What do you do first and last?

[TPCShauna]

I have this silly "ritual" that DH alternately finds cute and annoying. When I arrive at WDW (or DL) the first place I have to go is MK to Cinderella's Wishing Well (Snow White's Wishing Well at DL). I can't start my vacation until I've walked through the castle once and tossed a coin into the Well in thanks for allowing me to return to the happiest, most magical place in the world.

Alternately, at the end of each trip, the Wells are the last place I go before exiting MK for the last time until my next trip. Of course, you all know what my wish is on the way out!

So, does anyone else have silly things they just "have to do" at the beginning or end of your trip?

 

[Splash Mountain Fan]

1st - MK Splash Mountain
Last - MK Spectromagic

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

One word...EPCOT

1st thing the afternoon we arrive = Spaceship Earth

Last thing on the evening before we leave = Illuminations

 

[Mom2AAA's]

We MUST go to the Magic Kingdom first, no matter what day we arrive!

The last thing we do is divide up and hit that one thing each person just must do before going home!

 

[TPCShauna]

Anyone else?

 

[Eeyore2003]

Drop my troubles off at those Magical Gates

Pick them up again on my way out.

Hopefully they're a little lighter enjoying their visit with everyone elses troubles. I just find it amazing that the "gatekeeper" doesn't get everyone's all mixed up!!!

 

[Star Wars Guy]

Like Mom2AAA, we always start with MK regardless of day/time we arrive. It's become a custom on our last 3 trips that we begin and end through Adventureland. Don't know why we've kept that tradition, but we have. Pirates of the Caribbean is always either the first or second ride we go on. The last thing we do is video tape our daughter just outside of Adventureland with the castle in the background. We say our goodbyes until our next trip.

I know it's kind of corny, but so are we.

 

[MonorailPilot]

First-Dumbo
Last-ride Splash Mtn. as many times in a row

 

[Bill From PA]

The last three trips down, Sat. was our first park day and MGM was the EE park when EE existed. The Great Movie Ride has always been one of the first attractions we hit and, since our last park day has been Sat. as well, TGMR is one of the last things we do In The World. This ride seems to provide great book ends for our WDW vacations, dealing as it does with the unreal and the tinsel and glitter of movies that mirror the Disney experience. Embarking on a WDW vacation is like stepping into a movie for whatever number of days one is there. We'll be hitting WDW on a Thurs. next March, probably not until 11:30 am or so, so we may break this tradition and go straight to Epcot. Then again, we can always hit MGM for the opening curtain then hike to Epcot. Sounds like a plan!

Bill From PA

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

We start our vacation at the Magic Kingdom and end our vacation at the Magic Kingdom . We stay long enough to spend at least 2 days at each park..

 

[mansionfan]

We always start and end our vacation with the MK. It is absolutely the happiest place on earth! Walking down Main Street, castle in background and the smell of the bakery....ahhhh.....

 

[Music Mole]

We don't feel like we've really started our vacation until we ride Peter Pan's Flight. We don't have a last thing . . . depends on the day we are leaving and what we want to do one last time.

 

[SuBeat]

We start and end our trips in the same way...with Spectro and fireworks at MK. There is something about the spectacle of these events that fills me with gratitude that I am fortunate enough to be in this very special place, and that (hopefully) I'll be able to return again someday.

 

[KimWDW]

MK first day and MK on the last day. Usually the last day is a Friday or Saturday and we stay for the fireworks at the MK and that's the last thing I see before I leave. One time, I actually cried leaving the MK (granted, I was a little girl at the time, but still).

 

[TPCShauna]

SuBeat - I totally agree with you there! It's always fireworks and then the Well and then I leave. It makes me feel so special!

Mansionfan - I totally hear you on the bakery thing. Yummmm!

 

[lclark0621]

When we first get there we go to the MK. As soon as I walk through the gates I take a huge deep breath. I just relax as soon as I am in the gates. I feel like I am "home". Silly, but true.

Usually the first ride we hit is POTC. We are one of those wacky people who do the park starting at Adventureland & working our way around to the right.

Last thing we usually do is eat a character meal at a resort because our flight home is usually early afternoon. We usually do Chef Mickey's because we can take the monorail around one last time & get one last view of the castle before going home. And I wipe the tears away.

This trip is totally messing us up though! We are going with another family so we all need to compromise. We have never had to do that do...LOL!

The day we arrive is Grad Night in the MK, and we land at noon. So we probably wont get to a park until about 2:00pmish. Since it is grad night we have decided to go to Epcot our first day instead. I dont know how I am going to feel without my MK deep breath. Will I be able to relax without hearing that music as soon as I enter Main Street? I just dont know! I mean I know I will LOVE being there. But it will be a little strange hitting Epcot first.

We will hit the MK first thing the next morning though.

 

[disney1990]

First is always Epcot. We started that when the children were younger. If we went to MK first, then it was hard to get them to go anyplace else.

We usually end with Wishes -- our new favorite; followed by a trip to Downtown Disney to finish spending what is left of our money.

 

[mousiemom]

I'm w/u, our 1st stop is MK. We make a wish to the left of the castle heading into tomorrowland because my daughter loves Buzz. The 1st night we go to Wishes and Spectromagic to kick off our week and then we see Fantasmic the next night and the lastnight. I could watch wishes everynight. This last time we went my husband and I both had tears in our eyes, ohhhh, so magical!!! We do splash mountain last because if we get wet. We also spent our very last day @ MK and rode splash mountain at night and it was gorgeous. I can't wait to go back!!

 

[honey11dog]

1st thing - We usually arrive late in the day, so we go to the Hoop de Doo Dinner Show. It helps us to get into the Disney feel. The next morning it is off to the Magic Kingdom!
Last thing - Spectromagic Parade and Wishes Fireworks!

 

[Alice Sr.]

Loving every step down Main Steet and then POC.