Which park which day-going during F&W?

[Simba's Mom]

I always thought that during the F&W, weekends at Epcot were no-nos, so I'd planned to go to the MK and AK on Saturday and Sunday. But then I checked a Crowd Calendar recommendation, and it said that Epcot was most recommended on Saturday and MK was bad/red. Now I'm confused. This is during September, if that makes any difference, but I still thought weekends were out at Epcot during the F&W for either month. I really only want to do one park-I really don't have the stamina to do Epcot for a while, then MK on Saturday when Epcot gets crowded. So which would you recommend for Saturday?

 

[dachsie]

You can handle any crowd on any day with the right expectations.

 

[SarahC97]

Saturday is always one of the busiest days for MK. When we've gone during F&W, we did AK on a Saturday and MK on a Sunday. That worked well for us. I wouldn't put too much stock in crowds calendars - there are just basics that are almost always true - like Saturdays being busy at MK and Epcot being busy during F&W on the weekends.

 

[gharter]

i would avoid EPCOT on Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday as the locals come out during that time and it is much busier than usual.
I would also avoid MK on the weekends if possible.

 

[Disneylover99]

If you are planning on eating at the food booths at F&W, I'd avoid Epcot on Saturday or Sunday. But if you're not interested in the food booths, I'd go to Epcot.

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

MK is very crowded on Saturdays. We have been to Epcot on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday are great until around 7. That’s when world showcase gets really crowded. Sunday is pretty good in the evening. Locals have to work Monday

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

If anything I’d swap the days.

Do AK on Saturday and MK on Sunday.

But the best plan of attack during Sept would be to go to MK on a MNSSHP day. Those days have the lowest crowds - the parties are a HUGE reason why the non-party day’s are packed at MK. And they are indeed packed.

If you choose to hit EPCOT on Saturday my advice is to leave late afternoon. Things tend to get a little wacky at EPCOT on Friday/Saturday night of F&W.

 

[ArielDreams]

I totally agree about MNSSHP. That should definitely influence your MK day. We went the day after MNSSHP and it was absolutely mobbed - all of our plans were a disaster. If you don’t mind missing the nighttime stuff, I would totally recommend going on the event day.

As for Epcot, we are a no kids couple that totally didn’t notice any crazy behavior during weekends at F&W but it was slightly more packed in the evening (it also poured rain with crazy thunderstorms which effected the crowds in a weird way)

 

[PSUGuy]

We hit an non-EMH park every morning then hop to WS during F&W every afternoon.... except Sat. Crazy crowded and long kiosk lines. We go on Fri but sometimes leave early evening if crowds dictate, no problem because we stay at Board Walk. Sundays re tolerable, weekdays are the best.

Bill From PA

 

[winthropf]

On a Saturday, if you are only going to do rides in Epcot Future World, the crowds will not be a problem. The large number of locals come out to World Showcase for the F&W booths. Avoid World Showcase if at all possible.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The idea of switching Saturday and Sunday, going to AK on Saturday and MK on Sunday is a good thought. To clarify Epcot, my main purpose there is the F&W booths.

 

[LucyBC80]

The good thing about EPCOT on Fri-Sun is that it closes at 10pm instead of 9pm, so that gives you one more hour to enjoy the food booths. It is more crowded but I'm still able to have a good time and enjoy myself.

 

[ktlm]

We usually go the first half of October, and every time we have gone to EPCOT on a Saturday, we could not wait to get out of there and go somewhere else. Once was actually the time we did a 4 park day-- 5 because we went to EPCOT twice. Not planned- but it was Duffy's last day and our first full trip day, so seeing him was a must. We had an EPCOT evening ADR, so our plan was to do DHS for our morning FP, hit EPCOT when Duffy came out, have some lunch at food booths and then stay there until dinner. EPCOT was so bad that after hitting a couple of food booths, we could not wait to get out of there. None of us wanted to stay there until dinner. So, we headed to AK, then came back to EPCOT for dinner, and at that point, we knew we had to make it a 4 park day since MK was open until midnight.

If you are going for F&W, it is much better on the weekdays. Also, if you do go on the weekend, then start hitting the F&W booths right when they open at 11:00 p.m.-- Saturday night is crazy.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I would definitely stay away from Epcot on a Saturday (night especially), my friends and I always go to WDW for F&W, and we usually do Epcot on Friday and Sunday, and catch HEA at MK (as its one of the only nights to see it during party season) on Saturday night......Friday and Sunday nights have worked well for us, just manage your expectations and enjoy! The later it gets at Epcot, the busier it will be, so if you wanted to do "lunch-ish" for F&W and hop somewhere else, that would work. So my vote is early Epcot, and then MK for HEA at night.....both will be packed, but you will be only submitting yourself to the hordes for short periods of time.