Epcot or Magic Kingdom ... I'm confused

[Lady_Sarah]

I'm trying to decide which of these parks to do for our first park day. I'm getting lots of conflicting information and could use some help deciding.

Tally So Far:
Epcot: 3
Magic Kingdom: 9

Basic info: The day we are trying to decide on is September 1st. We have a lunch reservation at Chef Mickeys. We plan on arriving at either park for rope drop. This is our first park day, and the very first park experience for everyone in my family but myself. There are 4 or us, Myself, DH, DS 15, and DD3. We are there for 8 nights and have both parks planned for later in the week.

Ok heres the conflicting info:

Reasons for Epcot:
-Epcot is generally listed as the least crowded park on Mondays and MK as one of the worst. -Although not necessarily true, some say to do Epcot first and MK later with kids.
-Morning EMH hours are scheduled for Epcot the next day (Tuesday).
-Since this is Labor Day, a lot of locals may be at MK

Reasons for Magic Kingdom:
- Our CM reservation is easier to get to from this park
- August 31st has EMH evening hours until 3am, so it seems logical that most will go the night before and sleep in and avoid MK park this day rather than getting up for rope drop.
- We already are planning on going to Epcot our second day (Sept. 2nd) and two days at same park in a row MAY be a bit much.
- Seems like there would be more kid rides here than at Epcot

So there's my logic and reasons for each.

Any input would be great on which park you would do. Thanks!

 

[WDWguru]

Generally, the park that has an evening EMH the night before is a good one to go to the next morning. The only thing that may work against you this particular day with MK is that it is Labor Day. While this is one of the least crowded holidays at WDW, it is still a holiday and you will get a lot of locals. We've been Labor Day weekend before and it's really not that bad. I have found that any time of year if you're getting to the park when it opens, you will generally get a ton done before the bulk of the crowds arrive at 11. I'd stick with MK on the 1st and Epcot the next day. If it gets too busy, you can always go to the resort for a break or a swim, or hop to another park if you have hoppers.

 

[Lady_Sarah]

Decisions, Decisions..

 

[wdwrich]

I'd go with MK just for the convenience of traveling to/from your CM ADR. Going to EPCOT would mean more park time lost due to travel.

From MK to CR I would take the monorail as it's only one stop.
From CR back to MK, you can walk or take the resort monorail. The monorail might take longer because it makes the entire loop (CR, TTC, Poly and GF) before getting you back to MK.

 

[autumnpalm]

xx

 

[TinkerCarol]

My family always goes to the Magic Kingdom 1st just because it is the Magicc Kingdom! Seeing the castle for the first time for someone going their first time is awsome. Maybe ask the rest of your party what they want to see first. I believe you really know in your heart what to do! Then run with it. I worried so much ahead of time going this 4th of July - FOR NOTHING! Everything happened in it's own very magical way and was perfect. However, everyone in my family has a must see Magic Kingdom 1st frame of mind. Good luck and have a Magical vacation!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Just a reminder - posting the protected information of any subscription service here on the DIS... is not allowed.

Thanks,

Knox

 

[LuvTigger]

Ditto what TinkerCarol said. I am normally like you, trying to logically figure out where to go when. But when it comes to the first day, esp. for people who have never been, all logic goes out the window, and it's definitely MK! Can't beat looking at the Castle for the first time!

 

[SurfinTX]

I'm going with MK. The monorail trip. Walking through Main Street and seeing the castle. That's how we always started our trip. We managed most of Adventureland and Frontier before getting settled at our rooms. Just a short hop to the Contemporary. Gotta go with MK.

 

[bubba73]

Honestly, I would go to any other park other than MK on Monday. Everyone is there on Monday's so it is soooo crowded that it makes the visit miserable. The last time I did go on a Monday, I was very thankful to have the Park Hopper option on my tickets. We stayed for about an hour and then took the monorail to EPCOT. Everything in MK had 2+ hour waits. EPCOT was very opened and nothing had more than a 30 minute wait. JMO

 

[Maxie86]

Definately go to the MK. Be there at rope drop, you will get a lot done before it gets crowded. You will not have much time to do anything in Epcot before you have to leave for your ADR. Sorry, if you want TGM's advice you will have to subscribe. TGMers will not give up his secrets. On the touring plans website, the least crowded days are listed for free for 30 days, if you want further out you will have to subscribe.

 

[canron]

magic kingdom ...early

 

[d1gitman]

MK is my vote. For us, every trip to WDW starts with MK and ends with MK. To us MK is the crown jewel of WDW. Especially since it is a first time for your group, i would say there is nothing better for a first impression than to walk down Main St. and see that glorius castle strait ahead. JMHO.

 

[skier_pete]

From a park crowd view..you should probably go to Epcot...but because it is your first day and you have the CM reservation AND you are spending the next day at Epcot...I vote for MK too....get there early spend the time until CM lunch ressie, then take a break from the afternoon heat and go back in the evening...no need to push yourselves. (I take it you don't have park hoppers...no argument here we never buy them.)

Remember, and enen UnGuide recommends this....having a good touring plan is better than worrying about the crowd days.

SkierPete

 

[troynkasey]

In general, my experiences are that EPCOT is the better option on a Monday. Now, Labor day may throw a kink into that logic, but I doubt it. On the contrary...we do usually visit the MK the first day because my daughter is so stoked to go see the castle, thats all she talks about until we get there. I have read many places that most visitors come to DW for a week (Monday-Friday or Saturday) and visit MK on the first day they're there.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Well be there at the same time and I have planned to go to Epcot on Labor Day Monday. We were there last year and went to the Studios late on Labor Day and it was pretty crowded but they were having EMH.

 

[Lady_Sarah]

Just a reminder - posting the protected information of any subscription service here on the DIS... is not allowed.

Thanks,

Knox

Oops, so sorry. Didn't mean to get anyone in trouble.

Thanks to everyone for your input so far.

 

[stepdisney]

We went during this time last year and it wasn't crowded at all. While it was a bit more crowded before labor day, the day after it was walk on. When I say a bit more crowded, I mean 20 minute waits instead of walk on. Don't know if this will ring true this year but a lot of people are back to school during this time.

 

[DisneyDadof3]

Since this is the first visit by the other members of your family, I think it's a no brainer to go to MK first! As you have already stated, you're already planning Epcot the next day and you have reservations at Chef Mickey's which is easier to access from MK. We have typically gone to MK on Mondays (as Sunday is an evening EMH usually there). The crowds have been ok even with us usually going Easter and Christmas Weeks.