MK: Clockwise, Counter-Clockwise, Does it Matter?

[KuzcoRules]

Many years ago I read that most guests start in a counter-clockwise manner, heading towards the right, when arriving at MK in the morning, so to avoid the initial crowds you should start in Adventureland. I'm wondering what you all think of that advice today. Is it better to start on one side or the other? Or just go straight past the castle and begin in the middle? And at what time in the morning or day does your advice change?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Many years ago I read that most guests start in a clockwise manner when arriving at MK in the morning, so to avoid the initial crowds you should start in Adventureland. I'm wondering what you all think of that advice today. Is it better to start on one side or the other? Or just go straight past the castle and begin in the middle? And at what time in the morning or day does your advice change?

I’m not sure this works any longer. Early Theme Park Entry guests can enter Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. When the park opens to other guests 30 mins later they open the Adventureland entrance. Not really sure clockwise vs counterclockwise works any longer.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Starting at Adventureland would be clockwise...

If you're staying onsite and doing early entry I may or may not be correct but pretty sure you are filtered only towards the right of the castle.

People will be dashing to the most popular attractions and the ones that get the highest waits throughout the day.

So really if you want to avoid the longer waits at first you should probably hit the less popular attractions.

Personally I always head to Peter Pan first and then Small World and then hit up the Tangled bathroom and then Haunted Mansion.

But overall I just crisscross the park because I don't care.

 

[neverlandsky]

Just start where you want to start. It doesn't matter anymore. Low ride waits are rope drop until up to 2 hours after, dinner time 4pm-6pm, & about 1-2 hours before close with no event, party, or extra evening hours scheduled.

 

[KuzcoRules]

Oops, you're right, clockwise is from Adventureland, I said it backwards (but it somehow made sense in my head?!). I'm glad to hear feedback that it probably doesn't matter, because my absolute favorite is Buzz Lightyear and Fantasyland has most of my other can't-miss rides. We're not eligible for Early Entry.

 

[DisneyFive]

I would normally say we’ve had more success, knocking out splash mountain, and big thunder Mountain Railroad, and pirates of the Caribbean quickly. However now that Tiana‘s is open I expect there be a large crush that direction. I’m not sure it really matters right now

 

[_19disnA]

I recall reading some older articles that said most people are right-handed so they tend to go the right when given a choice. They concluded going to the left is faster since fewer people do that. No idea if that is true at Disney or any other amusement park or anywhere in general that has lines.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I would normally say we’ve had more success, knocking out splash mountain, and big thunder Mountain Railroad, and pirates of the Caribbean quickly. However now that Tiana‘s is open I expect there be a large crush that direction. I’m not sure it really matters right now

I’m not sure Tiana will affect crowds as only guests with a VQ that has been called will be headed towards TBA.

 

[DisneyFive]

I’m not sure Tiana will affect crowds as only guests with a VQ that has been called will be headed towards TBA.

That’s a good point, forgot about that

 

[LKing]

I recall reading some older articles that said most people are right-handed so they tend to go the right when given a choice.

And I was thinking that it is because we drive on the right side of the road. Walking traffic up and down streets is the same - people tend to walk on the right side. I wonder if it is different in countries where they drive on the left side of the road.

 

[JCornell]

It's been a long time since I've been able to complete MK in any sort of methodical order.
Typically we head to one land and then bounce back and forth throughout the day, chasing after the rides and attractions that have tolerable waits.

 

[elvispursley]

people tend to walk on the right side. I wonder if it is different in countries where they drive on the left side of the road.

Yes!

 

[beccasmom]

I don’t think it really matters, but I do remember reading a few times a while back - not sure exactly where (an old guidebook?) - that the majority of folks tend to turn right. I don’t know if that is really true, but we’ve always headed to Adventureland first. (My very first MK attraction was on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea way back in 1981.)

 

[KuzcoRules]

I think you're correct that it was an old guidebook and that the reasoning was most people being right-handed. I think the kids I'll be with this time will get whiny if we walk too much, so I'm hoping to avoid the back-and-forth as much as possible. The last time I was there was an adults-only trip and there was a lot less pressure to plan it right!

 

[loislane]

I just did Keys to the Kingdom on Sunday and our guide actually joked as we headed off Main Street that left is the "only correct" way to start. LOL

 

[beccasmom]

I just did Keys to the Kingdom on Sunday and our guide actually joked as we headed off Main Street that left is the "only correct" way to start. LOL

I love that!