To be honest Tracy, this may well be brilliant. If you're not planning to be at MK right at opening, then you really miss nothing by going to what should be a pretty good day at AK.
Thanks, Rob! I've really been at a loss for how to tackle this day.
Now part of me thinks starting at MK at 6am would be doable, then head over to AK, then to the room for a nap, then back to MK?! Okay, writing that just made that sound awful. I guess only time will tell!
This will certainly be the time for me to dig deep and channel my inner flexibility - I think it's there somewhere?!
This is such a difficult thing. But I do know the feeling. The first year of the 24 hour events at MK and
Disneyland was Leap Day 2012. And by chance, when they announced it, I was already booked to be arriving at Disneyland that very day. My first day ever. So while it wasn't a planned thing on my part, it was still pretty exciting. Until I arrived and you could barely move, lol. And this was a Wednesday in February. That said, Disneyland is a different beast with about a millions AP holders who were not blacked out from this event. MK I'm sure will at least be better. (Dland had over 100K people and gridlock everywhere). All in all though, it was just exciting to be a part of it. So my recommendation? Enjoy being there. There is nothing like it and it is a very special thing to be a part of. Make sure to get at least a souvenir of the event (obviously). But my personal main goal would be to be in the park in the wee hours and ride something at like 4am. Just to say I did.
Wow!!! First day ever in DL and you got to partake in the 24 hour party?!
Your advice is right on the money. Of all my days planned at Disney this trip, this day will surely be the one to just relax, appreciate being there and in the moment, and just go with the flow.
And yes! A souvenir - thank you for saying that. It does seem obvious but I hadn't thought about it yet.
As far as the 24 hour party ...
I've been the past two years for the party at MK. It's a lot of fun! I've enjoyed being there at opening, because the crowds aren't that bad at opening (it is 6am, after all) especially once you are let in the park. Last year, it was one of the first few mornings (maybe the first morning) that SDMT was open at the beginning of the day and a lot of people walked back there and the wait was only thirty minutes. So that was fun riding it before it was "officially open" as well with a lot of Disney fanatics (let's be honest, if you're at the park at 6am then you're a fanatic
). It was a special experience, in my mind.
BUT, having said all that, being in the MK as the sun rises is a special and beautiful moment that not many get to take a part of. I've been lucky to see it three times (two 24 hour parties, and one princess half marathon as a spectator).
Crowds will begin to grow as the day goes on, not much different than a normal day. But around 7-10pm Main Street was jam packed obviously with MSEP, CtM, and Wishes. The hours after that didn't feel much crowded either, I think a lot of that had to do with rare characters meeting and lots of people being in those queues. I was running on adrenaline most of the night and ended up leaving at 430AM. Wish I would have stayed until 6!
I'd be happy chime in with my experiences more if you have questions! I hate that I'm missing it this year, but I'll be in California (I will get to visit Disneyland for a day the next week so maybe it's not so bad).
Thank you so much for telling me more about the 24 hour party! I think I've only read on TR about it and that was quite a while ago. You just may have convinced me to try for the 6am opening. My original hesitation was only because of the late night I'd have, but now I'm thinking maybe a nap mid-day instead? Hmm...
Your comment about the Disney fanatics being there at 6am kinda sold me... I'd be surrounded by "my people. Very good point about the 7-10pm hours - I think I'll duck out by then and head for Epcot. Too bad you weren't going to make it for Year #3 for the 24 hour party - we could meet up! But I'm happy to hear that you will be in DL soon!
I'll let you know if I have questions about the party - thank you!
I've often wondered how I would tackle a 24 hour day @ MK, I would love to try though! Perhaps nap time on the peoplemover ( but probably not, too much good stuff to see from this vantage point ) or in CoP.....although that Great big beautiful Tomortow song gets stuck in my head! We've been singing it since last September!! I'd probably set some kind of personal goal like how many times I could ride BTMRR that day! It's my absolute fav at MK. So I'd probably just keep swimming until I either got delirious or my feet revolted and stopped carrying me
What are the crowd predictions supposed to be for that day?
I like your idea of starting in AK though, it will probably be far less crowded. We didn't give it the time it deserves last time we were there, but we were on a 2 day 4 park mission and pretty much rode EE and Safari and one gift shop and left for MK
Bummer you have to get right on a plane right after...but that's prime catch up on zzzzz's time!
I know! There really isn't a good ride at MK to just nap on, is there? Maybe I could circle around on the train.
That's a great idea - set a goal for how many rides I could get on a certain attraction.
"Just keep swimming until I get delirious" is probably exactly what my plan will actually be!
As for predicted crowd levels, I have no idea! I'm a little scared to know!
You and me both, honey. It's sticking to those lists that's my problem.
I hear ya!
Seems legit.
I thought so too.
That sounds like a GREAT idea, actually!
Thanks! I went back and forth on this but ultimately I'm happy with it... for now.
Pffft. Pics or it didn't happen, Tracy.
HAHAHAHAHA!
I approve this plan. But you know me, I like all-nighters.
I sure do!
I'm gonna channel my inner teenager since that's probably the last time I actually pulled an all-nighter.
In this plan, I'm assuming I've already seen CtM/Wishes/MSEP earlier in the week: I would sleep in as much as I could (which usually isn't much), go do something in morning/early afternoon, maybe AK or HS. Then back to my room around 3pm, and settle in and try to nap for a few hours. I'd be back at Epcot by between 8-9pm, stay until Midnight or so, and then head to MK until 6am. But again. I dig all-nighters! My natural bodyclock wants to sleep during the day and play at night anyhow, so this would be ideal for me.
Okay, good, this makes me feel better about my plans - they're Billie-approved!
I think a nap is absolutely vital to a successful 24 hour event. Otherwise...
Seriously though, it's DELICIOUS, I hope you enjoy it!
).
You crack me up!
We'll see if he likes my choices, I guess. 
Tomorrow really doesn’t count at all since my flight out of MCO is at 6am! I’m dreading it already and my vacation hasn’t even started! 
