MK on a party day & on a Saturday

[2009CAN]

I’m trying to choose which days we’ll be in which parks for our November 13-21 trip. The crowd calendar recommend MK on Friday, 14 but that is a Christmas party day. When we were there in Sept, we cut our MK day short because it became SO CROWDED at 4:00 when the Halloween party guests started flooding the park. I don’t want to have that happen again.

Also, we're looking at going to MK on the one Saturday we are there, but it's again not recommended. I'm guessing that that prediction is a good one seeing it's a Saturday and I'm sure it's a draw for many FL people.

Can someone give me their opinion on MK on a party day if you are NOT staying for the party?

 

[mesaboy2]

I’m trying to choose which days we’ll be in which parks for our November 13-21 trip. The crowd calendar recommend MK on Friday, 14 but that is a Christmas party day. When we were there in Sept, we cut our MK day short because it became SO CROWDED at 4:00 when the Halloween party guests started flooding the park. I don’t want to have that happen again.

Also, we're looking at going to MK on the one Saturday we are there, but it's again not recommended. I'm guessing that that prediction is a good one seeing it's a Saturday and I'm sure it's a draw for many FL people.

Can someone give me their opinion on MK on a party day if you are NOT staying for the party?

These are often some of the least crowded days of the year at MK. Go early, and you should be able too get a lot done.

 

[2009CAN]

I was kind of thinking along those same lines

 

[MamaBear58]

Are you looking at easyWDW? If yes, I suggest waiting until he publishes the detail around his recommendations, because he does explain it well. You might want to read the recommendations for Nov 2013. The thought is that most people don't want to leave MK at 7:00 (or 4:00, as in your example) or go the park without the benefit of the evening activities, so they avoid the park altogether. So Josh would say go there and leave at 7 (or when it gets crowded) and hop to another park.

I don't think he ever recommends the MK on a Saturday.

For the record, I'm going 11/15 to 11/22 and feel your pain. With 3 parties and one night w/o a party but with a 7 pm. close and no parade or Wishes (Mon, 11/17, although easyWDW says there's a party that night too), I'm having a hard time scheduling MK activities, which are key for us because my kids are only 7 and 4. The 4:00 p.m. close at HS on Thurs 11/20 is also annoying because it's the only day he recommends HS (same rationale as above), which means we'd need to make a separate trip to do Fantasmic. I'm not opposed to park hopping, but too much of it doesn't sound relaxing to me, or efficient, especially with kids who are only 7 and 4.

 

[jenjersnap]

My dates are similar and I just spent two hours trying to piece together a touring plan. I think I may have a bald spot now from pulling out a clump of hair. Wish I knew for sure what is happening on November 17 at MK! Plus, both MK and EP having EMH on the 18th (one AM and one PM). Between this and some desirable ADRs which requires being flexible, aaaccckkkkkkk.

We always do MK on party days but we are gone by 4 pm.

I too want to do HS on one of those early close Thursdays. it annoys me to return again for Osborne Lights and/or Fantasmic.

I have a subscription to Touring Plans and usually try to compare it with Josh's predictions. Touring Plans gives predictions for each park as well as an average number. That Saturday at MK is the single highest crowd number of the entire trip. I wouldn't do it. I would try to see MSEP on the 19th, if possible.

Hoping Josh finalizes his calendar soon!

 

[MamaBear58]

My dates are similar and I just spent two hours trying to piece together a touring plan. I think I may have a bald spot now from pulling out a clump of hair. Wish I knew for sure what is happening on November 17 at MK! Plus, both MK and EP having EMH on the 18th (one AM and one PM). Between this and some desirable ADRs which requires being flexible, aaaccckkkkkkk.

We always do MK on party days but we are gone by 4 pm.

I too want to do HS on one of those early close Thursdays. it annoys me to return again for Osborne Lights and/or Fantasmic.

I have a subscription to Touring Plans and usually try to compare it with Josh's predictions. Touring Plans gives predictions for each park as well as an average number. That Saturday at MK is the single highest crowd number of the entire trip. I wouldn't do it. I would try to see MSEP on the 19th, if possible.

Hoping Josh finalizes his calendar soon!

Agreed. Do we know when Josh will publish???

 

[jenjersnap]

No, but soon I hope. He cut it very close last month, I heard!

 

[MamaBear58]

No, but soon I hope. He cut it very close last month, I heard![/QUOTE

Meaning as late as 4/30? Other than my impatience I could live with that because my 180 days is not until May 19th. But if it was 5/1 I would not be happy!!!

 

[2009CAN]

Are you looking at easyWDW? If yes, I suggest waiting until he publishes the detail around his recommendations, because he does explain it well.

... I'm not opposed to park hopping, but too much of it doesn't sound relaxing to me, or efficient, especially with kids who are only 7 and 4.

Thank you! I thought last year there were reasons attached to the predictions but I didn't see any so thought I had made it up! I guess I will wait to finalize.

My three kids are 5, 5 & 3 so I feel your pain regarding the young ages/late nights/park hopping. Last year we purchased park hoppers and NEVER used them, so I'm not sure if I should spend the money on them or not this trip.

And I know we won't do a party because the kids are too young to be up late enough and not worth the price of 5 tickets.

My dates are similar and I just spent two hours trying to piece together a touring plan. I think I may have a bald spot now from pulling out a clump of hair. Wish I knew for sure what is happening on November 17 at MK! Plus, both MK and EP having EMH on the 18th (one AM and one PM). Between this and some desirable ADRs which requires being flexible, aaaccckkkkkkk.

We always do MK on party days but we are gone by 4 pm.

I too want to do HS on one of those early close Thursdays. it annoys me to return again for Osborne Lights and/or Fantasmic.

I have a subscription to Touring Plans and usually try to compare it with Josh's predictions. Touring Plans gives predictions for each park as well as an average number. That Saturday at MK is the single highest crowd number of the entire trip. I wouldn't do it. I would try to see MSEP on the 19th, if possible.

Hoping Josh finalizes his calendar soon!

Thank you for the info about what touring plans said. That's helpful and I think I will not go to MK on Saturday, but that also really stinks because it would have been nice to do w/the hours.
And I was thinking that part would be on the 17th, too
And I agree about the EMH and the early closings. UGH!!!!!!

 

[ZoZo]

The thought is that most people don't want to leave MK at 7:00 (or 4:00, as in your example) or go the park without the benefit of the evening activities, so they avoid the park altogether. So Josh would say go there and leave at 7 (or when it gets crowded) and hop to another park.

Exactly. Josh's thinking on easywdw.com is that most folks avoid MK on party days, unless they plan to attend the party. So the daytime hour tend to have very low crowds! As long as you don't mind missing the evening activities at MK (like the fireworks or an evening-only parade), I'd really recommend that you go on a party day.

FWIW, my own experience at MK during a couple of MNSSHPs was that people (who aren't attending the party) start leaving in droves around 4:00. Lots of people attending the party don't seem to realize you can get in as early as 4:00 pm, so I found the lines at the QS restaurants and most of the rides to be fairly short. I got some corn dog nuggets at Casey's and people-watched, viewing the mass exodus.

Also, those arriving for the party often have ADRs at TS restaurants, so not everyone is trying to ride the rides between 4:00 and 7:00 - and some people are lining up for the rare-character meet-and greets. So I rode the rides with fairly short lines!. This worked for me.

 

[2009CAN]

Exactly. Josh's thinking on easywdw.com is that most folks avoid MK on party days, unless they plan to attend the party. So the daytime hour tend to have very low crowds! As long as you don't mind missing the evening activities at MK (like the fireworks or an evening-only parade), I'd really recommend that you go on a party day.

FWIW, my own experience at MK during a couple of MNSSHPs was that people (who aren't attending the party) start leaving in droves around 4:00. Lots of people attending the party don't seem to realize you can get in as early as 4:00 pm, so I found the lines at the QS restaurants and most of the rides to be fairly short. I got some corn dog nuggets at Casey's and people-watched, viewing the mass exodus.

Also, those arriving for the party often have ADRs at TS restaurants, so not everyone is trying to ride the rides between 4:00 and 7:00 - and some people are lining up for the rare-character meet-and greets. So I rode the rides with fairly short lines!. This worked for me.

I'm really happy to hear this. I think when we were there in Sept and experienced the people coming in at 4:00 for the Halloween party, it seemed extra crazy because we were near the entrance watching the afternoon parade.
I think we'll try it on MVMCP day because that will be our first park day and I really want to do MK on our first day.