First day park-late entry

[Jenniferlt]

We are picking up my son from college on our first park day in March so will be heading into a park late morning, not early entry or rope drop. We will be in the World for 7 days and plan two days at MLK and two days at Epcot, we have one day planned for HS and one for AK. I am wondering which park we should do on day one, AK or HS. I am leaning toward AK where we can see the shows and look at animals and enjoy the ambiance. Or should we spend that day in HS enjoying the Star Wars land? I am trying to figure out which park needs more than one day, and which is most approachable mid day, AK or HS. Both have ride closings in March. We do not plan to stay for Fantastic and may even try to watch MK fire works from one of the MK resorts. I will try to get LL or multi pass for either park. We are staying in AKL, not that it matters.

 

[DisneyFanatic12]

We are picking up my son from college on our first park day in March so will be heading into a park late morning, not early entry or rope drop. We will be in the World for 7 days and plan two days at MLK and two days at Epcot, we have one day planned for HS and one for AK. I am wondering which park we should do on day one, AK or HS. I am leaning toward AK where we can see the shows and look at animals and enjoy the ambiance. Or should we spend that day in HS enjoying the Star Wars land? I am trying to figure out which park needs more than one day, and which is most approachable mid day, AK or HS. Both have ride closings in March. We do not plan to stay for Fantastic and may even try to watch MK fire works from one of the MK resorts. I will try to get LL or multi pass for either park. We are staying in AKL, not that it matters.

I would go to Animal Kingdom for the first day. Enjoy the walking trails and shows when the wait times are long during the middle of the day, and enjoy all the rides towards the end when it empties out!

 

[JIMINYCR]

With the later arrival time and staying at AKL, I'd choose AK as well. Between HS and AK I think you'd have the opportunity to get more in at AK managing crowd issues. Saving early entry for HS is a better choice. MK and EP certainly needs more time to fit in and do so many things. LL's can be very useful for the headliner attractions but not always necessary for all things.

 

[nickys]

We are picking up my son from college on our first park day in March so will be heading into a park late morning, not early entry or rope drop. We will be in the World for 7 days and plan two days at MLK and two days at Epcot, we have one day planned for HS and one for AK. I am wondering which park we should do on day one, AK or HS. I am leaning toward AK where we can see the shows and look at animals and enjoy the ambiance. Or should we spend that day in HS enjoying the Star Wars land? I am trying to figure out which park needs more than one day, and which is most approachable mid day, AK or HS. Both have ride closings in March. We do not plan to stay for Fantastic and may even try to watch MK fire works from one of the MK resorts. I will try to get LL or multi pass for either park. We are staying in AKL, not that it matters.

If you already have a full day at AK then I would go to DHS.

On your AK day, there are so few rides that you can fit other things in around the rides. You don’t need a MultiPass for AK, just buy an LL for FoP.

And if you are Star Wars fans then there is much to enjoy there. By splitting your 2 DHS days you can relax a little and have time to just meander.

However, that all supposes you have not been for a while / ever.

if you have already been before, then I would go with your first instinct. There is much more to meander around and enjoy at AK!

 

[n2hifi]

I'm in a similar situation, debating the same two parks for arrival day, only in the summer. One thing that I didn't see mentioned was that AK typically closes 2 to 3 hours earlier than HS. I agree with what everyone else said, but the three extra hours make the decision harder IMO. I was leaning HS, but now I'm back on the fence since I only have one day at each.

 

[graphite1326]

AK closes pretty early. On our AK day we always plan on going to another park after or to Disney Springs. If it was me I would go to HS.