Do you have a park order?

[oblori]

As a recovering perfectionist myself, I have found that the best experiences are often the ones I didn't plan. It's good to have a framework for what you'd like to do, but then try to ease up and go with the flow.

Recovering perfectionist - I like that! I blame the Virgo in me for being like this

 

[mickeymom22]

I usually decide our days based on EMH and crowd levels. For the most part on our longer visits, we always seem to go to AK first. I don't know why, but it just works out that way.

I don't know how old your kids are, but I had some friends who took their four year old twins for their first visit and they went to MK first. The next day they had planned to go to Epcot, but the entire time they were there they cried and begged to go to "Disney World!" They had to go back to Magic Kingdom because they were so miserable!

My kids loved all the parks so we never had a problem about going park to park. I know you are going to have a great time!

...and don't worry about the obsessing planning...we all can relate!

 

[lindsayjs]

MK first always. There's nothing more "I'm at Disney World!" Than strolling up Main St and seeing the castle. Makes a great starting place every time for us.

 

[uccats97]

But since the party is at 7, maybe do a half day at studios or AK or a pool day at your resort, then make your way to MK around 5- 5:30. You'll be there in plenty of time for MNSSHP.

Just know they admit people to MNSSHP beginning at 4pm even though the party starts at 7pm.

 

[bryanb]

I don't need to go into the parks in any order, but it's almost always Epcot first because I like to stay in Epcot area resorts. In that case, it might even be Epcot in the morning, some other park, and then walk through Epcot again for an adult beverage or snack before heading back up to the room.

On my next trip, I'll be staying at Pop Century for an ESPN WWOS Event, so I guess I'll be spending my days there, and heading out the theme parks in the evening. The order will entirely depend on convenience. Water parks on day one after registration. Then randomly

I've heard some parents say they'll take their children to EPCOT first, then DHS or Animal Kingdom, and end on Magic Kingdom. The reason for this is to put them in order of increasing fun (for the kids). It's harder to go do the "educational" part of Epcot after they've been to fantasyland... apparently I'm told.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I usually always go to Animal Kingdom first since it is my favorite park at WDW. I grew up close to Disneyland, so seeing the castle in the first park I go to isn't necessarily important to me. I know a lot of people prefer MK being their first park over any of the others for that reason, and the reasoning makes sense. I'm a huge Lion King fan, so I enjoy seeing Festival of the Lion King first more than anything since it is my favorite Disney theme park show. If I don't go to AK first, then EPCOT is usually my first park since I could usually spend several days there. Whatever I want to accomplish on any given trip usually decides what park I go to first.

 

[fla4fun]

No, I don't do them in a particular order. It depends on a lot of factors, such as whether there is something special going on that I want to attend/avoid. I usually don't book FP+ in advance for my first full day, so I can be a little spontaneous, but my trips are generally long enough for at least two days at each park and a few left over.

For a first timer, I would focus on getting the FP+ and ADRs you want, and then plan accordingly. Sometimes being able to get either one can be a determining factor when it comes to which park which day.

 

[Accident]

For many/most, seeing that castle as you turn the corner is finally making it to WDW. Do MK the first day and get it out of your system. Don't try to do MNSSHP and MK itself the same night, there isn't that much time, it's usually very crowded and you just don't have the time to enjoy MNSSHP and hte park in the same run.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I begin and end at MK. Usually MK, then Epcot, HS and AK. Depending on days, we go back to Epcot and end at MK, plus hopping back to HS (for Palooza, shows, or more rides on TSMM).

 

[richmo]

I/we don't have a specific order. Usually I'll take a look at free crowd calendars (easyWdw and/or touring plans) to get an idea of which parks are going to be the most/least crowded and work from there.

One thing I usually do, though, is have Epcot as the last park I leave. The reason for this is that I usually have a car and I've found that the time from park to car to airport is the most predictable from there. MK obviously is the least predictable from that standpoint due to having to pick up a ferry or monorail and perhaps tram to get back to the car.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

Our scheduled days depend on EMH days since we normally avoid those. I try to make MK first, but it's not a have to for us. For some reason we have always done one of our Epcot days on a Wednesday and it's weird for me to even try to plan it another way. MK has to be the last full day for us-I have to say "until next time" to Mickey and the Castle-silly I know.

 

[disneyvoice]

We always go to Epcot first because it is our favorite park. We typically take a early morning flight so we are able to land, check into the resort (or store our luggage if our room isn't ready) and then head to Epcot right around 11:00 when World Showcase opens.

 

[Kriii]

MK is always first. It does not feel like WDW unless you visit the castle first! Have a general plan, but keep it a bit loose. There isn't a perfect holiday. Enjoy the trip!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We always start and end in MK. I also like to do Epcot on day 2 and the day before our last day. We do RD, midday breaks by the pool and PM park with FP+ so our order goes by EMH schedules.

 

[maalca23]

Sorry, what is MNSSHP?

 

[Miss Frankie J]

I also plan around EMH since I don't stay on-site regularly. But my top faves are MK and Epcot. The past few trips we have gone to MK first as we have the most energy at the beginning of the trip so we get the most done. We got so much done the first half day and during mnsshp we skipped the last day to avoid crowds and we were pretty tired.

Honestly you can do an MK day and a MNSSHP back to back. During the party is so different and the parades and trick or treating is so much fun too.

 

[DoulaMel]

I actually totally understand this and am trying to figure out the best way to make the most of our times in the parks and include the party.... I am such a newbie to this type of planning, that I am frustrated with early hours, late hours, extra events we can do and deciding which place, which day and which time. The struggle is real.

 

[richmo]

Sorry, what is MNSSHP?

MNSSHP = Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

 

[oblori]

I actually totally understand this and am trying to figure out the best way to make the most of our times in the parks and include the party.... I am such a newbie to this type of planning, that I am frustrated with early hours, late hours, extra events we can do and deciding which place, which day and which time. The struggle is real.

Amen, sista

 

[bigbabyblues]

No order, although we never do MK on Saturday or Monday. Our plan usually looks similar to: Saturday DHS, Sunday AK, Monday Epcot, Tuesday MK, Wednesday DHS, Thursday MK, Friday Epcot. When we have more than 7 days, sometimes it repeats, sometimes we go where we still need to do things. We don't always arrive on the same day of the week, but we prefer to arrive on a Friday and stay through the following Sunday. If they change EMH days, we change to avoid them.