1st timer park order

[KeroKero]

For a first timer, if I happen to be traveling with one I always like for them to see Main Street USA and the castle before anything else. Then we do the rest of the trip based on touring plans always trying to end the trip with either Wishes or Illuminations.

 

[han22735]

I'm in the First day is always MK group then we follow easywdw.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

MK first and last day always.

We go by crowd calendars in the middle for 2 Epcot days, 1 AK, 1 DHS and another MK day.

 

[sharona]

I agree with everyone suggesting touring plans and crowd calendars...

But 6 kids under 10 for their first time? You gotta go Magic Kingdom for day one. Use the charts for others days to help maximize your time but magic comes before numbers.

For this trip (3rd) we are going by the crowd calendars, but for a first trip I have to say 100% start with MK. Yes, all of the parks are magical, but there is nothing like that first view of the castle, first walk down Main Street, etc.

For a first timer, if I happen to be traveling with one I always like for them to see Main Street USA and the castle before anything else. Then we do the rest of the trip based on touring plans always trying to end the trip with either Wishes or Illuminations.

I'm in the First day is always MK group then we follow easywdw.

 

[GaryDis]

I have to admit I'm surprised by the number of people saying to do MK first. There's a reason why in show business they always say to save the best for last. Particularly with a group of first-timers, there's a risk that MK first will set expectations for the remaining parks, both in terms of rides and in terms of atmosphere, intense stimulation, and style of the park. Conversely, and particularly if they're starting the Saturday that is two days after Thanksgiving, long lines and crowds could make the experience frustrating.

If seeing the castle for the first time on vacation is magical the first day, how much more magical is it if you wait until the third or fourth day?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I have to admit I'm surprised by the number of people saying to do MK first. There's a reason why in show business they always say to save the best for last. Particularly with a group of first-timers, there's a risk that MK first will set expectations for the remaining parks, both in terms of rides and in terms of atmosphere, intense stimulation, and style of the park. Conversely, and particularly if they're starting the Saturday that is two days after Thanksgiving, long lines and crowds could make the experience frustrating.

If seeing the castle for the first time on vacation is magical the first day, how much more magical is it if you wait until the third or fourth day?

We did MK on my first trip and I was 20 years old. It still hasn't lost it's magic.

Always do MK arrival day, somewhere in the middle and our last park day. We also go there some evenings with our park hoppers.

 

[Accident]

What would you suggest is the best order to tour the parks over the week

This one is alwys rough as to a lot of people some of the parks is a let down after going to MK. We don't do MK the first day if we can avoid it. AT the same time, MK is what most think of when going to disney so seeing that castle and all the disney characters and things is a great way to start. The question is what will the rest be like after MK?

I think HS, MK, AK, Epcot (if your doing it), then whatever you want for days left/need to see more is a pretty good order. Don't keep MK away too long, HS is a really good intro of some disney, pixar and night show. It's enough for young ones and good for adults and there's more shows than rides so it's a good easing into all the walking around you'll do in mk,

It's really going to depend on what your family wants first though, MK is Disney and the rest are parks with disney sprinkles on top.

 

[MrInfinity]

What would you suggest is the best order to tour the parks over the week after thanksgiving for newbies with kids? First park day is Saturday and last park day is Friday. I've heard some people say get them to mk first and last, and I've also heard people say wait on mk and do the "non-magical" ones first. Thoughts?
12 people (6 adults and 6 kids 10 and under).

More important than the crowd calendars is to look at what you're trying to get done. Are you planning to do the Christmas Party? Do you already have dining plans? If you want to eat anywhere that week, you should already know where and have those booked. Then you have to ask are the people in your group more likely to get up and go at 7am to make morning Magic Hour (are you staying on-site?) or do you want to stay out late? Where are you staying? If you're at an Epcot resort vs a MK resort, that affects which parks I'd recommend more of. Would you rather have longer days at the parks or shorter days and then do evening entertainment elsewhere some nights? All these things would factor in to my answer...

 

[epcotty]

Probably best to not do MK on Friday or Saturday (crowds) and apart from that look at crowd calendars (as well as others listed earlier I also look at undercovertourist's one sometimes)