The thought of doing all 4 parks in one day seems insurmountable to some, just another Tuesday to others. This was a bucket list item for me but being a regular visitors to the parks, I decided to up the ante, so to speak and make it interesting. are lists of rules everywhere, every one of them a bit different but mostly the same… not this challenge. This one is different than the any you’ve seen before, and if you can get on board with the breakneck pf fu.t further ado, I give you the official Chip and Co Four Parks One Day Challenge- Extreme Edition:
The Rules:
- Utilize Every Free Mode of Disney Transportation (bus, ferry, monorail)
- 3 Rides in Every Park (one HAS to be a headliner, sorry, not getting away with Grand Fiesta, Journey into Imagination and Nemo in this challenge).
- 3 Meals 1 Snack (meals can be quick service or table service but grabbing a turkey leg on the run doesn’t count)
I decided the challenge should be able to be completed by anyone, not just resort guests so Extra Magic Hours didn’t count. However, since anyone had the ability to book a pre-park opening breakfast, that did count.
Ready to try it? There are countless ways this challenge can be accomplished but (because I am an obsessive planner) I devised a strategy that I think is best, and it worked out extraordinarily well. Read on to see just how I did it.
Park 1: Animal Kingdom
My husband and son failed challenge straight out of the gate because neither wanted to get out of bed for our 8:00 AM breakfast. However, being the Disney Addict that I am, I kissed their sleeping foreheads and left them behind. I was on a mission.
Breakfast: Pre-Park Opening 8:00 AM at Tusker House. I didn’t make a point to stick around for every character- I was there to fuel up for the mission ahead. I was in and out in an hour, just in time for park opening.
Show: Since it was going on right outside of Tusker House as I left, I stopped to watch and (awkwardly) dance with the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe.
Rides: My first FastPass of the day was at 9:30 at Dinosaur. Then I made my way over to Kali River Rapids (and after altering my FastPass for an earlier time on the My Disney Experience App) finally hit Expedition Everest.
Picture: On my way out of the Park I noticed the Photopass line for the Tree of Life was really long so I snapped a Selfie and called it good.
Done by 10:30 am
Transportation 1: Bus
Park 2: Hollywood Studios
My husband and 3-year-old son met up with me here so the pace slowed down substantially. While on the bus I used the App to snag a FastPass.
Ride: First up was Rockin Rolwhided.
Snack: We grabey Bars frt on Slv Sunset Blv. We stopped our picture take with Tower of Terror.
Show: Mickey bars in hand, we went and caught the Noon showing of Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (and I got to be an extra!)
Rides: Next up was Star Tours, then a mad dash to Toy Story Land for Toy Story Midway Mania (we snagged a FastPass for it). After that, we booked it out of the Park.
Done by 1:00 pm
Transportation 2: Ferry
Park 3: Epcot
Wow did things slow down at Epcot. Lunch, the sheer size of the park, the time of day and busier combined to slow down. It was peak hours during Food and Wine Festival after all. Luckily, we had made great time so far and had extra time to accommodate the slower than desired pace. We did manage to snag a FastPass for Soarin though so that was a big help!
Lunch: Tutto Italiano. (We were on the Deluxe dining plan so we decided to do all table service meals. My recommendation to you: don’t do that. Stick with Quick Service. The break was nice, but the meal took a huge chunk of time.)
Show: Reflections of China
Rides: Grand Fiesta is also always good for a walk on, so we hit that first. Then on to our Soarin FastPass. Finally, we rode Spaceship Earth.
Picture: We stopped for a picture in front of Spaceship Earth.
Done by 5:00 pm
Transportation 3: Monorail
Park 4: Magic Kingdom
Surprisingly, we were all still going strong. Nobody was tired or cranky…yet. I had a feeling we would hit a wall soon. We managed to grab a Fastpass for Jungle Cruise while on the Monorail.
Rides: Jungle Cruise was first, then on to its a small world and finally Peter Pans flight.
Dinner: The Plaza
Picture: Giddy from being so close to finishing we had a bit of fun with our Photopass photographer in front if the Camera.
Show: Happily Ever After.
Done by 9:00 pm.
Victory! So there you have it. We did it. I’d recommend that itinerary to anyone, as I was able to accomplish every goal we set. No one was overly tired though despite the 13 hour day- that was the biggest win of all!
Final Advice:
- Wear comfortable shoes. I logged 25,000 steps this day, which comes in at around 12 miles. Your shoes will make it break your success.
- Be FastPass savvy. FastPass- especially same day FastPasses- were crucial.
- Be Flexible. Rides go down, transportation runs behind, bathroom needs come up, weather cancels shows- have a plan but be ready to Get Into your first Park early. I know I recommended only doing quick service meals, however, breakfast is the exception. By grabbing a reservation time before the Park opens, you out yourself at the distinct advantage of being right in the middle of the Park when it opens.
Most importantly, have fun! If you decide to give our challenge a try, be sure to let us know how it goes for you!
If you’re ready to give it a try, contact me today at [email protected] or fill out the form below to book your ultimate Disney vacation! My services are completely free and I would help you. Let’s turn your Disney dreams into Disney plans!
I’d wager that visit to all of the Disney Parks around the world is on most Disney fans bucket lists. It’s certainly on mine. How cool would it experience the magic happening in all 12 parks?!? For one Disney fan, that dream became a reality! Abc’s Good Morning America surprised Patrice Jenkins, a teacher from Illinois with the trip of a lifetime doing just that!
The next day saw the team in Shanghai where the two welcomed guests into the Park from the balcony of Storybook Castle, the centerpiece of the park. What a dream! Then they were treated to a truly unique experience when they were joined by Mickey Mouse for a lesson with a Tia Chi master! Finally, they caught a show at Walt Disneys Grand Theater- Beauty and the Beast in Mandarin!
