Which park to start with?

[tnkbl]

DH, DD5 and myself will be arriving on a Saturday at about 2 ish to ASM. Which park would you start with? We have 8 day hoppers, and we don't plan to stay out too late that night since the next day we will be at MK for the opening.
I say EPCOT, since this will be her first Disney park and her expectations will not be so high at the other parks and DH (you know the one who spends all the time reading and planning the trip, HA HA HA) says we should go to MK so she can enjoy herself. I personally think that you can't top MK and I even as an adult was a little let down by the other parks after MK.
I am asking for opinions and what your reasoning is.
Thanks for all your help, only 24 more days to go!
Sherri

 

[tnkbl]

Anyone? Buller, Buller...?

 

[shyjade]

Epcot is huge and a full-day park in my opinion (my DD8 is very excited about travelling through the World Showcase).

We're arriving around 1pm and plan on going to MGM first because, quite frankly, that park is the least appealing to both of us. We love Epcot (WS), we love animals so AK is important to us, and of course MK is magical! (We will get a good night's sleep the first night and spend the first full day at MK)

So I vote for MGM...still has the Disney magic but not a full-day park.

 

[la79al]

How could you think about any other park than Magic Kingdom? Mention Disney World and guess what, probably every kid will be thinking castle. You probably will not be able to top MK (unless she really loves animals) but at the same time, if you go to a different park first she may end up spending the entire day waiting for princesses and 'the real Disney World'. With a 5 year old, you are going to spend the majority of your time at MK anyhow.

 

[newscick27]

I agree with the previous poster... ya have to see the castle the first day!!!!
Its a tradition with us to go to MK first... I understand the reasoning for the other parks, but kids get a full dose of that disney magic at MK.

Have fun!!!

 

[tnkbl]

Okay, okay, okay you and DH win! MK it is, which is where I really want to go first. I just don't want her to be disappointed with EPCOT.

 

[disneypharm]

In our first trip to WDW, we went to MK the first night. However, DD8 and DD6 love other parks too. MGM can be great on the first day; it has playhouse Disney show, the voyage of little mermaid show, beauty and the beast, backlot tour, the great movie ride, disney animations and more. It is a good park to go for half a day. So, I vote for MK or MGM.

 

[english rose 47]

I've read do not do M.K. first as the little ones will not be happy with the others aafter M.K. So I didn't plan on doing it first. A lot is going to depend on the park schedules I want to avoid EMH as have no desire to up so early with 3 kids!!

 

[PandaBear & Boo]

DH, DD5 and myself will be arriving on a Saturday at about 2 ish to ASM. Which park would you start with? We have 8 day hoppers, and we don't plan to stay out too late that night since the next day we will be at MK for the opening.
I say EPCOT, since this will be her first Disney park and her expectations will not be so high at the other parks and DH (you know the one who spends all the time reading and planning the trip, HA HA HA) says we should go to MK so she can enjoy herself. I personally think that you can't top MK and I even as an adult was a little let down by the other parks after MK.
I am asking for opinions and what your reasoning is.
Thanks for all your help, only 24 more days to go!
Sherri

Last time we were at WDW we arrived in the afternoon. We decided to go to AK that day because it is a smaller park and we would be able to see most of it. Since you plan on going to MK the next day for opening I would leave that park till then. That way your DD will be able to see that park from start to finish and everything in between. I would wait to do Epcot on another day because it is so big. My daughter loved AK and although it doesn't have the castle and it isn't as magical there is still alot to enjoy.

 

[AnninIowa]

Also consider how you are going to feel upon arrival - will you be tired from the trip? Do you have plenty of time to devote to the parks on the rest of your trip? If so, maybe you can spend that afternoon at Downtown Disney or just hang out by the pool and explore the resort. Those things get away from you quickly once you start exploring the parks! Then you can start fresh the next morning by arriving at MK.

 

[epcotized]

Your Epcot idea does make sense. Epcot does take a full day at least. Since your hopper pass covers 8 days, though, you will be back for the rest of the park anyway.

The thrill of MK will overwhelming no matter which day you go so why have that letdown feeling? It's a little like giving your daughter pecan pie first then serving meat and vegetables.

The draw of seeing the castle is very tempting though. I hope you have a great time no matter what you decide.

 

[tnkbl]

Thank you for your imput. I think I am going to close my eyes and hope for the best. No matter what we do I know we will have fun and a magical time. That Saturday is DD's 5th birthday and I just want it to be perfect. This trip has been in the works since before she was conceived!

 

[Scraper]

How could you think about any other park than Magic Kingdom? Mention Disney World and guess what, probably every kid will be thinking castle. You probably will not be able to top MK (unless she really loves animals) but at the same time, if you go to a different park first she may end up spending the entire day waiting for princesses and 'the real Disney World'. With a 5 year old, you are going to spend the majority of your time at MK anyhow.

You are so right I was thinking Epcot soarin that is where we like to start but our children are old enough they no longer look for the castle and princesses. Yep your right.

 

[shyjade]

What a lot of you are saying makes sense. When my DD was younger we always started at MK too, because that was where her heart was; now that she's 8 she'd rather get MGM "out of the way" first.

So I'm revising my advise: do what works best for your family!

 

[ReneeA]

Honestly? I don't think your DD will be disappointed by anything. Every park has great rides and attractions for kids of all ages, and I'd be shocked if seeing the MK first will ruin the other parks for her.

I always head right to the MK first because I can't stand to wait. But that's just me.

My kids are going to be 3 & 4 this trip and all I hear about is the POOL. In fact, we booked CSR this trip specifically because it's the best pool on property (according to alot of people). They are so excited about it that I'm putting their swimsuits under their clothes and letting them dip in the minute they get there. THEN I'm heading to the MK.

 

[emer95]

We started with Epcot first, and our very first ride ever at Disney was Soarin'. We have such fond memories of it. When we go to the Disney website and click on the little promo of Soarin', the music takes us back. :
We thought starting with Epcot was perfect with our little ones.

 

[CindyAnn]

I vote for Blizzard Beach! I think BB is perfect for the first afternoon, and then you're fresh for the next morning.

 

[Jages16]

I am also arriving the same day as you!!!! Can't wait. The way we do it is whichever bus shows up first at our resort is the one we end up going to. It just adds even more excitement (as if we needed any more.) First time was Epcot, then last time was MK. Don't forget though, MGM has EMH that morning so it could be jam packed. Regardless of the final decision, it's going to be a blast wherever you end up!!!! See you there