How do you start each park..?

[_19disnA]

I think a lot of what you end up doing with depend on your 6 yr old. First time @ Disney you really have no idea what they will like/not and where they might want to go next. That probably matters more to your planning then what others might choose to do. When we were at Disney a few years ago with relatives who had small children, it was always hard to predict on any given day how they would react to what all was going on around them. Even some of the tamer rides where you have areas of darkness between segments frightened them for no apparent reason. Rides that appeal to a 6 yr old may not be ones adults prefer. I think you will have to find a balance in what you choose to do.

While I think it is good to have a general idea of what you want to do, realize that will likely change once you see how your child is acting on any given day. I doubt a 6 yr old will have the stamina of adults to go all day long at any park.

 

[ArielDreams]

As others have said, it really depends on what you want to get out of it! We rope drop and usually buy LL’s for MK and HS. We like to target the bigger attractions as early as possible. Here’s what we typically do:

MK - start at Frontierland then Adventureland or Fantasyland depending on wait times. In the afternoon/evening usually cover Tomorrowland / Fantasyland.

Epcot - if you’re coming through International Gateway, we do Remy first then assess the line situation at Frozen. Then we hit the front of the park, spending the afternoon / evening in World Showcase.

HS - Either rope drop Toy Story or Star Wars. Then we head to. ToT / RnRC. The rest of the day is totally guided by wait times / LL availability.

AK - I would not start at Dinoland! We aren’t too big on Pandora so we head straight back to safari then over to Everest. But I would start in Pandora if you really want to send time there. We usually finish the day in Dinoland

 

[C&Jx2]

Every trip starts in MK. If I don't see the castle we aren't at Disney. That's just the way the world works (I don't make the rules).
MK-Start in Liberty Square with HM and move through Frontierland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland.
EPCOT- Rush Frozen with the masses
AK- Safari first thing, then a guava breakfast sandwich
HS-No real plan... I usually don't want to be there lol

We do pretty much everything each trip. Those are the only hard and fast plans we ever have. We rest at the resort in the afternoon and park hop in the evenings.

 

[Miffy]

OP, Please be aware that there might be long lines at some of the rides/attractions you want to do. Your 6-year-old may or may not like being in a 40-minute queue, for example. Many of the queues have absolutely nothing to do in them--the worst one, to me, is Frozen Ever After in Epcot, which can have 60+-minute waits and the most nothing, boring, no place to sit down queue in all of WDW. So be warned.

You didn't say if you're planning on getting LLMP, but if your daughter has selected rides she doesn't want to miss and they're the more popular ones, you might consider getting this for at least a day or two of your trip. You can now book these 7 days in advance of your stay if you're staying at a WDW resort, which I'm guessing you are since you mentioned the Skyliner.

Also be aware that if you are staying on-site, you have Early Theme Park Entry, which is 1/2 hour earlier than official park opening time. Take advantage of this, especially if you're not going to purchase LLs.

To me, Epcot is the most walking in the least shade. It's the hottest of all 4 parks and can be exhausting. The second-worst area for heat and no shade is Toy Story Land in DHS. This can be even worse than Epcot since there're also practically no places to sit there.

Try not to be out between noon and 3 or so. It's not just the heat and humidity, it's the sunlight. It can be brutal, particularly if you're not used to it. And of course sunscreen is a necessity.

Back to your original question, my plan is always to go to the rides I want to do first and to have LLs booked for rides with longer wait times. But you have a 6-year-old, and she rules the trip! So you'll be going with her flow a lot of the time.

 

[CaroM8]

Every trip starts in MK. If I don't see the castle we aren't at Disney. That's just the way the world works (I don't make the rules).
MK-Start in Liberty Square with HM and move through Frontierland, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland.
EPCOT- Rush Frozen with the masses
AK- Safari first thing, then a guava breakfast sandwich
HS-No real plan... I usually don't want to be there lol

We do pretty much everything each trip. Those are the only hard and fast plans we ever have. We rest at the resort in the afternoon and park hop in the evenings.

Lol- your HS comment! It’s the park I am the least excited for, aside for maybe the shows and Slinky Dog… but maybe I’ll change my mind once we get there..

 

[C&Jx2]

I only want to see Indy and Tower of Terror. I could go an entire trip never stepping foot inside HS lol.

Lol- your HS comment! It’s the park I am the least excited for, aside for maybe the shows and Slinky Dog… but maybe I’ll change my mind once we get there..