Disney in a Day

Is it possible to do Disney in a single day? Well you are about to find out. Below is a chronicling of our family's attempt to do just that on April 4, 2015. A few caveats here: (1) by "Disney" I mean Magic Kingdom only. While the other parks have some nice eye candy, Magic Kingdom is definitely the meat and potatoes, especially for the 10 and under crowd; (2) by a single day I mean using only a single day ticket, which with extra magic hours considered can actually extend over two calendar days; and (3) by "doing the park" I mean that at least one member of the family should attempt to ride every ride at least once. 

 At this point you might be saying, "What is so special about doing Magic Kingdom in one day? Isn't that what most people do anyway, hit one park each day?" Well that may be true, but typically this would involve skipping some rides or splitting up the group, and given the wait times for the most popular rides can climb to over 60 minutes during peak hours, it is much more reasonable to plan at least two days at Magic Kingdom for the typical family. But for a large family like ours, this extra day means several hundred more dollars. So armed with two Disney pros, a little planning, and careful use of extra Magic Hours and Fastpasses, I can say that is possible to hit everything (well almost everything) using a single-day ticket. Here is how we did it:





Character Profiles:

	Name:	Daddy
	Age:	35
	Height:	72 in.
	Disney Experience:	Journeyman (5 previous trips)
	Role:	Planning and Efficiency
	Favorite Rides:	Thrill Rides and Musical Shows
	Name:	Mommy
	Age:	34
	Height:	67 in.
	Disney Experience:	Expert (11 previous trips)
	Role:	Navigation and Operations
	Favorite Rides:	All Types
	Name:	Elaina
	Age:	8
	Height:	52 in.
	Disney Experience:	Expert Apprentice (5 previous trips)
	Role:	Cheerleading and Assistant Baby Wrangling
	Favorite Rides:	Carrousels and Princesses
	Name:	Oliver
	Age:	4
	Height:	41.5 in.
	Disney Experience:	Novice (2 previous trips)
	Role:	Comic Relief
	Favorite Rides:	Roller Coasters
	Name:	Baby Violet
	Age:	1
	Height:	29 in.
	Disney Experience:	Novice (1 previous trips)
	Role:	Cuteness
	Favorite Rides:	Unknown

 Legend:

I enjoyed the ride
I really enjoyed the ride
I didn't really like the ride
I was scared
I was asleep

 

The Journey Begins…
6:15a
Leave Hotel
6:21a
Breakfast
There is a McDonald's right outside the All-Star Resorts. Makes for an easy and inexpensive meal stop.
6:36a
Park and Walk to Transportation Center
Front row parking!
6:50a
Monorail to Magic Kingdom
Baby Violet did not care for the Monorail.
Extra Magic Hours I (7a – 8a)
7:02a
Through the Gate
Follow the pros!
7:05a
To Fantasyland through Cinderella's Castle
The Morelands don't waste time taking any of those cheesy Castle background shots. We just bust on through to the other side!
7:09a
First Stop - Peter Pan's Flight
Wait Time: 6 minutes
This is generally one of the longer wait times so we always try to hit it first. Baby Violet wasn't a fan, but everyone else seemed to like it.
7:19a
It's a Small World
Wait Time: 0 minutes
This is always a crowd pleaser with the 8 and unders.
7:35a
Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall
Wait Time: 14 minutes
This was actually our first planned stop but we got scared about the wait. Turned out to be less than 15 minutes. Later in the day, the wait time will climb to over an hour. The girls really liked this one. Oliver too!
7:52a
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Wait Time: 2 minutes
It would not be a trip to Magic Kingdom without the Carrousel. This is the first of many rides throughout the day. Baby Violet was again not a fan.
Park Officially Open (8a – 1a)
8:01a
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Wait Time: 6 minutes
No one knows why, but Pooh is generally another long wait time. By hitting it before the park opens, it only took us 6 minutes! At first Oliver didn't like it, but later he kept asking to ride it again. He also told us he was ready to go home, but we just ignored him.
/
8:12a
Mad Tea Party
Wait Time: 4 minutes
Big girls only for this one. The boys don't do well with repetitive motion.
- - -
8:19a
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Wait Time: 3 minutes
Another toddler favorite. We are starting to think Baby Violet might not be related…
8:27a
The Barnstormer (2 times)
Wait Time: 2 minutes
Oliver's de facto favorite after proclaiming, "I love roller coasters" even before ever riding one. This would be our first of four rides including this back-to-back excursion. Elaina was mad because I tricked her by telling her it wasn't really a roller coaster (queue the pout).
- -
8:41a
Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
Wait Time: 12 minutes
Not much to say here. We all liked it, except Baby Violet.
9:00a
Meet Ariel at her Grotto (Girls only)
Wait Time: 6 minutes
We decided to split up here. The girls went to see Ariel, and the boys went Barnstorming again.
- -
9:03a
The Barnstormer (Boys only, again)
Wait Time: 2 minutes
Fourth time. Still as fun.
- - -
9:17a
Break Time
Most families are just rolling out of bed, but by 9, the Morelands have called Fantasyland officially spanked. Now time for a little break and the first round of sunscreen.
9:30a
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Wait Time: 9 minutes
Off to Tomorrowland. Baby Violet is starting to warm up and is having more fun now.
9:46a
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
Wait Time: 10 minutes
Unfortunately we didn't get a picture, but all three kids were featured on the big screen. This makes two trips in a row where the Morelands have stolen the show. No drops this time though…
10:22a
Meet Daisy and Minnie at Pete's Silly Slideshow
Wait Time: 15 minutes
This one was more of a girl thing.
10:39a
Meet Donald and Goofy at Pete's Silly Slideshow
Wait Time: 10 minutes
Oliver got in the mix this time and Baby Violet got Quack Attacked!
11:06a
Enchanted Tales with Belle (Fastpass)
This was our first Fastpass of the day and everyone really had a good time. I resumed my previous role as Suit of Armor and even Oliver got drafted!
11:37a
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (again)
Surprise. Back to the Carrousel.
- -
11:45a
Lunch, Magic Band Hunt, and Nap Time
After some seriously overpriced Hot Dogs and one lost Magic Band, we hit the afternoon wall. At least Baby Violet got a nap.
1:00p
Meet Marie the Cat
Wait Time: 15 minutes
She just happened to be standing there.
- -
1:44p
Enchanted Tiki Room
After recovering the Magic Band and everyone refreshed, we hit the Tiki Room.This one was more Baby Violet's speed I think.
2:00p
Jungle Cruise (Fastpass)
Wait Time: 9 minutes
Fastpass number two went to the Jungle Cruise. A nice shaded river boat ride for the heat of the day.
2:46p
Country Bear Jamboree
What can I say, I've always had a soft spot for the Country Bears. Another Moreland family favorite.
3:00p
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
This was a nice surprise. All the major characters showed up, and we had a nice view from Fronierland.
3:24p
Exit Park (Phase 1 complete)
So many people! The Mass Exodus began and we finally made it back to the car.
The Journey Continues…
7:27p
Reurn to Park for Phase 2
After an ice cream stop at Chick-fila, some much needed rest at the hotel, and perhaps the best value in all of Disney dining, a cheese pizza at the All-Star Resort, we headed back for Phase 2 just as the sun was going down.
7:55p
Meet Mickey at the Town Square Theater
Wait Time: 25 minutes
First stop was Mickey and Beth's "mini Mickey ears" photo bomb.
8:43p, 9:08p
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Alternating Fastpasses)
Wait Time: 10 minutes
The Mine Train was closed during our original Fastpass earlier in the day, so we took turns, first the girls then the boys, at night. This was probably everyone's favorite ride by then end. Baby Violet was the first man (baby) down.
9:00p
Fireworks
Yay. Fireworks. 'Nough said.
9:31p
Meet Rapunzel and Cinderella at Princess Fairytale Hall
We let the big girls handle this one.
- -
9:58p
Mickey's PhilharMagic
We all wish we got a churro instead.
10:30p
Main Street Electrical Parade
Another one bites the dust. Elaina was enthralled as always.
10:53p
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Oliver really wanted to ride this one but just couldn't stay awake.
-
11:13p
Haunted Mansion
Wait Time: 24 minutes
The big girl got her nerve up and let me take her to the Haunted Mansion. A little Daddy-Daughter spooky fun! Mommy stayed back with the sleepers.
-
12:04a
Stitch's Great Escape
Wait Time: 10 minutes
Yikes. This was not good at all.
-
12:20a
Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover
This one didn't even warrant a picture I guess.
-
12:46a
Space Mountain (Daddy Only)
Wait Time: 25 minutes
Due to bun-in-oven and half-inch-too-short situations, I was forced to take this one alone. I liked it, as always.
- -
The Grand Finale - Extra Magic Hours II (1a - 3a)
1:20a
Pirates of the Carribean (Girls only)
Wait Time: 1 minute
This was another broken ride from earlier. Good news is they fixed it and no wait! The big girls crossed this one off the list for us.
-
1:38a
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Daddy Only)
Wait Time: 4 minutes
This marked the beginning of my quest to complete the remaining rides. First stop was Thunder Mountain. Next stop Spacemountain Part Deux, but it closes in 10 minutes!
- -
1:54a
Space Mountain (again)
Wait Time: 10 minutes
Boom! 6 minutes to spare. My feet hurt.
- -
2:03a
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (Elaina only, again)
While I'm running around Tomorrowland, the girls and sleepers are hitting up the Carrousel again.
- -
2:12a
Tomorrowland Speedway (Daddy only)
Wait Time: 4 minutes
This just isn't as exciting by yourself at 2am for some reason, but it had to be done.
- -
2:24a
Astro Orbitor (Daddy only)
Wait Time: 6 minutes
This was actually a pleasant surprise given the high altitude veiw of the Castle and the last ride of the evening.
- -
2:34a
Exit Park (Phase 2 Complete)
Ok, I lied. Just one cheesy Castle background picture. And that concluded our Disney-in-a-Day experience. Everyone still smiling 20 hours later. Now I call that a success!
3:07a
And we're spent!
Ok, enough already. We just want to go to bed!

So how did we do?
Here are the stats:
Total Park Time: 929 minutes (15 hours, 29 minutes)
Official Ride Count: 26/33 (79%)
Official Character Count: 11/16 (69%)
Average Wait Time: 8 minutes
Total Wait Time: 246 minutes (26%)

So we didn't exactly hit everything, but 79% isn't bad. The only real "ride" we missed was Splash Mountain, but no one was really excited about getting wet anyway. And to top it off, no one got sick! So we have to call the trip a success. As for those rides we missed, well there's always next time…