PPO BOG or RD opening ceremony for 1st visit to MK.

[AntimonyER]

So my 180 day is coming up, and figured I would get some input from the experts...

This trip will be the first for my three kids, and the first for my wife and I in 15+ years. None of us have ever seen the RD opening ceremony (or gotten in the park early for a PPO ADR). Our only opportunity to see the RD ceremony or PPO BOG will be our first day at MK as our second day planned is an EMH morning day at MK, and we are offsite. (Yes, I know, bad day to go, but its a mid-week MVMCP date, so hoping it will be low crowds still.)

But I am conflicted on which one to choose. Not really interested in the actual breakfast, but just the other perks associated with PPO BOG. Is missing the ceremony worth those perks? Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

If you are not interested in the breakfast, then what you are really getting out of it is to save approximately 10-15 minutes in line. Would you like to a. pay and b. miss the welcome show in order to save 10-15 minutes in line for SDMT?

 

[Alesia]

There's no question as far as I'm concerned - Skip the ADR. PPO ADRs are probably the most overrated thing on the disboards (and that's saying a lot!)

 

[missangelalexis]

Welcome show for sure! Really helps you start your day off by feeling the magic

 

[Shanti]

Get a FastPass for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and watch the rope drop ceremony.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

PPO ADRs are probably the most overrated thing on the disboards (and that's saying a lot!)

I think you might have a case for that!!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I know I'm in the minority...
But, we really, really loved having an early am ppo at BOG and riding 7DMT twice, then hitting BTMRR twice, before the hordes. Saved our FPs for closer to 11 am. We got a ton done because we were so deep in Fantasyland and bebopped immediately over to Frontier land to do BTMRR and Splash with no waits.
You could do the same in Fantasyland.
start with 7DMT, skip over to Under the Sea, and knock out a ton of Fantasyland rides before the hordes get there. (7DMT, Dumbo, Under the Sea, Peter pan)
Just sayin'

 

[Shanti]

I know I'm in the minority...
But, we really, really loved having an early am ppo at BOG and riding 7DMT twice, then hitting BTMRR twice, before the hordes. Saved our FPs for closer to 11 am. We got a ton done because we were so deep in Fantasyland and bebopped immediately over to Frontier land to do BTMRR and Splash with no waits.
You could do the same in Fantasyland.
start with 7DMT, skip over to Under the Sea, and knock out a ton of Fantasyland rides before the hordes get there. (7DMT, Dumbo, Under the Sea, Peter pan)
Just sayin'

I loved doing BOG PPO. Not bashing that at all. Just saying that for the first visit, it's ideal to see the morning show.

 

[GPC0321]

I'd do the Welcome Show and RD. Such a great way to start off a day at MK. You'll get plenty of riding in before the thick crowds start developing.

 

[SabresFan]

If you've never seen it, I would watch the morning show. Just make sure you are there at least 20 minutes before park opening. IMHO, the biggest advantage to doing PPO breakfast isn't getting on a ride sooner, it's being able to walk down Main Street when it's deserted. But since your kids have never seen Main Street in any condition, crowded or empty, I'd opt for getting my first viewing the same way as everybody else. There's a lot of activity at the gate area even after the crowd is let in - soak that up, see a character, watch the dancing, watch the crowds of people - it should create quite a memory. Then the next time you come, if you do the PPO, the empty park will seem really cool. But if you've never seen it full, it will just seem strangely empty.

 

[Nancyg56]

For a first trip with kids I would skip the PPO and enjoy the welcome show. I think that one of the best gifts you can give your family is the gift of time. I see so many people tying to max their experience by piling in an exta attraction, racing from one to the next, and never really seeing any of the details that make every one of the parks, MK in particular special.

I made that mistake in August, forgetting that while most of our few had been multiple times, we had newbies with us. We should have started with the Welcome show, meandered our way down Main Steet, saying Hello to all the CM's lining the Street.

By the time we all got to Epcot we wee strolling and that park is the kids favorite. They may have decided it was their perfect park, but I think part of the charm was how we toured.

 

[Jewel3k]

I would do they rope drop show and do the PPO breakfast the second day during EMH. They will allow you in to eat.

 

[wondermama16]

We did the welcome show this trip and then on a different day we did ppo adr at bog. The welcome show was so crowded with rude cranky people. It wasn't a good experience for me. On the other hand being one of the few to get in for ppo Adr at bog was really nice. We got to walk on to 7dmt and get cool pictures.

For a first time in the park ever though ... Welcome show, seeing Mickey, being there at the start. That sounds nice.

 

[KT0191]

The Welcome Show. No doubt in my mind. I also agree that PPO breakfasts are highly overrated.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I've thought about it more and now I'm definitely going to side with Welcome Show. Imagine your kids excitement as they see the old steam train puff in with MICKEY on it!! How amazing, especially if you have a little boy.

Main street and the Castle will still be there and awe inspiring if you go in at 9:00 vs 8:20....

 

[AntimonyER]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think Welcome show is the winner. Cheaper too