Saturday 21: I'll arrive at Orlando around 10 am, after going to the Hotel I plan to check out the Magic Kingdom.
Sunday 22: Magic Kingdom
Monday 23: Animal Kingdom
Tuesday 24: Universal Studios
Wednesday 25: Hollywood Studios
Thursday 26: Islands of Adventure
Friday 27: Epcot
Saturday 28: Epcot
Any tips or comments would be greatly appreciated, especially the Islands of Adventure day as I want to experience the whole park, but also don't want to miss Harry Potter and I'm scared I'll miss out on something because of the crowds. Thank you guys!
I would do Early Magical Hours at Animal Kingdom because the park closes usually around sunset (5pm-7pm). The park also opens earlier than the rest so make sure to try and do that! AK has many underrated aspects that many overlook! Also, the night that you do AK, you can explore Downtown Disney or some of the Resorts which are a bit of an attraction to see (such as AK Lodge and the Boardwalk).
James- My flight on the 28th leaves at 7pm
Anthony- Thanks for your input! I'll definitely consider those options.
David- I am using Park Hopper, the main purpose of my trip is Disney, so I think I'll just do one day at Universal and one day at IOA.
Sat 21 Magic Kingdom (or relax and swim)
Sun 22 Animal Kingdom
Mon 23 Epcot
Tue 24 Islands of Adventure
Wed 25 Hollywood Studios
Thu 26 Universal Studios
Fri 27 Magic Kingdom
Sat 28 Epcot.
You will probably miss Fantasmic at DHS with this itinerary (since they only show it a couple nights a week), so you'll have to decide how important it is to you.
When I get a chance (when I am not at work!), I will see about drawing up some touring plans to help, if someone else doesn't beat me to it.
PS You should not need Park Hopper as all your days will be filled. Save some $$$.
IF you have to use tickets in a row(like US and IOA together and disney parks together) here what i would do:
21-Universal Studios
22-IOA
23-Epcot in morning and AK in evening(EMHs)
24-DHS in morning and Epcot in evening
25-Epcot in morning and DHS in evening
26-Any disney park BUT MK
27-AK in morning and MK in evening
28-MK
if you want to save money then follow James' plan. Hope you have a great trip!
BTW, this is the extra magic hour schedule.
As for evening magic hours, I have found little benefit for the main headliner attractions (Everest, Test Track, Toy Story, etc) as they are usually packed until closing. However, some of the other attractions are walk on (Spaceship Earth, Pirates, Figment, etc). If you are going to use Magic Hours, the morning magic hour is the least busy, but then you will need park hopper to leave that park by 11 AM by which time it will be the busiest park of the day.
Whatever you decide, just make sure to have a plan of attack, and move in an alacritous fashion (with cheerful eagerness!).
As for the plan of attack at Disney, try these personalized touring plans I built on touringplans.com:
Animal Kingdom
Epcot Day One
Epcot Day Two
Hollywood Studios
Magic Kingdom
Will let someone else address Universal as it has been a few years since I visited those parks and my info is probably a bit out of date.
The park with Extra Magical Hours tend to be more croweded, especially for opening late. This is obvious at DHS and AK, but with MK and EPCOT's Size, its barely noticable. I personally like them, especially at MK because most of the rides have short wait times. AK's early Extra Magical Hours also work nicely because AK usually works best leasurely and allows you to see all the shows!
I will say, the AK shows are NOT to be missed! Flights of Wonder, Finding Nemo, and Festival of the Lion King are some of the best Theme Park Shows out there!
