Arrvial day at 3pm - which park?

[MAGGIED]

On our arrival day we arrive in Orlando at 1pm - we figure we should be ready to go by 3pm to hit the parks.... (we already have our tickets and are staying at the SOG) - Epcot has the late opening that day - what do you think.... we have a large group of 10 with us and 2 of them are newbies..... appreicate your help...

 

[DebbieB]

I would go to Epcot. Future World is usually pretty quiet in the late afternoon, you can pretty much walk on everything (except maybe Test Track or Mission Space). April 14 is also evening EMH at Epcot.

 

[civileng68]

Well me personally, I love the MK and that's always my first park.

I say, see which park is open latest and hit it, but normally it's MK for me, no matter what time I get in.

 

[imfortune8]

I cannot imagine starting a Disney vacation without a visit to the Magic Kingdom. That is just my bias. I also have little kids that would be dissappointed if they didn't see the castle first thing - okay, I would be just as sad. I do think you need two days at least at here, so if you can get some of the park done, it will take the pressure off your other day.

If the crowd is older, going to epcot might be great. But remember many of the countries cultural performances end by about 6:00 pm, so you are going to miss many of these, which are my favorite thing about Epcot.

Don't worry about Animal Kingdom, it closes at 5.

MGM would be my husbands pick. We love the restaurants there and fatasmic is fabulous. You could still catch a few shows, have a fantastic meal and finish with a great performance.

Also, depending on your vacation length and age of kids, is there a case to be made to enjoy your resort, take a swim and turn in early? Just a thought!

Have a great trip!

 

[MAGGIED]

Thanks... we have mostly adults - two teenagers.... and we will be staying for 10 days.... I know that means we will get atleast 2 days in each park but I want to make the most of each and every minute!!!!

 

[mommiechewie]

We usually go to Epcot the first day. They have interesting stuff to look at wonderful places for dinner and not to much stimulation for weary travelers.

 

[aec]

We arrived at SOG on a Thursday in January so we had the same situation. We went to MK because I didn't think I'd be up for a very late night after traveling all morning and I was leary of the EMH crowds. We checked in at SOG around 2:00, and quickly put our luggage in the room. We caught the golf cart from SOG to the POLY and rode the monorail to MK. We were on main street by 3:15 just in time to watch the parade. Then we went to frontierland and rode BTMRR (used FP) and splash mountain. After that we got some dinner and went on Haunted mansion, the carousel, tea cups, space mountain, watched spectromagic and wishes. I was amazed that we hit all three mountains, two parades and wishes on our first day and we were only there for 5 hours (MK closed at 8:00). We were very tired when we got back to the room at 9:00.

 

[DizzyBell]

We always start with MK... no matter what time of arrival... it is the only park we begin with... where it all began

 

[snowglobe girl]

We usually go to MK first, but last year we went to Epcot on our first day and I felt really disappointed. I felt like my trip didn't start until day 2 when we went to MK, so my choice from now on will always be MK first...and we have no kids!! Guess its just the magic and kid in me!!

 

[MinnieM3]

We always go to MK first....even on a Saturday! Gotta see that castle and walk on Main Street!