First Visit to MK: Disneylander Documentation

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Is the Orlando weather any better in March or April?

Nope…nor is it in October sometimes either.

Fun fact…I was in one of those halloweeny things about 10 years ago and it was 91…at 10 pm…3.5 hours after dark.

Couple years back it was 95 everyday in April.

Of course it comes and goes…but the point is it’s overheated even more than when they decided to build there…we all know why. There is a gigantic plume of water in the caribbean this summer where it’s reportedly 80 degrees…500 feet below the surface.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Understood.

Did I mention that Epcot was the greatest amusement park ever conceived/built?

If ever you were to find yourself there…I’ll bankroll your drinks around the world

If I’m back in the area and decide to go, I will be knocking at your PMs.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

If I’m back in the area and decide to go, I will be knocking at your PMs.

A Lannister always pays his debts

 

[mickEblu]

Nope…nor is it in October sometimes either.

Fun fact…I was in one of those halloweeny things about 10 years ago and it was 91…at 10 pm…3.5 hours after dark.

Couple years back it was 95 everyday in April.

Of course it comes and goes…but the point is it’s overheated even more than when they decided to build there…we all know why. There is a gigantic plume of water in the caribbean this summer where it’s reportedly 80 degrees…500 feet below the surface.

Oh wow.

So what is the best time of year to visit WDW? Between crowds, weather etc. We ve started talking about a fake trip for early spring next year. My kids would be 7 and 2 at the time of travel. I say “fake” because we’ve planned 2 or 3 WDW trips that didn’t end up happening for various reasons. They also keep taking a lot of the perks away.

 

[Disney Analyst]

The water I had yesterday literally tasted like someone farted into the water cooler. I was appalled.

I don’t know how you did it! I’ll have to remember Gaston’s if I go a second time. Thank you.

Accurate description. It's incredibly swampy / mineraly.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Continuing…

Layout: I was actually pretty surprised with how quickly we walked through the entire park. We make a complete circle and I looked at my friend and asked, “that’s it?” I had This idea in my mind that MK was massive and that it would take forever to complete a full tour of the park, but I was wrong. Then I also remembered that MK has fewer lands. There was Liberty Square, but no New Orleans Square, no Critter Country, no Galaxy’s Edge, and no Toontown. I was very much still in DL mode because that’s all I knew. I appreciated the wider walkways. All of the lands, with the exception of Tomorrowland, are well done. Tomorrowland isn’t terrible, but there’s room for improvement, just like ours (ours is pretty bad, though).

 

[Disney Analyst]

Continuing on…

Cindy Castle: She is very majestic and tall, that’s for sure. But she’s not as tall as I thought she would be. I’ve heard from countless people how tall it is, and I guess I’m my mind I pictured something too tall. Still, it’s beautiful. I wish I could have seen it in its traditional color scheme. The mural is so stunning.

The only land I feel the need to discuss is Main Street. I personally am no fan of the taller buildings. I’ve said this already, but I prefer the small scale of Disneyland, with the shorter Main Street, smaller castle, and Matterhorn looming in the back. My biggest issue with Main Street was the corporate feeling. It’s present in DL as well, but much more so in MK. We walked into the “magic shop” and not only was there no CM performing magic tricks, but there were was no magic-themed merchandise to purchase. The Main Street Cinema was not actually showcasing any media. It was another store. Pretty sure I didn’t see a Penny Arcade either. I know there’s a barber shop, which is really cool, but this Main Street felt less like an actual main street, even less so than DL. I’ve heard there aren’t many very many Main Street vehicles out at MK. Not sure how true that is. There were no characters out on Main Street either.

Speaking of characters, we didn’t see a single one during our visit yesterday. They had all disappeared by the time we arrived. I was expecting to see Mickey and the gang at night on Main Street, like at Disneyland, but they were not there. Thought that was interesting.

To be continued…

My time at Magic Kingdom kind of left me the same as you in terms of Main Street and the park in general. MK feels very corporate, the Walmart of Disney Parks. I do love MK for what it is though, just a very different vibe.

I'd say Animal Kingdom does that best at feeling like its own unique space. Probably my favourite WDW park, then Epcot, MK, and DHS dead last.

US Disney Parks:

Disneyland
Animal Kingdom
Epcot
Magic Kingdom
DCA









DHS

 

[Stevek]

I hate to use this analogy because I don’t want to sound shallow or uppity, but it reminded me of the “Wal-Mart shopper” look. My friend and I put on a full face of makeup, for example. Others didn’t, which was totally fine. Just different.

I mean, you're not wrong especially with what we see in California. In other states, that's probably a very normal everyday look.

 

[Stevek]

I’m currently at Disney Springs and it’s leagues better than DtD. DtD has been a joke for a while already, but this makes it even more of a joke.

Totally agree. Disney Springs is quite nice. I wish we could have spent more time but we felt we had to be in the parks since that's what we paid for.

 

[Californian Elitist]

MCO is the most dated airport I’ve ever been to lol. I couldn’t help but notice that everywhere I went to in Florida was dated. I saw a yellow Wendy’s and a 80s/90s era Taco Bell. Wow.

Check out this bench. Haha:

I’m a kid in 1996 again:

 

[Stevek]

It’s 46 years old, rough (not in a cyclone kinda “good” way) and mostly uncomfortable to anyone who is more than about 5’9” and/or 150 lbs…

…but I tend to be a stickler on such things.

Different strokes for folks

While I enjoy both, gotta say that I much prefer the DL version.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Forgot to mention that I overheard a lot of British accents at the park yesterday. I haven’t heard that many British accents since my trip to London in 2018.

I’m used to hearing Australian accents at DL.

 

[Parteecia]

I remember it being much more pleasant in March than June, but the last time I was in Orlando in Spring was also admittedly almost 20 years ago.

O, the humidity. I went a couple of times in late Feb-early March around 10-20 years ago when my boyfriend attended conventions there. I remember coming out of the car stunt show and being overwhelmed by how bad everyone smelled, including me. I ended up throwing away some shoes because they stunk so much I was sure that they were rotting.

 

[PiratesMansion]

The Castle Parks:
DL: The original!
TDL: The immaculately maintained and operated mix of old and new!
DLP: The Beautiful one!
HKDL: The chill and charming one with Mystic Manor!
SDL: The radical departure!

....huh, I forgot one? Oh, and Magic Kingdom's just kinda there I guess. That's even about how Disney themselves treat it nowadays.

Nothing particularly distinctive about it compared to the others. The most notable thing about it are all the things it still has that DL got rid of (Peoplemover, Bears, COP, etc).

Continuing…

Layout: I was actually pretty surprised with how quickly we walked through the entire park. We make a complete circle and I looked at my friend and asked, “that’s it?” I had This idea in my mind that MK was massive and that it would take forever to complete a full tour of the park, but I was wrong. Then I also remembered that MK has fewer lands. There was Liberty Square, but no New Orleans Square, no Critter Country, no Galaxy’s Edge, and no Toontown. I was very much still in DL mode because that’s all I knew. I appreciated the wider walkways. All of the lands, with the exception of Tomorrowland, are well done. Tomorrowland isn’t terrible, but there’s room for improvement, just like ours (ours is pretty bad, though).

MK's size compared to DL is real but somewhat overstated. Paris and Shanghai (and to a lesser extent TDL) are the ones that are truly massive.

MCO is the most dated airport I’ve ever been to lol. I couldn’t help but notice that everywhere I went to in Florida was dated. I saw a yellow Wendy’s and a 80s/90s era Taco Bell. Wow.

Check out this bench. Haha:
View attachment 642334

I’m a kid in 1996 again:
View attachment 642335

Oh there's far worse, dated airports out there than MCO. LaGuardia (though apparently it's getting a remodel that may actually improve it) in NYC in 2016 was ugly, narrow, old, and falling apart inside and out. Looked like an airport you might see in some remote, impoverished city in some far off country and not one of the airports servicing one of the world's premier cities.

And despite the terrible security lines I would rather deal with MCO than LAX any day.

I will agree to Florida having this vaguely tired, dated feeling everywhere though.

 

[Stevek]

Oh wow.

So what is the best time of year to visit WDW? Between crowds, weather etc. We ve started talking about a fake trip for early spring next year. My kids would be 7 and 2 at the time of travel. I say “fake” because we’ve planned 2 or 3 WDW trips that didn’t end up happening for various reasons. They also keep taking a lot of the perks away.

Covid causing pent up demand has put a monkey wrench in the whole when is the best time to visit WDW. Traditionally, the week after Thanksgiving/first week in December was considered the best. Crowds have left after the holiday and all of the Christmas decorations are up at the parks and resorts. We've gone twice during this time period. First time was fantastic, this last trip wasn't nearly as magical for the reason in my first sentence (plus a lot of the perks/changes that diminished the value). The word is apparently out now. We also went January 2006 and it was very manageable.

I trust the Bricker's and their Disney tourist blog. They state that the top 5 months to visit are:

1. September (excluding Labor Day)
2. November (1st, 3rd, and last week)
3. May
4. December
5. October

2024 Best & Worst Months to Visit Disney World

Choosing when to visit Walt Disney World in 2024 can be difficult, balancing crowd calendars, seasonal events, park hours, weather, and more. This guide does exactly that to rank the best & worst months, plus

www.disneytouristblog.com

 

[Californian Elitist]

I mean, you're not wrong especially with what we see in California. In other states, that's probably a very normal everyday look.

I know, I just didn’t want to sound like I think I’m better, or anything. I couldn’t help but notice, though.

 

[Parteecia]

MCO is the most dated airport I’ve ever been to lol. I couldn’t help but notice that everywhere I went to in Florida was dated.

About 15 years ago I flew into and out of MIA on business. It felt more 3rd world than some 3rd world airports I've experienced. I would not have been surprised to see people toting crates of live chickens. And again, the humidity.

 

[Stevek]

O, the humidity. I went a couple of times in late Feb-early March around 20 years ago when my boyfriend attended conventions there. I remember coming out of the car stunt show and being overwhelmed by how bad everyone smelled, including me. I ended throwing away some shoes because they stunk so much I was sure that they were rotting.

My wife and I went mid-May 2017 and we could not have been more miserable. 90%+ humidity + 95+ degrees did not make for a fun experience. We literally went back mid-day, showered, took a nap and headed back to the parks. The worst was coming home from Animal Kingdom on a bus with no working air conditioning. The heat and body smells...

 

[PiratesMansion]

Covid causing pent up demand has put a monkey wrench in the whole when is the best time to visit WDW. Traditionally, the week after Thanksgiving/first week in December was considered the best. Crowds have left after the holiday and all of the Christmas decorations are up at the parks and resorts. We've gone twice during this time period. First time was fantastic, this last trip wasn't nearly as magical for the reason in my first sentence. The word is apparently out now. We also went January 2006 and it was very manageable.

I trust the Bricker's and their Disney tourist blog. They state that the top 5 months to visit are:

1. September (excluding Labor Day)
2. November (1st, 3rd, and last week)
3. May
4. December
5. October

2024 Best & Worst Months to Visit Disney World

Choosing when to visit Walt Disney World in 2024 can be difficult, balancing crowd calendars, seasonal events, park hours, weather, and more. This guide does exactly that to rank the best & worst months, plus

www.disneytouristblog.com

I really, really liked October. I would absolutely do September if there was any hope of me ever being able to get off in that month for an extended period of time.

Perhaps there's something to May, as I was kind of amazed at how much Raven was able to do considering the amount of time she had in the park.

 

[Stevek]

Forgot to mention that I overheard a lot of British accents at the park yesterday. I haven’t heard that many British accents since my trip to London in 2018.

I’m used to hearing Australian accents at DL.

Believe the parks typically get a lot of British visitors. Even more pent up demand with them as they were not able to travel over here for quite a while.