Not starting at MK?

[wahoostampingirl]

Our family always goes to Epcot first and the kids never mind doing the MK later in our trip. But then again, we never can decide which park is our favorite, so we're happy to be in any of them!

I think it's really the parents more than the kids who can't wait to get to MK!

 

[DisGirl819]

I always start where we WANT to start. I use crowd calendars to a point. Our first day will be in Epcot, but we LOVE Epcot. We won't get to MK until day 4 I think, maybe day 3. But there is enough in WDW for my kids to do that they won't miss the MK. Now plans may change if the ask to go to the MK before we plan to go but usually we just start where we want to. So I say, do what you want regardless of crowd calendars

 

[julirina]

I've always read that making it to rope drop with a good touring plan (and sticking to it) trumps the crowd calendar any day. I would say that armed with those two strategies, you'll be fine at MK on 1/20. Have fun!

 

[moscow]

Plus my number one priority in planning is to stick to the crowd calendar.

A touring plan is just as important as the crowd calendar. Josh has said repeatedly on easywdw that you can certainly go to the parks on crowded days -- just make sure you tour smart.

You might want to put together a plan and post it over on easywdw and ask Josh or one of the other planning gurus there to help you refine it. That way you can go on the first day of your trip but tour smart and see and do everything you want.

Have a great trip!!

 

[aml3679]

My DH wants to go to AK first because that is the park we last visited. That works for us. Do what works for your family. We are only 2 adults so the MK is usually last for us. I am excited to see the new Fantasy Land expansion though and we are going in December 2013 and although it is crowded, we are doing the DVMCP again.

 

[mousebit]

If I were you, I'd tweak my arrival day plans to include a tiny bit of MK, then follow Josh's plan for the rest of your trip. (Save the resort tours for a break on another day.)

You could let the kids choose one favorite attraction - then head over to Ohana for dinner.

Our tradition is to unpack, head to MK, grab a Mickey ice cream bar, see Mickey's PhilharMagic, get PP pictures at the castle, do a little shopping on Main St. (Mickey ears or Tshirts), have dinner at Kona, and then maybe watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

Gets us in a Disney mood and doesn't wear us out so we can make rope drop at another park the next morning.

Besides, I have found that if the kids (& adults) get a little souvenir right away, they won't be so inclined to mess up your touring plans by stopping in every shop they see the rest of the trip. And you won't have to stand in line waiting for a photographer when you'd rather be at Space Mt.

 

[doitforlove]

Our arrival day we're heading to EPCOT because we plan to kick off our vacation drinking around the world a bit

Next day is Animal Kingdom and then the day after that we're heading to one of the water parks in the morning and Magic Kingdom in the evening. I originally planned to not head to MK until MNSSHP but that would be a week after we arrived and I can't wait that long!

 

[alex9179]

We aren't planning on an MK day until day 4, if you can believe it! Then MNSSHP on day 6.

We have:
DHS on a non-recommended day to start the morning, then DTD for dinner
EPCOT
AK-only day open for YES class
MK
EPCOT probably leave after lunch
DHS morning to catch anything we missed the first day and MNSSHP
AK or ? whatever we'd like to do again in the morning

I, too, like the building anticipation of seeing MK and I think going to the other parks will be a nice way to prepare the kids for it.

MNSSHP is in the evening 4 of our 7 nights there, so not sure about getting there for evening events since it will likely be super crowded.

 

[mamamary]

Other than our first year with bringing the kids (did MK first) we now always try to go with whatever park will be least crowded. But then again my kids are easygoing and like all the parks so to them it really doesn't matter where we start. In June we started with Epcot - prob. their least favorite - but then we had all the other parks to still look forward too. But I'd do whatever makes you all feel best.

 

[CanadianPaco]

Our tradition is to unpack, head to MK, grab a Mickey ice cream bar, see Mickey's PhilharMagic, get PP pictures at the castle, do a little shopping on Main St. (Mickey ears or Tshirts), have dinner at Kona, and then maybe watch Wishes from the Poly beach.

This is perfection!!! What a great way to start a magical trip!!

 

[disneyfanlincoln]

Now DD is 6 she insists on MK being first, when she was you ger we played bus roulette, we got on the first one that turned up! WE handle busy days at MK by going early, that way you can get most things done in the morning. When the crowds arrive and the lines are long we are relaxing over an early lunch before the hoards arrive and then we do a bit of shopping, walking, meet and greets and then, watch the parade it tends to work out fine. This works for us and keeps DD happy.

 

[scrapper2k]

We always do the MK last. It builds anticipation and we finish off with a Splash (mountain).