MK at 1 pm and no FPs

[smd8z]

Question for those of you who usually start your FPs in the afternoon! We will be flying end of August and arriving at MK around 1pm but our first FP isn't until 4pm. Is it worth going into MK and hoping we can find something to see/do without having to wait 60-90 mins? Or should we hang at our hotel (Contemporary) until right before the first FP. Are there certain attractions/rides with shorter wait times we should try and hit up before our first FP? Thank you!

 

[cgattis]

I think that depends on whether you have other days at MK. If so, I’d take the time to unpack a little and then enjoy my FP and whatever else that strikes me that evening. Of course, that assumes you arrive on time and have no holdups. You might have to go straight to your FP! I think that was smart to give yourself three hours.

 

[Klayfish]

Question for those of you who usually start your FPs in the afternoon! We will be flying end of August and arriving at MK around 1pm but our first FP isn't until 4pm. Is it worth going into MK and hoping we can find something to see/do without having to wait 60-90 mins? Or should we hang at our hotel (Contemporary) until right before the first FP. Are there certain attractions/rides with shorter wait times we should try and hit up before our first FP? Thank you!

Yes, there are attractions you can do with little wait time...it's a matter of whether you'd want to do them or not. The following would normally have a sub-30 minute wait time. I say "normally" because things happen, lines ebb and flow...

Philharmagic
Under the Sea
CoP
Swiss Family Treehouse (though why anyone would want to do this is beyond me...LOL)
Tom Sawyer Island
HoP
Laugh Floor
Peoplemover
Carousel
maybe...just maybe...IaSM
Flying Carpets
Tiki Room

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I would say definitely worth it. There are always a few attractions that have little to no wait. Or, just take the time to explore Main St, have a snack, and take in the atmosphere. I can't think of a better way to kick off a vacation!

 

[dachsie]

You can also try to move up your FPs once you get in the park and can refresh your app. I would go to MK when you planned to. There is plenty to do until your FP even if you don't move them up

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

There will be loads to see and do....... and eat.

But this can be a game time descision. If you arrive and decide to hang around the resort and unpack/explore go for it. If you want to hit up MK, it’s a 10ish minute walk away. IMO this isn’t a plan ahead decision.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Depends how long you plan on staying that night. If it's late hours, you may want to relax a bit and save your energy...

 

[NH-to-FL]

I agree with Mickey's Best Girl that it is something you can decide in the moment.

You may or may not have access to your room which might be a big part of the equation. When we stayed on site at the Boardwalk and arrived mid day we would head into Epcot if our room wasn't ready. If the room was ready we would head there and unpack and unwind a bit after the travel.

Just like the BWI and Epcot, at the Contemporary you have a wonderful opportunity to decide to just wander over to MK.

If you decide to head to MK I think Klayfish has a great list of attractions you'll be able to enjoy without FPs. Add in all of the shops and food and you'll have plenty to absorb a couple of hours.
Wishing you a visit!

 

[Magical2017]

Sometimes it is just nice to slowly walk up Main Street, head over to Tom Sawyer's Island, and check Lines to see what has a short wait. It would really depend on what I was doing the next few days. If you plan to rope drop or have long park days ahead of you, maybe you would prefer resting a bit. I would play it by ear.

 

[MrInfinity]

Question for those of you who usually start your FPs in the afternoon! We will be flying end of August and arriving at MK around 1pm but our first FP isn't until 4pm. Is it worth going into MK and hoping we can find something to see/do without having to wait 60-90 mins? Or should we hang at our hotel (Contemporary) until right before the first FP. Are there certain attractions/rides with shorter wait times we should try and hit up before our first FP? Thank you!

Is this your first time to WDW?

Yes go you'll have an amazing time. Whether or not you have Fast Passes lined up is so not the determining factor in whether or not to go to the Magic Kingdom! You will likely be so fraught with excitement that you will be running to the park ASAP. Or you'll be caught up in the awesomeness of the Contemporary and want to go swim... Reading these boards too much can lead one to think Disney World is nothing more than the Fast Passes you have booked but especially if this is your first time, just walking in to the park can take a couple hours to enjoy it all. Not having a Fast Pass to bee-line for means you can take your time going in, take photos, see skits, characters, wave to people, do some rides, get snacks, etc. I'm guessing you'll decide what to do based on when you arrive. Is your flight early or late, is your room ready or not, etc. Have fun!

Tip... If you're utilizing Magical Express to deliver your bags, consider if you should keep swim suits in your carry-on in the event you find out your room will be ready in an hour or so and you make the call to go swim for a bit while you wait. You won't see those ME bags until later.

 

[FCDub]

When you get to your room, fire up the app and look at wait times.

 

[ktlm]

We would absolutely head straight to MK. We usually figure staying in an MK area resort that we will be walking into the park approximately 3 hours from the time our plane lanes. We would spend that time doing the things that generally have shorter lines to get them done and out of the way. You can also just soak in the park and enjoy some of the stores, sounds, sights, etc, take some pics. You can easily do things like Tiki Room, Philharmagic and Laugh Floor which would be nice in the heat of the day. There will probably also be rides that you can do where the lines won't be that bad. You can always look at the wait times on the app when you arrive and see what you think.

 

[JETSDAD]

There's plenty to do so I would head straight over. Also, when you decide to go over see if you can modify any of your FP's to earlier times.

 

[Robo]

maybe...just maybe...IaSM

It's a Small Mission?
It's a Small Model?
It's a Small Manikin?
It's a Small Marionette?
It's a Small Mistake?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Sure! Festival of Fantasy is at 2 pm at the end of August, so you could enter, meander down Main St., check out some shops, get something to eat, see the parade and then do rides with shorter waits - typically Peoplemover, CoP, Small World, Tiki Room, Aladdin's Magic Carpets, etc. Just look at the MDE app for wait times and go from there. Or, even try moving your FP+ time earlier.

 

[DWillowBay]

It's always WORTH going to MK! JMHO!

 

[BebopBaloo]

Yup, another vote for heading on over. Things to do with little, or no wait: Enchanted Tiki Room, Country Bears, Carousel of Progress, PeopleMover, even just checking out the glassblowing works in progress at the Crystal Arts shop on Main Street. It's possible being the end of August that wait times will be lower on other things as well. If anyone wants to meet characters, I'd recommend checking into the Minnie,Daisy,Goofy,Donald meets in Storybook Circus. We've seen short waits for those at that time of year.

 

[GiJohnsGirl]

I agree with going on over if you have more than one day. My kids love Tom Swayer Island. It's like hiking in the middle of WDW and we don't get to enjoy it on shorter trips bc there is too much to do and see.

 

[smd8z]

Thank you for all your input! I hadn't even thought about checking the wait times on the app. This will be our only day at MK (although we have been to MK once before 2 years ago). Unfortunately, we can't move our FPs up because we have them planned with a group that won't get to MK until 4ish.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

Definitely head over! I love the ambiance and wish I wasn’t heading over to attractions at RD. Meander down Main Street, browse the shops, check out the artists down the little alleyways. Maybe even take the train for a loop around the park, do the people mover. Enjoy some of the awesome snacks instead of lunch (easywdw had a great article recently on the snacks!). Enjoy NOT rushing to an attraction for a specific time!