What would you do with half the day?

[TheLittles]

we are checking in on a Friday and checking out on the following Saturday. Originally we wanted six park days and a resort day. Well when we looked at tickets the prices between a six day and an 8 day were so close ( like 20$) that we are thinking of just getting that so we have the option of doing whatever we want for the 8 days. Rest half a day, etc. originally when we checked in to AKL we were just going to have lunch and hang out at the hotel and maybe dinner but since we decided to do an 8 day we will have a park ticket. Which park would you go to on check in day to spend just the evening? Just looking for opinions. It's 4 adults and a 3 yr old.

 

[minnie mum]

It would depend on which park was most recommended. Since you'd be getting a late start, it makes sense to go to the least crowded park. I usually follow the recommendations at easywdw.com.

 

[g-dad66]

Depends upon how you have the rest of the trip planned, but with a 3 year-old, I think I'd go to Magic Kingdom the first afternoon/evening with FP+ reserved for (1) Peter Pan, (2) Winnie the Pooh, and (3) Under the Sea. Those would be 3 great attractions to start a 3-year-old off on, to see how it goes. (You never know quite know how a young 'un is going to react.)

 

[senadler]

I agree with starting with the MK. We always try to spend a few hours there on our first day, that is really what the kids are looking forward to. With FP+ it makes it easy to go late in the day and still get in a few attractions.

 

[EpcotGuy]

I'd say Epcot. WS is a great place to be in the evening

 

[GPC0321]

Magic Kingdom for sure. Like the PP said, FP+ the rides your little one might enjoy the most. Then wander around and soak it in. Eat something, do some "anytime" attractions, buy some Mickey ears.

 

[edk35]

I second going with easywdw and choose a NON RED park.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

I'd do WS as someone else said. Its a great place to just wander and be relaxed. Arrival days can be hectic with travel delays, crowds and people not feeling the magic. MK can also seem hectic and can add to sensory overload. The other thing is once a little one has been to MK sometimes nothing else measures up so, maybe selfishly, I'd like to enjoy an evening in WS without having a possibly unhappy little one wondering where Dumbo and the castle are.

 

[mshanson3121]

I'd go to MK, regardless of color. Colors really only mean so much. We went to MK on a red park one day and AK on a green park the next day, with equal overall crowd rating levels both days, and trust me - MK was far less crowded. Why? Because it's bigger. So, your wait times may be longer for rides, but the overall "feel" of the park wasn't any different than any other day we were there. So, go to MK regardless of what the crowd predictor says, and just make use of your FP+. To me, a great kick off, would be to try and do a character dinner that evening for supper then do 3 good FP+ rides.

 

[msmama]

I was going to say AK, because I'm assuming you'll have been traveling for most of the day so the last thing I'd want to do is sit on a bus for any longer than I have to. So since you're close to AK, that's what I'd do. Plus, it's an early closer, so you'll be back in time for an early bedtime to get going first thing the next day.

 

[GoofeyAboutDisney]

I would dif go with MK. To me it is always the most magical way to start a trip. With FP+ you are at least sure to get 3 rides you want plus see the parade and fireworks. Im sure you will get on other rides as well but I just love walking around the Magic Kingdom especially at night it so ... Well... magical

 

[loves to dive]

According to what time you are arriving. The little one is going to be tired so you don't want her to get too hopped up on the first day. Personally, we always do Epcot on our arrival day. We love WS and it's just relaxing to walk around, grab something to eat and just not worry about rides or being pressured.

 

[Smbmoyers]

I'll be going in September and I plan on going to magic kingdom for our first night. As cliche as it is I can't wait to get to the castle

Planning on trying for fp to meet Mickey, and not sure what else. I have close to. Months to figure it out though!!

 

[bc7ate9]

I would definitely get the 8 day tickets instead of the 6 day tickets. I'd probably go to MK the first day, unless it closed early for a party or something. In that case, I'd just go to whatever park was open latest.

 

[Accident]

Because you never really know how travel is going to go and if you'll see delays, I personally decide after I get there. I personally love half days in the parks so I would probably hit a park with the goal of just taking in the place and maybe getting on a ride or two and trying to walk into a couple TS places for food. I've also used it for a nice resort TS meal, especially if we're talking holidays where some resorts are all decorated. It's a nice start, see the decorations and generally you can walk in to most TS places with under an hour wait (and your looking at the resort while waiting).

It's really easy to add on the extra days during your trip at the same exact cost difference BUT you can't book fastpasses until you purchase the additional days. I used to just leave a few days off and get them when there but you'll need to decide if it's worth the cost for some early fastpasses.

 

[amylevan]

Traveling can be exhausting. What time are you arriving? What time do you have to get up that morning to begin your travels? Are you flying or driving? These are all questions that affect what we do on our arrival day.

That said, most of the time we simply do a TS dinner and relax and don't go to a theme park. There is plenty to explore at AKL. We've also been known to swim, play mini golf or go to DTD (Disney springs now, I guess.)

If we were set on going to a theme park, and with 6 park days we probably wouldn't feel the need. But if we were, it would a recommended park, we'd have our 3 FP+ set up and we'd be taking it slowly, getting acclimated to vacation and just soaking up the magic.

 

[Kathryn777]

I'd go to MK regardless of crowd level. Do your 3 fp and watch the parade/fireworks

 

[nicolej92]

I would go to MK... I'm a huge Wishes person!

 

[Travis B]

I would also do MK. I would probably settle in at the resort, unpack my things, have some dinner and head over to get the Disney magic started. Ideally I would get a FP+ for Wishes and/or MSEP. Even if you don't do any attractions, it will be so nice just to wander around, shop, soak in the ambience and get into Disney mode.

 

[philharmagic fan]

Don't know when you're going and whether the weather will permit this, but in warmer months when kids were young we used to go to a water park our first day. Blizzard Beach is quite close to AKL (you still need to take a bus). If you arrive at 2-3 in the afternoon, the crowd is usually winding down and you can relax from your trip in the wave pool or lazy river before a nice TS dinner. If you still have the energy, I'd do either MK or EPCOT fireworks after.