I've never been a hopper...need help!

[christophfam]

I've always been a one day/one park gal. On our upcoming two day March 27-29 trip, the kids want to do AK which closes at 6PM. I figure why not hit MK in the evening so we can see it this trip (doing MGM on our second day). I'm thinking we may do RFC (which we enjoy) for dinner then head over to MK, but would appreciate advice on this also.

My main question is, what is it like to arrive at a park at 6PM? I'm always the first to enter the parks so I can get my fastpasses and hit all the major rides before the crowds come. I never wait in hour long lines, just don't have to if you get there early. BUT arriving at 6PM I assume all the fastpasses will be gone. What touring advice do you have for me?? Will I get on any of the rides without long waits or should I just plan on going for Spectro only?

Thanks for your help!

 

[airtime]

Evenings at MK are great. Expect for crowds to have thinned out. After 9 pm, most of the rides should be close to walk-on. However, beware the evening of March 26. This is an Extra Magic Hours evening at MK, so things could be quite a bit busier that evening. It's hard to say what will happen with the park staying open longer for resort guests with an already late scheduled closing time of 11 pm.

Tim, who had one of the best evenings ever at MK when it closed at midnight on the last day of spring break season. (Of course, that was 1997...)

 

[hezreck]

I think if I was going that late in the evening and all the Fastpasses were gone, I would not do the rides. I would go to some of the shops I haven't seen, maybe get a snack that I've never had and enjoy Spectro and Wishes. Make it a slow down and look around night!

 

[Tegra89]

I think I would play it by ear. It might not be as bad for some rides. If the rides are long do as Hezreck suggested take in some shops or got and try some food you haven't. I've heard that the Main Street Bakery has tons of good stuff. I have never been there before and I'm going to have to check this place out.

 

[InstImpres]

However, beware the evening of March 26. This is an Extra Magic Hours evening at MK, so things could be quite a bit busier that evening. It's hard to say what will happen with the park staying open longer for resort guests with an already late scheduled closing time of 11 pm.

We did what my DD calls "3am night" last Feb. MK was open until mindnight and than EMH until 3AM. We arrived at the park at about 12:10 (napped from 9-11:30pm). We never waited more than 10 minutes (except space mountain). By about 1:30 most things were walk on or 2 minute wait.

Go for it!

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

I agree with just winging it. Evenings at the MK are our whole families favorite time... Spectro being our favorite parade. Taking your time to browse around and take in the beautiful scenery and then maybe hop on a ride or two makes for a very memorable night. Our favorite time is that walk back from Pirates at night just before close. We practically have adventurland to ourselves and we usually just stroll our way out... by then the crowds leaving have seriously thinned.

 

[MareSINY]

I also love doing MK at night. Going with young kids we tend to go early, and then take a break midday, returning early evening for a few more hours of fun. I'm not sure when Easter/Spring break is this year, but if it's not going on the weekend you are there, the crowds should be thinning by that time and you shouldn't have any problems. Hopefully it's a night that Spectromagic is running so you can see that, plus just getting to see Wishes is great. The park has a whole different feel after dark. Go and have fun!!

 

[johde]

I don't think crowds will be that bad. According to Disneyworld.com Spectromagic is playing all week. Evening Extra Magic Hours are March 26th. Either the 27th or the 28th should not be overly crowded. The onsite guests who are going for extra magic hours were just there and off site guest don't need to plan for Spectromagic on just 1 night during the week. Some of the biggest crowds I seen during the off season have been back when Spectromagic was 1 night a week. I would say go. Play it by ear. If it's busy maybe focus on shows. Country bears and the Tiki room never have a line anymore. If you are going on the 27th when there are 2 showings of Spectromagic, you can ride rides during 1 showing and watch the parade during the other showing.