MGM/Hollywood Studios Timing - Long (sorry!) About This Page:

[x2qwk2cx]

I'm planning our first trip for this upcoming April(the week of the 19th-25th). I am planning on doing Magic Kingdom in 2 days(we have a 5 year old daughter so we don't want to wear her or us out), Epcot split over 2 days, Animal Kingdom 1 day, MGM/Hollywood Studios 1 day and Downtown Disney and relaxing day for 1 day.
Now MGM/Hollywood Studios probably has the least amount of "must-dos" and I would like to do the Fantasmic Dinner package at the end of the day there. Now because there aren't too many "must-dos" at this park and I do want to stay until Fantasmic, I don't want to drag around the park after we've done everything we want to do while waiting to eat and watch Fantasmic. I would rather spend some time at the resort pools and go to the park a little later in the day (noontime???) in order to add a little relaxation to the trip! So, my first question is, does anyone know what time Fantasmic starts in April? As my trip is more than 6 months away, I do not know park hours or EMH hours yet. Also, the only "must-dos" are the Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt show, The Magic of Disney Animation, Star Tours(we'll see how my daughter does on the other rides before we definitely do this ), Al's Toy Barn, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty of the Beast. I personally would like to do the Rock n' Roll Coaster and the Tower of Terror. These two can be flexible - probably after Fantasmic and quite possibly doing the child swap if he "must" ride also. Okay, so my question is, does anyone have a good time as to when I should get to the park in order to do these things, have dinner and watch Fantasmic? Once I know when Fantasmic starts, I can kind of base my dinner reservations around that and the rides will be mostly before dinner. Does anyone know if certain shows stop early (like the Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast) Should I try to do those before and catch any rides we missed after Fantasmic? (even though there aren't many!) I appreciate any and all information and advice!!! I am obsessed with Passporter!!!!

[RobDVC]

If you show up between noon and 1pm, you should be able to take care of all the attractions you have listed. You'll have to check the schedule for the show times, though, as they do not run continously throughout the day.
Also, bear in mind that Fantasmic! is usually scheduled to start at the official closing time of the park (except for those few times during peak weeks that it is shown twice a night). That means that you will not be able to do any attractions after Fantasmic! is over.... As a matter of fact, you're pretty much herded like cattle out of the amphitheater and only allowed to browse/shop in the stores on your way out.

[x2qwk2cx]

Thanks Rob - you've answered MANY of my questions posted here. I appreciate it!!!

[palamiller]

We went to WDW this past April, and the Fantasmic show was running at 8:30 then. Also, because many states have April vacation (including my native Mass, and NH!), the parks usually have some PM EMH . The week we went there were 2 nights that there was an additional Fantasmic show. I have noticed when booking Fantasmic dinner packages that they try to give you earlier seatings (4-5PM), they say to give you adequate time to eat and get to the showlater. I think the park schedule for April should be out in early October. Perhaps you should check on LMA and B&B show times then, too. (I'm planning to go in April '08 also!) Have fun planning! FYI- I think MK may be closed early on a Fri or Sat night of your stay for Grad Nite - just keep checking for those schedules and show times. You may also try TouringPlans.com - Plans which save you time and effort for park updates.

Patti

[x2qwk2cx]

Originally Posted by palamiller

We went to WDW this past April, and the Fantasmic show was running at 8:30 then. Also, because many states have April vacation (including my native Mass, and NH!), the parks usually have some PM EMH . The week we went there were 2 nights that there was an additional Fantasmic show. I have noticed when booking Fantasmic dinner packages that they try to give you earlier seatings (4-5PM), they say to give you adequate time to eat and get to the showlater. I think the park schedule for April should be out in early October. Perhaps you should check on LMA and B&B show times then, too. (I'm planning to go in April '08 also!) Have fun planning! FYI- I think MK may be closed early on a Fri or Sat night of your stay for Grad Nite - just keep checking for those schedules and show times. You may also try TouringPlans.com - Plans which save you time and effort for park updates.

Patti

When in April are you going? I'm from Mass so we're going during school vacation which I believe is one week off from NH. I'm thinking of doing MK on Tues. and then the second day at MK we will go in the morning and try to leave kinda early in the afternoon and then do something else later in the day-either hang at the pools or Downtown Disney. I feel a lot better knowing that there are probably going to be 2 Fantasmic shows.

[SARH7]

Don't forget about the Stars and Motorcars parade, High School Musical show, The Great Movie Ride, character meet n Greets, Honey I shrunk the Kids Playset, Muppets 3-D and the Playhouse Disney show... these are all great things for kids that you didn't mention!! There is a lot more at MGM than you may have planned.....I don't think you will be bored if you go in the morning and plan on being there all day!! But if you want to leave and take a nap or something, that is fine too.

And yes, when Fantasmic ends, the park is closed!

[BarryCF]

Originally Posted by SARH7

Don't forget about the Stars and Motorcars parade, High School Musical show, The Great Movie Ride, character meet n Greets, Honey I shrunk the Kids Playset, Muppets 3-D and the Playhouse Disney show... these are all great things for kids that you didn't mention!! There is a lot more at MGM than you may have planned.....I don't think you will be bored if you go in the morning and plan on being there all day!! But if you want to leave and take a nap or something, that is fine too.

And yes, when Fantasmic ends, the park is closed!

I found the following on Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Vacation Information Guide - WDW Planning Guide - Walt Disney World :

* "Block Party Bash." Play, party and dance as the Disney-Pixar Film Pals present "Block Party Bash," the wildest, most interactive parade in Disney history. New to Disney's Hollywood Studios, "Block Party Bash" will invite guests to rock to retro tunes, be dazzled by high-flying acrobatics and join in the fun as more than 20 partying Disney-Pixar Film Pals fill the theme park streets. This immersive rolling spectacle will feature favorite characters from "The Incredibles," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc." and "A Bug's Life." (spring 2008, replaces "Disney Stars and Motor Cars" parade)

* "Disney High School Musical 2: School's Out!" With new songs and a rollicking new spirit, the Disney Channel Original Movie "High School Musical 2" comes to life on the streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is interactive fun as high-energy performers on a traveling stage invite all ages to catch Wildcat fever by singing and dancing. (fall 2007, replaces "High School Musical Pep Rally")

That's nowhere near all the changes happening at MGM/Hollywood Studios, and you're right. There's more to do there than most people think. Enjoy!!!!

Barry

[Luv2laff]

I just wanted to say that when we went (of course we didn't stay on property, so we didn't have EMH) we didn't see all of the shows I wanted to because of the times. LIke someone said- the shows don't run continuously throughout the day, and they do take up quite a bit of time. Of course I have only been once, but that was my experience. Have fun!!!

[farah]

I have had the hardest time planning our upcoming trip to MGM. There are alot of shows which the kids would enjoy. Plus we are going during the Little ones time and they will have special shows during that time. Anyhow, after putting our schedule together, we realized that we could not do MGM in one day. It would tire out the kids and plus many of the shows are 30 min long. You have to factor the time you have to wait in like and the time of the show to start. many of these attractions could take up an hour..so thats why we are going to MGM twice..good luck planning.

[HollyH]

We did the Fantasmic dinner package last week, but the timing of our ADR made it impossible to see either the Indy or LMA show on a half day (which is what we did). I would plan another 1/2 day in the park.