Times

[Kristin44]

Hi - Heading with the kids for the first time in December 2015! What is the best time to visit each resort? IE is it best to do MK during the day and AK in the afternoon? Or are the crowds OOC at any point?

 

[taythecray]

Depends on if you're going over Christmas or during the first couple weeks of December. The first couple weeks you can easily park hop (we did 3 parks in one day on the 17th but that's without kids)
Magic Kingdom in the morning is always a good bet so you can knock out some of the rides with little wait times and then save your fastpasses for the second park once you hop in the afternoon. Wait times during the afternoon are hit or miss. We were lucky that AK was dead in the afternoon when we went, didn't wait more than 10min for anything and we got there at 1!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Hi - Heading with the kids for the first time in December 2015! What is the best time to visit each resort? IE is it best to do MK during the day and AK in the afternoon? Or are the crowds OOC at any point?

Okay, first, hello! Is this your first time going to WDW? It seems it may be from your questions. I'll try to help.

I assume you mean "What is the best time to visit each park?" not each resort. The hotels are the resorts.

It needs to be noted that none of the parks can be "done" in a day. Most people (there is some disagreement) would agree that Animal Kingdom and Hollywood studios each take an entire day to tour, while Epcot and Magic Kingdom take 2 full days to tour. So, if you're already aware of this and are planning to visit the parks over several days, and just want to mix things up, then more power to you!

If that is the case then you need to check out some "crowd calendars". These will give you general ideas of the predicted crowd levels on the days you are planning to visit the World, for all 6 parks (this includes the 2 water parks). It will usually also give you info about park hours and the like. Certain people on these Boards have their favorite calendars, but you can usually do a basic search online to find some. You say you're going in December, but did not indicate early December (traditionally low crowds), mid-December (medium crowds), or late December (crazy busy!!!).

Your example, doing the Magic Kingdom in the morning and Animal Kingdom afternoon, is something you could do (provide you had park hoppers), and provided that Animal Kingdom was open later (which it isn't always). So it's not really an advised mix. Doing the reverse would make a bit more sense, however, not if its a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party evening (which special event goes on several times per week in December) and you don't have tickets. Point is, there's quite a bit that needs to be considered.

Hope this helps!

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with ZephyrHawk, it seems this might be your first trip.
Welcome to the DIS !!! You are doing the exact correct thing to start research and planning early.
Who is in your party and what are the ages? When in December are you going - it makes a huge difference!!!? I would not recommend Christmas time for a first timer. It is literally mass mobbed at the MK the week around XMas. Lines for the rides can be 2 - 3 hours long.
I also agree with checking out a crowd calendar for best days to visit each park the time you are there. www.easywdw.com is one preferred site, as is www.touringplans.com. Take your pick. Read the 2014 recommendation to get a good idea of which park which day and why they are recommended that way.
If you plan to go to more than one park in a day you will need the "Hopper" option. WE think it is well worth it to add to your tickets.
I also want to strongly reinforce that you can not do all of WDW in a single trip.
For the 4 major theme parks (MK, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and the Animal Kingdon) I would recommend at least 2 days at MK, 2 days at EC, 1 full day at AK and 1 day at DHS.
Good Luck

 

[Kristin44]

Hi - yes, first timer!
Going the 1st week in December with 2 four yr olds!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Hi - yes, first timer!
Going the 1st week in December with 2 four yr olds!

Lovely. Excellent choice in timing. Low crowds, low costs, lots of decorations.

As a first timer, let me encourage you to visit www.allears.net. It's a more traditional planning site. Whatever newbie questions you can't find answered there, you can find the answers to here. The Disboards have never let me down.

It would help others assist in your planning questions if you could let us know where you'll be staying (or at least, whether on or off "property") and for how many days. Oh, also whether you are planning to get Park Hopper tickets.