So what's the best thing to do on a Sat?

[dudedisney]

We're arriving on Friday night. Which park/activity is the best thing to do on a Sat your first time there? MK? Jump in right away or go to Downtown Disney and ease into the experience?

 

[disneymagic02]

Definitly go to Magic Kingdom, that is why my DH and I have to do..we go in one month and we will be at MK as soon as check and and hop a bus.

 

[Kellybean25]

I think MK is a must on your first day for your fist time ever! HAVE A BLAST! DD can wait.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

dudedisney

you dont say what time friday nite you are arriving - dtd is opened anywhere from 11pm up until 1am during some seasons

 

[dudedisney]

We have a late arrival on Friday and with it being a school day and the first time my kids have flown before, we'll probably all be dead tired that night. But how nice to wake up and actually be at WDW

I haven't made any particular plans so as not to be disappointed, just take things as they come but I would like to know how to get things started off on the right foot, so to speak. I don't think sleeping late will be an option.

 

[mhingher]

I definitely say to go MK! It might be crowded since it's a Saturday, but it's your 1st day in WDW! We always go to MK on our first full day!

 

[Frantasmic]

For our upcoming November trip, I tried to plan MK visit to time with EMH and other stuff. But, having a son that is 5 and with him seeing the Disney commercials so much lately, I am sure he is going to see that castle the first day we are there (a Sat arrival in the afternoon) and he will just want to go there. So, we decided to plunge right in on our next full day there.

We are doing our least favorite park Sat to ease in and at least see some things.

 

[crisi]

Saturday is the most crowded day at the MK. I think it depends on who is going. We always like to start with the MK - but we usually arrive Saturday so end up at the MK on Sunday. This year my kids wanted "waterpark" first.

If you have parkhoppers and a full week at Disney, I'd get up early and get to the MK for opening. Have the whole magical experience of walking down Mainstreet and seeing the castle. Get three or four "must dos" in before eleven then "GET THE (fill in the blank) OUT." Go back to your resort and spend the afternoon in the pool, go visit DTD, parkhop over to MGM (usually not busy on Saturday), resort tour. Maybe head back in the evening - but avoid the park from 12-4. (If Spectro is running, it won't clear out at four - but you can head back and do some less popular high capacity rides. If you picked up Fastpasses when you walked out, they will still be good when you come back).

 

[Hopefully]

How old are your children? Many folks believe that it is better not to go to the MK the first day, first time at Disney. The thought is that it may make it harder for young ones to enjoy the other parks as much. They expect a MK type experience at EC and the other parks, and it is better to see some of the other parks first.
Personally, I think any Disney park will be magic and set the right tone for you.
It depends on the ages and needs of your family.
Have a Magical Time!

 

[MazdaUK]

We went to Epcot - yes its big but its not too crowded and you can break them in gently

 

[mattsdragon]

I've done MK on a Saturday, and we don't have kids, but I can only imagine how much more stressful it would be with children. I think Hopefully is right, the kids will want everything to be what they expect, but they are going to be very disappointed if they spend everyday waiting in lines. We usually go AK on the first day. The wife gets to see animals, and there are some fun rides.

Try to catch WDW during EMH. In fact, go back to the resort for a couple hours in the middle of the day to rest, and stay for the extra 3 hours at night.

 

[Leota]

We usually do Epcot & MK the first day. (We're Hoppers)

 

[foxtrotter]

We had to go to MK this past Saturday because we had a reservation at the Castle for lunch. It was very crowded and hectic compared to the 3 times we'd gone earlier in the week. We made a beeline for the exit as soon as we finished lunch. While I understand everyone wants to see MK first, Saturday is easily the most crowded day to see it and personally I would wait a day or two.

 

[missypie]

We went to MK the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. We followed Tour Guide Mike's plans and didn't have much of a wait for anything. We had 1:30 pm ADR for lunch at the Castle, then saw Mickey's Phalharmagic, then went back to the YC...after a swim, we walked over to Epcot for a crepe and Illluminations. A terrific day.

I will tell you that we got on the bus from YC at 7:45 am (it was supposed to be 7:30 but the driver was late) and we were the ONLY family on the bus! Say what you will about MK being crowded on a Saturday-if you're willing to get up early, crowds are no problem!

 

[jann1033]

we went to mk on a Sat a few yrs ago in Jan( off season) and were shocked how crowded it was. wall to wall in fantasyland with "trip over me and break your leg strollers" parked every 5 ft...i think for the sake of everyone's nerves i'd go somewhere else.

if you have little ones how about mgm? personally it is my least fav. park but has cute kid friendly attractions that seat a lot at a time ( muppets,beauty, mermaid ect) so even if it's semi- crowded you wouldn't be standing in line for ever.

i'd go to dtd mid week after you need a little "park break"it's nice for a change of pace. we also go the night we get there just as a "vacation has begun" tirp but go later for our realdtd shopping. disney quest is really busy weekends also

 

[madge]

Get three or four "must dos" in before eleven then "GET THE (fill in the blank) OUT." Go back to your resort and spend the afternoon in the pool, go visit DTD, parkhop over to MGM

This is our plan....our DD turns 4 on Saturday and I can't imagine not going to the MK, at least for part of the day....We know the drill, LOL...ride like crazy until 11:00, grab some lunch, and head back to the Swan. We'll swim a little while and then go over to the Studios. If it wasn't the opening Saturday of the Food & Wine Festival, we probably would have tried Epcot.

 

[almacdonald]

Last year we went to DL for vacation. We arrived in OC in the late afternoon (4PM) and were going to hold off going to the park the first day and just go to DTD to get into the Disney spirit.... well, that didnt happen. As soon as we walked under the archway and heard the soundtrack there was no way to hold back! We spent an extra $100 for 1 day passes and you know, it was well worth it! We still had 8 hours in the park. We rode everything in fantasyland, BTMRR, PotC, HM, Jungle Cruise, Indy (remember DL!) and IASW, (many rides more than once!) AND watched fantasmic. It was a great start to our trip. It was a good thing we had this fun filled afternoon/evening because it rained 16" the next 4 days!

My advice, MK first day, gotta go see Mickey! But hey, what do i know? I've only been to DL!