How long to "take in" Main Street on 1st MK Visit?

[Tia1977]

We leave in a week and my plans (a year in the making, ha) are of course getting changed last minute. I'll take it though, bc it's due to DH finally getting into things w/ his input & getting excited . We haven't been since teens, and 1st family trip with DD 12yr old. Our 1st MK day, I have us arriving early afternoon (I know to expect very crowded, ha), then closing the park down. Since we'll have 3 (prob 4 if we upgrade) MK days & our expectations are to stay laid back and NOT end up seeing/ doing it all; our whole 1st day is about taking it all in & doing a mini intro in every land. If we'll wait til close to explore the inside of the main street shops; what kind of rough estimate for roaming, PP pics, watching any of the street entertainment, viewing castle, etc before heading off to first land? I still have a chance to move our 1st Ride's FP time and want to avoid us feeling rushed @ all cost. It's just I have no idea how to "time" what we haven't experienced before lol. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JennyDrake]

Main Street can be so crowded that it really depends upon how much tme you want to invest in lingering. The shops are nice, but as I'm not much of a shopper *and* I prefer MouseGear (just 'cause it's all in one big place) I would say an hour???? Get a schedule for the Dapper Dans and the Singing Trolley so you can be sure to catch their shows, but _I_ would not just hang around Main Street waiting for shows to happen. Too crowded.

 

[msb578]

The appeal of Main St increases with age. When I was 12, it was as dull to me as watching paint dry. Now as a parent, it just might be my favorite part of MK!

Stay as long as the youngest person in your group wants to

 

[Stinkerbell92]

If you are a shopper like myself you at least have to give a good long visit to the Emporium Shop on Main Street. I sells just about every Disney thing imaginable. I am only 22 years old and I love it.

 

[DizDaD7]

We leave in a week and my plans (a year in the making, ha) are of course getting changed last minute. I'll take it though, bc it's due to DH finally getting into things w/ his input & getting excited . We haven't been since teens, and 1st family trip with DD 12yr old. Our 1st MK day, I have us arriving early afternoon (I know to expect very crowded, ha), then closing the park down. Since we'll have 3 (prob 4 if we upgrade) MK days & our expectations are to stay laid back and NOT end up seeing/ doing it all; our whole 1st day is about taking it all in & doing a mini intro in every land. If we'll wait til close to explore the inside of the main street shops; what kind of rough estimate for roaming, PP pics, watching any of the street entertainment, viewing castle, etc before heading off to first land? I still have a chance to move our 1st Ride's FP time and want to avoid us feeling rushed @ all cost. It's just I have no idea how to "time" what we haven't experienced before lol. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

To be honest, this is one of the areas, that just screams out Disney Magic.....I could spend all day there. It's just very nostalgic, and it seems like they just pump happiness out into the street ( when standing or strolling there ) No matter how bad your life is, our how stressfull things are on the outside, Things seem to be forgotten here ) You can people watch which is kinda kewl too.....I know you'll have plenty of anticipation to go go go ( & hit the rides & stuff, but w/ so many MK days, it's nice to leisurely stroll, & smell the roses now n then..

 

[Tia1977]

Thank you guys so much for the input! Thankful for FP's, esp for late sleepers like us and going when so crowded. But, a little intimidating when planning a first time trip and trying to NOT make things "feel" scheduled (;

 

[JZCubed]

We leave in a week and my plans (a year in the making, ha) are of course getting changed last minute. I'll take it though, bc it's due to DH finally getting into things w/ his input & getting excited . We haven't been since teens, and 1st family trip with DD 12yr old. Our 1st MK day, I have us arriving early afternoon (I know to expect very crowded, ha), then closing the park down. Since we'll have 3 (prob 4 if we upgrade) MK days & our expectations are to stay laid back and NOT end up seeing/ doing it all; our whole 1st day is about taking it all in & doing a mini intro in every land. If we'll wait til close to explore the inside of the main street shops; what kind of rough estimate for roaming, PP pics, watching any of the street entertainment, viewing castle, etc before heading off to first land? I still have a chance to move our 1st Ride's FP time and want to avoid us feeling rushed @ all cost. It's just I have no idea how to "time" what we haven't experienced before lol. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Given your circumstances, it doesn't matter how long. It could take 20 minutes….up to a few hours. Depends on how you shop.

Your best touring plan would be to leave Main Street shops as your last thing - after doing all the Park stuff. Since you are planning to arrive late, you will have waits at just about every location. Shopping should not be the priority, unless you shop first and then do all the rides and attractions last. But if you are traveling with children - ain't gonna' happen.

If you save Main Street 'til the end, you will be coming from the Castle-side. You can start at Casey's - which opens into the back of the gift shop and make your way to the front. It looks like many stores, but it's really just one - men's & women's clothes, children's clothes, then toys and gifts. If you have the time and/or energy, go across the street and look at the remaining shops - jewelry and handbags, glassworks, art, candy. Of course, you can do this in reverse - start at smaller shops on the side with Plaza Ice Cream until Candy Store, and then go across into Emporium.

There really is no way to estimate your time. If you like the $298 Dooney & Bourke handbag, you might spend 1/2 hour or more to make a decision. Jewelry can be even worse if you're piecing together a Pandora ensemble. With 20 adult t-shirt to chose from, can anyone tell you how long it's going to take you to decide?

I will say this, if you are planning to go to Downtown Disney Springs, other than the glassware shop, there is nothing at Emporium that you will not find in Downtown Disney. So if you need to shop at MK, the best places are at the attractions where there are items you cannot locate any place else. If you like Space Mountain - this is where you will find unique items. Similarly for places like Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, etc.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Tia1977]

Thank you for taking the time for your advice! Very sweet and very helpful!