Most everyone here is familiar with the fact that Walt Disney World Resort’s four major theme parks are Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom and that hopping between them can be somewhat time involved. Many of us have visited a park or two in a single day. But how many of us have taken The Walt Disney World Four Park Challenge? The Walt Disney World Four Park Challenge has recently become a rather hot topic with Main Streeters, so we thought we would take a moment to explain what this challenge is and share our own versions with you tonight, more on that in a bit. For those who are unfamiliar with The Walt Disney World Four Park Challenge (4PC) is a challenge that takes park guests to all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in one day while completing certain tasks like riding a set number of rides per park.
While the exact origins of this challenge are unknown, the most extensive attempt at conquering all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks was accomplished in November 2014 by Shane Lindsay and Ted Tamburo. Shane and Ted went to all four parks, and rode all of the forty-six rides in one day. While Shane and Ted’s four park challenge was in deed impressive, it also involved tons of research, and many variables like ride break downs etc.
While many sites and groups have their own version Four Park Challenges, all of the challenges require planning, patience and most importantly taking care of yourself during the challenge. When attempting a 4PC you want to keep several things in mind.
- You want to use Extra Magic Hours and FP+ to your advantage:
- Start the day in the park with AM EMH hitting rides and attractions that will have low lines without Fastpass+ to give you an additional hour to the day, and to save your 3 planned FP+ options for the busy part of the day in another park. End the day in the park closing the latest to not only give you more time to complete your challenge, but also to take advantage of the fact many people head home after the fireworks end.
- Save the FP+ options for your second park making sure you either schedule 1 of the 3 for a ride or show you don’t plan on going to for much earlier than you need so that it has “fallen off” before you arrive, or try and schedule your three FP+ times as close to each other as possible.
- Upon arrival at the other parks head straight to a FP+ kiosk to acquire a FP+ for at least one of that park’s challenges if possible.
- Stay hydrated. Take a water bottle with you to make this easier.
- Apply sunscreen at the start of the day, and then regularly throughout the day.
- Carry a cell phone charger with you so that you can stay up to date on wait times on MDE.
- Turn off those battery eating apps etc. If you don’t NEED Wi-fi, Bluetooth, or GPS turn them off to help save your cell battery.
- Take a screen shot of your FP+ times and make it your lock screen wallpaper to help save your battery.
- Take a camera with spare battery to record your challenge if the challenge doesn’t already require photos for proof of certain completed items. A separate camera will also help save on your cell battery.
- If you need a break take it by either electing to go to a show as one of your challenge attractions, or sit down and have a snack or meal.
- Don’t run people over to get to attractions.
- Spread the magic while on your adventure. Use your “pleases” and “thanks yous” and remember to let CMs know you appreciate them. A little kindness goes a long way and will help you finish your challenge in a good mood.
- Remember, a Four Park Challenge is a FUN thing. If you don’t finish it, its ok! The important thing is you had fun and made memories!
Today, TMSM would like to officially present our new Four Park Challenge. In standard TMSM manner, we have made sure there is a challenge for everyone! From easy to borderline impossible these four challenges were devised by myself, and Main Streeters Bob D., Troy D., Anna B., Fran and TMSM staff writer Addie. We would also like to thank Joe from Moments of the Magic for allowing us to use one of his graphics! Three of the four challenges are named after Disney Imagineers to help encourage you to be imaginative while taking on your selected Four Park Challenge, and of course we had to great a TMSM challenge!!!!
While participating in your selected challenge please know the following rules apply to all four challenges. You can only use Disney Transportation to get from park to park after parking your car at the first stop if you are arriving on property in a non Disney owned mode of transportation. You cannot cheat the FastPass+ system and there is to be no asking Cast Members for help to bypass lines etc. You must follow all park rules, and please remember to spread magic while participating. Please feel free to download and print the “directions” for the challenge you want to participate in. When you have completed your challenge, download your very own challenge “Completion Badge” and show it to all your friends! You can also share photos and reviews of your challenge in our forums!
The Bob Gurr Four Parks Challenge
- Ride one mountain ride and see either 1 show, or ride one non-mountain E-ticket ride per park.
- Watch at least one set of fireworks from a prime in park location.
- Eat a snack in three different parks, and have a counter type meal at the fourth park.
- Take a photo in front of Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tree of Life and the Tower of Terror. You will receive bonus points it you have a The Main Street Mouse sign in each picture.
- Meet and take a photo with one character in each park.
- At EPCOT participate in one Kidcot activity and at Animal Kingdom participate in one Wilderness Explorer challenge.
- Ride one Disney boat, one Disney bus and one Disney Monorail while getting around from park to park.
- Take a photo of a mode of transportation from inside each of the four parks. The mode of transportation can vary by park.
The Main Street Mouse Four Parks Challenge
- Ride one mountain ride and see either two shows, or ride two non-mountain E-ticket ride per park.
- Watch at least one set of fireworks and one day time parade/main focal point show from a prime viewing location in the park.
- Eat a snack in three different parks, and have a counter type meal at the fourth park.
- Take a photo in front of Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tree of Life and the Tower of Terror. You will receive bonus points it you have a The Main Street Mouse sign in each picture.
- Take a picture at each park’s entrance and in front of one Disney Vacation Club location in each of the four parks.
- Have your picture taken with Mickey Mouse in one park. (Does not count towards number six.)
- Meet and take photos with two characters in two different locations in each park. You cannot duplicate characters, and character meals do not count.
- At EPCOT participate in two Kidcot activities, at Animal Kingdom participate in two Wilderness Explorer challenges, and at the Magic Kingdom complete one Pirate’s Adventure.
- Ride one Disney boat, one Disney bus and one Disney Monorail while getting around from park to park.
- Take a photo while ON a mode of transportation in the park.
- Take a photo inside one gift shop inside each park. (Bonus points if you take a picture showing the exact same items on display in each store i.e. same ears, shirt or autograph book.)
- Collect one park specific pressed penny from each park.
The Joe Rohde Four Parks Challenge
- Ride one Mountain ride, see one show, and ride two E-ticket rides per park.
- You must see at least one set of fireworks and one day time parade/main focal point show from a prime location.
- Eat a snack in three different parks, and have a counter type meal at the fourth park.
- Take a photo in front of Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tree of Life and the Tower of Terror. You will receive bonus points it you have a The Main Street Mouse sign in each picture.
- Take a picture at each park’s entrance and in front of a Disney Vacation Club location in each of the four parks.
- Meet and take a photo with two NON Fab Five characters in different locations in each park. Characters can be at the same location.
- Have your picture taken with Mickey and/or Minnie Mouse in EACH Park.
- At EPCOT participate in three Kidcots activities, at Animal Kingdom participate in three Wilderness Explorer challenges, and at the Magic Kingdom complete two Pirate’s Adventure.
- Ride one Disney boat, one Disney bus and one Disney Monorail while getting around from park to park.
- Take a photo inside one gift shop inside each park. (Bonus points if you take a picture showing the exact same items on display in each store i.e. same ears, shirt or autograph book.)
- Take a photo of yourself at the furthest location from each park’s entrance.
Animal Kingdom: Rafiki’s Planet Watch
EPCOT: The African Trading Post
Hollywood Studios: The Giant Coke bottles, or if these are missing due to construction, the far end of the Toy Story Mania Building
Magic Kingdom: Langhorne on Tom Sawyer Island - Take your photo with one street character in Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom.
- Take your picture at one of the following the Flag Ceremony or Rope Drop at the Magic Kingdom, the SciFi Diner outside car, in the Mission Space Playground, Happy Baby Dinosaur sculpture in Dinoland U.S.A.
- Collect one park specific pressed penny, and one character penny from each park. The character pennies must all feature the same character, year number, or they must be connected by theme in some way i.e. same movie or short.
The Marty Sklar Four Parks Challenge
- When going from park to park, you cannot use the park-to-park buses/Monorail/boat for at least two of your one of your transfers. Meaning you must go park to hotel to park for at least one of your transfers or walk from one park to another.
- Ride one mountain ride and see 1 show, and ride two non-mountain E-ticket ride per park. You must ride the following required ride as a part of your ride challenge:
Magic Kingdom: Peter Pan unless it is closed then Space Mountain is the back up.
Animal Kingdom: Dinosaur unless it is closed then Expedition Everest is the back up.
Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Midway Mania unless closed then Rock’n’Roller Coaster is the backup.
Epcot: Soarin’ unless it is closed then Test Track is the backup. - You must ride the Safari in Animal Kingdom or Ellen’s Energy Adventure at EPCOT; these do NOT count towards number two.
- Watch at least one set of fireworks and one day time parade/main focal point show from a prime viewing location in the park.
- Eat a snack in three different parks, and have a counter type meal at the fourth park. The counter must come from one of these locations
Animal Kingdom: Flame Tree Barbeque or Pizzafari
Epcot: The Electric Umbrella or Sunshine Seasons
Hollywood Studios: The Commissary
Magic Kingdom: Cosmic Rays or Pinocchio Village Haus - Take a photo in front of Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, the Tree of Life and the Tower of Terror. You will receive bonus points it you have a The Main Street Mouse sign in each picture.
- Take a picture at each park’s entrance with the PhotoPass Photographer in your photo.
- Take a picture in of each park’s First-Aid location.
- Meet and take your picture with two NON Fab Five characters in different locations in each park.
- Have your picture taken with Mickey and/or Minnie Mouse in EACH Park.
- At EPCOT participate in five Kidcots activities, at Animal Kingdom participate in six Wilderness Explorer challenges, and at the Magic Kingdom complete two Pirate’s Adventure.
- Ride one Disney boat, one Disney bus and one Disney Monorail while getting around from park to park.
- Take a photo inside two different gift shops inside each park, each in a different land. (Bonus points if you take a picture showing the exact same items on display in each store i.e. same ears, shirt or autograph book.)
- Take a photo of yourself at the furthest location from each park’s entrance.
Animal Kingdom: Rafiki’s Planet Watch
EPCOT: The African Trading Post
Hollywood Studios: The Giant Coke bottles, or if these are missing due to construction, the far end of the Toy Story Mania Building
Magic Kingdom: Langhorne on Tom Sawyer Island - Take your picture with one street character in Hollywood Studios and in the Magic Kingdom.
- Do three of the following, take your picture at each:
- Attend the the Flag Ceremony or Rope Drop at the Magic Kingdom
- Visit the SciFi Diner outside car
- Go to the Mission Space Playground
- Find the Happy Baby Dinosaur sculpture in Dinoland U.S.A.
- Visit the “hidden Mickey animal mural” at the Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom
- Collect one park specific pressed penny, and one character penny from each park. The character pennies must all feature the same character, year number, or they must be connected by theme in some way i.e. same movie or short.
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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