Is it a mistake to plan to do MGM on the first day of my trip?

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

Im heading to Disney World in a few weeks and had planned to do MGM on the first day we arrive. The plan made sense at the time because we are taking our parents with us and Fantasmic was the one show they never have seen. We figured that we would show them something new on the first day of their trip. Also the early 7pm Fantasmic seemed perfect since we are catching a 7am flight and everyone would probably be kind of tired that night.

But now we have 2 more people going on the trip who have never been to Disney World at all and I'm concerned that seeing MGM as their very first Disney Park may be kind of dissapointing.

MGM lacks the initial WOW factor when you walk in to me.. theres no Castle or SpaceShip Earth landmark... and the scope of the park just feels much smaller than the epic settings of Magic Kingdom or Epcot.

Then.. theres the dinner problem. We were planning to do Prime Time 50s Cafe before fantasmic but now i'm thinking that may be dissapointing as a first disney dinner compared to Ohanas or Libery Tree Tavern for the disney newbies we are now taking with us.

Anyway, what does everyone think? Should we just do MGM on our first day or do you think its a mistake to do MGM as a day one plan? I really wanted to show the parents something new with Fantasmic.. but I'm concerned that the 50s Prime Time and the park itself may not contain enough of the wow factor that Magic Kingdom and Epcot provides. :lookaroun

 

[shurst]

me personaly, i plan my trip based off of what hours the parks are open latest. i know the excitement always comes from walking in and seeing the castle for the first time. it brings it all together. look at it this way, by doing mgm first you are only saving the best for last. good luck on whatever it is you decide, im sure they will enjoy either way.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I'm with shurst. I go to whatever park is open latest.

However, for a newcomer, I think you have a point about a certain "wow" factor. Now, I feel Fantasmic is the best night-time WDW show, with Wishes a close second. Fantasmic certainly has that "wow" factor you're looking for.

Do you have park hoppers? If you do, you could spend part of your day at another park, then wander over to the Studios around 3:30. I try to arrive just after the parade when I do this, since lots of people leave then, to spend the evening at another park.

 

[Lightyear]

MGM is amazing. Street actors and atmosphere everywhere. Old time Hollywood. You could not pick a better place to get into the Disney spirit!

 

[Hakunamatata]

On the other hand, you to MGM the first day ending with an awesome show. The rest of the parks only get better. If you do MGM last...well, it could be a let down. I would rather end strong than weak.

 

[GenerationX]

To someone who has never been to WDW, Disney Studios will pack a "wow" factor. I would definitely go there first so the newbies get a taste of the World before unleashing the other three incredible parks on them.

 

[jcldtrek]

The Last 3 yrs we started our first day out at mgm studios. To my family and I its a pretty good park to start at. Animal Kingdom would be my less favorite park to start the vacation out on. Id also do Mk the first day also. Both Mk and mgm are pretty good best bets to start out on.

 

[DDuckFan130]

I've taken two friends who were new to AK and MGM. Essentially, it did not matter which park I took them to first because everything was new to them. At MGM, they loved ToT and RNRC...and of course Fantasmic (even though that night there were a lot of things wrong...but being newbies they didn't notice ). AK also wowed them but for different reasons. It's nice to go from the familiar to the unfamiliar...and if they're new to WDW period, then MK is always the best bet because they may have never been to the park, but it is still familiar.

So anyway, I say go with MGM if it works out best...I'm sure they'll love it no matter what.

 

[Pixiedust1393]

I love MGM, but it depends on what type of people you're taking with you. If they're into hollywoodish stuff, I'm sure they'll love it! But if I were taking along a newbie, I would definitely go to the Magic Kingdom the first day. Second would be Epcot, then MGM, and then Animal Kingdom. Everybody knows Disney World for the Magic Kingdom and Cinderella's castle-- I say let them be amazed by that sight first. Have a great trip!

 

[frankd1962]

The both times I went and this trip in June, MGM is the beginning. I just love Star Wars and have to ride Star Tours. And 2000 was the first time they did the Star Wars Weekends so I had to go then also.

So in June, I start my trip there because I'm hoping to get the very last day of SWW or somewhere in the middle (if the rumors I've read is true).

But for me there is also Muppets, GMR, YoT, RnRC and a few other things. This is going to be the first time I'll try dining at one of the sit down restaurants there.

 

[KrazyKemp]

I always go to Epcot first...I've always felt that going to any other park first, and then going to Epcot would be somewhat of a let down to a Disney newcomer. Epcot is the most educational park, after all.

But MGM would be my second choice for a first stop. With Fantasmic and all of the Streetmosphere around, it is very easy to go there and get involved with everything.

As for the 50's Prime Time Cafe, this restaurant was the favorite of my group. (except for Ohana) Be sure to order the peanut butter and jelly milkshake!!

 

[dazzer68]

thats like askimd someone wether they want the good news or bad news first! depends on you. i dont like mgm at the moment, seems run down id do it first day get it over and done with!
im a bad news first person!

 

[TTFN-Tiggger]

I would not worry. I took my sister this last Christmas holiday - it was her first time to the world. I don't care for MGM that much. Since we had only a half day we went to this park on the first day. She did not really have any expectations so it was fine. Then MK and Epcot were just that much more grand to her. Enjoy your trip!

 

[hokielutz]

I always go to Epcot first...I've always felt that going to any other park first, and then going to Epcot would be somewhat of a let down to a Disney newcomer. Epcot is the most educational park, after all.

But MGM would be my second choice for a first stop. With Fantasmic and all of the Streetmosphere around, it is very easy to go there and get involved with everything.

As for the 50's Prime Time Cafe, this restaurant was the favorite of my group. (except for Ohana) Be sure to order the peanut butter and jelly milkshake!!

I'd have to agree with Krazy here. If you are taking newcomers to the parks... its almost best to start out at Epcot or AK to break them in. Because I believe that more magic and fantasy happens at the MK and MGM. Introduce newbies to the learning & cultural side of Disney first... then move onto the fantasy and fun of the MK

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I'm sure there is enough "WOW" in MGM for a first day.
50's Prime Time is also a treat, many here consider it one of their favorites.
As it is so well themed, especially for those of us more "mature" folks, the whole facility is a time trip treat.

One other thing to consider is a possible dinner package for Fantasmic. You can't do Prime Time, but if you have older folks and have been up since the crack of dawn, you'll be tired and may not want to wait in line for an hour.

Another tip if you go to MGM, get Fastpasses for Lights Motor or Indy shows, reduce the wait time and get better seats.

I can't see going to any of the parks not having a sufficient wow factor, especially for novices.

 

[ShelleyL]

Not a mistake to visit MGM first

My husband, 2 children and I visited Disney World for the first time last October. MGM was the first park we visited and we were not disappointed! We saved Magic Kingdom for the last 2 days and I think it was the perfect plan. We did not buy park hopper passes, so we chose our parks based on the parades and events available each day of our visit. We went to MGM on the first day, Animal Kingdom on the second day, and Magic Kingdom on days 3 & 4. (We visited Epcot in the evening on the day we arrived.) Friends had advised to save Magic Kingdom for last if possible and I think it was great advice. We were thrilled with MGM - saw lots of characters, went to several shows and were not disppointed at all. By saving Magic Kingdom until the last 2 days we built up to the "main attraction" and left with that magical feeling that only Magic Kingdom can provide!

 

[RiversideBunny]

If you have Park Hopper tickets, you could do the Magic Kingdom in the morning and then go to MGM after lunch. (Get up early and be at the entrance when the park opens.)
Most people travel on the weekend and then want to do the Magic Kingdom first, on Monday. That's why it can get crowded on Mondays.
Doing MGM or another park on Monday, particularly in the afternoon, can result in lower crowd levels.

Good luck. Have fun.
:king:

 

[VT GAL]

To someone who has never been to WDW, Disney Studios will pack a "wow" factor. I would definitely go there first so the newbies get a taste of the World before unleashing the other three incredible parks on them.

I 100% agree. When I took my husband for the first time it was great, because it was a good way to ease him into the magic and not get overwhelmed.

I hope that you have a great trip! :wave:

 

[KnK]

MGM is one of our favorite parks. It's been out first park 7 out of the past 10 trips.

 

[Goofy36]

We did MGM the first night we were at WDW our last visit and I think it made our whole trip better. Next to visiting Magic Kingdom I think MGM gives you a taste of the magic of WDW. Not to mention I didn't have to wait long into our trip to ride my favorite ride TOT with my wife & daughter (first time for both of them!)

I say go for it!