Touring Plans says MK on a Saturday?

[donaldsgal]

Hey friends!

We are NOT first-timers to the parks! (See signature line for our past visits - and you'll notice we've never gone in a very busy season, thus the reason for my question). Our next trip - our first trip home!!!!! - is May 17-22. We are trying to avoid crowds, which is why we aren't traveling over Memorial Day.

I checked the Unofficial Guide Touring Plans site, and it suggested that on Saturday, May 20, it is best to visit MK. I'm surprised by this! I thought that Saturdays were generally busiest at MK. I will continue to check this site as we get closer to May, but I wanted to base our ADRs around which park we'll be at when.

So does that seem correct to you? I'd appreciate your input!

 

[Eponine1]

Hello,

Yes, the guide suggests each Saturday for the MK. However, in my experience, eventhough this is a day of travel for most people (the thinking behind Touringplans reasoning) , I have found the MK packed.

I usually go in early Dec and last year if was sooooooo busy. Yes, it's a major travel day for most, but I think alot of locals come to the MK.

I'm going to try to brave Sat Dec 3rd this year since we arrive into Orlando at 4pm and the MK is opened until 11pm.

 

[lentesta]

Hi donaldsgal,

Thanks for visiting the site. If you check the 'crowd blog' we have, you'll see the actual data we got from the MK earlier this year, showing that Saturdays aren't that bad. (And Tuesday's generally the best day in terms of crowds.) Opinions on this subject will vary, which is why we looked at the wait times to see what's really happening.

Hope this helps! Thanks again!

Len

 

[erikthewise]

This piece of advice is the the toughest test for the true Unofficial Guide faithful! Only the brave man shall pass...

I had a firm policy of "never on Saturday", but last year the boys and I were on our own one morning while DW went on the Yuletide Fantasy tour. I had planned for us to go to Animal Kingdom since DW doesn't care for that as much as the other parks. But after we dropped off DW at Epcot front gate that Saturday morning, DS8 insisted on Magic Kingdom. I relented and we hopped on the monorail.

Due to a monorail delay we didn't arrive at MK until 9:30. I had a chip on my shoulder, but the truth is it wasn't bad at all. The crowds weren't that heavy, the lines at Jungle Cruise, Pirates, and Buzz Lightyear were very short, no more than 5-10 minutes. We had a good time and left around noon to meet up with DW. Keep in mind this is early December, which is a slow time, and we did arrive somewhat early. But it was less crowded than I expected.

I'm still not sure I believe the UG on this, but I think we have to give them a chance. That doesn't mean you should go the Saturday before Easter or something crazy like that. Dec 3 might not be a good day to try it either -- I think that's when they are scheduled to film the Christmas parade.

 

[donaldsgal]

Thanks everyone for responding - including you, Len! I did go back to the site and checked the crowd blog. I went back to the section that shows responses in the reader survey to read about MK being the least busy on Tuesday and then Saturday.

We often go to MK on a Saturday, but that's because we go during September or October when the crowds are greatly diminished. I was wondering about going to MK on a Saturday in May because I have heard tales of how busy the parks get in that month.

Any other thoughts from others who have tried to visit MK on a Saturday would be appreciated!

 

[ladysoleil]

We did, on our September trip. I think crowds were a little high due to the free dining plan in general for that week, but I didn't see any measurable difference in the MK on Saturday. In terms of practicality, wait times were quite tolerable for most attractions and Fast Pass return times were realistic. I believe our longest wait was 30 minutes and I forgot what it was for.

However, it may be a personal thing, DH didn't like the crowd that day, said people were a bit pushy and didn't seem to be as in to having a good time- we'd been earlier in the same week and the crowd seemed a bit thicker, but had a better vibe, if that makes any kind of sense? That might be the "locals" influence, you may not have people as into the "magic" if they're there very often.

We also tried MGM on a Sunday and were pleased- there were lines for things, not long, but they existed, but the attitude was better- we found ourselves chatting with more people in the lines and on buses and having more social interaction with CM's and other guests that day, and felt that we had a better experience. So, I don't think the Saturday crowd levels are killer, but there was something subtly different about the MK on a Saturday.

Anyone else have that experience, or similar?