First timer - Magic Kingdom first or last?

[blackpearl77]

We do it first and last!

 

[GillianP1301]

For first trip, I would definitely say MK first. I have always done MK both first and last and only this year, for the first time am I deviating from that and doing Epcot first on arrival day with MK on my first full day (still doing MK last). But that is after several visits and I honestly can't imagine not doing MK first on a first trip.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I go by the crowd calendar on easyWDW to go by which park I focus on each day.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Neither. I try to structure my schedule - more or less around low crowds. As others have kind of said, seeing MK on a super busy day doesn't make for the ideal.

The second thing I learned when planning for a first timer is listen to your friend! I don't know your friend, but if she's all about MK, nothing else will much interest her until she sees it. In which case, hoppers might be great. I'd also say this is a BIG fault of the Brave New WDW- it locks guests into plans- which bites for situations like yours.

Ignore crowd predictions! MK is generally worst on Saturdays. It is great on Sundays. It is also great after dark during warm months. In your case, hopping might really make sense. (if remotely in your budget) I highly suggest doing MK after dark. Ideally, you should be in the parks early (without making anyone miserable), take an afternoon break - and use as many NIGHT hours as you an manage. (SEE BELOW)

You friend doesn't know the highlights of the parks, to her- things you may think are less exciting- will be very exciting, because they are NEW. Her needs trump all else! encourage according to your experience, but don't force anything. Explaining FP time windows (again, I miss the flexibility of the past, when being a little late was okay), BUT keep most your time as flexible as possible.

Try to allow discovery and to appreciate the things that catch HER attention.

That said I've also learned, with a first timer, you can explain the importance of zigging when the crowd zags- but you can't force it. They won't know until they see. Your newbie won't miss the thrill rides, she will be miserable if you impose rope drop on a night owl/1am park touring on a morning person. You can advise quality walking shoes- but if she ignores you, you'll just have to break when her feet get sore. I'd suggest avoiding any line over 45minutes - rather than focusing on trying to see every e-ride.

I'd suggest no more than ONE ADR, ideally AT your home resort to allow maximum flexibility. Unless of course, fun dining is her focus.

One trip we took a newbie on a very slow week- just before a holiday. He simply could not fathom the purpose of all the railings. The end of our trip was the start of a holiday week. Suddenly the parks were jammed- and he understood! Still, he was also dumb. He didn't bring long pants and was miserably cold. (Until we bought him a blanket.)

Another trip, my newbies wanted to swim. I took them to MK. They didn't appreciate anything, until AFTER they went swimming. It was only AFTER swimming- that they saw anything else.

One more newbie could not go with the flow at all. She's an alpha, and just isn't happy unless she's calling all the shots. She was happiest staying at the hotel alone all day!

 

[BrerRabbit1114]

I think it all depends on what days you'll be in Disney World. I would save the Magic Kingdom for last, unless you can get extra magical hours on the first 2 days. Then i'd take advantage of the park possibly staying open late, to maximize your time there!

 

[Terra Nova guy]

OP, are you getting hopper passes? If your friend is most interested in MK, then I think seeing it first is a must (it's what I like to do as well). However, as mentioned by PPs, a crowded day can make for a less magical experience. Perhaps go to MK your first morning around rope drop when crowds are lower, then hop to another recommended park for that day.

 

[jamieann]

We aren't getting hoppers. 1 park per day.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

Have you checked any planning sites like easywdw.com? That might help you decide which days for which parks. It's a fairly "practical" way of deciding taking into consideration which park is likely to be the most uncrowded each day so you can get more done.

I agree with this post. The last thing you want is to be in MK when it's packed. I used to HAVE to go to MK first and last each trip. Unfortunately we always arrive and leave on Saturdays which typically are very crowded MK days. Now I use easywdw and follow his guidelines regardless of which day I end up where.

 

[Crystal824]

Ok, so while I would normally say do MK first, you are only there for 3 days. We always do MK first, but we almost always go for at least 5-10 days. We do MK the first day (which is generally a partial day). Then we follow the crowd calendars for all other days except the last (we do MK then too). Since you are there for such a short time, I would recommend the crowd calendars.

 

[DonaldDuck77]

With a first timer, it wouldn't be bad to just go to MK all 3 days.

 

[BrianL]

First. Make it to MK Welcome Show if you can. It will set the tone for the entire trip. If you want to end on a high note, Illuminations or Fantasmic! make great closers too!

 

[lroger01]

For all first timers, I suggest going to MK on arrival day! Go for whatever time you have and just enjoy being there. Let the newbie gawk at the monorail and castle, make your 3 FP+ rides ones that Disney does like no one else, and go with the flow. It's well worth about $30 more to not have to rush to attractions at rope drop! With this plan you can do your full MK day on whatever day works best for crowds.

If you can't add a day, then I'm with the others that suggest following the EasyWDW crowd calendar AND touring plans.

Keep in mind your friends favorite park might likely be whatever park is first. On that day you'll have full energy and fresh feet. At your last park you'll wear out sooner and get foot sore quicker possibly tarnishing the memories of that day.

 

[jrsharp21]

Add a day, and make it first and last! ​

This is what I do. I leave in 6 days for a work trip at WDW and get to go to the parks each day. I usually get to make this trip every other year. I always do the same and start with MK on the Sunday I arrive and end with the MK on my last night (Wednesday). I skip out on AK to do the MK twice instead.

 

[verleniahall]

i would go with 1 more day and begin AND end with MK - just my opinion though

 

[Shmily01]

I'm with the other posters who say you should check to see what recommendations that Josh has at EasyWDW.com. But, if you do decide to go to MK on a non-recommended day, make sure to get there early and get as much done in the morning that you can. It will get soooo much more crowded as the day goes along. I hope she has a magical first visit!!!

 

[dobtia]

We are making our 10th trip this June and I am not ashamed to say that we have never don MK on the 1st day ever....there I said it...LOL. Disney such a good a job to me that you can get that Disney feel all over. You can get that magic feel just by driving under the sign.

Like so many others have said talk to your friend and figure out what works best for you in "predicted" crowd levels. You really want to find a way for your friend to have such a good time.

Now having said that.....we always always always finish with MK. That is a must for us. But we are also there for a week normally so that makes it easy to hit MK twice.

 

[L&Lfan]

We always save the MK until after we've visited AK, DHS and Epcot. Then we go back to whichever park and redo our favorites. We usually ene up spending at least 2-3 whole days in the MK.

 

[ParkHoppers]

We aren't getting hoppers. 1 park per day.

Let me ask you this. Are you able to do rope drop at MK on day one? What time are you arriving at DW. If your first day is the shortest one maybe don,t do MK first. If rope drop is an option your friend can enjoy the first hours in Disney at MK without much crowd problems.plus the rope drop ceremony is great for a person new to Disney.