PHM - Help me decide which day to go to MK, please!!

[mickeymom629]

Hi all!

I'm looking forward to doing the PHM with DD22! It will be her first time, as I did it once before in 2010 with DH. A friend and her daughter are also going but we are staying at two different resorts and are starting in different corrals, so I'm not sure how much we will see them. We are flying there and back with them.

DD and I are staying at AKV Thurs and Fri (friends are meeting us for dinner at Sanaa after they go to AK), then moving to BLT on Sat for 2 nights, and leaving FL on Monday. My plan was to buy 1 day park passes for DD and myself and go to the MK on Sunday after resting and showering from the marathon. I know we will be sore, but I think it may be good to keep moving rather than sit in our villa and I feel like it would be a fun way to end our trip. And we can be in the park for Wishes @ 8.

Our friends are going to the MK on Saturday morning, so I am wondering if we should do that day with them instead. Wishes is not until 10 p.m., so I'm disappointed that I won't be seeing it in the park or from our villa since I had better be in bed by then!! If we use our park ticket on Saturday, we will be watching Wishes from our MK view villa on Sunday. Our friends are going to DTD after the marathon so it will just be DD and myself relaxing in the villa. I'd make dinner reservations at the Wave and we can walk around the resort area and see the EWP.

So, which would you suggest - go Saturday a.m. as a group and stay in and around BLT resort on Sunday, or walk around BLT resort on Saturday, go to bed early and go to MK on Sunday after the marathon.

Also, not sure which day we are fitting in the EXPO. I had originally planned Saturday to pass the time until our villa is ready. But I may try to do it earlier in case we end up at MK. Decisions..decisions...

 

[nervous1sttimer]

Due to marathon crowds and President's Day week, crowds at MK on Saturday are expected to be 8/10. I would (and am) resting that day - no parks at all. I'm going to DHS on Sunday, but that would be a better day to go to MK than Saturday. And in my experience, going to the parks after a race actually helps a lot. Keep moving, don't let yourself tighten up, and have fun while you take it slow!

 

[Figment1990]

I would go to MK on Sunday too. Can you get your friends to change their MK day? Especially since it's going to be crowded Saturday.

My family is doing MK Friday afternoon, DHS Saturday after the kids races, Epcot on Sunday after the half, MK Monday. I'm only joining them for dinners Friday and Saturday. I overdid it at the parks & expo for the two days before Wine & Dine and felt it on race day. Keep in mind, that I'm not used to walking as much as I do at Disney. I run a lot, but not walk. Different muscles. Not happy hammies for me. I took it easier at Tink (mostly sat poolside on Sat while DH and DS did the parks) and that helped.

Edited to add: This is my opinion for visiting right before a race. If I were to be at WDW for a week or 3-4 days prior to a race, I would do the parks. My legs would have more time to adjust, and I wouldn't want to spend all that time not enjoying the parks. It isn't my preferred travel time though because I love to EAT at WDW and I'm not adventurous eater before races.

 

[mickeymom629]

Thanks for the responses!

I like the thought of seeing Wishes in the park on Sunday and I saw that crowds are going to be more on Saturday. I'm not sure if we'll get any FP+ before we go, since I haven't bought the tickets yet, but we are more interested in being in the park, and doing what we can, than rushing around for attractions and lower crowds will help!

 

[joan4mickey]

I am going Sunday afternoon. The race days we have to get up so early.
Have fun with your DD..I have gotten to do it my girls a few times.

 

[mickeymom629]

I am going Sunday afternoon. The race days we have to get up so early.
Have fun with your DD..I have gotten to do it my girls a few times.

Thanks! Wow - you've done it each year! Perfect! I don't think I'll be doing it again (Mostly because I miss the discounts they offered in 2010. That's why I'm only doing one park and staying on DVC points )

 

[afnaechiquita]

we are planning on MK friday all day, saturday evening (although we may just go for our dinner reservations only), and sunday evening. BUT, given the option to pick only one of those dates, i would just go with sunday evening. you can take a nice nap/relax after the race, and freshen up and head out in the early evening. it's EMH as well, so if you're really up to it, you can stay until 1 am.

it's also the only night (that i can see) with all of MK's nighttime entertainment - parade, castle show, and wishes.

 

[afnaechiquita]

also!!! if you are not planning on doing PHM again, sunday is the one and only day you get to walk around the park with your medal around your neck!

 

[mickeymom629]

also!!! if you are not planning on doing PHM again, sunday is the one and only day you get to walk around the park with your medal around your neck!

 

[mickeymom629]

it's also the only night (that i can see) with all of MK's nighttime entertainment - parade, castle show, and wishes.

Actually Saturday night has all the entertainment, too! Wishes is at 10 p.m., though, which is way too late for the night before the race. On Sunday it's at 8 p.m.. I wish they had switched those... I splurged on a MK view at BLT, but won't be able to stay up for Wishes on Saturday and I plan to be in the park for it on Sunday... oh well

 

[taratru]

I just noticed MK is open on Saturday night until 1am, which means it's going to be paaaaacked all day. I'm mostly bummed because I LOVE late nights at the parks and can't do that the night before a race!

We're doing MK on Sunday post-race, with dinner at Be Our Guest. In your situation, I would do MK on Sunday as well. You don't want to fight those Saturday crowds all day (and what if it's hot?) and then run the next day.

 

[mickeymom629]

I just noticed MK is open on Saturday night until 1am, which means it's going to be paaaaacked all day. I'm mostly bummed because I LOVE late nights at the parks and can't do that the night before a race!

We're doing MK on Sunday post-race, with dinner at Be Our Guest. In your situation, I would do MK on Sunday as well. You don't want to fight those Saturday crowds all day (and what if it's hot?) and then run the next day.

If you are staying onsite, you can be in the MK just as late on Sunday since it's evening EMH until 1 a.m.! Hopefully it won't be

 

[kappyfamily]

Actually Saturday night has all the entertainment, too! Wishes is at 10 p.m., though, which is way too late for the night before the race. On Sunday it's at 8 p.m.. I wish they had switched those... I splurged on a MK view at BLT, but won't be able to stay up for Wishes on Saturday and I plan to be in the park for it on Sunday... oh well

. I stayed at BLT for princess 2 years ago (amazing) and will be at CR this time. I had plans to be to bed early on Saturday too. What I will tell you is between the electric water pageant (insanely loud) and the fireworks it's nearly impossible to get to bed early. So you might be able to see them from your room still!

 

[mickeymom629]

. I stayed at BLT for princess 2 years ago (amazing) and will be at CR this time. I had plans to be to bed early on Saturday too. What I will tell you is between the electric water pageant (insanely loud) and the fireworks it's nearly impossible to get to bed early. So you might be able to see them from your room still!

I'm bringing ear plugs just in case I will be facing the MK, do you think we will still hear the EWP? I hardly sleep well as it is so this is somewhat worrisome about Saturday night.

 

[Bookwood]

Another MK on Sunday after the race here. We are also having our celebration meal at Be Our Guest (early dinner) then plan on doing what we feel like doing at the park. The girls will undoubtedly take a nap after the race on Sunday (I always try but never can sleep- so I wash the race laundry LOL.) I'm hoping it's nice enough to sit at the pool while it washes.

We've planned a later morning on Monday to compensate for the early mornings of the Glass Slipper challenge and the late Sunday night.

 

[taratru]

If you are staying onsite, you can be in the MK just as late on Sunday since it's evening EMH until 1 a.m.! Hopefully it won't be

Really? I haven't even looked at official hours yet. I feel like a trip planning slacker!