getting around magickingdom

[becky23]

My question is this-We will be at magic king. on Sunday,oct 5th. I know this is a EE day, but we are staying off site. So, if we get to the park at the opening (not ee) how crowded do you think Fantasyland will be? In other words shoud we try to start in a diff land?(we have dd4 and dd2)

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Since you cannot participate in the EE I strongly suggest you do NOT go to the Magic Kingdom on that day.
We have used EE on numerous occasions for Epcot and Studios and found that if you are there early (before the park opens) you can get to ride using stand-by and fast passes with little or no waiting.
However, as the morning goes on the crowds get bigger and bigger. This is when we leave and go to another park.

 

[sters]

Yes, start in Adventureland or Frontierland. Try Fantasyland during the parade.

 

[Steven Barrett]

becky23,

The Magic Kingdom will probably be crowded, everywhere. Saturdays have been traditionally crowded at the MK and especially now since Early Entry has returned on that day. If you're especially interested in Fantasyland, go there first and get a FASTPASS for a favorite attraction. Also pick up a Times Guide and consider getting in line early for a character meet and greet in Fantasyland, such as Ariel's Grotto. If the park is really crowded, go early for shows, such as Storytime with Belle (check your Times Guide for times). You can still have a great time, even with the crowds!

Steven Barrett, author of "The Hassle-Free Walt Disney World Vacation" and "Hidden Mickeys, A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets", both books published by The Intrepid Traveler Publishers

 

[KSgirl]

I agree, Becky23. If it would be possible to go another day, I would avoid MK on EE day. However, if you don't have another choice you do have options:

*Schedule a Character Breakfast (my suggestion would be Crystal Palace) for as early as possible. They begin at 8:05, I believe. While this won't get you in before the resort guests, it will get you in a little earlier than the off-site guests.
*Go to Fantasyland first and grab a Fast Pass for the attraction you want to see, and then ride a fast loading ride while you wait...like Small World, which usually doesn't have a long wait.
*When your Fast Pass window is open, grab your second Fast Pass BEFORE you ride your first Fast Pass (the ticket will tell you when you can get another Fast Pass). That way, you can be riding a ride while you are waiting for your second Fast Pass to become available.
*To pass the time waiting for your Fast Pass, you can also take in some shows, as Steve has suggested.
*When things get really crowded in Fantasyland, move on to Adventureland or Frontierland.
*Or, when things get really crowded everywhere, cut your losses and move to another park (if you have park hoppers).
*Parade time will probably have shorter wait times also, but with your young children, that might be right during nap time!

Hope this helps!

 

[becky23]

thanks for all your help and ideas. I think I will start in Adventure land instead of fantasy land. Oct 5 is also a MNSSHP night so whatever they do not see in the morning hopefully they can see at night. Changing the day Sunday is really not something I want to do because I have already made PS at the other parks. so shed goes Sun oct5 MK till 2p. go back to hotel and rest-haha;res at epcot garden grill at 5p-MNSSHP at 7p. mon-oct6 Animal] k PS at boma at 5p.horsedrawn carriage at 7:45p. Tues,oct7 epcot PS story bookprincess at 8:30AM, PS Cinderella's gala feast4:30p return for fireworks.Wed oct8th Seaworld.Oct9th-12th is disney cruise. DH says i have planned to much-I hope not..

 

[wdwrich]

When did the early entry day for MK change to Saturday? According to Deb Wills site (www.wdwig.com), the current schedule is as follows:
Sunday - Magic Kingdom
Monday - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Tuesday - Disney-MGM Studios
Wednesday - Epcot®
Thursday - Magic Kingdom
Friday - Disney's Animal Kingdom

 

[FFerret]

Becky--
I don't think you've overplanned one bit
Your schedule sounds great!

Sunday is the early entry day (not Sat)--but Sundays aren't supposed to be as crowded as Saturdays and Mondays (someone please correct me if I'm wrong)

We're doing Cinderella's breakfast there in the morning, and then getting back to the cabins around noon. We'll be there at MNSSHP too

I'm really hoping that since it's a MNSSHP day the park's going to stay on the slim side since people will be back there at night... (keeping fingers crossed)