)

From Anthony Murphy
Posted January 19, 2011 at 9:17 AM
Sounds pretty good, but I would put Universal and IOA on the same day as well! Universal, as great of a park that it is, is doable in half a day. So I would change to IOA to finish up and then USO. It allows you first crack at Harry Potter if its crowded.


The only other fear that I have is that you might not be able to keep the times for DHS and EPCOT. While it is doable, remember that the ride between the two is between 15 and 30 minutes.

Probably the better question is, what do you guys like to do? Shows? Thrill rides? Everything? LOL

From Mary Nikisher
Posted January 25, 2011 at 5:36 AM
Shows are not a priority, we love rides. Maybe we should do 3 days Disney (4 parks) and one day Universal (both parks). Thanks for the advice, it really helps!

From Anthony Murphy
Posted January 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM
I would still try to go to the Universal parks on the first two days because I think that you need to get to IOA early in the morning due to Harry Potter.

From Ray Schroeder
Posted January 25, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Wow, my feet hurt just by reading your itinerary. It is doable. Try to get as many fast passes as you can. If you're staying on property, take advantage of the EMH's.

From Jeff Elliott
Posted January 25, 2011 at 2:07 PM
This last October I did 8 parks in 6-1/2 days. So it can be done.

Saturday - Off the plane, check in, Magic Kingdom to close.
Sunday - Busch Gardens Tampa
Monday - Islands of Adventure & Universal Studios (start at Harry Potter)
Tuesday - Epcot & Animal Kingdom
Wednesday - Islands & Universal again
Thursday - Magic Kingdom & Halloween Horror Nights
Friday - Hollywood Studio & Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Fly Home.

It was busy. But it was really fun.

If you open Islands of Adventure and run back to Hary Potter, skip the Hippogriff ride and all of the shows, you should be able to do both Universal Parks in one very long day.

From Sylvain Comeau
Posted February 1, 2011 at 6:42 AM
If each of you gets an Express Pass, both Universal parks are feasible in one day. Also make sure you have park hopper tickets!

From Terri Pierce
Posted February 1, 2011 at 2:37 PM
I would switch Universal and IOA. Universal is a lot more laid back than IOA and doesnt tend to take as long to do. I love universal and could do it all day but if you want any chance of getting into WWOHP you need to get there before opening

From Terri Pierce
Posted February 1, 2011 at 2:40 PM
Actually after actually reading the posts if you want to combine US and IOA you can certainly do it!
I would get hopper passes each day you go to a disney park. DHS and Animal same day, Epcot and MK on the check in and check out dates, and US/IOA somewhere in between.

From Mary Nikisher
Posted February 2, 2011 at 7:48 AM
Thanks for all this great info...it really helps

From Terri Pierce
Posted February 2, 2011 at 12:56 PM
You never told us when you will be going on this journey. That could be a big factor


--Nevermind I found it! >.<

From Joshua Counsil
Posted February 2, 2011 at 3:26 PM
On your first day after a long flight, you're not going to want to rush. With Harry Potter at IoA, you will have to rush. Further, if this is your first trip to Orlando, I wouldn't use that schedule. Epcot tends to require more patience and appreciation, whereas parks like IoA and Magic Kingdom are packed full of rides. Also, I can't recommend Animal Kingdom enough. Where are you staying? On-site at Universal or Disney? Kissimmee? If it were me...

Friday: Hollywood Studios

Sat: Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios

Sun: Animal Kingdom, Epcot

Mon: Magic Kingdom

Disney's Hollywood Studios, Universal Studios, and Animal Kingdom all have a roughly equal mix of rides and shows, plus some exhibits. Epcot has mostly shows and exhibits with some rides. Since you're not into shows as much as rides, these parks should be half-days. Plus, Fantasmic! probably plays on Friday nights, so the Hollywood Studios would be a good place to see at night.

From Mary Nikisher
Posted February 8, 2011 at 6:12 AM
Just got home from an amazing 4 days. So glad I found this board and was recommended Animal Kingdom..turned out to be our favorite! Ended up doing 6 parks and after all the walking & standing to be flipped, dropped, jolted, swayed, splashed...etc our bodies are in pain from head to toe. If I were to do it again I would go for a week & pace myself or do less parks. A bit too extreme pace for the average person, but we loved each and every park...truly magical!

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