Not starting at MK?

[safroim]

We have a trip planned for 1/19-1/26. Saturday we're planning on checking in, grocery shopping, checking out the resorts and then dinner at Ohana. I'm trying to follow the crowd calendar and park recommendations from easywdw. But on Sunday MK is the park to avoid. We have two little ones, 4 and 6, who are going to be super excited to get to MK. I can't imagine a trip to Disney that doesn't start with MK. Do you think the crowds at MK will be horrible on Sunday 1/20?

 

[lilipad]

I know there's a lot of debate over what park to start off with. Ultimately, start with what *you* want to start with and what you think *your* family would most enjoy. Since we were all first timers, we planned to do the AK, EP, HS and then MK tactic as suggested by some to what? avoid let down with the other parks? We ended up going to MK on day 2 after our day at EP at the last minute. Nothing like a little flexibility in your planning.

 

[KellyNY]

If you feel you and your kids want to see MK first, then do it. You will experience heavier crowds however, but it is not extremely dramatic difference between recommended and not recommended parks, so I, personally would go to MK anyway.

 

[Sparkly]

EasyWDW lists the 11th of Feb as a non recommended day for MK but we're going anyway! Can't wait to start our holiday off with seeing Cinderella Castle again!

 

[kstinw19]

We usually start with MK too because to us that is quintessential Disney. If the crowd calendars say that it's not a Green day, we just keep in our minds that we are just going for the ambiance, and not to get on every ride the first day.

We stay until the crowds are too big and then we leave.

On our next trip, we are doing things a bit differently because we are going to South Florida to visit relatives first. So AK is on our list first. We will see how it goes!

Have fun!

 

[autismgoesdisney]

In years past we listened to those guides and avoided Mk on days they told us to. However, every year we complained that it didn't feel like Disney unt we saw that castle.

This year we went to Mk on a Saturday (gasp). We decided we wouldn't stay for the parade or wishes but at least do the park. I'm so glad we did! It was busy but not overly so and we loved seeing the castle first thing!

 

[scootch]

We usually start off with Chef Mickey's and then if we don't hit MK the first day the kids are ok with it. I have no clue about January, but that is MLK weekend. Is your stay long?? I would say if you can hit MK again and really want to do it that day do.. but if it is your only day at MK, then maybe reconsider

 

[Quin]

After the kids having seen MK and the Castle from afar Saturday night at Ohana I don't think there is any way you can avoid starting Sunday morning at MK.

If you have hoppers it's a total non-issue; start there and hop elsewhere if you think it's getting too crowded later on. If no hoppers, try to be at the park at rope drop (well, before rope drop - MK is the only park left with the full pre-opening show and your kids are of an age to love it! Be there in enough time to be through bag check at least 15 minutes before opening). Tour through lunchtime, then head back to your resort for a break and return at dinnertime.

 

[lroger01]

My vacations usually have a Saturday arrival. Since the extra days are so cheap I always include park passes for that Saturday - and we go to the MK. Saturday nights can be the busiest time at MK. By going then, we get to see any nighttime events that may only be held on the weekend (off season), see the parks as packed as they are likely to be the whole week - making the following days seem light by comparison, and gives me my castle and walk down main street fix to start the vacation off right.

The best benefit though is getting to head to a different park for the first full day of the trip. We change which park is our first day park. And this way we get to see each one in turn with fresh feet and full vacation excitement.

I wasn't a huge Animal Kingdom fan until I went to it on the first full vacation day. Just being physically fresh and vacation excited made it seem so much more fun.

I suggest if you can, to add an extra day to the tickets and head to the MK for a few hours on arrival day. Set your expectations to just enjoying being there. Then on Sunday, head to whatever park is recommended.

 

[Cyrano]

Our trips normally start with a visit to EPCOT and our first family ride on Soarin. However if this was a park that was not suggested as the best park we would go to another.
Obviously if you have your heart set on going to Magic Kingdom I would aim to get there for the park opening and hopefully you will get in quite a few rides before the park gets really busy.

 

[WSLover]

For our Nov trip our first day includes MNSSHP so we will be at MK around 4pm. We have a breakfast at Ohana at 8:30 but are talking about heading over to AK for a while after breakfast - my nephew can't wait to ride EE again. We often do Epcot (my fav park) on arrival day. Just go with what you feel like doing. I feel the Disney magic even if I don't see the castle first thing.

 

[gtpoohbear]

We always start with MK, regardless of the predictions. I did think about starting with DHS next time b/c it would have worked out better, but DH nixed that idea, lol! He was afraid we would spend the whole first day not feeling like we were really "there" yet, especially since it will be DS's first trip. I bet it won't be too terrible anyway, if it's what you are used to doing, I would go ahead and do it anyway!

 

[T1gger]

We dont really mind about not doing MK first - I am gutted however we arrive the day the F & W starts so wont get to Epcot for a few days unless we want to deal with crowds

But if MK is important for you to do then I echo the advice to either start there and hop, do RD and do what you can or get there when you can and just accept doing whatever you can and not plan on being able to do as much as normal

 

[tigerbelly]

We just came back from our trip, only 2 days at Disney, and our 3 & 6 year olds first time. We did MK and then HS. If I had to do it over again I would have done HS first. MK was extremely overwhelming to my kids who have never been to a theme park, and who don't really sit in strollers, and are not used to the heat. Our day at HS was awesome both in the kids behavior and the weather and the general tone of the park. It would have eased them into things much easier. But that's just my experience! My husband and I are already planning our next trip! So all the negatives with the kids have already faded away!

 

[bookgirl2632]

We have always found ourselves at DTD and Epcot on our arrival day. It became a tradition somewhere along the way.

 

[Keepee]

I never go to MK on the first day. It's my favorite park, but I kind of like the anticipation of Magic Kingdom day! I don't want to ruin that by visiting it first :lol: I'm a weirdo. Plus I'll enjoy it more if I deal with less of a crowd.

 

[AshleyD1983]

Everyone has different preferences and traveling styles. I actually prefer to do Magic Kingdom on our last 2 days. We have a 4 year old son, and Magic Kingdom is his favorite by far. If we went to Magic Kingdom first he would not enjoy the other parks as much because they just don't add up to Magic Kingdom. Because of that it definitely worked best for us to do Magic Kingdom last, after enjoying the other parks.

 

[CaliKT]

We're arriving on Saturday, 12/8, the first Saturday after the FLE grand opening. The MK should be a zoo that day. I know my kids are going to want to go to MK first -- they have their first rides of the trip picked out already -- but there's no way we're going anywhere near MK that day! I'll have to work on convincing them to go elsewhere!

 

[jcemom]

Sunday will be more crowded than some other days that week. If you don't mind that it's more crowded, then go to MK on Sunday. Just don't think the crowds won't be there because that's where you want to go. It isn't going to be horrible, jam packed, shoulder-to-shoulder, three-hour-long line crowds. It is going to be more crowded than Tuesday or Wednesday. You just have to decide what is more important to YOU.

My family has always gone to whichever park I say we're going to on each day. We don't start with any particular park. We never have. It does seem to usually end up being either Epcot or MK though, usually.

 

[safroim]

I never go to MK on the first day. It's my favorite park, but I kind of like the anticipation of Magic Kingdom day! I don't want to ruin that by visiting it first :lol: I'm a weirdo. Plus I'll enjoy it more if I deal with less of a crowd.

This is kind of what I am thinking. It might be fun to build the excitement. Plus my number one priority in planning is to stick to the crowd calendar.