Trying a Water Park...?

[Disney Dining Dad]

We are planning to arrive on Sunday, July 5 and stay until Friday, July 10, and my current proposed itinerary has us going to Magic Kingdom the first day to take in the magic of the castle, characters, atmosphere, etc. and hopefully get a few Lightning Lanes and grab something to eat (then returning to MK for a full day on Thursday).

But with that still being a holiday weekend and MK possibly being really busy, we have at least considered taking advantage of the "free water park on check-in day" promotion being offered this year and going to one of those parks instead of MK.

Was just wondering what people's thoughts are on that? We've only ever done the main four parks, never the water parks, and I feel like MK is almost a "must" for first impressions of WDW (my youngest daughter has never been). But, if it's really crowded, it could potentially make for a negative first impression instead. If it matters, my daughters do love water parks, but I'm just not sure how "essential Disney" of an experience that would be.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

So my kids (6 and 3) have been to all the theme parks and water parks, some once some a few times and I had splurged for our trip this summer and said I was going to buy 4 days of theme park tickets.... usually we only do 1-2...but then the kids realized that meant only 1 water park day due to the amount of time we have there and they said they'd rather have 2 water park days 1 pool day and only 2 theme park days.....so.....at least my kids really love those water parks

 

[hardcorestitch]

We are planning to arrive on Sunday, July 5 and stay until Friday, July 10, and my current proposed itinerary has us going to Magic Kingdom the first day to take in the magic of the castle, characters, atmosphere, etc. and hopefully get a few Lightning Lanes and grab something to eat (then returning to MK for a full day on Thursday).

But with that still being a holiday weekend and MK possibly being really busy, we have at least considered taking advantage of the "free water park on check-in day" promotion being offered this year and going to one of those parks instead of MK.

Was just wondering what people's thoughts are on that? We've only ever done the main four parks, never the water parks, and I feel like MK is almost a "must" for first impressions of WDW (my youngest daughter has never been). But, if it's really crowded, it could potentially make for a negative first impression instead. If it matters, my daughters do love water parks, but I'm just not sure how "essential Disney" of an experience that would be.

I’d go for the water park! It’s a great way to ease into Disney. Not to mention looooooong lazy rivers!

 

[scrappinginontario]

How old are your children?

Both the parks and water parks will likely be on the busier side in Jul 5th. To me a lot would hinge on what you feel your family would be able to do in 1 day in the MK?

Would it be better to have 1 full day in the MK or 2 days to spread out the fun a little more and take the pressure off trying to do everything in one day?

 

[Disney Dining Dad]

How old are your children?

Both the parks and water parks will likely be on the busier side in Jul 5th. To me a lot would hinge on what you feel your family would be able to do in 1 day in the MK?

Would it be better to have 1 full day in the MK or 2 days to spread out the fun a little more and take the pressure off trying to do everything in one day?

My daughters are 12 and 6. They do love water parks (we've been to a few Great Wolf Lodge locations in Ohio), but yeah, there's so much at MK, and if we could check a few items off our "to-do" list on arrival day, our last full day at WDW (Thursday) would be a bit more relaxed.

Do the water parks have restaurants where we could take advantage of our dining plan? Like using one of our quick service meals between lunch and dinner time?

 

[hardcorestitch]

My daughters are 12 and 6. They do love water parks (we've been to a few Great Wolf Lodge locations in Ohio), but yeah, there's so much at MK, and if we could check a few items off our "to-do" list on arrival day, our last full day at WDW (Thursday) would be a bit more relaxed.

Do the water parks have restaurants where we could take advantage of our dining plan? Like using one of our quick service meals between lunch and dinner time?

They do! You’ll find them on the My Disney Experience app. Lottawotta Lodge is one of those QS places in Blizzard Beach.