which is a better plan?

[3kidz4dis]

Is it better to schedule character breakfasts on days that you are NOT going to that particular park (for example CRT and Magic Kingdom) since that would be a better time to be in the park with less crowds (earlier in the AM) , or is it better to schedule any character breakfast during a hangout at the pool day. The con of that would be travel time there and back to the resort just for the breakfast. which is a better plan? we have young kids that would probably need naps in the afternoon and I would hate to miss good "park time" in lieu of a character breakfast.

Also,

What is the least crowded day for Magic Kingdom? How is a Friday for crowds?

Thanks!

 

[tjmouse]

Here's my strategy -

Character breakfast in the park - either get it before park opening (as close to 8:00 as you can) so that you are done when the park opens OR get it later, like 10:30 so you can ride for an hour and a half and then break for breakfast. I prefer not to go into a park just for breakfast and then leave. However, I am doing that in December for Epcot PSB, but we will already have been to Epcot twice during that trip.

Resort character breakfast - I usually do these on a day when we are not going to a park or not going to a park until afternoon. Don't like getting to the parks after opening unless it's like 3:00 or after.

The least crowded day for MK seems to be the day after evening EMH, which has been Thursday as of this month and next for the most part.

 

[JerseyJ]

We've chosen to do the character breakfast @ 8:05 AM (wanted 8 but couldn't get it) on a day that the park opens @ 9AM. From posts by other Dis'ers, see that you can get onto Main Street early, take some pix then go to breakfast & still be ready for park opening @ 9. Plan to stay the AM in the park & then if it's too busy parkhop somwhere else.

When are you going? If you're going after our January trip, I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Is it better to schedule character breakfasts on days that you are NOT going to that particular park (for example CRT and Magic Kingdom) since that would be a better time to be in the park with less crowds (earlier in the AM) , or is it better to schedule any character breakfast during a hangout at the pool day. The con of that would be travel time there and back to the resort just for the breakfast. which is a better plan? we have young kids that would probably need naps in the afternoon and I would hate to miss good "park time" in lieu of a character breakfast.

Unless you have APs, scheduling a character breakfast in the parks on a "pool day" is a waste of one day's admission to the parks off of your ticket. Even though you may only be going into the park for the breakfast, you still have to be admitted with a ticket.

Unless your ticket has the hopper option added on, you won't be able to get into another park that day. So if you choose to have breakfast in the castle at MK, you will have to plan on being in the MK that day. Of course, if you do have hopping on your ticket, then you could eat breakfast with Cindy head out to any of the other 3 parks afterwards. Just keep in mind that the "good park time" that you could have spent at the MK will now be consumed by the amount of time it will take to travel to the next park and pass thru their security checks.

Also,

What is the least crowded day for Magic Kingdom? How is a Friday for crowds?

Thanks!

Generally, Sunday is the most crowded day at MK and Tuesday is the least crowded. EMH can influence attendance since some guests will not have hoppers and will stay at MK following morning EMH or attend the park during the day of evening EMH hours. Currently, there is morning EMH on Fridays at the MK, and evening EMH is on Wednesdays.

 

[3kidz4dis]

Here's my strategy -

Character breakfast in the park - either get it before park opening (as close to 8:00 as you can) so that you are done when the park opens OR get it later, like 10:30 so you can ride for an hour and a half and then break for breakfast. I prefer not to go into a park just for breakfast and then leave. However, I am doing that in December for Epcot PSB, but we will already have been to Epcot twice during that trip.

I actually did think about getting there that early but my problem there is DD and DS are not going to the Royal Table and they can't get in that early which would mean I would have to deal with the transportation on my own with my daughters for the first time. I know there is a Bakery on Main Street. Would they be allowed in there that early?

 

[3kidz4dis]

I really appeciate everyone input it really does help! So here is the dilema. I have reserved the Royal Table for 9:10 and now reading this thread, I am going to call tomorrow AM at 7:00 (I am a few days past 180 now) and try and change it tol 8:00. My problem remains first of all of not getting the time I want plus my husband and son who are not going to the breakfast can't get into the park that early. Does anyone know if Main Street is open that early or is that already within the gates of the park and they can't get in?