Do you go to a park 2 days in a row or split up the days?

[jen53207]

We're planning what days we are going to go to each park. We will do 2 days at Epcot, 2 days at MK, 1 day at DHS and 1 day at AK.

I've been looking at the crowd reports and some of the recommendations of what parks are the best on certain days. For example, MK is "best" on Fridays but Saturday and Thursday are both "busy" days.

1. Does it make sense to split up a MK visit into two non-consecutive days (say Wed and Fri) or do we just suck it up and go two days in a row even though one of the days is "supposed" to be a busy day?

2. Then again our visit is January so do we even need to bother too much with whether or not the days are suppsed to be busy because we're going during the slow season?

3. Is January even going to be a slow season now with the buy 4 get 3 free promotion? Will attendance be higher than usual because of the promotion?

Thanks in advance.

[ppan77]

We have been in January the past couple of years. The most crowded I have seen any park is DHS at Rope Drop to get to Toy Story Mania. That is the only craziness in crowds in January. I have followed TGM most days according to his park schedule. Mainly avoiding days that parks have EMH. We have gone to MK on consecutive days mainly bc our kids are young and enjoyed it the most. You get your fill and then are more willing to try another park. I think with your schedule you wont need a hopper. You are there long enough to enjoy all the parks and in January when crowds are low. Just plan and be prepared to tweak once you're there if you rather do a different park.

[scribega]

I think since you are going in January that the crowd levels shouldn't matter much. A best park maybe a 5 that day and an avoid park maybe a 6 so no real difference.

Every year we alternate our parks. For example this is our schedule for December:
Saturday - Epcot (arrive late, so short day)
Sunday - Hollywood Studios
Monday - Magic Kingdom
Tuesday - Epcot
Wednesday - Animal Kingdom
Thursday - Epcot
Friday - Magic Kingdom

Scott

[PoohsFan1]

For our December trip we are doing the exact same park schedule as you are. Here is what we have planned:

Day 1 Arrival day so no parks
Day 2 Epcot
Day 3 MK and MVMCP
Day 4 Epcot
Day 5 DHS/MK hopping
Day 6 DHS
Day 7 AK
Day 8 Departure day so no parks

We like to split the parks up so that it feels like we are doing something new each day.

[Damien2213]

Most of the time I don't do the same park all day. I usually do two parks a day. Now contrary to what a lot of people will tell you, I always go to the EMH morning park. Why? Because people that will show up at a 9am opening won't show up for the 8am opening. Getting there at EMH rope drop will give you a good hour jump on the crowds and by the time others start entering the park you'll be ahead of them ride wise. By the time they get close to catching up to you (if you had an early breakfast) you can have some lunch and hang at the park a little longer before it gets to crowded.

In peak season I would go rest at the hotel and hit the EMH Evening because the majority of Disney goers have small children that hardly make it past 10 even if that. In Peak season EMH Evenings are a huge advantage. However this year I'm going in off season so I'll probably just transfer to a non EMH Park the rest of the day with the exception being Magic Kingdom which closes at 11pm and I'm betting 10-11 will be pretty slow that night and then Epcot when it closes at 12am.

As far as crowd levels, I think most days in January are low. There is marathon weekend and MLK day that bring in crowds but I think crowd levels usually return to normal after the weekend. No worries about the 4/3 promotion for two reasons. One it isn't as good a deal for Value Resorts as it was a year ago. Two it doesn't save as much as free dining. Since free dining is the better deal most people (and you can tell this by crowd reports) are choosing to go during that promotion. January is right after Christmas. Most people won't be thinking of vacationing at that time. Some rides will be closed for refurbs and that will keep some from taking a trip then. There are still foreign tourists and that can be as simple as the luck of the draw. So I think as far as low crowds that time of year you have more working for you than say a person that is booked during the free dining promotion.

So use EMH Morning if one exist. If not use the "best park on best days" theory to pick your park that morning. Don't worry about EMH Evenings unless the time is 11pm or later. If you do decide to chance it make sure you utilize FP. If you have the park hopper use it to your advantage. If it looks like your park is really crowded its a good bet hopping to another one will give you light crowds. Remember keeping an early lunch and dinner will allow you to ride while others are fighting the rush to eat. Wait times generally fall off during lunch and dinner. Also remember while people pile the streets for a parade they aren't riding. Just make sure your on the right side of the parade route for what you want to ride or watch. Adventureland is great to visit during all MK Parades and fireworks not to mention most other attractions as well...hope that helps.

[Reddog1134]

When I plan my park schedule, I really don't pay attention to projected crowd levels. I figure out which day MK is open the latest. Then I build the schedule around that based on which park is open the latest each day without going to a park twice in a row.

[Redbudlover]

Hi, January is probably a good time to try it without hoppers due to low crowds. I plan out my days according to TGM and to what other activities I am including like tours, dinners, resort hopping, searaycers, etc. So I December here is my itinerary:

Thursday arrive - check into ASMU no parks and get settled in
Friday Epcot Kouzzina's dinner
Saturday AK during the day, Luau at 5:15. MK evening for late EMH
Sunday House of Blues Gospel Brunch, DTD day, MVMCP solo
Mnday - move to BWV Epcot day, CApe May breakfast Osbourne Lights, dinner at ESPN
Tuesday MK day afternoon rest, MVMCP with friends
Wednesday HS day, Brown Derby lunch, AK for late EMH, Jiko dinner
Thursday Epcot Segway tour La Cellier lunch, Candlelight Processional
Friday move to AKV Boma breakfast, AK day, Cali Grill with Friends
Saturday Resort day, Massage, Sanaa for lunch, celebrate friends birthday at Raglan Rd and Cirque du Soleil
Sunday Mk day, dinner with Dissers at Boma
Monday HS morning, pack in afternoon, Wayanama tour which includes dinner at Jiko
Tuesday leave for home

[The Disney Dad]

Originally Posted by jen53207

We're planning what days we are going to go to each park. We will do 2 days at Epcot, 2 days at MK, 1 day at DHS and 1 day at AK.

I've been looking at the crowd reports and some of the recommendations of what parks are the best on certain days. For example, MK is "best" on Fridays but Saturday and Thursday are both "busy" days.

1. Does it make sense to split up a MK visit into two non-consecutive days (say Wed and Fri) or do we just suck it up and go two days in a row even though one of the days is "supposed" to be a busy day?

2. Then again our visit is January so do we even need to bother too much with whether or not the days are suppsed to be busy because we're going during the slow season?

3. Is January even going to be a slow season now with the buy 4 get 3 free promotion? Will attendance be higher than usual because of the promotion?

Thanks in advance.

Whether you visit a park on consecutive days or not is completely up to you. I like to spread them out for variety. Are you taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours? Where are your dining reservations? All of these questions should help you decide. January will still have lower crowd levels ... the promotion won't have a noticeable effect on attendance.

[jb01]

We almost never visit the same park on consecutive days. We find it more enjoyable splitting them up. Then again that is just us and you should do whatever you feel most comfortable.

[jen53207]

thanks everyone for the ideas and suggestions. sounds like most people don't both going to the same park 2 days in a row - i think for variety in might be nice to split up the days like you've all suggested.