Which park first?

Huglife

Huglife

Active Member
Hi! I'm taking my 38 year old fiancé for his first WDW trip in December and I can't decide whether or not I should take him to Epcot or MK on our first day. I think he will love Epcot but MK is just so magical. We have 7:30 reservations at California Grill where we will be watching the MVMCP fireworks and will be seeing Illuminations another night. Any advice or experiences? Thanks!
 
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Rsj88

Rsj88

Well-Known Member
We always start and finish our trip with MK. I love all the parks but there is something special about MK. It just puts me in the right mood and begins the trip with magic! Even if it's just to walk down Main Street and see the castle, we always try to do that first on our trip. Whether we stay in MK the first day depends on the crowds, magic hours, and how many days we are there but we always go there on the first day for a little while :)
 
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DisneyPrincess5

DisneyPrincess5

Well-Known Member
I guess you'll have to go by what you think he'd like best and what pace you think he'd enjoy as an intro to the parks.

My personal bias is go to MK. Classic Disney rides, shows, food, sights, music, smells. Plus it'll make your day flow nicely with the other plans you've got.
 
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MagicalMaci

MagicalMaci

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
I seem to have fallen into the habit of hitting Epcot as my first arrival day park. I just think it's always peaceful to wander World Showcase and don't have to worry about rides/lines from not getting there early in the day. But with your dinner plans MK would be a good choice too!
 
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JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
We always get to MK as fast as we can after checking in and start the trip off with stepping onto Main Street. The music, the sight of the castle and getting that first burst of Disney is what gets us to realize were bacccck. Being that its his first trip, find out what his impression of Disney is. What will give him the most memorable first day then go from there. If hes excited about the attractions and things found in MK more than EP, then thats the direction to go in. You want to WOW him so you set him up for bringing you back to Disney many times in your life together. The best first impressions you can give him the more successful youll be in accomplishing that.
 
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Huglife

Huglife

Active Member
Original Poster
JIMINYCR said:
We always get to MK as fast as we can after checking in and start the trip off with stepping onto Main Street. The music, the sight of the castle and getting that first burst of Disney is what gets us to realize were bacccck. Being that its his first trip, find out what his impression of Disney is. What will give him the most memorable first day then go from there. If hes excited about the attractions and things found in MK more than EP, then thats the direction to go in. You want to WOW him so you set him up for bringing you back to Disney many times in your life together. The best first impressions you can give him the more successful youll be in accomplishing that.
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He's not really a planner, and while excited enough, he has no idea what to expect. He went to DL as a child, and I think he's expecting that. He was blown away that we couldn't walk everywhere and would have to drive or take busses. Which is good I guess, because his mind will be blown regardless.
 
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kaitertot5249

kaitertot5249

Well-Known Member
EPCOT and Magic Kingdom are both great choices for your first park.I am biased towards Magic Kingdom myself because it captures the true essence of what Walt's vision of what his parks would be (even though he never stepped foot in Magic Kingdom himself) and it truly is magical for people of all ages. For first-timers, I think that Magic Kingdom is the way to start off any trip. If you have reservations that night at California Grill you will be in the area anyways and it might just make more sense logistically to do Magic Kingdom first.

I am also a big fan of EPCOT so you really can't go wrong starting with either in my opinion!
 
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M

Minnie Mum

Well-Known Member
I leave the sentimentality in my park bag when it comes to planning. I'm more likely to have a more magical time in the park with the fewest crowds, so that's what I pay more attention to. Have a look at a crowd calendar and go from there.

But between the 2, I'd go with MK. Since it's a party night and closes early, the crowds should be lower. Then it's an easy walk over to CG for dinner and the fireworks.
 
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officialtom

officialtom

Well-Known Member
Until last year, we always did MK first and last. But with the EMH schedule last year, it made more sense to do epcot first. We didn't get to MK until day three. And it felt strange. The only way I can describe it is that we didn't really feel we were at WDW until we finally got to MK. So this year we're going to hit MK first again. It's definitely just more of a tradition thing for us, but we'll likely always do MK first (and last) from now on.
 
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steviej

steviej

Well-Known Member
I always try to start off every trip with MK, there is just no feeling like walking through that tunnel, coming through, and seeing the castle. It always gives me that same feeling every single time. Never wears off. Never gets old
 
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TXDisney

TXDisney

Well-Known Member
If you think he'll enjoy Epcot then dont make that 1st day Epcot. Do a full day there another day. If you have dining and the party that night the Epcot day will be cut short, leaving him wanting to go back to Epcot which it sounds like you're doing, but he might feel like he didn't see MK either. We park hop all the time but always do atleast 1 full day at both MK and Epcot.
 
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prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Huglife said:
He's not really a planner, and while excited enough, he has no idea what to expect. He went to DL as a child, and I think he's expecting that. He was blown away that we couldn't walk everywhere and would have to drive or take busses. Which is good I guess, because his mind will be blown regardless.
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My first trip to Disney World I went to AK first, and I kept asking my friend where the castle was. I didn't comprehend that there were FOUR separate Disney parks. I don't think you can go wrong either way, but there's nothing like that first view of the castle to draw you right into that magic.
 
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