Which park first? 1st timers, multi-gen trip

[Glam]

Our group is basically 3 generations of women. Ages 66, 40, 35, 13, 7, and a toddler boy.
The men have bowed out for this trip. It's a first trip for everyone but me.

For the benefit of the 2 young girls, which park would You recommend we start with?
This is a 7/8 day trip, so we'll have time to hit MK 3x and Epcot 2x.

Thanks

 

[mshanson3121]

Our group is basically 3 generations of women. Ages 66, 40, 35, 13, 7, and a toddler boy.
The men have bowed out for this trip. It's a first trip for everyone but me.

For the benefit of the 2 young girls, which park would You recommend we start with?
This is a 7/8 day trip, so we'll have time to hit MK 3x and Epcot 2x.

Thanks

Myself, I think starting and finishing with MK is a perfect approach. But, why not ask them what park they want to start with?

 

[wdwjeffc37]

I subscribe to the idea the the Magic Kingdom epitomizes Walt Disney World. Walking through the tunnel onto Main Street USA and seeing the castle in the distance is what it is all about for me. For the youngsters I would definitely start with the Magic Kingdom. Seeing a childs reaction to seeing the castle for the first time is one of my favorite thing to see. My kids are way, way past that stage, but we still hit the MK first on every trip. Since you have scheduled a long trip it shouldn't really make a difference but my vote is the Magic Kingdom all the way. Cheers!!!!!

 

[CounselorX]

Magic Kingdom for sure. Even for just my wife and I, Animal Kingdom is our favorite park but we have to go to MK on our first day because there's no better way to start the vacation.

 

[mkla2015]

I agree with previous posters- Magic Kingdom! I can't imagine not going there first- it's how we start and end all trips!

 

[AllieBoo]

Definitely Magic Kingdom!

 

[omegak]

I agree Magic Kingdom would be an excellent choice.

 

[Mikie]

I have read tips on web sites that you should do any park BUT MK first, because it is just so "Disney" that all others will pale by comparison. . . However, I agree with everyone here and like to start and end at MK! My kids have certainly never complained that anything was "not good enough" after MK.

My last trip was multi-generation with some first-timers. . . I hope your trip is as fabulous as mine was! I definitely recommend Memory Maker to help capture the memories.

 

[Disneymom1126]

We like to start and end our trip with Magic Kingdom usually -- but I also take a look at the crowd calendars and sometimes we won't start at Magic Kingdom if it's going to be a really busy day there! Depending on the time of year that you are going sometimes this matters more than other times of the year. When we go in October, Wednesdays and Saturdays are really busy at MK because they are a few of the only days that the MSEP and Wishes are happening because of all the Halloween Party nights, so people that aren't going to the parties or want to see the Main Street Electrical Parade have less days to choose from! Same thing when the Christmas parties start in November/December!

 

[GaryDis]

I have to strongly disagree with MK first for two related reasons:

1. First rule of show business, save the best for last.
2. It risks souring the kids on the rest of the vacation, as per Mikie's post:

I have read tips on web sites that you should do any park BUT MK first, because it is just so "Disney" that all others will pale by comparison. . . However, I agree with everyone here and like to start and end at MK! My kids have certainly never complained that anything was "not good enough" after MK.

It's not that the others will pale, but the MK will set expectations and the others won't be as much fun.

Look at it this way: The kids are most likely to love the MK whichever day you go. There's little upside to doing it first unless they have a horrible trip to Orlando. The only possible advantage is that they won't be tired out - but you don't want them tired out regardless. But there is potential downside. They may or may not complain that the rest wasn't good enough - but there's more of a risk that they will than any other combination.

Here's how I'd do it, assuming 7 days. It's my first pass, so I'm open to flaws being pointed out:

1. Animal Kingdom. Good chance of delighting everyone, but the early closing keeps you from wearing yourselves out too much on the first day.
2. Epcot west side (Seas/Land/Imagination, Canada/UK/France/Morocco/Japan/American Adventure, maybe Spaceship Earth). Maybe breakfast at the Garden Grill. See some characters in World Showcase. There's a lot of walking in Epcot so pace yourselves, use the boat across the lake. Do some adult stuff before the kids are worn out. Think carefully before staying late here, and maybe even split up to have the kids rest up at the hotel, because the next day is:
   
3. Magic Kingdom. Can't put it off too long, and it balances Epcot. Possibly wishes, but take it easy so the kids are up for it.
   
4. DHS. Possibly a short day, because you either want Wishes the night before or rope drop the morning after
   
5. MK. Rope drop. Afternoon break.
   
6. Epcot east side. Find a way for the kids to rest.
   
7. MK. Best night for Wishes, unless the trip out the next day is early.

To me, ending the vacation with fireworks at MK is worth far more than starting the vacation there.

 

[Parker Clan]

We always start our trip with MK... Your first glimpse of the castle and strolling down Main Street.. Pure Disney magic!!

 

[TheWeasel]

MK - make sure you are there for the opening of the park in the morning. It will set the tone for the entire trip by putting a smile on everyone's face and a tear in your eyes.

 

[GPC0321]

If your first park day is a full day (not an afternoon/evening after arrival and check-in), then I'd say MK for sure. I wanted MK to be our first park for our upcoming trip (and we're all old folks!), but we only have basically 4 1/2 park days, and I didn't want to hit MK in the late afternoon/early evening for our first time seeing it in 17 years. I want to be there at the opening welcome show, and I want to be there Easter Sunday for the parade, so it will actually be our THIRD park that we visit. Part of me hates that idea, but I'm excited to go to HS the night we arrive and see the Star Wars fireworks, and the next day we go to Epcot in the AM (and I love me some Epcot! Seeing Spaceship Earth is a close second to Cindy's Castle for me) with La Nouba that night. So we'll still be having fun.

And I'm definitely making sure we end with MK the night before we leave. I'll probably be sobbing. LOL.

 

[rsagusti]

We go based on crowd calendars for sure, but since we park hop I do let me kids say where they want to visit about mid-day it might be back to hotel for a swim/nap it might be a park, sometimes they want to see each park the first day just to kind of get a glimpse or do our favorites. I think MK can be a little overwhelming so just prep them and remind them they don't have to do it all at once and you'll go back a few times.

 

[Nancyg56]

I look at the crowd calendars and let them help me decide our park days. SO far, after over ten years of taking kids, we have had no issues if MK is not the first or last park, Actually, we rarely hit MK first, and usually go to DHS on our last day because we like to hit those shops one more time.

 

[Arielismyfave]

Another vote for Magic Kingdom first!

We had a pre-rope drop breakfast at Crystal Palace and it was a great start to the trip. Also, pictures in an almost empty Main Street were awesome!

 

[BrianL]

It's MK. It's the only way to kick things off.

 

[joanchris]

I agree on doing other parks before MK, maybe not all of them, but once the littles see MK they may not give the other parks a fair chance. Our first trip I think we may have saved MK for last, or maybe 3rd, and I'm glad I did (mine were just 10 and almost 7 at the time). I loved the reaction of seeing the castle for the first time, even after the thrill of the other parks. IMO, nothing really beat that, which is why I don't think you can start with it, you need to build up to it.

 

[EricInPA]

Our trips must start and end with MK, I can't really imagine doing it any other way.

 

[Crystal824]

Another vote for MK, we always start and end our trips there. MK is the essence of Disney. I think most people want to see the Castle so start there.