Going to WDW; Need some Help..

[PeterPanfan]

Hey everyone. My parents and I are going to Walt Disney World in March!

We're leaving on the 20th and going to the resort on the 24th, I think. We're only staying at Disney for three days(because we're going again in November) and in Florida for nine days.

Anyway, we bought the park-hopper pass and our plan right now is to:

Arrive at 8:00, check in, then go to Animal Kingdom at 9:00. At 2:00, we switch over to MGM Studios(or Disney Studios, I guess) and stay there until Fantasmic is over.

Then on the second day we're going to Magic Kingdom the whole day.

On the final day, we're just going to spend time in the pool and at Downtown Disney.

Now, I'm kinda afraid we won't have that much time at Animal Kingdom or MGM. This will be our 8th visit to WDW, but only our first time at Animal Kingdom. What should I do?

Here are the rides I was planning to go on in AK and MGMS. Should I cut any out? How long are each rides?

Animal Kingdom

It's Tough to be a Bug!
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
Finding Nemo: The Musical!
Primeval Whirl
Festival of the Lion King
Pocahontas and her Forest Friends
Affection Station
Look Backstage!
Flights of Wonder at Caravan Stage
Kali River Rapids
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade

MGM Studios

The Great Movie Ride
Muppet Vision 3-D
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show
Beauty and the Beast
Fantasmic!
Walt Disney-One Man's Dream
The Magic of Disney Animation
The Studio Backlot Tour
Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Jeffel]

Dude, we'll be at Disney at the same time!

Anyway, you can easily fill a whole day at Animal Kingdom and if you've never been there before, and you're going back to Disney in November anyway, just spend the day in Animal Kingdom.

You could also argue that a day spent in the water parks and Downtown Disney is a bit of a waste. You could just do Downtown Disney one of the nights because it's pretty much dead in the daytime anyway (at least it was last time I went) so you could do Animal Kingdom first day, Magic Kingdom second day, water park/MGM third day, and then slot in Downtown Disney on a couple of the nights.

[PeterPanfan]

Well, we're spending 2 nights/3 days there, so could we go to a park the day we're leaving?

[Prudence]

I can't see any reason for you to go on all three of the trails. One will suffice. And no, allow for full days at each park (at the very least), especially during this time of year. Twill be crowded, with long lines.

[PeterPanfan]

I would, Prudence, but can you go to a park the day you are leaving?

[Simba3]

I was looking over your itinerary for Animal Kingdom and only had two concerns.

1. Where the heck is Expedition Everest? And Tower of Terror?? and Rock n' Rollercoaster? I take it you don't enjoy rollercoasters?

2. I would recommend going to Kilimanjaro Safaris FIRST thing. This is when you are most likely to see the most animals because it is morning so they are being fed and it is less hot.

Other than that, have a great vacation! "It's Tough To Be A Bug" is such a great show, I love it. "The Festival of the Lion King" is good too. I can't remember when the parade is, but it's a pretty good parade if you have time for it.

I was just there a couple weekends ago and did Hollywood (MGM) Studios and Magic Kingdom. I love the Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios. It is so fun to learn to draw a character. I drew Mickey Mouse the first time, and last time I got to draw Jiminy Cricket.

[PeterPanfan]

Haha, I drew Donald Duck and Minnie before!!

Yeah, I'm not too fond of roller coasters. I've never been on one, but I'm going on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Goofy's Barnstormer, and if I like those, I'm going on Space Mountain!

[Simba3]

Haha, I drew Donald Duck and Minnie before!!

Yeah, I'm not too fond of roller coasters. I've never been on one, but I'm going on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Goofy's Barnstormer, and if I like those, I'm going on Space Mountain!

Ha ha, ok, work yourself up to it. But I'm tellin' ya, Expedition Everest is a great ride, Disney's best ride in my opinion.

[PeterPanfan]

I would go on it, but I don't want to.

1). The Yeti. I've seen vidoes and you're like five inches from it, then you go down a drop.

2). It goes backwards. I don't even know if I can handle...upwards, let alone backwards! Hehe

Side question, how many feet is the drop in Pirates of the Caribbean?

[Simba3]

Side question, how many feet is the drop in Pirates of the Caribbean?

Very, VERY little drop. You can definitely handle that one.

[PeterPanfan]

Okay.

I get scared very easily. Last year, I wouldn't even go on The Great Movie Ride because of the Alien scene.

What are your favorite rides in Magic, Animal, and MGM?

[Simba3]

Okay.

I get scared very easily. Last year, I wouldn't even go on The Great Movie Ride because of the Alien scene.

What are your favorite rides in Magic, Animal, and MGM?

Most of my favorite rides are the ones you said you won't be riding, Tower of Terror, Rock n' Rollercoaster, Expedition Everest, etc. However, some of my other favorite rides/attractions are:

Magic Kingdom:
Mad Tea Party (gotta love that!)
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Peter Pan's Flight
It's A Small World
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Monster's Inc Laugh Floor
Carousel of Progress
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Hollywood Studios
The Great Movie Ride
Magic of Disney Animation
Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3-D
Star Tours

[PeterPanfan]

Is Star Tours still there?? If it is, how tame is it?

[Simba3]

Is Star Tours still there?? If it is, how tame is it?

Yes, it sure is. Um, I'd say it's pretty tame. You are sitting in a big vehicle that moves around and you are watching a movie screen in front of you. The movements mirror what is going on in the film to make you feel like you are there. It is pretty fun, but I don't it is anything that would scare you.

[PeterPanfan]

Alright.

*adds to list of rides to go on.*

How long is it?

[Simba3]

Alright.

*adds to list of rides to go on.*

How long is it?

It's not too long, maybe 5 minutes total for the actual ride portion.

[PeterPanfan]

I was going through threads here that dealt with Star Tours, and it seems to jerk you around a lot.

How many times does it really "jerk" you and is it hard to handle?

[Simba3]

I was going through threads here that dealt with Star Tours, and it seems to jerk you around a lot.

How many times does it really "jerk" you and is it hard to handle?

Well yes, it "jerks" you around to give you the feeling that you are flying in the Spaceship (or whatever it is). It is a simulated ride. I guess it is hard for me to judge what you would like in a ride, but I honestly don't think it would be too much to handle for anyone. I see older children/teenagers on there quite frequently.

[PeterPanfan]

Okay, sounds fun!

One more question.

In Animal Kingdom, how is Kali River Rapids? I hear there are waterfalls, do you go down them or through them?

[Simba3]

Okay, sounds fun!

One more question.

In Animal Kingdom, how is Kali River Rapids? I hear there are waterfalls, do you go down them or through them?

Not sure, I didn't ride that one. I usually don't ride any rides where you get wet, I hate being wet and walking around in my wet clothes.