which park first

[poohdad]

our plane gets in at around 8:30am on a saturday in February. I figure we will be at CBR by 11:00 and head off to a park. What is evrybody's thought's on which park to see first. I have heard not to take a child to Mk first because then everything else is a let down. We have 6 adults and a four year old?

 

[Soprano]

MGM. This was the first park I ever visited and remains my favourite. A lot of people think half a day is enough, (but I think you need a bit more) so may well fit the bill with there being 6 adults. The Aerosmith and ToT rides should be right up your street.

Or maybe AK, but I find this park a little dull with little to do.

 

[david roberts]

Don't believe that "let down" stuff. The first time my kids went, the youngest was 6, and she loved all the other parks after we went to Magic Kingdom first. MK is probably the best place to start for one very good reason. I found that my kids like the shows and characters better than the rides. At MK, even if you get there at noon when it is crowded, you can see the parade, the Cinderella show, the Country Bear Jamboree, Mickey's Philharmagic, and go to a character dinner (book in advance, of course) all even if the park is crowded. Mix in a couple fast pass rides and your 4 year old will have a blast. Second choice would be MGM because there you also have many shows and a parade that can be viewed no matter how crowded it is.

 

[sunny04]

And, if you have little kids, I just think the castle view as you walk in just needs to be your beginning of your WDW trip. When I was a kid, we didn't do MK first and I still loved my trip, but as an adult, I like doing MK first just to see the castle. That's what makes me feel like I'm there more than anything. I don't think it will make your trip any better or worse either way, but MK sights are just awesome and can really get the trip started with excitement and magic.

 

[stenogoddess]

To me it depends on if you have park hopper or not. If you don't have to worry about "wasting" a ticket, for my first day we usually just stroll around the MK to breath in the vacation air but without any things we "have" to o and then hit EPCOT for dinner. The next day we wake up refreshed and ready to go for real. Travel to get there just really tires me out so I like to ease into it.

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

I would only do MK first if you are also planning another day there later in your trip, because there is so much to see--- especially for a 4 year old!!!!
But I am also not a believer in the 'let down' concept, my kids enjoyed something at every park!!!

 

[#1MMFan]

I would suggest Epcot. I'm going to get flamed for this, I know, when you have a four year old, what with all the supposed walking but I have to say that it is the most relaxing of the parks, with open spaces, less crowds, and beautiful scenery. It's an easy way to break yourselves into vacation mode, without HAVING to do particular attractions. Also, I think Epcot is Disney at its most original and it was my first Disney park and remains probably joint equal favorite with MK.

 

[Sunkissed]

We usually do not visit a park on our first day. We take the time to get settled in the hotel and enjoy a leisurely monorail ride and dinner at DTD or BW. This is with an arrival of around 10:30am. Last year, we spent the second day at Epcot, but next year we will be hitting up MGM and heading back to the hotel for an early night after Fantasmic.

 

[tiberius]

We just take the first bus that comes that is going to a major park. We can always park hop later if that park is closing earlier than others.

 

[MainStreetFan]

Has to be the MK for me. It IS Disney!! I don't feel like I am really there until I ride the monorail and wave to the steel Mickey sitting on top of the building, just before you enter the Contemp.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I vote for MK first, I just have to see the Castle, ASAP! I am broken hearted that we will have to do MGM first this year b/c we are arriving late and MK will be closed when we get there our first night. But MGM is awesome and I'm sure I'll manage!

 

[buccikulju]

We do MK first. The magic is most extraordinary there. The other parks are wonderful, but MK is the cake, the others are the icing. Think about it, if for some reason your vacation had to abruptly end, wouldn't you feel you had "done Disney" if you had only seen MK?

 

[ronniereb]

We always like MK to be our first at last park we visit, we always plan two days for it and one for all the others

 

[WDWNJ]

Personally we do MK first, because that is where it started and it's just a nostalgic thing. In your case, I feel the MK IS the best park to start a 4 year old in. It's just too magical.

 

[boomhauer]

I always do Epcot first, only because if I do MK first, everything else is a let down to ME!

I compare going to the MK on your first day to eating the cherry off of a sundae first.

 

[WDWNJ]

I always do Epcot first, only because if I do MK first, everything else is a let down to ME!

I compare going to the MK on your first day to eating the cherry off of a sundae first.

That's why I always ask for two cherries on my sundae........

 

[Wendy1953]

I say MK first....and also to plan by the EMH's...this way you get the most out of your days! Going to WDW has to start with MK....it's the original, and then you can always go back to finish it when the other parks close early!!!!! Take the Ferry Boat ride from the TTC....what a sight...water, and then the castle coming into view, the train station!!!!! Have a blast!

 

[poohdad]

thanks for the opinions, however it has been decided that MGM should come first b/c one set of Grandparents may not be there at that time. MK will wait until Tuesday and start with Cinderella's breakfast.

 

[Wendy1953]

okay.....this was my thought MK first....then you can always go back to finish it up when the other parks close early (AK especially)....it's the original park and deserves the first sight! Take the Ferry from the TTC....water, castle, and train station views are awesome! Have a great time! but now that you say GP's are going to miss seeing the little ones eyes when the MK comes into view.....wait for them to arrive, they deserve to see the magic come alive in the eyes of a child!!!!