MK- first or last?

[Nicole F]

hi all! First tip to DW with 5 and 7 yo. 5yo DD is in love with princesses. 7yo into Star Wars. Should we plan to do MK first or last? If we do it first, will the 5 yo be disappointed the rest of the park days? Or will waiting to the last day make her impatient?!?! Tia!

 

[Shanti]

hi all! First tip to DW with 5 and 7 yo. 5yo DD is in love with princesses. 7yo into Star Wars. Should we plan to do MK first or last? If we do it mimosa, first, will the 5 yo be disappointed the rest of the park days? Or will waiting to the last day make her impatient?!?! Tia!

First. Do it while their excitement is at its highest, and when they still have the most energy (it is the park with the most rides & activities). After a full day at MK, they'll have gotten their princess & ride fix, & likely be more open to other activities. Do Hollywood Studios next, so they can enjoy the Star Wars stuff. Then do whatever else you have the time & energy for. You'd be surprised at how quickly you can get tired at WDW. It only takes a couple of days of touring to do it. You don't want to save MK for the end of the trip when they're more likely to be tired & grumpy.

 

[dizneegirl]

We took our niece and nephew, and did MK next to last. We figured once they saw it, they wouldn't want to do anything else! lol

You can meet princesses at Epcot, if you're planning on visiting there...

 

[JessyP]

I agree. I would do it first. We went for the first time when my son was 5 and there were things he liked at all the parks but there is just something special about MK. If you have park hoppers maybe you can go back if they aren't as interested in the other parks..

 

[MommaBerd]

I can't exactly say why, but I've always waited to do MK after a day or two at other parks. Now, mind you, I have all boys, so they weren't bursting with excitement over seeing princesses. Maybe it's partly due to crowd calendars. But, I think I like the build up and I like to strrrrrrretch out the anticipation.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Both! MK is a 2 day park for us. We like to start and end each trip there.

 

[DisTXMom]

I say first. Waiting until the end of the trip leaves too much room for disappointment if something goes wrong. Agree with other posters/ you'll have more energy and feel better early in the trip.

 

[MandLBee]

We are going in order of desire, not on purpose, but it just turned out that way. Our days are
Arrival
Epcot
Rest
Animal Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
Rest
Wizarding World
And I think this will work well for us.

 

[AllieBoo]

First and last!

 

[lynzi2004]

I agree first and last. We have a just turned 4 and 5 year old and the day we were at Animal Kingdom, the 4 year old kept asking to go back to Disney World! DH and I looked at each other confused, and our DS said, "You know, the one with the castle!" You can never go wrong with MK!

 

[jods]

We also do first and last. This year we are staying BC and it has emh. Ods13 said we still have to start at MK since it's tradition . He likes to see the MK entrance. So MK will be 1st again.

 

[cdnjason]

Agree with those who said first and last. That, of course, is the only correct answer.

 

[StuckInKS]

Same, first and last. We would skip other parks if we only had 4 days, just so we could do MK both first and last.

 

[ohana1221]

I agree with first and last. I would skip hollywood studios and do MK twice. Especially with your kids' ages. HS has a lot of construction, few attractions, and doesn't appeal as much to young kids (aside from midway mania and the frozen stuff -- but you can catch anna and elsa in epcot anyway). It will take 2 days to fully enjoy Magic Kingdom anyway, with all the parades, shows, and attractions that you'll want to see.

 

[Surgie2]

Agree with those who said first and last. That, of course, is the only correct answer.

I completely agree with this! We are arriving on a Friday with 4 preschooler grandchildren (and their parents). We will probably stay at the resort that day but go to MK the next day (even though many people say not to go on Saturday). We will have FP, go at rope drop and do what we can do. We will also go on the last day and probably one in the middle of our 8-day stay.

 

[Klayfish]

I agree with first and last. I would skip hollywood studios and do MK twice. Especially with your kids' ages. HS has a lot of construction, few attractions, and doesn't appeal as much to young kids (aside from midway mania and the frozen stuff -- but you can catch anna and elsa in epcot anyway). It will take 2 days to fully enjoy Magic Kingdom anyway, with all the parades, shows, and attractions that you'll want to see.

I am also very much in the first and last camp. We start and end every long trip at MK. The shorter weekend type trips always start in MK, but don't always end there. It's the heart and soul of WDW, for us there's no other place to start...and when possible, end.

I disagree with the idea of skipping HS, especially since you have a 7 year old really into Star Wars. The construction is way overblown, it's not a big deal. Not much is closed because of it. There are also a bunch of attractions for younger kids. Frozen Sing along, TSMM, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast show, GMR, Muppets and more. For your Star Wars fan, JTA, Star Tours and Launch Bay are must do attractions, as is the fireworks. You definitely don't want to miss HS, in my opinion.

Even if you can't end in MK, definitely start there. So much to see and do.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I disagree with the idea of skipping HS, especially since you have a 7 year old really into Star Wars. The construction is way overblown, it's not a big deal. Not much is closed because of it. There are also a bunch of attractions for younger kids. Frozen Sing along, TSMM, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast show, GMR, Muppets and more. For your Star Wars fan, JTA, Star Tours and Launch Bay are must do attractions, as is the fireworks. You definitely don't want to miss HS, in my opinion.

I also would not recommend skipping DHS if you have a Star Wars fan. My 7 year old son absolutely loved Jedi Training Academy. My young kids also love Sci Fi diner, it is a must do for them on every trip. OP, it would help to know how many park days you are planning for your trip.....but if you have at least 5 days I would do 2 at MK and one at each other park.

 

[KittyKitty]

If you have 4 days, 2 days MK(1st and last day), 1 day studio(2nd day), 1 day AK.... skip Epcot for now.
If you have 5 days, 2 days MK(1st and last day), 2 days studio(2nd and 2nd to last day), 1 day AK..... skip Epcot for now.
More than 5 days, add Epcot.. and a rest day somewhere in there. They will probably want to go swimming at the resort pool.

Magic Kingdom has Pirates! Might want to show a few you-tube videos to 7 yo.

Have a great time!

 

[brockash]

hi all! First tip to DW with 5 and 7 yo. 5yo DD is in love with princesses. 7yo into Star Wars. Should we plan to do MK first or last? If we do it first, will the 5 yo be disappointed the rest of the park days? Or will waiting to the last day make her impatient?!?! Tia!

Well we do both, but if doing 2 MK days isn't an option, then I'd go with last...especially if it's your first trip. While the other parks are great too, MK is def. on a different level in a lot of ways, and I'd be afraid that they might be disappointed if they did that first and weren't going again during the trip.

 

[kpearl]

MK is always a first day and last day park for me and my family. Although we tend to go more than 2 times. Depending on how long your trip is if you want to make 2 days for MK but don't have the wiggle room because you want to visit all the other parks then cut out Epcot. As a child it can be one of the more "boring" parks aside from 2-3 rides (usually Soarin', Test Track, & Frozen). But other than that they may not jump for joy over the world showcase. I hated Epcot as a kid but I love it now. I could spend multiple days there, especially if F&W or F&G is going on.