How to do the parks?

[impsmom]

We'll be headed to WDW June 13-18 with three kids. 7, 4 and 2. It's our first family vacation. I know with my kids MK and AK are the two most important parks (DD7 wasn't exactly thrilled when she found out we were going, she wanted to go to the zoo instead ) and we'd also like to do Epcot (my oldest is looking forward to the WS) and MGM. I think MGM will be a 1/2 day park for us. Daily, we'd like to head back to the hotel sometime mid day to get a break from the crowds and I'm sure heat.
We will have park hoppers so I'm looking for opinions on how best to break it up. I think I'd like to do MK later in the week just because, let's face it, nothing compares to it, especially in the eyes of a child and I don't want the other places to be a "let down". In general, are certain parks less crowded on certain days?

 

[RyMickey]

I was going to suggest holding off on MK, as well, but maybe not wait until it's your last park. Maybe do Epcot on Day 1 and then MK on Day 2. You may want to do those parks without hopping on the first two days (still going back to the hotel and such). After the initial two days, then start hopping. MGM morning, MK night; AK morning, MGM night (you've gotta see Fantasmic).

Keep searching these boards for help...and welcome to the DIS!

RyMickey

 

[kilee]

I'm the opposite. If at all possible I like to start my trips at the MK. It's such a mood setter. With places like AK, we tend to spend the whole day (well, until the parade is over). We then hop over to another park to see the night shows (depending on who's showing what when). We've also been known to not arrive at MGM first thing in the morning (which we do all the time everywhere else). With careful planning we found that we can make MGM a sleep-in day and still see everything. This way we stay and see Fantasmic as well (which is well worth it!!).

 

[GRUMPYMOMOF3]

What my family did last year was we had a 4 day park hopper.We did MGM and Epcot in one day,so the last day we went back to each park and rode the rides we liked the best.And ended up at M.K. where we saw Spectromagic,(my favorite).

 

[eeyore0062]

We usually hold off on MK until later. Especially with younger kids, once they have been to MK, they aren't as interested in anything else.

That being said, are you staying onsite. If so, the new EMH program will add valuable time to your schedule and even allow you afternoon time for rests or a dip in the pool.

You have 6 days to do all parks. Are you planning on getting hopper tickets?

The 13th is on a Monday. I am not aware of the permanent night EMH hours, but Monday's are usually the morning EMH at Animal Kingdom. If you are checking in early enough, I would head there 1st. It is a really good introduction to WDW. If you are hopping, you could plan to leave around 2 pm, go back to the resort, eat, swim, nap and be up for the evening EMH, wherever it is that night (you will be SO surprised at how much this helps with crowds and seeing everything).

Tuesday, if it is still EMH morning for MGM, go there. Stay until mid afternoon, leave and take a break, then go to the EMH for that evening.

Wednesday is currently the EMH for the morning for Epcot. This would be a great day to do Epcot, as you can get there early for those interested in catching Mission:Space and Test Track. Stay until mid day take a break and go to EMH for whichever park is having it that evening.

Thursday is EMH for the Magic Kingdom. We love going there that early when the mist is coming up off of the pavement on Main STreet USA, with Cinderella's Castle as the backdrop. Do Fantasyland, and then do a character late breakfast or early lunch at Crystal Palace. Since you have been doing EMH at night, this shouldn't be your 1st time in.

Since you basically have 5 days and only 4 parks, use one day as a rest day. Go to DTD and let the kids play on the Lego playground, swim in the resort pool, do a character meal at a resort, shop, take the kids to Fort Wilderness to see the animals and explore the trails. Or you could use this day to repeat things you liked in the parks again before going home!

Whatever you do, have a wonderful time!

 

[eeyore0062]

OK, just found out new info. There is only one night a week that there will be both an opening and closing EMH. Right now it is Tuesday, and that is always subject to change. The schedule for now is:
Sunday Evening EMH Disney MGM Studios
Monday Morning EMH Epcot
Tuesday Morning EMH Disney MGM Studios
Tuesday Evening EMH Animal Kingdom
Wednesday Evening EMH Magic Kingdom
Thursday Evening EMH Epcot
Friday Morning EMH Magic Kingdom
Saturday Morning EMH Animal Kingdom.

 

[bajanswife]

Keeping MK till later seems to make sense for our kids too (who will 4, 5 and 7 when we go as a family for the first time) - but in the back of my mind I worry that if they get sick or something halfway through the trip, they might miss MK entirely! In our case it is unlikely since we will be there for 2 weeks, but if you've only got 4 or 5 park days it's difficult to put off the best just in case something happens! But that's just the pessimist in me

 

[impsmom]

Eeyore0062, Yes, we have hoppers and we will be staying on site at AKL. We're driving down so I'm sure we'll be there way before check in time so we are thinking it might be nice to get some time in at AK before check in and grabbing a nap. DH wants to eat at Coral Reef so we may do that the first night and explore some of Epcot
Thanks so much for the EMH info. We were waiting for that to come out to help us plan better.

 

[ErinInCT]

Impsmom, welcome to the DIS!

I don't know about you, but we are not early morning people & trying to get 3 kids out of the hotel for EMH is an impossibility for us. After all, you are on vacation so you don't want to feel rushed.

I would do AK when you get in & try to knock off a land or two (for example go do Dinoland & see Tarzan Rocks so you go on rides & see a show). Then go to EPCOT that evening & have your dinner & do part of WS. My kids actually loved EPCOT, especially learning how to say Hello & Thank You in each countries native language. The shows are awesome too!

The next day I would maybe finish EPCOT with FW in the am, back to the hotel for r&r, & WS in the pm.

Then I would finish AK, back to the hotel for r&r and hit MGM b4 the SaMC parade & stay thru Fantasmic.

Then I would hit MK for 2 full days. You can do Fantasyland, Toontown in the am & Tomorrowland in the pm one day (with Wishes) & the rest another day (with the parade). And take your mid afternoon breaks too.

You can always break those up & stick MK on the 3rd & 5th day or whatever but those are some ideas on how to plan days, you can tailor them to your "calendar" as you wish!

You'll get a ton of good ideas from this website! Glad you found us!

 

[Buzz's_girl]

My 2 cents:

I have three kids, ages 6, 5, and 4. We took them to Disney for the first time (thiers, not mine) last August. There was without a doubt no way we would go anywhere but the MK on our first day. We even did it WITHOUT a stroller.

We like to leave really early in the am...and fly in as early as possible. That way, by the time we get to the hotel an check in we get a half day at the park. Seeing my kids take in the Magic Kingdom for the first time was awesome. I had tears in my eyes as we entered and headed for Main Street.
When we got there, there was a band playing and the kids thought it was to welcome THEM. THen they saw the castle. "Is that where Cinderella lives Mom?" They were awestruck. We ran them ragged that first day, and they loved it. (again we didn't have strollers at this point...the kids walked all afternoon, and didn't even complain.)

That being said, it is true that in a child's eyes it is hard to live up to MK, but each of my kids had interests in other parks. You mentioned that your oldest would be interested in WS, and your DD will probably love AK. I am sure you'll be fine no matter where you start, after all, it is DISNEY!!!

Enjoy your trip!