If crowds look average for every day how do you decide what order to do parks?

[jujubiee4]

Hi Looking at crowd calendar for when we will be there in a few weeks crowds say average for each day/park.
So then do you personally just wing it? Getting LLMP every day and doing two after hour parties.

We have park hoppers also and going M-F. Just wondering if we go MK HS first two days and AK EP later in week
or it really doesn't matter. thanks!

 

[magicmountainmama]

If eating at certain restaurants is a priority, then I might plan based on reservation availability. Or, I’ll plan to visit what’s closest first — if I’m staying at the contemporary, I’m definitely going to be itching to go to MK. If all things are equal, just make the plan that makes you happy

 

[_19disnA]

We never plan our trip based on 3rd party calendars. Most Disney parks are crowded the year round and applying some magical formula likely based on historical data isn't of any practical use. Choose the order of parks based on what you like doing best or perhaps what the weather is going to be like. Lots of older threads about that.

 

[JayMass]

I use the crowd calendars from Touring Plans as a rough guide/estimate as well as the data over at Thrill Data. I don’t, however, think it’s always accurate. In general if I’m planning a trip (not hopping) that starts on a Monday I will avoid what I think is the typical plan most people have of MK Monday, Epcot Tuesday, DHS Wed, AK Thurs. The other thing I’ll consider is what days are there special events at particular parks. For example, if there’s a party at MK and I’m not hopping (or attending the party) I’ll avoid that park just because the hours will be limited. However, if I AM hopping, I will go to MK on a party day in the morning because crowds will likely be lighter. I guess my advice is to look at the calendars for a rough idea but don’t consider them fast, hard truths. For Thrill Data you can look up your dates in the past 10 plus years and see how busy they have actually been. The last thing to keep in mind is that Disney is just always busy and expect crowds to be crazy any day of the year. Use proven strategies like rope dropping, avoiding mid day crowds by going back to your resort (if close), getting proficient at using LLs and VQs, and staying to park close.

 

[JayMass]

If all things are equal, just make the plan that makes you happy

Also, this!

 

[jujubiee4]

I use the crowd calendars from Touring Plans as a rough guide/estimate as well as the data over at Thrill Data. I don’t, however, think it’s always accurate. In general if I’m planning a trip (not hopping) that starts on a Monday I will avoid what I think is the typical plan most people have of MK Monday, Epcot Tuesday, DHS Wed, AK Thurs. The other thing I’ll consider is what days are there special events at particular parks. For example, if there’s a party at MK and I’m not hopping (or attending the party) I’ll avoid that park just because the hours will be limited. However, if I AM hopping, I will go to MK on a party day in the morning because crowds will likely be lighter.

This is the part im most interested in hearing opinions. If you have tickets for MK and EPCOT After
parties does it make sense to go to those parks day of? Normally we would skip it and wait for the
party but your comment about it might be lighter crowds in morning is interesting.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Family tradition is to start and finish in MK. EP day 2 but, middle days are not set in stone. Start and end in MK is non-negotiable for us.

 

[georgina]

This is the part im most interested in hearing opinions. If you have tickets for MK and EPCOT After
parties does it make sense to go to those parks day of? Normally we would skip it and wait for the
party but your comment about it might be lighter crowds in morning is interesting.

The holiday parties (MVMCP, MNSSHP) mean MK closes at 6 and daytime crowds may be lower. AH events do not mean early park closing and have little effect on daytime crowds. Personally I would not want to be at MK or Epcot from 9 AM to midnight. I would do a different park in the AM or hang by the pool.

 

[gottalovepluto]

My tradition is Epcot to start and finishing at EP with a half day before going to the airport, but I will make exceptions in special circumstances. For instance last year I had a trip I started in MK because it was a party night and I know that drops the crowds during the early morning hours.

 

[cruising spud]

If you are staying at a Disney deluxe hotel, there might be nights that you have Extended Evening Hours. If so, I would go to those parks (most probably Magic Kingdom and Epcot) on those days. If not, I would hit Animal Kingdom on Monday, your first day. Why? It is the park that has the earliest entry hours, and you will be at your freshest. Also, it has the earliest closing time, which gives you time to rest for the next day.

 

[HeiHei2018]

Are you planning to buy some LLMP? If so, you may want to schedule HS later in your trip when availability for morning LL may be better. I agree with others that regular day and after hours in same park could be a lot. We go in August and find we need a midday break with the heat. I would avoid Epcot on a Friday because it seems busier with local pass holders coming in for the evening. Otherwise, I would start with your favorite park. That gives you flexibility for a second or third visit in case something (weather, sickness, etc) shortens your park time.