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4 days 4 parks plus water park

Walt Disney World: can i fit it all in 4 days

From thomas snell
Posted October 6, 2012 at 5:03 PM
we are going to Disney World for the first time. plan on going for 4 days is it possible to hit each park and do one water park as well in 4 days?


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

From Kevin Hanaoka
Posted October 7, 2012 at 12:28 AM
If you're going during the off season, you might be able to do it if you prioritize what you want to see and do. I would actually set aside five to six days since you need to be flexible because even the best laid plans can go awry. There are a few books and web resources that can help you determine what parks will be busiest on what days when you go. Unless you're a Disney hotel guest, you'd want to avoid parks with early magic hours. These parks will already be full with guests when the park opens. When I go, I go to the park about a half hour before it opens so that I can hit a few E ticket rides before I take a break. Then I hit a few other rides and then do lunch before the crowds arrive (mid morning to noon). I might then finish my list (yeah I make I must do list) or go back to my hotel to rest and go back later. I generally follow one of the books that list the order you should hit rides. I know it's not spontaneous, but it works for me. Also, I have the luxury of not having to corral a large group of family or friends to get to the park. So you'll have to factor your group in planning. Some people have to have a leisurely breakfast. I buy my breakfast the night before and eat in the hotel room. So it is doable. You just need to plan ahead and make some sacrifices to save time. Not everyone is going to be completely happy, but you might be less stressed.

From Skipper Adam
Posted October 7, 2012 at 6:09 AM
I agree. Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World can save you hours and headaches if you follow their plan. If that's too structured, at least read ahead about all the attractions, make a must do list and do those in the morning right after the park opens. Either save the water park for Animal Kingdom day or Studios day.

From Dominick D
Posted October 7, 2012 at 6:14 AM
Go to easywdw.com, as they have excellent free touring plans and crowd calendars. As for a water park, save it for the AK day.

From steve lee
Posted October 7, 2012 at 7:35 AM
A. Yes, you can.
B. No, you shouldn't.

It's a vacation, not a gauntlet.

I understand the compulsion to try to stick as much into a trip as possible, but there is a point where you have to recognize that going 12 - 15 hours a day at it is just too much work. It will stop being fun.


EDIT - wait, I just noticed the part where you said this was your first visit. This reinforces my point. If you're trying to cram too much into your days, you're going to miss more than you hit.

From thomas snell
Posted October 7, 2012 at 8:47 AM
Im sure that you are all right 4 days is too little for as much as we are trying to do. i got the complete idiots guide to walt disney world. we are going to take an extra day for the parks. we are also going to do one of the universal parks one day. thank you for the advise.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted October 7, 2012 at 10:40 AM
I am going to say no,

And here is why...

Disney Water Parks really deserve their own day. There is much to explore (and relax). The way my family does this is that they go to the water park for most of the day and then hit Downtown Disney in the evening.

From thomas snell
Posted October 7, 2012 at 10:44 AM
OK we are now going to do five days to fit in the water parks. which water park is better and what days should we do the Disney parks. i heard that magic kingdom is bad on Monday.

From Dominick D
Posted October 7, 2012 at 11:11 AM
When are you going?

From Kevin Hanaoka
Posted October 7, 2012 at 11:13 AM
I prefer Blizzard Beach over Typhoon Lagoon. It's got Summit Plummet and automated slide/tube machines so you don't have to carry a slide or tube up the hill. Of course, I've wanted to go to Typhoon Lagoon to ride Crush n Gusher, a water roller coaster! However, Typhoon Lagoon is the older park and not well thought out. Many opportunities to twist an ankle. And really (I'm talking to you lawyers), speed bumps on a water slide? It does have a long, lazy river whose benefit is that you can get out anywhere in the park. Blizzard Beach's fails in that aspect. I must admit that I haven't been to either water park for a couple of years so there may have been improvements. My suggestion is to look at the attractions and choose the one that best fits your group's tastes. Also, don't forget to check the park closure schedule. Depending on when you go, one of the parks may be closed for refurbishment. So your choice might already be made for you.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted October 7, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Depends on what you want to do. Blizzard Beach has the better slides, Typhoon Lagoon is better overall.

From thomas snell
Posted October 7, 2012 at 8:10 PM
we are going in September. it will be and my 8yr old daughter doing the water parks while mom gets some rest. from the sound of it blizzard beach. has the most recommendations.

From Anthony Murphy
Posted October 7, 2012 at 8:20 PM
Yeah, both are really nice!

The theming in Blizzard Beach is very good and clever. No matter which water park you would pick, its a hit!

Another nice thing to do while you are over at Blizzard Beach is to play a round at Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. Its a riot!

From Dominick D
Posted October 7, 2012 at 9:04 PM
September is a great time to go! Halloween and Food & Wine go on during September. As for what waterpark, go with whatever fancies you the most.

From Kelly Smith
Posted October 7, 2012 at 9:15 PM
Use the crowd calendars at touringplans.com to get an idea of what day is best for which park.

From Dominick D
Posted October 8, 2012 at 6:00 AM
Sorry Kelly I'm gonna disagree. 50% of the time Touring Plans is inaccurate. Josh at easywdw.com sometimes does a side by side comparison to TP and TP loses. Plus TP isn't free, but EasyWDW is.

From thomas snell
Posted October 8, 2012 at 8:12 PM
just looked at the site mentioned. there is a lot of good data there. i think we will plan the days we go to each park a according to his crowd flow calendars and the recommended parks. thanks for the heads up about that site.

From Dominick D
Posted October 8, 2012 at 8:51 PM
No problem! I always love reading the updates.

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