Avoid MK on first day?

[skent10]

We're planning our trip with our four kids, and it will be a first for two of them, and the first they can remember for the other two. I had read earlier on these boards how some think you should save MK for your last park or the little ones will be disappointed by the other 3 parks in comparison. I considered that, but then dismissed it as not really important.

Tonight, DH was talking on the phone with an old friend from high school who's a CM at Epcot, and he mentioned the same thing about saving MK until the last for the kids. Now that a CM has said it, I'm worried. Do you all really think it's that important?!

I managed to book CRT for breakfast for our first morning--making MK our first park. Looking at the UG days and my rough schedule, if we don't go to MK on day 1, it'll be day 8 before we go (of a 12-day trip). Wouldn't it be strange to leave MK until so late into the trip? And if I can't get CRT for any other day, would it be worse to go to MK just for breakfast and then leave the park again immediately, or should I just stick with MK as the first park anyway?

I'm so confused, and DH thinks I'm overanalyzing everything. I had to come here to commune with other like-minded DIS'ers!

 

[PrincessLindy]

We always do MK first.

 

[Ilovestitch]

We always did MK first when I was a kid, and no one ever explained. You might be surprised- Epcot was my favorite as a kid.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Did they CM say WHY not to do MK first?

We always do MK first. It just sets the tone for the whole magical vacation, besides, I HAVE to see the castle as soon as possible upon arrival!

MAYBE if you were only going for 4 days and only doing one park a day you might think about saving MK for last, you know, save the best for last, but you are going for 12 days...you could do MK your 1st and last day and probably a couple in between! I would not change your CRT ressie and I wouldn't worry about going to MK the first day....especially if it's your kid's 1st trip...and really, you might be surprised, AK might be their favorite park or MGM or even Epcot! I wouldn't stress about this too much.

 

[Disney Dadd]

We always start at MK every trip. Is there really any other way to go?? There's just something so very magical, I have always found, about that park above all others. When I was a kid, we always went to Disneyland so I don't know any other way to start a Disneyworld trip. Seeing my 2 boy's eyes light up when you get to main street with that big castle and all the magic and joy in the air is the only way we would ever do Disney.

I agree with the other folks here. Don't change your schedule. You're going to be there for plenty of time to do the MK multiple times if you wish (on a 12 day trip you could do it 3-4 times and the kids would look forward to going back each time). You dont have to go 4 complete days, mind you, but again that park is so "the center of the world."

I also agree with one other guest, My now 10 year old boy told me on our last trip that his favorite park is EPCOT. So, you never know which one will be your kid's . More than likely, if they're really little, it will be MK but you never know. Have fun on your trip and don't worry too much! Your kids (and mom and dad) will have plenty of fun!

 

[Kristina]

Go to MK first, absolutely! I agree with what WaltD4Me said, if you were only going for 4 days then maybe. Well actually even then I'd go for the MK first plus once more, at least for a long morning! With 12 days and a ressie at Cindy's, well you all just have to go straight away I think too, that the UG is brilliant and the 2 times we have been we have used the best days site for our trip planning. However with 12 days I'd get a few more MK visits in there somehow But then the MK is my absolute favorite park!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We generally do MK first. We haven't had any problems with being disappointed in the other parks because there is so much to see and it is all different. Our kids love some of the other parks more than MK at times as well.

 

[Third times a charm]

I agree with WaltD4Me, I have to see the castle as soon as possible. Puts me right back to being a kid with my sister, mom and dad! We have not gone on that many trips, but its always been the MK first day and our last night. You know I have to say goodbye to Mickey, hes up there talking and waving at me.

 

[Soprano]

It seems to be a tradition to see MK on the first day of a vacation. Which is why Sat-Mon are its busiest days IIRC.

My very first trip to WDW, to the US in fact, was to DisneyMGM. Everything else seemed an anti-climax after Tower of Terror, but that's just because we were older. MGM holds a special place in my heart.

Taking our kids, we are doing MK first as we too have CRT res.

If you can park-hop, why not return to MK after a day at AK or MGM? Both of those can be done in less than a day and you can return to MK

 

[MareSINY]

If we didn't do MK first it wouldn't be like we were really at DW. LOL We head there as soon as we check in at the hotel. It IS my nieces favorite park, and we do spend more time there than any other park, but for us we also prefer MK, so we don't mind spending more time there than other parks.

 

[beattyfamily]

Another vote for MK first. Its our favorite park and makes us feel like we're really there!

The kids still enjoy the other parks too even though MK is all of our favorite.

What a great way to start their magical trip; at MK at a CRT breakfast in the Castle!!

 

[eleanor]

Mk first. Its not real until I see the castle.Why make the kids wait,they will like it all

 

[elan]

We might leave after lunch but we always see MK first every trip. We also like to end our trip there too. My kids still enjoy the other parks.

 

[Kevs mom]

We are doing MK first on our trip in April and I know it won't disappoint the kids because they are just as big of Disney freaks as I am and love ALL of the parks
I think you'll be fine going to MK first, have fun!

 

[AJKMOM]

I agree, go to MK the first day. Since you will be there so long, plan another day at the end. If you have park-hoppers, you can go back any day you want if the kids aren't enjoying the park you are in.

 

[MAGGIED]

Another vote for MK on day one. We won't be arriving until about 1pm and we still plan on MK that afternoon - there is nothing like that feeling you get walking onto Main St and looking at the castle... sets all the magic in motion.

 

[jtdl]

We too - we always spend two days at MK, so we always do MK the first day and the last day. I couldn't imagine not going to MK first - I don't think any of us would enjoy the other parks because we would be so anxious to go to MK! Like others have said - seeing that castle is finally being at WDW!

 

[dizagain]

Don't worry about it! I worried over the same thing on our first trip, and decided to go for it and do what I wanted...MK on the first day! Can't imagine doing it any other way! Gotta see that castle and get my goose bumps to feel like I'm really there! Your kids will love the other parks too for different reasons, but MK is the heart of it all! Have a great time!

 

[Mom to a Princess]

Okay, So I am obviously odd man out here. I save MK for last. My dd and I are going for a week in August and will spend our last three days in MK. Once my dd (4) sees MK there is no going to the other parks. I would say it all depends on the age and flexibility of your kids.

 

[Collette]

MK first, last and whenever I feel like it in between. I never feel like I'm really "there" until I've walked under the train station onto Main Street. It's a take your breath away, can't get that smile off my face, enchanting moment.

Plus you will be heading down Main Street for breakfast at the castle!! How great is that!!

If you are arriving before dinner the day before, go to Chef Mickey's for dinner. That was suggested to us for our first WDW trip and it really set the tone for a fantastic vacation.

Have fun, don't worry, go with your heart!

Collette