Help a Newbie plan a special day!

[Lees75]

I have been waiting eagerly for the Oct hours to come out. My daughter will be turning 8 on Oct 4. I was hoping to spend the day in MK and have a meal at CRT, but according to easy WDW, MK will be the worst park for the day, with HS being the only one recommended.

My options that I can see are:
1. Go to MK for the day anyway, as it will probably be our second day there.
2. Go to HS for the day, but EasyWDW doesn't think Fantasmic will be on due to the ToT 10-miler (even though Fantasmic is currently listed in the hours). We could park hop to MK for dinner at CRT and then the parade and Wishes, but is that a lot of travelling? This would mean we would have to find another night to park hop back to HS for Fantasmic.
3. Water-park day followed by MK for dinner at CRT, parade and Wishes.

I am leaning towards Option 1 or 3.

Overall, we will have 7 full days, so I was planning on 2 days in MK, 1 day in HS and AK, 1 full day in Epcot, plus an evening after a Waterpark, plus a Down-town Disney evening after the other Waterpark. (We love waterparks so want to do both).

Any other suggestion for making the most of Oct 4? Given the international travel involved, this is likely to be our one and only trip to WDW.

 

[ajwolfe]

I would choose #1 and go to MK anyways. Unless it's a super busy time of year I wouldn't pay a ton of attention to the recommended days for each park. And since you will have 2 days in MK anyways, it's not like you have to try to cram in everything in that one day.

 

[jiminykrikkit]

I really like option 3 for the water park loving 8 year old. How fun!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I like option 3 if she loves the water parks. I think that sounds super fun.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

I'd go with #3 as well. Just make sure you give yourselves enough time after leaving the water park to change and travel before your CRT ADR.

One thing I'd throw out about MK that day is that, not only is it the least recommended park that day, it's a Saturday AND the only day from Thursday to Sunday that isn't a MNSSHP day. Lots of people will avoid the MNSSHP days because the hours are shortened and will head there on Saturday because of the longer hours and parade/Wishes. No way we would be going there that day......but everyone's tolerance of crowds and lines is different.

Good luck with your planning....I'm sure your daughter is going to love it!

 

[Tramp68]

Stick with your first choice. the crowds won't be significantly different to warrant changing.

 

[Lees75]

Thanks everyone! I think I will present her with options 1 and 3 and try and persuade her towards option 3. I think with a bit of help from her older brother I might manage to persuade her, as both my kids are water babies

If I do go with Option 3, am I right in thinking I could use our FP+ for the day on the MSEP and then Wishes? They are on at 9pm and then 10pm that day.

We won't be doing RD the next morning, I don't think!

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I went to MK on a Sat once and forgot ONCE how bad Saturdays are there. I can assure you I will never make that mistake again. The water park plan sounds good. You would have three FP for later in the day at MK and that may be enough with your reservation and Wishes.

 

[agavegirl1]

I also vote for the waterpark followed by MK (option 3). While EasyWDW has all parks listed as a "6", MK on a Saturday will likely be the most crowded park of the four. You can certainly FP+ some favorites and have a lovely CP birthday dinner. End your day with Wishes. I think it will be a wonderful birthday memory.

 

[Lees75]

Thanks again, everyone

I just picked up my daughter from school and told her that MK is predicted to be really busy on her birthday, but I had another idea. Her response? "Let's go to a Waterpark instead, Mum!" When I told her that was the plan, followed by dinner at CRT and then a parade and fireworks, she said it sounded like the best birthday ever!