Which to visit first?

[MollyKat1527]

This is my first vacation to Disney World, so really what I know about it is from what people have told me and what I've read in the books I've read so far. My boyfriend and I are going in November and we are trying to figure out what order we should visit the parks in. We have the five day hopper tickets. Any thoughts?

[KAJUNKING]

youve got to go to magic kingdom first, there is no feeling like when you make the turn down mainstreet and see the castle for the first time its priceless i dont think it matters in which order you do the rest, just remember mk and epcot have the most to see, so you may want to dedicate 1 1/2 days to them and 1 day to the other 2, AK is really a half day park if you manage it right, good luck

[Dave H]

For my money, there's nothing better than introducing someone to the Magic Kingdom first off, to get that look down Main Street. So I'd suggest starting with MK.

However, I would caution structuring your trip too much. Leave yourself some flexibility. With only five days you won't be able to see it all, but you're going to want to visit each of the four parks for sure. Unless you're into the shows and parades and such you likely won't need more than a half day for Animal Kingdom, so you can head back to EPCOT or some such after you're done there. If you want to maximize your time, you can follow the extra magic hour schedules for the morning/evening.

Also, which part of the month of November you go will have an effect on how much you can do. The closer you get to Thanksgiving, the more crowded it will get.

If you go into it realizing that it's impossible to "do it all" you'll enjoy the bits you do get to do even more, and you'll want to come back.

[grumpyguy]

congrats on your first visit to wdw,i'm sure all of us are jealously happy for you!!like the others have stated,magic kingdom is the first park to visit first.it will make a disney person
feel like you're really there and help a not so disney obsessed person (like me) "understand"
what all the fuss is about...
mk is still the first park we visit when we go.
hope you have a great time!!
gg out

[bleukarma]

I agree, do the MK first if it's your first time!
Then I would look at the EMH schedule and see which parks open early or stay open late and plan around that.
Have fun!

[MollyKat1527]

[COLOR="Magenta"]Thanks for all the input![COLOR]

[OctDisney]

I have to disagree with doing the Magic Kingdom first. If you are flying or driving after your wedding day, you will be tired. Trying to the Magic Kingdom, with say Spectromagic and/or fireworks, could be exhausting.

I would recommend doing AK the first day, since it closes by 5:00 pm. You will have to evening to relax and enjoy a nice meal together, then I would go to Magic Kingdom -day 2, Epcot - day 3, MGM - day 4 since this is close to Epcot, once done at MGM could go over to Epcot for dinner. 5th day I would start at MK and then see what happend.

[disneymom15]

I agree with the majority, MK is a must do first. The feeling you get when you enter Main Street is magic.

[ncscgirl2005]

Yep I can now speak from first hand experience. There is nothing like Magic Kingdom. You have to do that first! Also make sure you see Fantasmic at MGM. It's really worth it! Have a Blast! I wish I could be there in November too!

[#1donaldfan]

I agree with most everyone........you HAVE to start with what started it all, at least in FL....Magic Kingdom........you are so lucky, we've already been there this year and unfortunatley have to wait till next July.......have fun.....

[rnin02]

I think it depends on how you are getting there, what time of day you will arrive, how early you had to leave home, etc, etc. For example, this year we have to leave home by 5:30am to be sure we are at the airport in plenty of time. That means getting up real early to make sure we have enough time to get the dog walked, and any last minute stuff done. So, in our case, our first day will most likely be at MGM, which for us is a park we can do in less than a day. Especially since Rock n Roller Coaster will be in rehab

Anyway, I think you definitely need a full day for MK, and at least one full day, if not 1 1/2 days at Epcot. I personally can breeze thru MGM, but I love to spend a full day at AK. So I would probably do MGM, MK, AK then Epcot world showcase for dinner and Illuminations, then Epcot again. Or something like that. But remaining flexible is always easiest!

[MickeyandTink]

Definitely MK.

Even if you are too tired to stay more than a couple of hours, you really need to go there first to "feel" the magic.

[KylesMom]

I, like many others, would have to say Magic Kingdom.

Although we've now been to Disney World countless times, we switched our schedule around this summer due to Star Wars Weekends. We visited Disney-MGM Studios our first day of arrival, but it just wasn't the same.

Even after being up before 3 am, we ended up leaving the Studios so that we could experience the wonder of MK our first day. It truly is the most magical park!

Since you have park hoppers, there's no reason why you couldn't
1) Go to MK your first day (even for awhile)
2) Spend your second day (morning) at Animal Kingdom & hit Epcot in the evening for dinner and Illuminations
3) Journey back to Magic Kingdom on your third day, visit MGM in the evening for Fantasmic
4) Epcot in the am, followed by MK in the evening for SpectroMagic & Wishes
5) Pick your favorite parks and visit each of them!

Since I don't have your exact dates, I can't recommend EMH - I definitely would take a look at them when you are planning your days!

[jsdt]

One thing I would disagree with some of the others on. We have a hard time doing MGM in 1/2 a day. Since there are shows to see which take 30 minutes each and only happen at certain times (i.e. Indiana Jones, Beauty & Beast, Lights Motors Action) we actually find that it takes most of the day. It's not as hectic a day as in EPCOT and MK since we aren't running quickly from ride to ride, but if you go to all the shows and do all the rides it can take most all the day.

[jwallace378]

I always head to MK first thing and walk down Main St. and head left to PotC.

[LoriMistress]

Normally, I plan which parks will be the less crowded that day. I hate dealing with people.

[mttafire]

youve got to go to magic kingdom first, there is no feeling like when you make the turn down mainstreet and see the castle for the first time its priceless i dont think it matters in which order you do the rest, just remember mk and epcot have the most to see, so you may want to dedicate 1 1/2 days to them and 1 day to the other 2, AK is really a half day park if you manage it right, good luck

I agree 100%. For us M.K. is a two day park and even sometimes 2.5 days. Epcot is always for us a 1.5 day park.

[mickey&missy]

I completely agree that you should MK first. Walkinjg on to Main Street for the first time is truely the most magical experience! Enjoy planning and your trip!

[teambricker04]

I agree... there is nothing like MK. You MUST get there early to see the performance for the opening of the park. I get all weepy just thinking about it. It feels so magical, like you are the first people ever to enter MK.

Have fun!!!

[Brooklynos]

Congrats on planning your first trip. Remember, which ever order you go in, you won't see it all, there's something we haven't noticed every time we go. I love MK, but my husband's first stop is AK. Look at the park info, see what strikes you both and go with it. You'll love it either way. Have a great time!!!