arriving late EE MK day

[green]

Me,DS(5),DH, are arriving in Florida late April 17th. We are staying on property,and thought we might try to check in early Sunday the 18th,and head to the MK. I saw on the calender this is an EE day. This will be my son's first trip to Disney,and all he's talked about for weeks is Disney World. We are staying off-site the night we arrive on the 17th. My question is if it's later in the day would you try to head to the MK on EE day or just stay around the resort checking it out,and the pool. This will be my first trip since I was a child,and I know Disney has changed alot! I planned each day to go to the park early that has EE. Is that the best way? If we get up late one morning should we avoid the EE day park all together? I made some PS arrangements for the parks we plan to be in that day so we'd already me there. Alos, my DS(5) has seen the vacation video,and wants to ride all the (big) rides like Space Mountain,Tower of Terror,Mission Space. He is very tall for his age 49 1/2 inches tall. Everyine things he's older,becasue of his height. I heard they go by height,but do you think those rides are okay for a 5 year old? I don't want to scare the wits out of him. He's not afraid of much except bugs. Thanks in advance for your suggestions. We can't wait!

 

[mad4themouse]

What type of passes do you have? If I had the UPHs (length of stay passes), then I would head to the parks after checking in. If I had regular park hoppers, then I would save the day on my pass and get to know the resort better.

With regards to EE days, the rule of thumb is to avoid EE parks if you are not staying onsite or if you are not going to be there for EE, since the park gets very crowded. In your case, I cannot imagine bringing a 5yo to WDW for his first time and not doing the MK first. I think that if you go to the MK knowing to expect crowds and longer waits, it should be alright. If you skip any attractions due to time constraints, just let the little guy know that you'll be back on another day to do them.

As far as taking your adventurous DS5 on some of the more "grown up" attractions, I think you should play it by ear. Space Mountain is relatively tame by today's rollercoaster standards. Splash Mountain has that big drop at the end but is pretty benign the rest of the ride. ToT has those multiple vertical drops. If he is afraid of falling, this is not the ride for him. You actually have a brief moment of weightlessness that can be a little uncomfortable for some people. You can actually go thru most of the ride before taking the "chicken exit". It's right before boarding the elevators. I took DS on ToT when he was 6 with no problems. He's another kid who seems to have no fears. He just didn't like the mice in HISTA!

 

[green]

We have the 5 day park-hopper passes,but my DH wants to get on the road early that Friday to head back. He might change his mind when we get there. He's not as excited as me and DS. We check in the POR on the 18th & have reservations until that Friday the 23rd. I have PS on the 18th for Chef Mickeys that night. I thought this would get everyone in the Disney mood. How far is the that from the MK? What's the best way to get there? I thought we could check-in even if our room isn't ready,and get our passes for the parks. I was worried with it being EE day at MK that day it might be packed,and not sure what time we will get in. Hopefully in the morning. Like you said if it's to crowded we can promise DS to go back another day. I'm sure that's where we will spend alot of time. TOT sounds like it might be too much for DS. He keeps saying he's riding it. Maybe will start small,and work our way up. My DH things space Mountain will scare him. I don't think it will. I remember it's very dark,but like you said tame by today's standards. Have you ever been this time of year? I hope it's not to crowded. We thought it would be better than the summer. We are so excited! My son tells everyone he sees he's going to DisneyWorld! Thanks!

 

[wdwobsessed]

I have been during a time period where crowds were non-existant for almost our entire trip EXCEPT EE day at MK! We stayed in the park until about Noon and then it was just too crowded. This was during a very light attendance period and you are going during a time with more average attendance so I'd imagine it would be worse.

If it were me (and we are all different) I would avoid MK on that first day. I found our best experiences in the MK are when we go first thing in the AM and leave around lunchtime. You don't want to have the first day be one of frustration and it wastes time going in, realizing it's just too crowded and heading over to another park. (Been there done that!) I know that would upset my kids more than just heading to another park first.

Take what I say with a grain of salt ... I'm a line hater. I hate lines! I'd much rather work my schedule in a way where I can avoid them! I walk right by if the posted wait is more than 15 - 20. Therefore my experience on EE day afternoon in the MK is that we had to walk by everything! It's also a Sunday so you will have locals as well ... double whammy.

We always find if we get a late start EPCOT is a great place to head to. That afternoon when the MK was crowded .... we headed to EPCOT and it was empty!

Our first family trip we didn't go to MK first and the kids were fine. In fact, many guidebooks advise saving MK for closer to the end so the other parks do not pale in comparison.

Chef Mickeys is right on the monorail with the MK. You can get there from the MK no problem so that is not a concern. It is a great way to start off your trip! Lot's of energy at that place!

I love giving WDW advice but it's based on my own personal preferences. If you don't mind a crowd and you have visions of the first day being one where your son gets to walk into the wonderment of the MK and that is important to you than go for it. But, if you are like me and really don't like crowds. Save it for the next day!

Fear of rides? My DS (5 at the time, he was big too) was scared of TOT because of the preshow (it's twiglight zone-y) ... he didn't mind the fall. That's a trip huh?! His first "real" rollercoaster ride was on that trip and it was the Rock N Rollercoaster!! He rode it twice! I let my son go on whatever he wanted to as long as he was tall enough. I figure if he's not scared why should I make him scared?? The worst thing that could happen is that he does not like the ride and won't want to do it again. Why give him cause to think there is something to be afraid of?

Good luck!

PS - As a side note. Since you are staying at POR save Fantasyland for EE at the MK on Thursday. I promise you will get it all done in that hour! It's amazing and so much better than waiting at other times

WDWO