Which Theme Park - Which Day?

[my16auburn]

We are planning our 1st WDW family trip with DH, DS12 and 10. We are staying at CSR 8/20 - 8/26. Could you please help us out as to which days are busiest at which park so we can plan accordningly? I thought I saw the info posted online but I cannot find it now.

 

[iTINKsew]

From one "newbie" to another....HI!

I am glad you asked this question, we will be there around this time (end of July) and are trying to figure out our itinerary too.

 

[SnowyPrincesses:)]

I suggest subscribing to www.tourguidemike.com His site is great for lots of info and he has two articles summarizing which days are best for which park complete with the reasons why. One article is for those who want to take advantage of extra magic hour and one is for those that don't. I found the site a little overwhelming at first because there is so much info but I am sooooo glad we subscribed. When you figure how much money your vacation will cost you the subscription price is well worth it to help you maximize your time there.

 

[kilee]

Welcome to both our new DISER's!!!

The August hours won't be out for a bit yet. Usually around June 1st. That being said, you'll need to decide if you want to take advantage of EMH (morning, evening or both), and if you will have passes that allow park hopping. If you can park hop and you want to take advantage of EMH-- it's always said that the best plan is to enjoy EMH but go to another park during the afternoon hours.

Also, if you are not going to park hop and not do EMH then avoid the EMH park at all costs. The EMH park tends to draw the largest crowds. It seems to be a bit more true now that the MYM costs extra to park hop. Quite a few people opt to not add hopping to their tickets.

The DIS can help you plan your trip to a "T". Be sure to check out the other resort, dining, and budget forums too!!!

 

[CAP56]

We stay onsite for two weeks in June and one week in October and a week at Christmas. After hundreds of trips to Disney we have sort of a commando schedule that works well for us. We have 3 children ages 9,6,4 and one on the way, so yes you can do this schedule with kids. Our one week trip goes like this:

Most people check in on Saturday, however we have found that by checking in on Sunday you get off the "normal schedule" of most vacationers and avoid the heavy crowds even in summer or over holidays.

Leave Michigan Saturday morning

Arrive Disney Sunday 10:00am

Sunday - Check out the Hotels and have Dinner at Chef Mickey's

Monday - Magic Kingdom
(Everyone else heads there on Sunday because it is their first day)

Tuesday - EPCOT

Wednesday - Animal Kingdom (Always done by 2:00pm)
Over to Downtown Disney to Shop
EPCOT for Dinner and Illuminations

Thursday - MGM Studios

Friday - Magic Kingdom (Last day stay till they kick us out)

Saturday - Leave for Home

Sunday - Arrive Home

We have stayed onsite for as little as three nights and as long as twenty. So feel free to ask me any questions

We are going June 18-July 1

+one on the way

 

[iTINKsew]

Welcome to both our new DISER's!!!

The August hours won't be out for a bit yet. Usually around June 1st. That being said, you'll need to decide if you want to take advantage of EMH (morning, evening or both), and if you will have passes that allow park hopping. If you can park hop and you want to take advantage of EMH-- it's always said that the best plan is to enjoy EMH but go to another park during the afternoon hours.

Also, if you are not going to park hop and not do EMH then avoid the EMH park at all costs. The EMH park tends to draw the largest crowds. It seems to be a bit more true now that the MYM costs extra to park hop. Quite a few people opt to not add hopping to their tickets.

The DIS can help you plan your trip to a "T". Be sure to check out the other resort, dining, and budget forums too!!!

Thanks for the welcome! I have been lurking for a while now. I finally had to join in on the posting!

We do plan on doing the EMH and park hopping. Also, we are planning on the no expiration tickets. Now it is down to what to do on each day.

This is FUN!!

 

[iTINKsew]

We stay onsite for two weeks in June and one week in October and a week at Christmas. After hundreds of trips to Disney we have sort of a commando schedule that works well for us. We have 3 children ages 9,6,4 and one on the way, so yes you can do this schedule with kids. Our one week trip goes like this:

Most people check in on Saturday, however we have found that by checking in on Sunday you get off the "normal schedule" of most vacationers and avoid the heavy crowds even in summer or over holidays.

Leave Michigan Saturday morning

Arrive Disney Sunday 10:00am

Sunday - Check out the Hotels and have Dinner at Chef Mickey's

Monday - Magic Kingdom
(Everyone else heads there on Sunday because it is their first day)

Tuesday - EPCOT

Wednesday - Animal Kingdom (Always done by 2:00pm)
Over to Downtown Disney to Shop
EPCOT for Dinner and Illuminations

Thursday - MGM Studios

Friday - Magic Kingdom (Last day stay till they kick us out)

Saturday - Leave for Home

Sunday - Arrive Home

We have stayed onsite for as little as three nights and as long as twenty. So feel free to ask me any questions

We are going June 18-July 1

+one on the way

Wow! 20 nights!!! That is amazing!!

Thanks for the input on what park to go to on what day!! That sounds good to me!

I wonder if I will be a "commando" planner. I don't know yet, but it is looking like I might be, I really like thinking about it!

 

[eeyore45]

Welcome to the New Dis'ers indeed!!

and for Cap I have a question, we're going for our 2nd trip, our first was in the heat of July/Aug, we went commando, and using this helpful site along with the Unofficial Guide, we had a blast... however, dd loved the emh nights, and staying at the pool - hard to get dd up in the mornings, so I relaxed my 'commando' defination considerably, still did everything needed...

Now, I'm researching our October trip, I like your Sun start, due to airfares being cheaper on a Tues, we're doing a Tues to Tues trip... and its throwing me off!! PLUS I planned not realizing its Columbus day - have you been then? Any tips for a weekend? I thought to stay away from MK on the weekend, and do Animal Kingdom on the weekend... and maybe MGM, but then that would make a weekend Fantasmic, and I dont think I want that... descions, descions!! (its still a good place to be!!)

 

[my16auburn]

Thanks for the feedback!
We will be park hopping and may use the EMH and/or E-Ride nites, and have a day a the water parks. We are arriving late Sat; will probably ride the monorail at nite to get a layout of the park. With initial planning, I was thinking to start at AK on Sunday bright and early since it is closest to CSR. The rest of the week would be based on research and feedback from all and of course, weather permitting.

One other question; our flight leaves Fri @ 3:00pm - I was thinking character breakfast with a 1/2 day at a park. Any comments?