Which park on arrival day?

[WendyLovesPeter]

I am thinking either MGM or AK. AK has extended hours on our arrival day - will it be CRAZY or will many people be leaving mid afternoon? What time is the jungle parade? I also thought perhaps future world then return to EPCOT another day for World Showcase. I have princess breakfast arrangement for another day already.

What have you done on the day you arrived? We will hang out at the resort for a bit, but I'd really like to visit a park also.

 

[KatMark]

I think Animal Kingdom on arrival day would be fine. However, remember that even with extra magic hours at night, the Safari will not be operating. I believe the parade, which we have never seen, is at 4:00 at AK.

 

[xdramaqueenx]

Personally I am going to be going to the Magic Kingdom on our first night there...

Ive never been to WDW before but I know the first time we walked into Disneyland seeing that castle right off the bat was the perfect start to the vacation...night time...all the lights lit up and seeing the castle...AWESOME!!

 

[homedad]

I would NOT go to the park with extended hours if your traveling at a busier time, assuming your not getting there at opening. I'd look at the UG for their park recommendation for that day,,,,,,MTC...

 

[Koroshiya-Ichi]

I always go to the park which feels most the most "Disney," which for me is Epcot. It's also my favorite park. Usually I do a few things there and, depending on how tired I am, either go back to the resort or go to another park after that, usually MK. Beginning the first day with my favorite park and ending with Magic Kingdom just sets the tone for the whole vacation for me.

 

[wild4dis]

I guess you have to determine what time you arrive and will you have enough time at the park to justify using a day on your ticket?? We often arrive after lunchtime and just hang around the pool, visit DTD and enjoy a relaxing dinner at one of the resort restaraunts....... Boma always seem to be something we might do twice (its one of our favorites!!) so it usually gets a first night visit
However, if you arrive early enough, we always make MK our first park to visit, it gets the "Magic" going as soon as you walk out to Main St !!

 

[klwdisney]

My vote is for MGM. That park has the least to offer so it'll be the quickest to get thru.

 

[PennyW]

The last couple of trips, we've done MGM on our first day. There's nothing like ToT to get everything started off right! And for us, there aren't that many "musts" at MGM, so you can finish in time to head over to EPCOT for a delicious margarita in Mexico!

 

[nutty4wdw]

i agree with MGM. the only 2 musts are ToT and RnR. if i miss anything else no big deal. if i catch a few more like great movie ride etc it's a bonus.

AK is good too when there is no evening emh because people start to clear out at 3. but with the emh it will be more crowded then usual. also AK has a few more must sees then MGM. but if you do go to AK as already mentioned the kilimanjaro safari will close earlier so make sure to do that before it closes. EE is great at night.

 

[BrianD]

I like either MGM or AK for the arrival day. We have done both, and both have worked really well. I agree about hitting a big thrill ride like EE or RnR first thing. Once we did MGM first and went straight for RnrR, and when you haven't been riding rides all week and you do that one first, that take off is quite a thrill!

And I wouldn't worry about using a day of your tickets because they way the pricing structure works these days, you are only talking about $2 or $3 anyway.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

MK on first and last day is the only non-negotiable for my family. It just gets us in a Disney state of mind like no place else does.

 

[RllngRckBrw]

Remember that even with the EMH AK does close early. It all depends on how much you are cramped for time, but I always like a nice relaxing dip in the pool and a walk around downtown disney for a first day. We tried Future World our first time on arrival and it was fun, because it was our first Disney experience, but we were so tired that evening and the next day.

 

[Madi100]

We learned this trip that it needs to be Magic Kingdom. This time we went to Animal Kingdom and the girls didn't have much fun that day. We returned to Animal Kingdom another day and they had a blast. The last trip we planned on Magic Kingdom the first day and the girls were up until 12 having fun. So, I'd go with your favorite park.

 

[christianweecare]

I would NOT go to the park with extended hours if your traveling at a busier time, assuming your not getting there at opening. I'd look at the UG for their park recommendation for that day,,,,,,MTC...

I was just trying to remember the "UG". What is that link?

 

[newholidayx2]

I head right over to EpCot! No trip can be started w/out a night at EpCot (better when Off Kilter is playing, if not I go to British Invasion and MoRockin). All the nights during vacation are spent at EpCot!

Once I went directly to MK. When I got there I knew EpCot was where I wanted to be so hopped over

 

[MJMcBride]

I know they don't recommend this, but I always hit the MK on the first day and always do HM or POTC first

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

IMO AK pm extended hours are not worth it. I went once and won't go again. There is so little open it was a waste of time. I'd go w/ MGM. I personally like to visit MK first but we got there a few years ago about an hour before they closed and MGM was open w/ EMH till midnight so we went there first and got some attractions out of the way.