Magic Kingdom 1st day

[Barbruka]

Years ago when my kids were much younger (2 - 17 at the time, five of them), we did MK first. Have to say, they were somewhat bored with the rest of the parks. We should have done it last, and built up to it. If they hadn't done MK first, they would have gone crazy for the other parks, because they wouldn't have known what was coming.

 

[ghtx]

I vote for saving MK for later. That's what we usually do.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

When my DS was younger MK was ALWAYS first. Nothing, IMHO, says you've arrived in WDW like walking down Main St. and seeing the castle. My DS actually likes all of the parks (he actually favors EP over MK and always has), so they were never disappointments for him. I'm in the start-and-end in MK camp.

 

[SaintsManiac]

For us it depends on where we stay. Last time we did HS on the first day and it was really the best decision. Next year we are staying at a MK resort, so we'll probably go there first.

 

[Katniss]

We always do Magic Kingdom our first day and usually our last day. We are going in February and our first day (b/c it appears to be the quieter day) we have a full day planned including PPO at BOG at 8am and CRT at 8pm. My girls have no clue they are even going but I know that they would choose MK 1st and last and one in between our vacation.

 

[Shellyb84]

I usually just plan our park days around park hours and/or crowd calendars, though now that I think about it we have typically ended up at MK our first day. It's never affected her enjoyment of any other park. She likes all the parks equally really, even though there is more that she will ride at MK.

 

[LoKiHB]

Having done both, I'm on the side of MK as first thing. There's just something about coming out of that underpass and watching Main St USA unfold in front of your eyes. It's almost like being transported back in time. We've done Epcot day 1 before, and even though the trip was still awesome, it almost seemed like it was lacking that little push that makes it truly special. That being said, it's a personal preference, and you will have a great time regardless.

 

[Accident]

I think this question really varies depending on if you've been there or not. It's also true for adults, especially ones that think wdw is a waste of time and money. The honest answer is you need to know who your going with and plan according to them.

For myself and my daughter, it never really felt like we were at disney until you stand in front of the castle. I call it the "we made it loop" around mk. We also go right in on travel day. Sure we get a fastpass or two but the loop isn't to accomplish anything. We'll circle, maybe do some rides, definately get a snack or meal in a specific spot that is special for us and then we are officially on vacation and started. With that said, it really does impact the other parks because they just have less to do than MK and it's not as easy to do them with our style. We have tried other parks because there is some favorite places for table service so we do that right away but it doesn't have the same impact as getting to mk and declaring you made it back.... We generally end up back at mk every day or almost every day park hopping so I guess for us, it does impact us when you really think about it.

It's also become very hazy, especially for younger kids. You have the frozen is everything fans and there really isn't much frozen at MK. Then you have the action movie/star wars lovers and HS is their park... I find AK the most annoying to walk around with the way the paths go up and down more and after being in some parks where you can hide in A/C to cool off easier, it's rough to do that park so one might say if your in florida in the hot and humid season, AK might be the best to start while your not sore and not adjusted to how to be in the heat yet...

Epcot I find to be one of the least liked parks by kids (and my daughter still hates it as an adult). They are at disney, so starting there might not be a great move but getting there sooner than other parks can be a good thing. After mk can be rough for epcot so you need to space it with another park they will like that takes them down from all the things mk has to do first..

Honestly, the only way to know if mk would be better not being first is to try it.. just be ready to possibly declare it a mistake and hop to it or make sure it's day #2 when you first try it

 

[EdmondD]

Agree with @Accident and others. Doesn't feel like Disney until I'm going down Main Street. It is always our first FULL day, but we frequently get in in the afternoon and stay at Beach Club and so just walk over to Epcot for a few hours because our kid is 5 and we don't want to overdo it on that first day, which typically involves getting up early at home. But that whole first day, including Epcot, feels just like a warm up for the big start of the trip at MK.

 

[Barbruka]

I think this question really varies depending on if you've been there or not. It's also true for adults, especially ones that think wdw is a waste of time and money. The honest answer is you need to know who your going with and plan according to them.

For myself and my daughter, it never really felt like we were at disney until you stand in front of the castle. I call it the "we made it loop" around mk. We also go right in on travel day. Sure we get a fastpass or two but the loop isn't to accomplish anything. We'll circle, maybe do some rides, definately get a snack or meal in a specific spot that is special for us and then we are officially on vacation and started. With that said, it really does impact the other parks because they just have less to do than MK and it's not as easy to do them with our style. We have tried other parks because there is some favorite places for table service so we do that right away but it doesn't have the same impact as getting to mk and declaring you made it back.... We generally end up back at mk every day or almost every day park hopping so I guess for us, it does impact us when you really think about it.

It's also become very hazy, especially for younger kids. You have the frozen is everything fans and there really isn't much frozen at MK. Then you have the action movie/star wars lovers and HS is their park... I find AK the most annoying to walk around with the way the paths go up and down more and after being in some parks where you can hide in A/C to cool off easier, it's rough to do that park so one might say if your in florida in the hot and humid season, AK might be the best to start while your not sore and not adjusted to how to be in the heat yet...

Epcot I find to be one of the least liked parks by kids (and my daughter still hates it as an adult). They are at disney, so starting there might not be a great move but getting there sooner than other parks can be a good thing. After mk can be rough for epcot so you need to space it with another park they will like that takes them down from all the things mk has to do first..

Honestly, the only way to know if mk would be better not being first is to try it.. just be ready to possibly declare it a mistake and hop to it or make sure it's day #2 when you first try it[/QUO



Exactly. When we went with our five, they had never been there before. (In 1995). Once you do MK, nothing else compares.

 

[DisneyFive]

Most definitely do MK on the first day. Well... first full day. Especially on your first trip all of the parks are new, fun, and exciting and can fill a whole day exploring. We had zero letdown factor on our first trip to WDW after we did MK on our first full day. We did HS on our arrival day that year, and personally I would NOT recommend MK on your arrival day of a first visit. It cuts short the magic of the Magic Kingdom, plus you miss the awesome park opening show.

I will say this though... If we were only going for 4 full days, then I may move MK to the last day. When I say "Most definitely do MK on your first day" I'm also assuming that it's not your only MK day. We save MK for our last full day as well, so we pretty much start and end our stay with the MK.

Dan

 

[REEREEG]

Thanks all - I will keep my plans for magic kingdom 1st!!

 

[ajwolfe]

We typically start and end our trips with MK. My boys love riding the ferry boat over that first day (no matter how early or late it is) and seeing the castle come into view. For us it's that magic moment of we are here! I feel like if I strayed from this they would be super disappointed!!
And never in all our trips did anyone feel like another park didn't live up because it wasn't MK. All the parks are different and shouldn't be judged against each other really.

 

[JonnaP]

We typically got to MK first and last...
If we arrive later in the afternoon (we drive about 8 hours), then we check into the hotel and settle in and then hit MK.
We always schedule MK as our last day, and this typically works out great because it always seems to be that MK has morning magic hours that same day. So we spend a half a day in MK and then head home.
MK is just magical for us. We love the other parks but it's just a great way to begin and end our trip.

 

[jkh36619]

We start with MK. There's no better way to know you just got to Disney than a stroll down Main Street. Then we always try and end out trip with Wishes. It's the perfect way to say goodbye for now.