Do you have a park you have to hit first?

[DisneyHardin]

For several years we started at MK because it was "Disney" to me, but we don't really care for the TS restaurants at MK and since we didn't get there until early afternoon, we didn't want to leave the park for dinner. So, the last few years we started with Epcot and then stayed in the park for dinner. I do like to always end with MK.

 

[BrianL]

It has to be the MK Welcome Show to kick off any trip. It's so great!

 

[disneylove16]

I always have to do MK first, and Epcot on the second day. After that, it's whatever works best with our touring schedule. But those 2 are non-negotiable for us!

 

[Catvondita]

For me it has always been the Magic Kingdom Sandwich. We start our trip off there and end it there. Perhaps if there is ever a time we can afford to go multiple times a year it may change because we are there so often it doesn't matter as much but for now once a year it makes it more special.

 

[Christie Burnett]

We like to go to MK first and then follow the crowd calendar for the rest

 

[PSUGuy]

With rare exceptions we always stay at Board Walk, landing at MCO around 9 am or so, sooo.. our goal is to hit WS at 11 am or as close to that as possible, going straight to the 'ride' shown below.

Bill From PA

 

[VACamm]

We generally have a Crystal Palace dinner ADR for each trips FIRST dinner. Its tradition. Watching Wishes on our first night is a special way to begin our vacation each year.

 

[Willow1213]

We always start with MK on our arrival day. We drive down, and can usually be in the park by 3pm. We take it easy on Day 1 and just enjoy the park, get a QS dinner and watch the nighttime shows.

 

[SadieDawn90]

Always always always MK. The magic of walking in and being on Main Street, that first view of the castle. It's the only way to start a trip for me

 

[Pigletpal40]

My oldest is now 15. Ever since he has been able to speak, we had to go to MK and start with Buzz. We still start our trips with MK and Buzz.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

We go every year for Christmas. We've done Christmas Eve dinner at EPCOT once before, but now we just arrive on 12/24 and relax, then eat at a resort.

We need to do Magic Kingdom on Christmas. There's something about the magic, nostalgia and everything coming together on Christmas morning that really feels "right" and special.

Nothing beats making the turn up Main Street and seeing the castle for the first time. As an older family, that's our version of running down the stairs and seeing the tree full of presents for the first time Christmas morning.

 

[Winniebell10]

I do MK and then MK then MK then the other 3 parks in one day then MK then MK

can you tell what park I like the best?

I'm right there with you!

 

[Winniebell10]

We are those people who start and finish with Magic Kingdom. We never do a park on arrival day, we always go to Downtown Disney and eat at T-Rex, but then the next day, we're at the Magic Kingdom!

We usually do Downtown Disney on arrival day too. And T-Rex is a long time favorite of our boys.

 

[Winniebell10]

For several years we started at MK because it was "Disney" to me, but we don't really care for the TS restaurants at MK and since we didn't get there until early afternoon, we didn't want to leave the park for dinner. So, the last few years we started with Epcot and then stayed in the park for dinner. I do like to always end with MK.

That's always been my thinking, because MK feels the most Disney. Like we have arrived. Funny you mentioned dining......this trip that I'm planning for December, dining is coming more into play than our past vacations. Our boys are 10 & 13, and our WDW trips have definitely changed since they were little. We can now incorporate dining into the fun a bit more. That's what I'm thinking about as I'm planning and it seems to be changing up what I'm used to. I agree with you about MK TS. We're wanting to try a few new ones to us this year in HS and Epcot.

 

[Winniebell10]

My oldest is now 15. Ever since he has been able to speak, we had to go to MK and start with Buzz. We still start our trips with MK and Buzz.

Love it! Our oldest will be turning 14 on this trip. We love Buzz!

 

[Winniebell10]

For years we have always started our trip with Epcot on our arrival day, with dinner at Garden Grill. We've been doing Epcot first since I was a kid, that it became a tradition. Staying at BC this year, we'll be starting and ending our trip at Epcot. We always do MK on our first full day. There is something special about getting that first nights sleep, and that first official early wake up in Disney, and starting the day at MK rope drop. Wouldn't do it any other way!

Cool to hear your Garden Grill tradition. It is one i want to book for December. We've actually never been. I think it may be one of the only character meals we've not been to. Glad to know it's a good one!

 

[maltdizzy]

We try and finish at MK to get in some of the nostalgic rides (HM, POTC, Peter Pan, etc.) before we leave.

Growing up MK *was* WDW to me, but after living so close to DL out west for so long, MK has lost some of its luster (so many more ides and better versions at DL). Now we view WDW more as the overall resort and hit whatever park fits into our schedule first.

 

[Winniebell10]

We actually do it a little different and attempt to avoid MK (but will jump in depending on time)..

Before we moved here, it was more what do we need to do early on before they close it down. we've been traveling when many favorites are about to refurb or go away so we start with that attraction so we have room to circle back and enjoy it again..

When it's not about a specific attraction, it's about a good we're back table service dinner. We do mostly lower cost meals the whole trip so we save up the big heavy table services for when we're a little tired, sore and ready for it. We love starting at 50's prime time. You get that atmosphere that is very disney with at home favorite food that really hits the spot like we made it.. Almost like traveling a distance to see grandma and that first meal that says you made it.. Also with the stuff going on with construction, it fits us well as there is only really 2-3 ride and the fireworks we want to also see there. It's a wonderful way to spend the afternoon and evening of your travel day..

We also try to avoid MK the first day or two if possible. Other parks just feel like disney gave up when we do them after mk.

Funny, you mentioned 50's prime time. That's what has me wanting to switch up our usual MK start. We really want to eat there, and like you mentioned, HS isn't a full park day for sure. Would love to go on day we arrive......except that may be too late. 10 year old is wanting to do Jedi training, so I guess we'd need to RD it. And then do lunch at 50's.

 

[CounselorX]

Animal Kingdom is our favorite park, but we have to go to MK on our arrival day just because it's that classic Disney feel and it's a great way to kick off the vacation. Space Mountain is always our first ride. Our last park day is also MK, followed by 1 and a half rest days before our departure. This next trip we'll be hitting MK 3 days, AK 3 days, HS 2 days and EPCOT 2 days, with 5 rest days thrown in the mix

 

[ajwolfe]

We always start our trips with MK...We try to end with MK to but this trip our last day is the opening of the night time activities at AK so we are ending with all that craziness..