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  • On Apr 26, 2023
    Lucia from IL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I'm planning on doing 3 days at the parks. If I have the hopper option, is it best to do Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on the same day and return for fireworks? or Epcot and Animal Kingdom?. Our goal is to do as much rides as we can on each park.

    Well hello there Lucia, and welcome to planDisney!

    As a seasoned Park-Hopper myself, I'm happy to help maximize your rides at Walt Disney World Resort! Comparing the number of rides overall, you'll find the most at Magic Kingdom Park with about 20 compared to the 11 at EPCOT and 7 at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. (This varies depending on what folks would truly count as a ride!)

    From our experience, here's the way I'd structure that day:
    • Make a Theme Park Reservation for Magic Kingdom Park and enter the Virtual Queue for TRON Lightcycle / Run at 7:00 a.m. EST while already ready and waiting to "Rope Drop" - being among the first to enter at least 45 minutes prior to park opening hours.
    • I recommend starting at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train before working around Fantasyland with the greatest density of rides in one area, moving on to Tomorrowland for more rides until your boarding group is called. 
    • After 1:30 p.m. EST, take a bus to Disney's Animal Kingdom where I would start going on rides clockwise from Africa and ending in Pandora - The World of Avatar to ride Avatar Flight of Passage last just before the closing time.
    • In our experience, the first week of September saw Magic Kingdom Park hours as late as 11:00 p.m. EST which may allow you to return to complete more rides in the remaining lands after Happily Ever After fireworks conclude. (Sometimes the shortest waits are during the show!)
    If I had three days to spend with the Park Hopper option, I would definitely combine my days in the following way: Magic Kingdom Park with Disney's Animal Kingdom, EPCOT with Disney's Hollywood Studios and the last day devoted to a combination of EPCOT and Magic Kingdom Park for any remaining outstanding experiences and re-rides. Be sure to confirm that you have the appropriate Park Reservations to be able to enter the coveted Virtual Queues!

    While the above times and offerings are subject to change without prior notice, it's also important to note that taking advantage of Lightning Lanes through Disney Genie Service and staying at a Resort Hotel could definitely give you an extra leg up on your goal of getting all the rides that you want over your 3-Day journey. Come on back to planDisney if you have any other questions you'd like to ask me ahead of your next adventure!

    Here's to some Happy Park-Hopping!
    Prince
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Meet the Panelist: Prince, Ontario

Hello, Bonjour and Ahoy there! Growing up in Canada, my first visit to Walt Disney World Resort and seeing so many new lands to explore all at once spurred me toward my goal to venture to all of the Disney Parks worldwide. As a proud Disney Uncle - or "Duncle" - whether it's a taste of experiences around the world or even interplanetary travel - I can't wait to give my tips and help you plan your family's next great adventure!    Learn More About Prince

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