Trying to finalize park days - Opinions Welcomed

[Amunet]

Hey everyone!
So I'm trying to finalize park days and I keep going back and forth between starting our vacation with Epcot or MK.

When: Nov. 29 Check in - Dec. 4 Check out
Where: Art of Animation - Little Mermaid Room
Who: Two Adults
Why: Graduation Celebration (got my Master's last month!)

It will be just be my fiancé and I for this trip, which is mostly about me. Going during the holiday season is a first for us and with the limited options for celebrations, we will be focusing on the seasonal treats available at the parks and resorts as well as buying seasonal merchandise.
Our shared favorite park is Epcot. We LOVE eating at the festival booths and plan to just eat there that day. To us, Epcot and Magic Kingdom will be the parks with the most holiday festivities. For me, it's almost like Magic Kingdom needs to be first so I can see the castle, but Epcot starting later would give us more time to rest after the long road trip. Both parks will start with holiday stuff, so that's pretty awesome. Ending with Animal Kingdom is firm since it will give us plenty of time to do last minute merchandise shopping and get to bed early so we can start the drive back early. Hollywood Studios is more for my fiancé since he loves Star Wars, though we have been to Star Wars land at Disneyland earlier this year. We have not been to HS since the opening of Toy Story.
As for rides, we definitely enjoy them and plan to rope drop to get the headliners in and hopefully get them at the evening again.
Ride Musts:
MK - Mine Train, Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh, & BTMRR
Epcot - Frozen Ever After & Test Track
Hollywood Studios - Slinky Dog, Toy Story, Rock n Roller Coaster, Millennium Falcon, & RotR
Animal Kingdom - Navi River & Safari

Saturday 11/28
Drive down from Minnesota

Sunday 11/29
Arrive around 2pm
Either Brunch at City Works Eatery or Resort hopping for decor and holiday treats
(If Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian opens up by this time, we will 100% go there instead of brunch)

Monday 11/30
Magic Kingdom (9am - 7pm)

Tuesday 12/1
Hollywood Studios (10am - 7pm)
Can't decide between Sci-Fi Dine In or Hollywood & Vine Holiday Dine

Wednesday 12/2
Epcot (12 - 8pm)
Festival Booth eating
Beaches & Cream Souvenir Shake

Thursday 12/3
Animal Kingdom (9am - 5pm)
Disney Springs for Trees & Merch

Friday 12/4
Check Out & Drive Home

So, on top of having issues deciding if Epcot should start our vacation on Monday or if MK should, we are also not sure if we should to Sci Fi or the Seasonal Dining. Our reservations window opens up next week, so we're trying to hammer this out.
Again, I can't emphasize enough that this trip is about the fun seasonal treats at parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.

Any opinions to help out is much welcomed and needed

 

[Calee]

For HS I would do H&V for lunch and SciFi for a post closing dinner. Counter service is limited there, and SciFi is not much more expensive than counter service anyone. H&V seasonal dine fits the holiday vibe of your trip.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

well your days look great. I would go with Hollywood & Vine Minnie's Seasonal Dine because of the Christmas decor, costumes, theme of it. I think Sci-Fi doesn't do anything Christmas. You could sleep in, rest a little, on Wed morning, as I'm sure you'll be ready for it. If you are not too tired, you could go to Boardwalk, Beach Club, & Yacht Club before you go to Epcot, to see the decorations there. Sunday aft/evening do the monorail resort decorations, and dine at one of them- QS or TS, or back at AoA when you get back there. Since you are driving, you could eat off property too. Have a great trip!
Congratulations on getting your Master's Degree. A great accomplishment.

 

[2hapykdz]

Hey everyone!
So I'm trying to finalize park days and I keep going back and forth between starting our vacation with Epcot or MK.

When: Nov. 29 Check in - Dec. 4 Check out
Where: Art of Animation - Little Mermaid Room
Who: Two Adults
Why: Graduation Celebration (got my Master's last month!)

It will be just be my fiancé and I for this trip, which is mostly about me. Going during the holiday season is a first for us and with the limited options for celebrations, we will be focusing on the seasonal treats available at the parks and resorts as well as buying seasonal merchandise.
Our shared favorite park is Epcot. We LOVE eating at the festival booths and plan to just eat there that day. To us, Epcot and Magic Kingdom will be the parks with the most holiday festivities. For me, it's almost like Magic Kingdom needs to be first so I can see the castle, but Epcot starting later would give us more time to rest after the long road trip. Both parks will start with holiday stuff, so that's pretty awesome. Ending with Animal Kingdom is firm since it will give us plenty of time to do last minute merchandise shopping and get to bed early so we can start the drive back early. Hollywood Studios is more for my fiancé since he loves Star Wars, though we have been to Star Wars land at Disneyland earlier this year. We have not been to HS since the opening of Toy Story.
As for rides, we definitely enjoy them and plan to rope drop to get the headliners in and hopefully get them at the evening again.
Ride Musts:
MK - Mine Train, Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh, & BTMRR
Epcot - Frozen Ever After & Test Track
Hollywood Studios - Slinky Dog, Toy Story, Rock n Roller Coaster, Millennium Falcon, & RotR
Animal Kingdom - Navi River & Safari

Saturday 11/28
Drive down from Minnesota

Sunday 11/29
Arrive around 2pm
Either Brunch at City Works Eatery or Resort hopping for decor and holiday treats
(If Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian opens up by this time, we will 100% go there instead of brunch)

Monday 11/30
Magic Kingdom (9am - 7pm)

Tuesday 12/1
Hollywood Studios (10am - 7pm)
Can't decide between Sci-Fi Dine In or Hollywood & Vine Holiday Dine

Wednesday 12/2
Epcot (12 - 8pm)
Festival Booth eating
Beaches & Cream Souvenir Shake

Thursday 12/3
Animal Kingdom (9am - 5pm)
Disney Springs for Trees & Merch

Friday 12/4
Check Out & Drive Home

So, on top of having issues deciding if Epcot should start our vacation on Monday or if MK should, we are also not sure if we should to Sci Fi or the Seasonal Dining. Our reservations window opens up next week, so we're trying to hammer this out.
Again, I can't emphasize enough that this trip is about the fun seasonal treats at parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.

Any opinions to help out is much welcomed and needed

I think ya got a nice schedule set up! Enjoy!