Best order of visiting parks/Best day of week for MK?

[Laura Kelly]

We're going for 5 nights, 6 days, but only 4 days in parks (no park hopper). This is our first time going, 2 kids (8 and 4 yrs old). We're over a year out so we have plenty of time to plan.
Is there a good day of the week to go/not to go to MK? Not talking crowd size, but more of the most "magical" day of the week. Are things like Wishes and the electric parade only on certain nights?
Was thinking about MK, Epcot, Hollywood, AK. But I've never been so I don't know which one is best to start and end with?
ALSO, since we're only spending one day in MK, I was hoping to go to CRT breakfast and then Be our guest for either lunch or dinner. Is that too much time in restaurants?
ALL tips and advice appreciated

 

[belledream]

Much depends on the time of year you're going. In busier times of the year, there will be two parade showings at night, with slower times only being one. However, every night will have a parade and fireworks showing, so no worries there! But again, it depends when you go. In the fall/winter, due to the Halloween/Christmas party nights, MK will close at 7pm and have special fireworks/parade that you cannot see without buying a separate ticket to the event.

As for the order, for first timers, I can't imagine anything sweeter than starting with MK (assuming you're planning so that you'll have a full day there and not going to a park on your arrival day?) Personally, we like to maximize time in the parks, so we follow the most generous park hours schedule, but it's really up to you and your party! There's absolutely nothing wrong with starting with any of the other parks either - you might want to save 'the best for last.'

As for MK dining, if you can get an early reservation for CRT, you won't have wasted much park time at all. And I absolutely recommend BOG for both lunch and dinner - but if you're worried about time, why not try lunch? It's 'quick service' after all and you can enjoy a hearty meal in a beautiful atmosphere in less than an hour if you so wish.

 

[CP_alum08]

I would say either start or end your trip at MK. If your last park day is your last vacation day I would say maybe not end at MK because lingering on Main Street after closing is such a wonderful experience, but a late one! Personally nothing is better than MK at night, so I would figure out when the latest you will able to stay is and go to MK on that day.
As for dining I wouldn't go crazy. I think one table service is more than enough in MK, actually I don't think any table service in Mk is worth it but that's just me.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I know you said crowd size isn't and issue, but hear me out.

MK is a go to and I'd love to start there and usually do. However, MK on a Saturday is definitely rough at times. My suggestion is to avoid weekends at MK unless it's early in the morning and head over to EPCOT.

I've been to Disney probably going on 40 times and I can tell you it's definitely a marked difference on Saturday, especially afternoons in Fantasyland.

Every day pretty much has a parade and fireworks depending on time of year. With 5 days, you'll get all of that.

 

[jloucks]

MK is a no-go on weekends, unless you actually like massive crowds. The most "magical" is when it is least crowded and you get lots of character attention (IMHO). 2.5 years ago we went and got to beta test the Brave compound. A very memorable and semi-private experience was had while they tested their new set and animatronics. Also remember the non-rushed Alice chat session that lasted 7-10 minutes. Good times!

 

[Weather_Lady]

With only 4 days in the parks, I'd suggest an approach that goes from least-exciting-for-the-kids to most-exciting. While I love to start and end with MK, if you can only do it once I'd save it for last, otherwise the kids may feel "let down" by the fact that the other parks have less to do, and require much more walking between attractions. At least, I know the first time our then-4-and-8-year-olds visited, we started with MK, and had to spend the next several days hearing, "this [other park] is nice, but when do we get to go back to the place with the castle!??!"

If you want to do all four parks, I would suggest: AK first, followed by Epcot and HS (in whatever order is most convenient), and MK last, staying late for the fireworks and, if available, evening extra magic hours. Since you have only one day for MK and will have to skip some things as it is (MK has roughly twice as many attractions as the other parks), I would recommend NOT wasting precious morning post-rope-drop time on a CRT breakfast, and instead having breakfast at Akershus (Epcot World Showcase, a very similar and less expensive princess character meal) on your Epcot day instead, timed an hour after rope drop so you can do a Tier 1 headliner (TT or Soarin', whichever you don't have a FP+ for) en route. For the same reason, I'd skip dinner at BOG, which will be a relatively lengthy TS meal. A lunch at Be Our Guest, however (it's "counter service" at lunch), won't take much time, and is a lovely air-conditioned break with better food than you'll find at any other MK venue. I highly recommend it!

If you are not determined to visit every park, and the kids have been to some good zoos already in their lives, then I would make the admittedly-unconventional suggestion of skipping Animal Kingdom altogether, and beginning and ending with full days at the Magic Kingdom, which would allow time for the CRT breakfast on your last day if you wanted.

 

[Laura Kelly]

I'm so shocked that so many people are suggesting to skip AK! To be honest, it and MK were the two I was most excited about.
I was considering skipping epcot since it's so huge, and my kids really won't appreciate the educational aspect of it. I'm thinking about doing MK, AK, HS and ending with MK, just bc I really have my heart set on CRT AND BOG, plus wanting to do the Bippity boppity boutique, as my daughter insists on wearing a princess dress and heels every single day. And the pirate league for my son.
The struggle is real, y'all! Lol! So much to consider! Ahhhh! I so appreciate everyone's input!!

 

[Weather_Lady]

I'm so shocked that so many people are suggesting to skip AK! To be honest, it and MK were the two I was most excited about.
I was considering skipping epcot since it's so huge, and my kids really won't appreciate the educational aspect of it. I'm thinking about doing MK, AK, HS and ending with MK, just bc I really have my heart set on CRT AND BOG, plus wanting to do the Bippity boppity boutique, as my daughter insists on wearing a princess dress and heels every single day. And the pirate league for my son.
The struggle is real, y'all! Lol! So much to consider! Ahhhh! I so appreciate everyone's input!!

Obviously, if you opt to skip a park, you'll want to choose the one that holds the least appeal for you and your family. I didn't mean to be pushy. My personal reasons for AK being the least favorite are: (1) it's huge and exhausting to walk; (2) the bird show, animal trails and even Kilimanjaro Safaris hold little interest for my family, since the only things they offer that we can't see at our "home zoo" are bats, gorillas, and okapis, and we've seen them several times now; (3) I'm the only one in my family who enjoys Expedition Everest, which has a height requirement that excludes our youngest, anyway; (4) the roughness and height requirement have kept us away from Primeval Whirl; (5) the food options are less exciting/themed/exotic than we can find in other parks; (6) if you subtract the two "height-requirement" attractions, the nature trails/exhibits and Flights of Wonder, you're left with a total of 5 "rides" and two shows -- far less to do than at any other park. (Of course, if you enjoy looking at animals and meandering the trails, that alone could take half a day. It's all about personal preference.)

If a handful of live shows (and four very good "rides," albeit one with a 48" height requirement) are not your cup of tea (e.g., if the little ones get squirmy sitting around too long), then HS would be a better place to skip, especially in bad weather, as some of the shows take place in the open.

If you aren't super-interested in the odd milieu of 90's-era science, history, exploration of land and sea, and World-inspired-ish Showcase exhibits that is Epcot, perhaps that's the park you'd want to skip.

In the end, if there are things on which your heart is set, then plan for those first and let the rest of the schedule fall where it may around them. It looks like the park you're most willing to drop is Epcot, and frankly, with small children (who will find little to interest them in World Showcase), that makes sense to me.

 

[mcurtiss]

My DD liked but didn't love Epcot at age 6 so I could see skipping that. We've never been to HS so can't opine on that.

So here's what *I* would do

Day 1: MK. can't imagine not making that first.
Day 2: AK. for us, that is #2 on our list of kid friendly places but its's not a full day draw for us.I prefer EPCOT, but a 4 year old will not last long there
Day 3: HS
Day 4: MK again to hit favorite rides and fireworks. I don't think there's any situation where'd I want to spend less than 2 days at MK

 

[Ali in Wonderland]

Many of our WDW vacations are 5 nights, 6 days with 4 park days. My suggestions is that if it is in your budget, purchase the park hopper. It is worth the extra money. We always start at MK on day one (for us it is just a magical way to start the adventure. On the other days we go to one of the other three parks early in the morning (usually Epcot then HS then AK). When we finish we go back to the resort to rest and then hop back over to the magic kingdom every night. Sometimes we will make a stop at Epcot first to watch fireworks or have dinner there.

 

[J_Carioca]

Don't skip AK! If you and your kids like animals, you must go. It's not just about what animals you'll see. AK has, in my mind, the most beautiful theming of any of the parks. The Asia walking trail is sublime and even the queues for Kali River Rapids and Everest are just beautiful.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I'm so shocked that so many people are suggesting to skip AK! To be honest, it and MK were the two I was most excited about.
I was considering skipping epcot since it's so huge, and my kids really won't appreciate the educational aspect of it. I'm thinking about doing MK, AK, HS and ending with MK, just bc I really have my heart set on CRT AND BOG, plus wanting to do the Bippity boppity boutique, as my daughter insists on wearing a princess dress and heels every single day. And the pirate league for my son.
The struggle is real, y'all! Lol! So much to consider! Ahhhh! I so appreciate everyone's input!!

Skipping any of the parks completely would be a total mistake. Expedition Everest and the Safari alone are worth the trip to AK. It is beautiful and EE is still an incredible attraction, the last truly great Disney attraction.

Tower of Terror is worth the price of admission to HS too.

 

[Laura Kelly]

Obviously, if you opt to skip a park, you'll want to choose the one that holds the least appeal for you and your family. I didn't mean to be pushy. My personal reasons for AK being the least favorite are: (1) it's huge and exhausting to walk; (2) the bird show, animal trails and even Kilimanjaro Safaris hold little interest for my family, since the only things they offer that we can't see at our "home zoo" are bats, gorillas, and okapis, and we've seen them several times now; (3) I'm the only one in my family who enjoys Expedition Everest, which has a height requirement that excludes our youngest, anyway; (4) the roughness and height requirement have kept us away from Primeval Whirl; (5) the food options are less exciting/themed/exotic than we can find in other parks; (6) if you subtract the two "height-requirement" attractions, the nature trails/exhibits and Flights of Wonder, you're left with a total of 5 "rides" and two shows -- far less to do than at any other park. (Of course, if you enjoy looking at animals and meandering the trails, that alone could take half a day. It's all about personal preference.).

Oh no, I didn't think you were pushy at all I truly appreciate ALL opinions!! I've learned so much and have seen SO many different perspectives, it's really helping me make some decisions and making me MORE excited for our trip!!

 

[Laura Kelly]

Many of our WDW vacations are 5 nights, 6 days with 4 park days. My suggestions is that if it is in your budget, purchase the park hopper. It is worth the extra money. We always start at MK on day one (for us it is just a magical way to start the adventure. On the other days we go to one of the other three parks early in the morning (usually Epcot then HS then AK). When we finish we go back to the resort to rest and then hop back over to the magic kingdom every night. Sometimes we will make a stop at Epcot first to watch fireworks or have dinner there.

As much as I'd like to get the park hopper, it's just a LOT of money that I'd rather spend elsewhere. I may feel totally different after our first trip!

Don't skip AK! If you and your kids like animals, you must go. It's not just about what animals you'll see. AK has, in my mind, the most beautiful theming of any of the parks. The Asia walking trail is sublime and even the queues for Kali River Rapids and Everest are just beautiful.

We're big animal lovers, so AK is definitely gonna happen!

Skipping any of the parks completely would be a total mistake. Expedition Everest and the Safari alone are worth the trip to AK. It is beautiful and EE is still an incredible attraction, the last truly great Disney attraction.

Tower of Terror is worth the price of admission to HS too.

I know, it seems blasphemous to want to skip a park, I just don't see my kids lasting long in epcot. Maybe when they're a little older.
I'm really wanting to go to HS even if it's only for tower of terror and fantasmic

 

[Chef Mickey]

As much as I'd like to get the park hopper, it's just a LOT of money that I'd rather spend elsewhere. I may feel totally different after our first trip!



We're big animal lovers, so AK is definitely gonna happen!



I know, it seems blasphemous to want to skip a park, I just don't see my kids lasting long in epcot. Maybe when they're a little older.
I'm really wanting to go to HS even if it's only for tower of terror and fantasmic

HS needs some updating, but it's a lot more than Tower of Terror and Fantasmic, although those are the 2 things I would not miss if I could only do 2.

The shows are really fun there...

Beauty and the Beast
Lights Motors Action (great, especially 1st timers)
Little Mermaid
Indiana Jones - This is an OLD show for veterans, but it's still really good. I've seen it probably 50+ times and I still enjoy it.
Rockin' Rollercoaster is the best indoor coaster I've experienced.
Toy Story - Awesome....kids would love it.
Great Movie Ride, I really Enjoy
Muppet Vision 3D....classic and improved with new projectors.

I know I essentially listed everything at HS, but they are all fun attractions and fister timers will love it. You probably can't even do all that in 1 day because show times overlap.

As far as EPCOT, Spaceship Earth and American Adventure are my two favorites there. Kids would love Test Track, Soarin' and Mission Space.

EPCOT needs a $1b investment, but it's STILL a great, beautiful park with a lot to enjoy. I even love Ellen's Energy Adventure and Journey into Imaginaton, despite all the hate it gets here.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I'm so shocked that so many people are suggesting to skip AK! To be honest, it and MK were the two I was most excited about.
I was considering skipping epcot since it's so huge, and my kids really won't appreciate the educational aspect of it. I'm thinking about doing MK, AK, HS and ending with MK, just bc I really have my heart set on CRT AND BOG, plus wanting to do the Bippity boppity boutique, as my daughter insists on wearing a princess dress and heels every single day. And the pirate league for my son.
The struggle is real, y'all! Lol! So much to consider! Ahhhh! I so appreciate everyone's input!!

I think those picks will be best. EPCOT is not kid friendly. DAK is great - so much detail. Take your time and enjoy it. For your kids, starting and ending will be magical for them.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

As much as I'd like to get the park hopper, it's just a LOT of money that I'd rather spend elsewhere. I may feel totally different after our first trip!



We're big animal lovers, so AK is definitely gonna happen!



I know, it seems blasphemous to want to skip a park, I just don't see my kids lasting long in epcot. Maybe when they're a little older.
I'm really wanting to go to HS even if it's only for tower of terror and fantasmic

You have Indiana Jones, Star Tours, LMA - great park

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

You have Indiana Jones, Star Tours, LMA - great park

Don't forget about relaxing at your resort - kids love their pool time. Are you staying on site? We have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge and loved it.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

I'm so shocked that so many people are suggesting to skip AK! To be honest, it and MK were the two I was most excited about.
I was considering skipping epcot since it's so huge, and my kids really won't appreciate the educational aspect of it. I'm thinking about doing MK, AK, HS and ending with MK, just bc I really have my heart set on CRT AND BOG, plus wanting to do the Bippity boppity boutique, as my daughter insists on wearing a princess dress and heels every single day. And the pirate league for my son.
The struggle is real, y'all! Lol! So much to consider! Ahhhh! I so appreciate everyone's input!!

I understand skipping Epcot since there isn't going to be a lot there for the 4 year old even with an Arendelle attraction next year.

The deal with AK on why people say that to you is because some people compare it to a zoo and it currently has an amount of attractions issue that is being worked besides the height required attractions. Dinosaur! isn't likely to be a good attraction for at least one your 2 kids at least due to Meat Eating dinosaurs roaring at guests.

Since you mentioned you will be going over a year out, there is going to be a couple things that might be open when you go. The things that is going to be ready for Spring of 2016 is a Nightime show called Rivers of Light and there is supposed to be a nighttime Kilimanjaro Safaris ride ready by then also.

 

[JohnD]

There is a good website that has "easy" and "WDW" in the URL. (It's a WDWMagic competitor so I can't link to it.) The one thing this website does well is it's crowd calendar for each day in each month. Lots of good info on which parks are "recommended"/"not recommended" each day.

Love WDWMagic but not afraid to point out another site's strength that would provide value to a WDW guest.