I just need a little advice, PLEASE :)

[asfarrell]

I feel like I am abusing the forums with questions...this may be my last...and since my kids are just about "grown", this might be my last trip for a while so it must be perfect'sh..lol.

Question(s)

This is a quick trip, 4 nights, 3 park days. September 26 - 30

I am one of those weirdos that feels I MUST hit MK first (why, why is this a must) the first park day falls on a Friday which is also MNSSHP...that means the park will close early BUt the crowds should be a little "lighter" BUT there will be no fireworks. I am afraid to go to MK on a Saturday because it will be more crowded (locals, etc)...what do you think? Give up my weird idea of having to go to MK first? BUT getting to watch fireworks on Saturday night BUT possibly fighting more crowds? but ALSO gaining a few more hours in the park (10pm instead of 6pm) THOUGHTS? ADVICE? Are Saturday crowds that much of a difference? MK is the MOST important day for us. (already scanned all the crowd calendars too)

and THEN...fortunately/unfortunately, haven't decided how I feel just yet...SWGE will then be open, do I go to HS on Friday or Sunday? The other park will be AK, same question Friday or Sunday?

and I do my ADR's next Saturday. BOG dinner is on the top of the priority list, with Storybook Dining second and Tusker House 3rd.

 

[maryj11]

We have gone on Saturday before a few times. To me it didn't seem any more crowded than any other day. Of course MK is always crowded though. I would go with Saturday. If you know how to work the fastpasses system you will be fine. If you can afford it I will book the garden view dessert party for the fireworks . Or go to MNNSHP and go Friday. I love the parties there . I have done the Christmas and Halloween parties.

 

[Tink_83]

So, personally, I prefer to save the best for last, with the best to me being the MK. I would probably do that on Sunday (unless there is a significant difference for park hours between Saturday and Sunday) I would start with HS unless there is a significant difference for how long AK is open between Friday and Sunday and then end with AK on Sunday.

I also personally LOVE the fireworks at the MK, and can’t imagine a trip there and not seeing them... I’ve also gone on a Saturday and it’s not that bad. I think you’ll be OK especially since Star Wars will be open I have a feeling HS will be seeing an uptick in people and that may reduce the crowds at MK - operative word being may...

 

[Afabena]

I love to start and end in the MK, but for a quick trip I would say end there. It may be crowded everywhere with SWGE opening, but hopefully they will be concentrated on HS. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I'm an odd ball....I don't start my trips in MK, but I most certainly do end them there and I make sure that we do 2 days. Don't do HS and probably won't again for another 3-4 years (Now that SWGE will be open and I'm a Star Wars fan, I'll give it a go). I haven't been in that park since 2001. So that makes it easy to do that second day in MK.

 

[OpieDoodle]

Personally I would NOT go to MK on a Halloween party day that falls on a weekend. Last year we went for the Halloween party, the beginning of the day was fantastic at MK, pretty light crowds. Around lunch time it became a mad house. According to some CM they over sold the Halloween party I was at, it was miserable from about 1pm until after the party. SO CROWDED, a couple CM I spoke with were actually mad about it because they went to the party as guests and were not expecting the massive crowds either. Now I do not believe that is the norm but that is the same time frame I was there last year.

I am with you in wanting to hit MK first but after that halloween party experience I would be afraid to.

 

[Tink_83]

Oh, another idea how about park hoppers? Then you can star at the MK but hop around noon to another park. You still get to start with MK and then fireworks another night plus you get the benefit of the lighter morning on Friday.

 

[KenHutch]

We are another save the best for last group. We start just about every trip (on the weekend) at either Epcot or Animal Kingdom and finish up the week at Magic Kingdom.

 

[asfarrell]

Thank you...that's all I am needing is for someone to say Saturday is ok

 

[Klayfish]

We're a "start in MK" family too, it's the heart of WDW for us. However, Saturday isn't going to be a big deal at MK. More crowded...yes, but since it's not a major holiday you'll be fine.

 

[asfarrell]

So, personally, I prefer to save the best for last, with the best to me being the MK. I would probably do that on Sunday (unless there is a significant difference for park hours between Saturday and Sunday) I would start with HS unless there is a significant difference for how long AK is open between Friday and Sunday and then end with AK on Sunday.

I also personally LOVE the fireworks at the MK, and can’t imagine a trip there and not seeing them... I’ve also gone on a Saturday and it’s not that bad. I think you’ll be OK especially since Star Wars will be open I have a feeling HS will be seeing an uptick in people and that may reduce the crowds at MK - operative word being may...

AK and HS hours are the same either day, plus now with SWGE, I think HS will be crazy either day! I guess fireworks win over crowds. Sunday is ALSO MNSSHP date, so 4 hour difference at MK. Thank you...

 

[asfarrell]

We're a "start in MK" family too, it's the heart of WDW for us. However, Saturday isn't going to be a big deal at MK. More crowded...yes, but since it's not a major holiday you'll be fine.

Thank you...that's all I need, a "Saturday will be ok" and "you don't HAVE to start at MK"...lol...I was so focused on MK first, that I wasn't even thinking of other options and was willing to miss the fireworks (that's just crazy

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Not sure why you HAVE to do MK first day but I'd give it up.

It doesn't matter what day of the week you go to the parks.
If its busy its gonna be crowded.
So do what you will with HS and AK.

 

[DVC Jen]

I feel like I am abusing the forums with questions...this may be my last...and since my kids are just about "grown", this might be my last trip for a while so it must be perfect'sh..lol.

I have to say this... my "kids" are 26 and 30. We still go every year. Sometimes with a "kid" sometimes with both "kids" and sometimes just my husband and myself. The Disney parks were never intended for just the under 18 crowd. As Walt said - "It is my wish to delight all members of the family, young and old, parent and child".

 

[piccolopat]

How about getting a park hopper? You can start at MK and hop to another park when the party folks start coming in. Then on Saturday, start somewhere else and hop to see the fireworks.

 

[mkla2015]

I'm a big fan of starting and ending our trips in MK so I totally get where you are coming from. We also always get park hoppers (or APs) so picking just 1 park isn't really an issue. If park hoppers are not an option, I'd just go to MK on Saturday so you get the whole day/night experience.

 

[Micca]

since my kids are just about "grown", this might be my last trip for a while

I dunno, my kids are in their 30s and they still go to WDW with us

 

[FigmentOfProgress]

I typically start and end all of my trips at Magic Kingdom. With that being said, I also doesn't typically plan out trips more than a month or two in advance. I am extremely flexible in my FP+ reservations, and I visit parks multiple times without experiencing attractions. I get the whole wanting to start with Magic Kingdom each time. If park hoppers are feasible, I would plan on going to Magic Kingdom on the first day and then switch over to another park for that evening. Then, go back to Magic Kingdom on another evening for the fireworks. Good luck, and have a great trip!

 

[MainMom]

I dunno, my kids are in their 30s and they still go to WDW with us

I’m in my 40’s and going with my parents (and other family) in June.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We have always hopped. We started our last trip at MNSSHP (great time) and ended it with a last minute visit to MK because it was an early closure day (CM party) and we could get a lot of things done with lighter crowds. I also used refresh the night before and got 7DMT and PP fps. We generally do a morning at Epcot and hop over to AK after a mid day break then on another day do an early AK with a later EP or HS. Not sure what we are going to do with HS this time around; waiting to see how bad the crowds are by mid September. (or by the time we go at the end of September)