Epcot or Ak first day?

[kkevcamsmom]

We are going to be at WDW in January and I am starting to plan our days. I think, if flights go as planned, we should be landing at MCO sometime around 2:30 - 3:00 pm. Not sure how long it will take with ME to get to the ASMU. DH would like to hit AK but I think in Jan it closes by 5 or 6 pm. I would rather hit Epcot since it's open the latest. I also want to make ADR's for somewhere in Epcot. Any good recommendations?


So which would you rather do??? A tiny bit of time in AK or Epcot?

TIA

Lori

 

[720L]

I'd go to EPCOT since it has better food places and is open later.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

If you think you'll be tired after the plane ride (some people are like that) then do AK, so you can get to bed early and rest up for the next day. But if you want to stay out late, then do Epcot.

 

[Illuminations06]

I would choose EPCOT because you will have more time there that day, plus you can stay for Illuminations. As for a DR, I would recommend Restaurant Marrakesh in Morocco. They have excellent food and atmosphere

 

[wdwobsessed]

I would hit EPCOT since it is open late. If you are not hitting MCO until 3:00ish then don't plan on getting to the resort until 4:00 and AK will close at 5 or 6 ... unless it's a EMH day and staying open until 8:00. Even if it is ... it gets dark in winter. I'd rather be in AK when it's light out!

Hit EPCOT and enjoy Illuminations!

WDWO

 

[rlovew]

If you are arriving between 2:30 and 3 at the airport you won't get to the hotel until about 4, then as that is a prime check in time you will need to allow for 1/2-1 hour for check in and then 20 mins to travel to a park. That means you probably won't arrive at a park until between 5 and 5:30. There would be no point in going to AK. If you want to go to a park that night go to EPCOT, unless you want to go to a park that has EMH that evening. If you are there during the Pirates and Princesses Party Time and there is one that night you could attend that.

 

[Brooknwdw]

Hi ~

If your plane lands around 3:00, & AK closes at 5:00..it'll be closed by the time you get to the resort via ME, get checked in, & take the bus to AK.

I think between the two parks, Epcot is your only option. Plus, as previously posted you can enjoy an awesome meal in WS..watch illuminations...or do Soarin...a great first night!!

 

[lovindonald]

Definitely Epcot. However, I am not a huge fan of AK and they close so early, by the time you get there, they will be closing.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I agree with rlovew. I don't think you'll make it to AK at all. Last December, our plane landed at MCO around 3pm. We didn't make it to EPCOT until almost 7pm. We did eat at POP's dining before we left, so figure that took an extra 45 minutes.

I would suggest you plan on going to EPCOT your first night (my kids love going there our first night). Don't plan on a TS meal, but rather a CS meal. That way, you can walk around WS and see a few countries your first night. And since you're going during a slow time, you can wait until the last minute to find a spot for Illuminations. I recommended a CS meal just because it's the first night at WDW and sometimes the kids don't like to sit in a restaurant while there's the whole park to explore.

We always like to get the Chinese food from Lotus Cafe (or whatever it's called). They have a kids' meal that's fried rice & egg roll (and I think a drink comes with it).

HTH

Mary

 

[cinderkelli]

I totally say Epcot too. Not sure if you want to go somewhere nice or casual for dinner, but for a nice, good dinner...Le Cellier is the best.