Arrival day park choice

[rigs32]

I'll be arriving late morning on a Thursday, so we'll be looking to hit a park after lunch. I had though MK, but it's a morning EMH day there.

Any advice as to which park? Should we still go with MK and just plan on the less busy attractions and using FP? We're a group of four adults, if that matters.

 

[mjatgoofy]

I recommend Epcot. Great park and it handles crowds well.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Not MK. You won't be able to take advantage of the morning EMH, and by the time you get there, the increased crowds that it brings will slow you way down.

 

[Shanan]

We base our first park on where we are staying. In December, I stayed at Pop Century so my first park was MGM. When we stayed at Contemporary, out first park was MK. With it being EMH at MK, I would avoid that MK if possible.

 

[HunnyPots]

I love EPCOT as a first day park. We tour WS and kind of keep the pace unhurried so as not to wear ourselves out after travelling. Then we are ready to hit MK on our first FULL park day!

 

[Laura]

I agree with Epcot as the first day park. That's what we plan to do.

 

[rigs32]

Thanks all! I'd kinda decided that before I read the responses, but I wanted to make sure my thinking was right. I even made a PS for Le Cellier for that night!

 

[Terk-1]

I'm arriving on a Friday (late morning) and was going to check in, unpack, then head for EPCOT. I know the Magic Kingdom will be packed. I think you'd be happy with this park on your first day.

 

[FigNewton]

We tend to prefer hanging out at World Showcase in Epcot on our first day at WDW. The travel can be hectic and this seems to be the most relaxing place to go for us.

edit: hah... I actually typed this right after the OP posted... got distracted, came back hours later, realized I never posted...

 

[HappyLawyer]

i would go to which ever one had the latest hours for the day.

 

[Daryl]

School is still in in fla. so I'd try a water park or Disney Quest.

 

[danny1649]

Foe Epcot

 

[dreamscometrue47]

Normally, I would agree with what everyone said and go to Epcot on your first day. This is usually what we always do. But this past January I took my mother (who had never been to WDW and was celebrating her 80th birthday but is very spry, etc. etc.), and we arrived at the Poly and checked in and our room was ready at 12 noon. We dropped our luggage and Mom asked to go to the MK. Well, I had already planned to do this but was a bit worried about crowds since it was Martin Luther King Day and only 1 of the 2 days during the week that Spectromagic was showing! I could NOT refuse my mom and figured even if we just enjoyed the atmosphere and had our dinner at LTT and saw Spectro, she would be happy.

Well, we hit Main Street at around 1 pm and it was PACKED. Mom didn't even notice, but I was a bit panic stricken. Well, she was the one who calmed me down when she saw Pinocchio and Gepetto and demanded to have her picture taken with them. I knew then that this was going to be a GREAT afternoon and evening. So we went with the flow and followed my plan to head over to Adventureland and do the attractions there. It was GREAT!!!! We got a FP for the Jungle Cruise, did the Tiki Birds, and then POC, then used our FP's for the Jungle Cruise. My DS 12 then did those remote control boats outside of the Jungle Cruise, while I went to get Mickey bars for all of us. After we ate them, I noticed that the Magic Carpets of Aladdin had NO line, and Mom wanted to go on them twice so we did! When that was done, we headed over to LTT for our character dinner. We got great curbside "seats" for Spectro and then headed back to the Poly (to avoid the after Wishes crowd).

So it is possible to do MK on a busy afternoon, but you have to set your expectations correctly.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

We ALWAYS visit the MK on our first day ... GOTTA see that castle first thing!!!

 

[Mouse511]

Our first park is always Magic Kingdom. I agree with the previous post, seeing the castle starts the trip. You officially know you are at WDW when you enter the park and see the Castle. Love MK!

 

[disneyfan61]

In a few weeks we will also be arriving on a Thursday afternoon. I just have to
do the MK first. I know it will be very busy but going there & then Chef Mickey's for dinner.

 

[wdwlvr629]

I agree, for me it does not matter what is going on at MK or anywhere else in the world...I ALWAYS start at the Magic Kingdom, it is truly the epitome of Disney magic!!! I get so excited when I walk out onto Main Street and see the Castle!!!

 

[#1DizGal]

Hey there! As for me, I fly solo, and just fly by the seat of my pants! I always have the park schedule on me, but I usually wait for the first shuttle to show up at my resort, and get on! That's just me, and I'm a 45 yo solo! You will all have a great time, believe me!