save mk for last w/ small kids?

[twinkletoesmom]

I read to save MK for last if you have preschools/young kids, because non of the other parks are as "good" as mk and the kids will just want to spend there days at mk. I was planning on doing mk for our 1st full day there. What do you think? Thanks

 

[tiff211]

I agree with that, DDs loved MK the best, AK was next. Are you park hopping, maybe you can so MK first AND last. That's what we are planning to do.

 

[crisi]

We always do MK first - nothing like seeing the castle for the lump in your throat "I'm at Disney" feeling. Our kids have always accepted the other parks in stride.

I sort of figure that if you little kids want to spend their time in the MK, why not let them? Aren't you there for your kids to enjoy themselves? If they are bored by Epcot, why would you spend time there? (Then again, we are DVC members, we know we will be back when the kids want to enjoy some of the grown up stuff).

We do park hop. This allows us to spend mornings in the MK, and then spend evenings, when the kids have been content to sit in a stroller, doing Mommy and Daddy stuff in Epcot. Generally, we have dinner, have one parent watch a show with the kids near the countries (Chinese Acrobats, Japanese Drummers, the band in Canada or England) while the other parent does a little browsing nearby.

 

[WDWNicole]

We also begin and end with MK.

 

[tjmw2727]

We always do MK first - nothing like seeing the castle for the lump in your throat "I'm at Disney" feeling. Our kids have always accepted the other parks in stride.

I sort of figure that if you little kids want to spend their time in the MK, why not let them? Aren't you there for your kids to enjoy themselves? If they are bored by Epcot, why would you spend time there? (Then again, we are DVC members, we know we will be back when the kids want to enjoy some of the grown up stuff).

We do park hop. This allows us to spend mornings in the MK, and then spend evenings, when the kids have been content to sit in a stroller, doing Mommy and Daddy stuff in Epcot. Generally, we have dinner, have one parent watch a show with the kids near the countries (Chinese Acrobats, Japanese Drummers, the band in Canada or England) while the other parent does a little browsing nearby.

ITA - and we do the same thing Crisi by ending the day at Epcot most days.

OP - I would hit the MK first especially if its a busy time you may not get a chance to do everything you like.

We generally do MK and AK in the mornings and Epcot and MGM in the afternoon/evening with some exceptions esp for Wishes. I find MK gets really crowded mid day and then crowds thin out later so we usually take a pool break and return or move to another park. I find that by early evening the kids are ready for a more relaxed pace and Epcot does that for us.

Even if you don't have park hoppers I would still hit MK first especially for first timers with kids. Its a safe assumption that you won't see/do everything at MK in one day so I wouldn't suggest saving it for last.

HTH
TJ

 

[dawnball]

We visited all the other parks before MK on our last trip, and really - there wasn't much point. Our kids were 1.5 and 2.5, and they just weren't aware enough of what the options were to fuss about not going to MK every day. Of course, the 2.5 yr old's favorite ride was the "boat ship ride" (EL Rio del Tiempo) so we spent a lot of time there.

 

[Brina]

Both times at Disney we saved MK for last. It is not that our kids don't enjoy MGM and AKL and Epcot, they do. But a kid finds Epcot a lot more fascinating before they have seen MK. Once they see MK then Epcot seems dull by comparison. I haven't set out to disprove this theory, I just accept it and incorporate it into our plan.

 

[katyjeka]

I do alot of planning and we start our vacation at the park that is the least busiest on the day our vacation begins. Yes, my DD's love MK, but they also love the kid stops at Epcot, even our youngest at 1.5 years loved the attention the cast members gave her in the World Showcase. We've never had to wait in line for a character at Epcot and they tend to spend alot time with our girls. You've got to go to Canada and get bracelets for your kids. They are inexpensive and the kids love picking our their own design. We even take them home as gifts to their friends, they all love them. Oops, I guess I'm off the subject!!! I guess my point is that there is something for everyone of all ages regardless of which park your at. Happy Planning. Janice

 

[tcolbert]

You'll definitely want to save at least two days for MK. We've been passholders for 4 years and each time we pop in for a visit, DS5 always wants to go there.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

We ALWAYS do MK first. I just can not wait. That being said, DS has always loved all the parks and by 8 had a hard time deciding between MK and Epcot as his favorite.

 

[twinkletoesmom]

Thanks for all the advice!!! I think we will do (1/2 of) epcot on the day we arrive (1/2 day). Then on our 1st day do mk, do an afternoon/evening in mk mid-week then we have penciled in a "favorite" day at the end. That way all through the trip i can tell them we will go back if you want Thanks again.