How crazy do you think this idea is?

[JennaDeeDooDah]

IMHO, I'd do MK.

Here's why: what a great surprise for your daughter! She's not expecting it at all, knows not to ask for it, and you're going to be right there, so only you know how excited she would be if you decided to take a quick tour on the monorail, and then get off at MK and go ride the rides she can't stop talking about! It's like a miniature surprise trip, and I'd bet it would be a trip she wouldn't stop talking about for a long, long time - "Remember when we rode Splash Mountain for the first time?" "Remember when you surprised me?" "Remember when we went to MK and I didn't even KNOW?"

Now, if she's not the type to like surprises, YMMV. But if she'd be psyched to suddenly be hanging out with Brer Rabbit, I'd go for it!

That being said, lightning could ruin the plan, but if you stay in the park it's almost certain the lightning would stop and you could ride what you wanted with less crowds. I've ridden many a turn at BTMRR or other outdoors rides that were rainy. You'll be able to get FP+ for Splash day-of, I'm sure!

That's a nice idea. I smiled reading your first paragraph. I agree with you about the lightening, as well. It won't last all day, no doubt. But, if it is going to go on for an hour, I'd rather spend that hour at MK riding rides that aren't shut down than hanging out at TL not doing anything.

I'm loving the responses saying that we should be able to get a Splash FP+ day-of. That was my concern. We can hurry and do Splash or 7DMT first thing, but not both. Knowing I can get a pass for one makes me feel better.

 

[Nan P]

I personally would squeeze in a day for MK, rain or shine. That child was just waiting to grow those few inches and is sooo into Splash Mountain that I could't be in WDW and not take her to MK. Since you will be going back to WDW January (or April) you may want to check out the no expiration multi day. One day for now, the rest for later vacations and should be a good value.

 

[ruthies12]

I agree with op about checking out the non-expire ticket costs since you know you will be going back, may work out to make the mk day not too bad of a price.

 

[ZehnJahren]

That's a nice idea. I smiled reading your first paragraph. I agree with you about the lightening, as well. It won't last all day, no doubt. But, if it is going to go on for an hour, I'd rather spend that hour at MK riding rides that aren't shut down than hanging out at TL not doing anything.

I'm loving the responses saying that we should be able to get a Splash FP+ day-of. That was my concern. We can hurry and do Splash or 7DMT first thing, but not both. Knowing I can get a pass for one makes me feel better.

If you just bite the bullet and buy the MK tickets NOW, you can get FP+ earlier..... Just sayin'!

 

[PlainJane]

I'm worried about the lightening. I have no issue with rain, either, and I enjoy swimming in the rain so I can definitely see what you are saying about Typhoon Lagoon being fun in the rain. I just don't want to waste money on a ticket for there to then be a thunderstorm that closes the rides, you know? At least at Magic Kingdom there would be some rides we could still do. Although, ironically, the same weather that would make us choose MK over Typhoon Lagoon - lightening - would likely shut down the two rides that are making us consider Magic Kingdom. We love the idea of Typhoon Lagoon as neither my husband no I have been there before. But, if there is lightening that ends up closing stuff for an hour or two, I think we would regret not having spent that money on a MK ticket where we could have gone on rides. We are kind of crazy in that we enjoy Magic Kingdom on rainy days, so we aren't concerned about that aspect of it.

Yeah, the lighting normally passes quickly, half hour or so, but there's no way to know that ahead of time. I can understand the dilemma. You're right, during a thunderstorm, there are still things to do at the MK, unlike TL.

I also wanted to add, I have been on multiple Disney World trips where we did not step foot in a main theme park or we only did so for one day. Sometimes we'd go once because we had one day left on a non-expiring ticket (when all tickets where non-expiring), had admission to a party, or went for one of those extended hour nights they used to have (can't recall what they're called).

Disney has a lot to offer outside of their 4 main theme parks. I think it will also be easier knowing you're coming back, and not that long from now.

I hope you enjoy your day no matter the weather or which park you pick!

 

[Amirah95]

The first line of your post knocked me out of my chair when I read the words "park free".

 

[Travelgrrl]

I'm not understanding the worry about rain - does your MK surprise day have to be on a particular day? You're going for several days, why not pick the sunniest to surprise her with MK and save a rainier day for touring resorts, etc.

I think you should do it (though the frugalist in me would want to maximize my ticket value by buying a multiple day ticket)!

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

Last year we did an 11 night trip at Music with only 3 parks with a left over non-expiry ticket. We had a blast visiting other resorts, Ft. Wilderness, dtd etc. If you buy a 1 day ticket to a park consider adding on the waterpark feature. I believe that you would get 2 entries (perhaps someone can verify this) for a small additional cost.

 

[amym2]

I was one of those who used to say, "Why go to Disney if you're not doing the theme parks?"... and then we actually did it and loved it. We did do Legoland and TL but also had plenty of time to explore other activities at WDW. I was afraid the kids would be disappointed, but they agreed it was one of our best vacations ever. I would stick with your original plans. Is there a reason you have to do TL that certain day? Maybe you could change your ADRs around to make a different day work? I agree that 70% chance of rain doesn't necessarily mean all day rain. Unless they are predicting severe storms or a hurricane, I'd stick with TL.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'm not understanding the worry about rain - does your MK surprise day have to be on a particular day? You're going for several days, why not pick the sunniest to surprise her with MK and save a rainier day for touring resorts, etc.

I think you should do it (though the frugalist in me would want to maximize my ticket value by buying a multiple day ticket)!

The only reason we are considering Magic Kingdom is if there is thunder and lightening on our Typhoon Lagoon day. Rain doesn't bother us and lightening won't affect any of the other activities we have planned. We intend for this to be a parks-free vacation, but if lightening happens to occur on our Typhoon Lagoon day, we are considering going to Magic Kingdom instead, since, even though some rides will be closed due to weather, many others will still be in operation.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I was one of those who used to say, "Why go to Disney if you're not doing the theme parks?"... and then we actually did it and loved it. We did do Legoland and TL but also had plenty of time to explore other activities at WDW. I was afraid the kids would be disappointed, but they agreed it was one of our best vacations ever. I would stick with your original plans. Is there a reason you have to do TL that certain day? Maybe you could change your ADRs around to make a different day work? I agree that 70% chance of rain doesn't necessarily mean all day rain. Unless they are predicting severe storms or a hurricane, I'd stick with TL.

The day we are doing Typhoon Lagoon is the only day we don't have lunch reservations. And, since there really is no guarantee on days it will storm or not, we really don't see much of a point moving ADRs around right now, ya know? And we will do TL in the rain, but if there is lightening that morning, we just want to have a back up plan.

 

[Elleshoodat]

We love resort-only trips and take them often. Yes, there may be "nicer" places to stay than a Disney resort ... but those places aren't Disney.

I was going to suggest keeping your trip parks-free, but then a PP described in detail how cool it would be to surprise your daughter and what a wonderful memory that would make, so I'm sold on a Magic Kingdom day.

My only comment would be don't feel as though you have to do it as an alternative to Typhoon Lagoon. I know you have other activities planned for the rest of your trip, but those should be flexible as well.

Either way, have fun!