How crowded is the MK on Sat late afternoon/evening in summer?

[Selket]

We arrive on a Saturday, Aug. 16 and I'm wondering how crowded the MK would be if we planned to have dinner there and catch a few rides. I'm seeking a laid back time as we could be tired from driving and we have 2 small kids. I was thinking the weekends bring in big local crowds but I'm getting mixed signals on that from the guidebooks. My other plan is just to stay at the hotel (AKL) and eat there and go swimming, etc. Is the MK slow enough late on Saturdays to chance a visit? We have the FTP with the passes so using up a pass isn't an issue.

Thanks!

 

[tar heel]

Slow at the MK on a summer Saturday -- nooooooooh! Saturday is probably the busiest day of the week. Expect to wait in line at pretty much every attraction, restaurant, etc. On the other hand, Saturday evening would be a good time to go to Epcot or AK. At Epcot, you could let the kids start a mask and see some of the shows in the World Showcase countries. If you arrive by 4, you might want to scoot over to AK for a brief visit -- it DOES clear out in the afternoon. Whatever you do, get to bed early, so you can be at the AK bus stop by 7:30 a.m. Sunday. With two small children, you definitely want to do emh at MK.

 

[Miscrapper]

Check calendar for showings of Spectromagic - it probably shows during week when you are there but when we go (fall) Saturday evening is usually only time for big parade - and it is crowded!

 

[goofy4tink]

Our first visit to WDW we arrived Sat afternoon, like you. We went over to MK for the rest of the day. What a mistake!!! We now avoid MK on Sat at all costs. The only deviation to this rule is when we leave on a Sat. Then we might scoot over first thing in the morning for a quick few rides. But Sat night, at MK, is something to be avoided. It did not start our trip off on the right foot. I would head over to Epcot or even MGM. I would think that Epcot would be a better bet. We get there the day before you and we may go to MK first thing Sat but that night, we'll be someplace else!!

 

[Selket]

Thanks for the quick replies! I thought MK on Sat would be bad too but I plugged in my dates at touringplans.com and it says that Fri/Sat are the BEST days in the summer for MK if you don't plan early entry that day (which we can't on Sat of course cause it isn't an EE day there and we aren't there early enough anyway).

I guess every touring plan I come up with puts most of our MK touring to later in the week. I really will try to be at MK for EE on Sunday with at least the oldest child (who is 5) but I know how that could change if we have trouble sleeping the night before.

I will avoid MK on Sat. night - thanks!