Rate my park picks? -- following crowd calendars

[Pdollar88]

I'm acting like this is my first time going (I'm an ex-College Program participant). I'm just trying to make this trip as smooth as I can with as short wait times as I can since it is my boyfriend's first trip. And he doesn't particularly like Disney.

The dates I landed on that jive with his school break are March 4-9 with 5 days at Disney (4 full, one partial, one to visit the other park). So I've looked at a lot of crowd calendars and have two scenarios.

My initial thought was this:
Sunday - HS, get there in time for EMH. Hit him with that first since it has more "thrills" and Star Wars.
Monday - Epcot
Tuesday - AK - Epcot EMH
Wednesday - Magic Kingdom (my favorite!) - stay for EMH. This doesn't seem to be recommended, but I wondered if I need to worry so much since this is a slightly slower time
Friday - return to one of the parks, probably MK.

Looking at crowd calendars, my days aren't necessarily optimized. Rearranging to fit the calendar, the schdule might look like this (and make it more difficult to get BOG reservations on my MK day):
Sunday - MK
Monday - Epcot
Tuesday - HS - Epcot EMH
Wednesday - AK - MK EMH
Friday - return to one of the parks, probably HS

I jam Universal near the end on Thursday because I don't want to hear comparisons to it through the rest of Disney.

I know I'm overthinking, but see my above rationale. I would love to hear any and all suggestions. Thank you!

 

[Nstigator]

My personal opinion is that you should utilize EMH on the days they are available at each park. The difference in crowds seems to be minor from day to day, so it probably won't matter too much. For a 4-5 day trip, take advantage of as much time as you can get.

 

[notrub98]

I would be surprised if this is "slightly slower" since Spring Break weeks start March 3rd... but be that as it may... MK in Wednesdays can be busy if there are evening EMH. It seems you have PHs so I would switch your park days to do MK Tuesday and hop over late to hit EMH Wed night.

 

[Pdollar88]

My personal opinion is that you should utilize EMH on the days they are available at each park. The difference in crowds seems to be minor from day to day, so it probably won't matter too much. For a 4-5 day trip, take advantage of as much time as you can get.

That was sort of my initial thought. I never noticed too much of an uptick in EMH days anyway.

I would be surprised if this is "slightly slower" since Spring Break weeks start March 3rd... but be that as it may... MK in Wednesdays can be busy if there are evening EMH. It seems you have PHs so I would switch your park days to do MK Tuesday and hop over late to hit EMH Wed night.

I realize that some colleges have spring break starting that week, but I figured crowds only ramps up near the end of March and first week of April when children are out of school (and closer to Easter). I know it's not going to be mid-September or February levels, but it looked like one of the slower times I could choose from. But I might try rearranging my Tuesday and Wednesday -- switch AK and MK on those days. Hopefully BOG reservations and FOP fastpasses will cooperate.

Thanks to you both!

 

[MermaidMommy]

I realize that some colleges have spring break starting that week, but I figured crowds only ramps up near the end of March and first week of April when children are out of school (and closer to Easter). I know it's not going to be mid-September or February levels, but it looked like one of the slower times I could choose from. But I might try rearranging my Tuesday and Wednesday -- switch AK and MK on those days. Hopefully BOG reservations and FOP fastpasses will cooperate.

Thanks to you both!

Spring break starts in earnest the second week of March, which is usually one of the busier weeks of the break, with crowd levels typically at 8-9. Many school districts around the country have their spring breaks earlier in March, and don't tie their breaks to Easter. But, the first week in March should be fairly low crowds, and is usually a great time to go. We love that week.

 

[Pdollar88]

I should spend less time looking at things and thinking about the trip. Because now I'm second guessing myself hard. And considering May 7 or so for a 5 day trip. I've been in early May before and thought it was nice, and the crowd calendars have it very low.

I just want to go in March because it's earlier. I would like to avoid Toy Story Land crowds too, in case it would be near completion.

 

[Minniemoo15]

We go that week almost yearly and I really enjoy it. The weather is usually nice and warm and the crowds aren't insane yet.

This year we are doing...
3/3 - Epcot
3/4 - Mk
3/5 - Pool day
3/6 - HS
3/7 - AK
3/8 - pool day
3/9 - MK
3/10 - Epcot

No real reason, I've learned to pick the days I want and then get there early for rope drop and you can get lots done.

One thing to note is Rivers of Light is not scheduled nightly after September... this might change, but it might not (last year first week of March it only played every other night). We don't care about seeing it this trip, so I've scheduled AK for a Wednesday in hopes it might be a bit quieter anyway.

 

[Pdollar88]

We go that week almost yearly and I really enjoy it. The weather is usually nice and warm and the crowds aren't insane yet.

This year we are doing...
3/3 - Epcot
3/4 - Mk
3/5 - Pool day
3/6 - HS
3/7 - AK
3/8 - pool day
3/9 - MK
3/10 - Epcot

No real reason, I've learned to pick the days I want and then get there early for rope drop and you can get lots done.

One thing to note is Rivers of Light is not scheduled nightly after September... this might change, but it might not (last year first week of March it only played every other night). We don't care about seeing it this trip, so I've scheduled AK for a Wednesday in hopes it might be a bit quieter anyway.

That sounds great! I had always just picked my days based on what I wanted to do before. Just bogged down this time in worrying about making his first visit magical. And thank you for the tip about Rivers of Light -- I am on the fence about seeing it.

Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[Minniemoo15]

That sounds great! I had always just picked my days based on what I wanted to do before. Just bogged down this time in worrying about making his first visit magical. And thank you for the tip about Rivers of Light -- I am on the fence about seeing it.

Maybe we'll see you there!

I understand, the first time I took my Dh I was so focused on making it the best trip ever because he was so skeptical. Fwiw, he had a blast and I think was really surprised how much adult things there were to do. While he's still not a diehard like me, we have been back almost yearly since. Now we go with our 2 little girls and he looks forward to our disney trips as much as I do

 

[Pdollar88]

Glad to hear conversion is possible!