Will I regret breaking tradition?

[robndani]

We are staying at AKL Kidani Village in January. We go to WDW twice a year and we always go to Magic Kingdom on our last day. We usually get a 7:00 pm flight back to NJ that evening, so we spend a few hrs at MK before returning to our hotel to catch Magical Express.

However, being at AKL, I'm thinking the traveling may be too much on our last day. Should I just stick with tradition and deal with it or does it make more sense to do AK on our last day of this trip?

 

[mtabh]

Only you can know if it will bother you to have not followed your previous traditions. Personally, if you have children, I would go with AK on the last day. Don't want to be running around like a headless chicken stressed out trying to make it back on time.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

If you want to stick with tradition, budget for a cab from MK back to AK on that last day. Take the stress out of it and enjoy!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I'd go to AK instead but AK is my favorite park. Maybe it's a nice way to finish off your Kidani vacation, a new tradition

 

[georgina]

Only you can know if it will bother you to have not followed your previous traditions. Personally, if you have children, I would go with AK on the last day. Don't want to be running around like a headless chicken stressed out trying to make it back on time.

I agree that only you can know if you will regret breaking your tradition. It wouldn't bother me, but our family is not strong on tradition. I went to Blizzard Beach on my last day this year for the morning/early afternoon.

 

[jon18uk]

We have ALWAYS gone to Epcot for Illuminations on our first night and I would find it very upsetting if I broke that tradition. Only you can know if that would upset you if you missed your tradition. But as others have said, if you have ridden everything you want in MK then AK could be a nice relaxing end to your vacation.

 

[grammimouse]

I could not possibly even imagine not going to MK for the last day But you need to do what works for you . Have a wonderful time whatever you decide.

 

[mare1203]

As others have said, you need to determine for yourself whether or not it would bother you.

For me, I've learned to go with the flow over the years. It used to be that MK was where we had to go first. Well, then we started going in October for F&W at Epcot and staying at the Beach Club. It made way more sense to pop over to Epcot first, even though that was breaking with tradition. And you know what? It still felt magical! Sometimes it makes sense to break from tradition and you find that it's just as enjoyable, if not even better!

 

[robndani]

You are all right, I'm just being a baby! I do want to keep our tradition, but not at the expense of a hectic last day. It's not like I will lose sleep over it. A relaxing morning at AK will be great!!!!

 

[M likes the mouse]

I'm glad you already decided what's best for you! Although I don't quite understand how MK would be much more hectic as you have to wait for the bus anyway. Just to share my own experience though: I had the same preference as you except that a few years ago, we stayed at the Dolphin. My DH convinced me to spend our last morning at Epcot because it was at walking distance. Oh, but did I regret it as Epcot was soooo much less magical as a last day in the Magic. I felt like I was on methadone.. I have since always ended my vacation with one last fleeting look at the beautiful castle with Main Street USA to frame it!

 

[Spunky946]

Mk is an extra 10 minutes from akl. I'm not sure what the big deal is and why it would be that much more hectic.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Our last day is typically an early start and hitting our favorites in all four parks!!! Hectic, yes, but sooooo much fun!!!

I don't see going to MK from AKL to be hectic at all. Go, keep tradition, have fun!!

 

[NancyIL]

I'm glad you already decided what's best for you! Although I don't quite understand how MK would be much more hectic as you have to wait for the bus anyway. Just to share my own experience though: I had the same preference as you except that a few years ago, we stayed at the Dolphin. My DH convinced me to spend our last morning at Epcot because it was at walking distance. Oh, but did I regret it as Epcot was soooo much less magical as a last day in the Magic. I felt like I was on methadone.. I have since always ended my vacation with one last fleeting look at the beautiful castle with Main Street USA to frame it!

I almost always stay at the Swan - as Epcot is my favorite park. The one December I did a split stay at AKL and Wilderness Lodge, I really missed being able to walk from Epcot (where I usually ended up at night) back to the resort. As nice as AKL and WL were - I didn't like having to take the bus to my resort at the end of the day.

As far as the OP's tradition of ending at the MK, I agree that it isn't that much farther than going to AK. After all - it's not as though you can walk from AKL to AK, as you still have to take the bus.

 

[sethschroeder]

Mk is an extra 10 minutes from akl. I'm not sure what the big deal is and why it would be that much more hectic.

Bingo! Not sure why it's a question everything is really close at Disney. It's a bigger issue if your at Boardwalk and decide to do over Epcot or HWS where you can walk, although that's not even that big of a deal.

 

[kastoney]

Mk is an extra 10 minutes from akl. I'm not sure what the big deal is and why it would be that much more hectic.

I'm with you. With a 7pm flight DME should be a 4pm pick up. That leaves a solid half day in MK to play.

 

[robndani]

Mk is an extra 10 minutes from akl. I'm not sure what the big deal is and why it would be that much more hectic.

I guess you're right about the bus distance, but I've pretty much always experienced longer wait times to enter MK. Also, my kids do love AK and there are only a few things we do there. MK involves more things that everyone wants to squeeze in "one last time." AK is way more chill for us! We are going in September as well, and doing MK on the last day!

 

[Spunky946]

I guess you're right about the bus distance, but I've pretty much always experienced longer wait times to enter MK. Also, my kids do love AK and there are only a few things we do there. MK involves more things that everyone wants to squeeze in "one last time." AK is way more chill for us! We are going in September as well, and doing MK on the last day!

That's true there are more things to do.

 

[MartDM]

Our last day traditions have changed and evolved over the years. We've morphed them over time so that they are always something special for us at that time in our lives.

Me, I hate stressing out about transport on the last day, so I'd recommend AK. You may find you like it better and if you approach it without the attitude of it's either going to be great or it will leave you with regrets (rather that it will just be what it is), I think you'll be happier on both counts.