When you start planning a Disney World Vacation one term or phrase you will likely come across is the Four Park Challenge. It has been written about in blogs like this one and covered by Disney Vloggers quite a lot. The Four Park Challenge is when you attempt to visit all Four Disney World Parks in one day and enjoy some time in each of the parks.
In this article we will go through how we do the Four Disney World Parks in one day just in case it is something you might want to try during your own Disney vacation.
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Before we get Started do have a think about the following points:
- You will need to start early (set an alarm)
- It will be a long day
- You probably won’t ride a lot of attractions in each park
- Fast Passes won’t be of much help
- Disney World transportation is good but sometimes you just have to wait
- Factor in some breaks
Morning – We Start at Animal Kingdom
Compared to the other three Disney Parks Animal Kingdom does seem to be a little bit more out of the way. This of course makes sense when you consider that a lot of animals do live in the park so to be tucked out of the way a little bit isn’t such a bad thing, but for this reason it is why we start at Animal Kingdom.
There are no boats, monorails or sky liners to get to another park from Animal Kingdom, so Bus is your only option (or a Taxi I guess). So, start at Animal Kingdom.
If you are staying at a Disney World Resort, I would plan to undertake this challenge on a day where there are extra magic hours first thing in the morning at Animal Kingdom. This will give you some extra time to play with.
Don’t forget to eat and drink – breakfast is an important meal
Disney Genie Plus – Don’t use here. Be there for rope drop and head for Expedition Everest and Dinosaur (Pandora will get too busy so save that for another day of your vacation).
Find out about the new Disney Genie App and Disney Genie+ here.
Late Morning – Head to Hollywood Studios
From Animal Kingdom head to Hollywood Studios by bus. I would plan to have lunch at this park whether it is quick service or table service it is up to you. Just make sure you factor in enough time to stop and eat (especially if you do go with a Table Service Restaurant).
When it comes to attractions you should be able to get on Star Tours and see Muppet 3D Vision fairly easily. If you can get on anything else, then that’s definitely a bonus.
Perhaps take a stroll though Walt Disney Presents & do some character meets.
Fast Passes – Decision time. Book Fast Passes close together for attraction either here or Epcot. If you can’t make them then it maybe better to book them for Magic Kingdom in the evening.
Mid Afternoon – Head to Epcot
From Hollywood Studios you have a few transport options to get to Epcot. Perhaps consider taking a Friendship Boat from the outside of the front of the park to Epcot. It is a nice 15 to 20-minute break if you need it and if you have kids, they will enjoy the boat ride. Once at Epcot head toward Future World as you will be close to the front of the park and you will have a decent chance on getting on some rides here such as Figment, Finding Nemo and even Mission Space. You can explore Future World, shop and have a snack before making your way to the Monorail.
Evening – Take the Mono Rail to Magic Kingdom.
The Mono Rail station is located at the front of Epcot before the park entrance so from here you can take the short journey to the Ticket and Transportation Center where you can continue to Magic Kingdom via Mono Rail or take the Ferry Boat across Seven Seas Lagoon (or take the bus if needed).
It might be worth thinking about getting something to eat when you get inside Magic Kingdom, possibly a hot dog at Casey’s Corner. From there the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy any fast passes or just get on what attractions are available. Make sure you check the My Disney Experience App when you first get inside Magic Kingdom as you should get a good feel for what attractions to head to first based on the wait times listed on the app.
NOTE – If you want to get on some attractions then don’t watch the fireworks (save that for another day or do it before your 4-park day). During the fireworks the crowds will head towards the front of the castle and wait times on a lot of the rides will start to drop by quite a bit. Get to the area of the park where you want to be and hit the rides while the fireworks are happening. It will soon get busy again once the fireworks are over.
EXTRA NOTE – If you can stay inside the park as late as possible it can be beneficial. A lot of people will leave after the fireworks and the later it gets the less busy the park will be. If you have the energy to keep going wait times will drop a lot as it gets closer to Magic Kingdom closing.
Fast Passes – If you went with this option you will have 3 Fast Passes to enjoy during the evening at Magic Kingdom. Enjoy!
Four Parks in One Day with Kids
You can still get around all four Disney Parks in one day with younger kids just be aware of the importance of breaks to rest and have a snack and a drink. You might not be able to get on as many attractions, but the day will be tiring for you so imagine what it will be like for your little ones. Make sure you haven’t got an early breakfast reservation for the next morning as you may want to sleep in a little the next day.
All our other Disney World Packing Lists are here too.
Four Park Challenge in One Day Breakdown:
- Early Morning – Animal Kingdom for Rope Drop
- Late Morning – Head to Hollywood Studios on the Bus
- Mid Afternoon – Head to Epcot on a Friendship Boat
- Evening – head to Magic Kingdom on the Mono Rail
Four Park Challenge Dining:
- Breakfast – Eat at Animal Kingdom (possible quick service)
- Lunch – Table or quick service at Hollywood Studios before you leave the park.
- Dinner – Quick Service at Magic Kingdom (possibly Casey’s Corner)
General Reminders:
- Try to get a day when there are extra magic hours at Animal Kingdom
- Head to Expedition Everest and Dinosaur from rope drop at Animal Kingdom
- Have Snacks and Drinks when Needed
- Keep Hydrated
- Be prepared to wait for all forms of Disney Transportation
- Try to use Fast Passes at Hollywood Studios or Epcot.
- Or if you can book them for Magic Kingdom in the evening
- Ignore the fireworks at Magic Kingdom (you’ll get on more rides)
Rides That You Should Be Able to Get On During Your Four Park Challenge
- Animal Kingdom – Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, DinoLand USA attractions
- Hollywood Studios – Star Tours, Muppet Vision 3D
- Epcot – The Sea with Nemo and Friends, Mission: SPACE, Spaceship Earth
- Magic Kingdom – Check wait times on the My Disney Experience App when you get inside the park.
So, there you go that’s how we do four parks in one day at Walt Disney World (the four park challenge). It can be a long and tiring day doing the Four Park Challenge but it can also be a lot of fun just try as best as you can to plan the day and factor in plenty of breaks.
Thanks for reading this article onthe Disney World Four Park Challenge, you can find our previous post here.
Darren
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