Parks in what order?

[Happy Girl]

How do you decide which order to visit the parks? We are 2 adults going in May for the first time. Thanks for your help.

 

[ceecee]

That's really up to you. We usually start with MK in the am and end the evening at Epcot for our first day (and usually last night) to see Illuminations.

 

[KristiKelly]

I look on www.allearsnet.com they have a list of which parks are the most crowded on which days, click onto "planning" and then "attendance". I always plan my days around that.

 

[ncbyrne]

We are also two adults going in May (7th trip). There are several factors to consider. How many days will you be there? What day of the week will you arrive? What passes did you purchase? Do you want to see each park just once? Are you staying onsite/offsite? Will you have a car or rely on WDW/hotel transportation? What interests you the most- thrill rides, shows, great food/restaurants? Are you doing any tours?
Our trip is May 2-12. Arrival and departure days are non park days for us. We're splitting our stay between three hotels (see below). Here is our itinerary...
May 2: Arrive MCO - check in Holiday Inn on Hotel Blvd. DD in evening.
May 3: TL/PI at night.
May 4: Backstage Magic Tour (7 hr tour). http://allearsnet.com/btp/tours.htm#bsm
May 5: Check in @ Dolphin, play mini golf/swim/Boardwalk
May 6: MGM
May 7:Epcot
May 8: AK
May 9 (Mother's Day) House of Blues Gospel Brunch, Holy Land Experience, Check in Sheraton Safari
May 10: MK
Day 9: Epcot
We don't especially like park hopping, but may hop an evening or two to take in Wishes or Illuminations.

 

[disneysteve]

We decide based on several factors.

One factor that we always consider is weather. We feel MK is the best park in the rain as the attractions are densely packed and it is very easy to see and do a lot without getting soaked. A park like EC, on the other hand, has a small number of pavillions that are a good distance from each other so you'll get drenched going from one to the next.

We won't do AK on the 1st or 2nd day of our trip. That park is much more laid back and relaxing. We prefer to save it for mid-trip after a couple of hectic days in the other parks. Its a great place to slow down, enjoy the surroundings and clear your head from the hustle and bustle of MK, EC or MGM. Also, AK closes earlier so it makes for a shorter day of park time. We'll usually spend that evening hotel-hopping or doing something offsite.

Lots of things to consider. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to do it. Just remember to take your time and have fun!

 

[maggiew]

If you are staying on-site and are early risers, then go to the Early entry park during the early-entry time. Leave that park and hop to another park when it gets busy. Usually around noon or so.

If staying off site or if you are not early risers, go to the park that is having EE THE FOLLOWING DAY. I've read that on the day before a park has EE that it is not as crowded because people plan to go to that park the next day. I'm not sure if that is true, but we followed it last trip and it worked well for us.

I cannot seem to get my family up and out the door in time for EE. So I have given up and just plan to go to non-EE parks.

Even so, we usually do MK and Epcot on our first day because these are our favorites!

Maggie