Magic Kingdom What Would You Do Question?

[Eli's 1st trip]

Going on a big family trip in October. Oct. 11th-17th (16 people- 8 adults, 8 kids) Some are first timers, some seasoned pros. Because of MNSSHP, MK closes early 4 of the 5 nights we are there. The only night it does not close early is the Saturday, where I know ( as the seasoned pro of the group) that they will have huge crowds, long lines etc. The newbies will be overwhelmed. Should we just buckle up and do it on a Saturday b/c its the only time they will get to see MK at night, with the fireworks and the parades OR do we plan around it split MK into two different days and forgo the magic of MK at night and firework.

I dont want them to miss out on any of the magic as first timers...thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[epcotobsessed]

I think MK is a one day park (I know many disagree!) so I would go Saturday.

 

[only hope]

I would do MK on a party day as it’s less crowded- until 4. Then eat dinner somewhere and catch a nightshow elsewhere. I would go to MK after dinner on Saturday to see the fireworks. It would be a good time to do things that never get busy, like the Tiki room and CoP, or take whatever same day fp you can get. MK will be insanely busy that day. You can get more done in less hours on a party day.

 

[Eli's 1st trip]

I would do MK on a party day as it’s less crowded- until 4. Then eat dinner somewhere and catch a nightshow elsewhere. I would go to MK after dinner on Saturday to see the fireworks. It would be a good time to do things that never get busy, like the Tiki room and CoP, or take whatever same day fp you can get. MK will be insanely busy that day. You can get more done in less hours on a party day.

we don't have hoppers

 

[only hope]

Then it comes down to whether your group would prefer a slower day with no fireworks or a crowded, long day with fireworks. There is only one parade during normal operating hours and it’s at 3, so you won’t miss that. If you go on a party day and stay till 6, perhaps you could explore the MK resorts and position yourself in a place that pipes music in when the Halloween fireworks are being set off. You could watch the Electrical Water Pagent too.

 

[SnowChaser]

Big crowds do us in, so I'd suggest taking the two less crowded days. You could make a plan to view the MNSSHP fireworks after dinner from outside one of the monorail resorts (Poly beach, Grand Floridian docks, T&TC, Cali Grill restaurant balcony, etc.). The perimeter fireworks are really impressive, even more so outside the park (imho).

 

[DWillowBay]

I would do MK on a Party day, which often brings lower crowds. I'd do all the rides that day and enjoy as much as possible. On the non-party day, I would return at night and see Happily Ever After because it deserves to be enjoyed. Now.. this 'solution' assumes you have park hoppers. If you don't...I'd still go on a Party day to the park and then try to see HEA from another venue....Poly Beach, perhaps. OR Try to see the Hallowishes fireworks also from outside the park on the day/ night you enjoy MK. No matter how you do it, I'm sure everyone will have the time of their lives.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would take the party day hands down. Saturday will be ugly crowded. The better atmosphere will be worth missing the fireworks. Watch those from outside the park another night if you don't have hoppers.

I think MK is a one day park (I know many disagree!) so I would go Saturday.

But then you probably wouldn't like that I think Epcot is a half day park.

 

[Quellman]

Couldn't spring for a party ticket? Just a thought.

 

[epcotobsessed]

But then you probably wouldn't like that I think Epcot is a half day park. [/QUOTE]

Epcot needs three days minimum! Everyone knows that

 

[disny_luvr]

I’d actually go on Saturday so you don’t miss HEA; it is fantastic! We went to Magic Kingdom on a Saturday in October last year following a Disney cruise; it was the only day we had as we were flying home Sunday. I’m not going to lie, MK was packed, much more packed than what we experience when we go in June, BUT we had an amazing time and got to do everything we wanted to do despite the crowds. I think if you plan well, arrive early, and utilize fastpass, you’ll have a great time and you can still see HEA.

 

[Thiago Acquaviva]

Go saturday!
MK deserves a full day WITH fireworks and all closing shows!

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

But then you probably wouldn't like that I think Epcot is a half day park.

Epcot needs three days minimum! Everyone knows that [/QUOTE]


Grey Goose Slush, Mitsusoki, Soarin...back to DHS!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Are you only planning on one day at MK? How important is HEA to you? If you go on a party day, you are really only missing HEA (and some park hours, of course).

That's a tough one. I would either go on a party day and then, perhaps, have dinner at one of the MK resorts and watch the fireworks from there or, ugh, just go on Saturday.

 

[Antaniasmom]

I think MK is a one day park (I know many disagree!) so I would go Saturday.

In your situation since the MNSSHP is closing the park that many days then MK on a Saturday is a must...the first timers need to see Happily Ever After... I however disagree that MK is a 1 day park. Everytime we go, we have park hoppers and spent 1-2 days at MK and always hop back there at night. It's our favorite, but that's us!!! I feel like Epcot is a 1 day park due to lack of rides. The countries don't interest me that much.

 

[Disneylovingmomof2]

You should have at least five park days with those dates, no?
I am running into potentially planning for this but in Dec (Christmas party). I think I’d do two MK days - one on a party day for low crowds and then one non party day but go later and book the dessert party. If you can’t do two MK days I’d get hoppers and book the MK dessert party. I can’t imagine not seeing HEA.
I haven’t been to a party and would like to but I have two kids - one will be 7 in Dec and she would be fine but I also have a two year old and I am really doubting that he will be able to hang for the party bc of the late hours. I’m leaning towards not doing it bc of this.

 

[Antaniasmom]

Me personally, I would never watch MK fireworks outside the park....you're missing some of the greatest elements of the show that way!! The first timers deserve the full experience!! Book your FP for early that day and remember you can book single ones after your 3 are used up!! Crowds or not...you'll be fine!

 

[kathy884]

I always leave the choice of what MK day to do this time of year to my son, and he goes for doing the busy day with fireworks. One year, though, we had other evening plans and did the less crowded party day. Loved the lower crowds and was able to do everything we wanted to do between rope drop and the 3 p.m. parade. I personally would skip the fireworks and do MK highlights between rope drop and 3, and then leave by 4 when party people start arriving. With a party day unless you want to do everything in the park and character meet and greets, one party day is all I think you would need. // I have done the party too and am not a huge fan of that. -- too crowded. But before a party is a rare chance to visit the most popular theme park in the world with low crowds.

Maybe my bad to say, but if they have never been before they won't know what they are missing with the fireworks. So if you don't want to do those just say they are really crowded and many people avoid them for that reason, which is true. I personally think HEA is overrated and not worth doing with the crowds. My son feels differently and I defer to him if we are traveling together.

 

[Delirium]

Magic Kingdom does not close early on Monday, the 15th.

 

[Amanda999]

Magic Kingdom does not close early on Monday, the 15th.

Yeah, according to Touring Plans list of hours, the OP has 3 full MK days during the 7 day trip: 13th, 15th and 17th. (Maybe they leave on their last day, the 17th, making that a 'short' day for them.)
Regardless, for sure - even without hoppers - I'd go on a party day and watch fireworks from TTC (we'd just skip fireworks but YMMV). TP's predictions (yeah, I know, don't rely on them) is 10/9/8 for the 3 non-party days. The party days: 5/5/4/4. I'd much rather not see HEA at all to enjoy the rest of MK with alot lower crowds. Especially with first time visitors.