Is this possible on our first day?

[HeadintoWDW]

Despite my urge to go to MK or my favorite, EPCOT, on our first day, I am trying to go with what makes the most sense. Our first day is a Monday; AK is the EMH park. My plan was to get up early and go to AK for EMH. This might be the only day we go to AK, so I would like to stay for the Jammin Jungle parade. The only problem is with the parade not starting until 4:00, by the time it's done, we really don't have time to go back to the hotel and relax before hitting another park.

I hate to waste that whole evening since we will have 5 day PH's, so I was thinking about heading over to either MGM or EPCOT for dinner and staying until we're tired. Is this plan feasible, or is it ridiculous to try to do this much in one day? I guess we could leave AK earlier, go back to CBR and relax, then hit another park. However, then we would not see the parade. Is the parade something that we have to see? We are not necessarily big parade people, but I've heard that this is a particularly colorful and fun one.

Just looking for opinions on what to do. Although I know we won't be able to see and do everything, this will be my first trip in a long time and probably my last for a while. We are trying to get the most in our 5 park days as possible. There will just be two adults, my husband and me, in case that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!!

 

[CarolynFH]

Why not leave AK midday for a rest, then return to AK in time for the parade and then travel to another park? I know that means you'll have travel time between parks, but I'm not sure that would be so much worse than being exhausted your first day!

 

[iloveeeyore]

AK can be a very relaxing park. Go slowly, don't worry about seeing everything. We stayed at AK until closing, didn't do everything 'cause we didn't have time, but we were not exhausted at the end (and we had 2 kids, 5 & 7, with us). Most of the attractions involve sitting down, and those that involve walking are best when done VERY slowly anyway. If it were me, I wouldn't spend the time going back for a rest, I'd just rest at the park (unless it's REALLY hot).