Disneyland regulars- would you go to WDW Magic Kingdom Park just to ride The People mover?

[cruisehopeful]

I'll be at the Polynesian in August pre-cruise and wasn't planning on going to the theme parks at all because it's August in Florida. I'm starting to think about going to Magic Kingdom Park in the evening, just to ride the Peoplemover. Since I'll be there, I'll also do Carosel of Progress. I just miss those rides a lot because of nostalgia and I don't really like Tomorrowland in Disneyland anymore. I'm sure I would end up doing other things while there, but the pull is really the People Mover.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It really depends on your intentions for that money. I’m a DL vet who has fallen in love with WDW. Absolutely not would I spend the dough to People Mover/CoP. I would think about what else I could do with the money and there are other things I’d rather do with that much money.

Also, evenings are still hot and mugging and can even be filled with T-storms. If you buy a WDW MK ticket and don’t use it, the value cannot be used toward DL, it’s only useful toward a WDW ticket.

The way to do it is hit MK at park opening, explore all the different stuff (HM, 7DMT, 2-seater Tiana, SM) back to Poly until dark and then back into MK. And hope there isn’t a hurricane because Aug in FL.

 

[ThreeMountains]

I'm a huge Peoplemover fan but can't say I'd spend the price of a ticket just to go on that one ride. If I could make at least an afternoon/evening/night at Magic Kingdom out of it, though, then absolutely. Even if it's not just for rides, it would be worth it to me for a few key rides plus wandering the park, shopping, eating, people watching, etc. For me these days, being in the parks soaking in the vibe and nostalgia is just as big of a motivator as going on a bunch of rides, sometimes even more important.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I might— I’d spend the money for an evening in WDW doing nostalgic favorites before I’d spend it on most DCL excursions. Depending on your dates in August, you could possibly even get into MNSSHP, which would come with other unique stuff you don’t usually get to do at our home resort (DLR). You might also enjoy the new Country Bears Musical Jamboree? On a non-party night you might also enjoy the new starlight parade (weather permitting).

 

[cruisehopeful]

I might— I’d spend the money for an evening in WDW doing nostalgic favorites before I’d spend it on most DCL excursions. Depending on your dates in August, you could possibly even get into MNSSHP, which would come with other unique stuff you don’t usually get to do at our home resort (DLR). You might also enjoy the new Country Bears Musical Jamboree? On a non-party night you might also enjoy the new starlight parade (weather permitting).

I forgot that they still have Country Bear Jamboree. That definitely adds a positive.

 

[MillauFr]

I would ask Mr Tom Morrow.

 

[TinkAgainU]

Yes. I would, but I Love the People Mover at night!! Carousel of Progress, Presidents Hall, TRON, Country Bear Jamboree and to cool off - Dole on top of Pineapple Upside Down cake at Aloha Isle! All fun stuff we don't have in Calif!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I forgot that they still have Country Bear Jamboree. That definitely adds a positive.

Keep in mind that it’s an updated version— but honestly, the older/original MK version never felt like the “real” one to me because I grew up at DLR in the 80s with the summer vacation version— I like the new version and recommend it, just don’t want you to be disappointed when it’s not the exact same.

 

[BrianL]

I would go, but not JUST for the PeopleMover. There are a lot of unique rides at WDW that would check out. There are a few at MK of course, though I might consider other parks too. If you just do MK, you can hit the nostalgic classics like the Mover, Carousel of Progress, and Country Bears, plus you could check out the newer Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle/Run. Plus, I'd definitely watch Happily Ever After. I think it's be worth it.

Do note that the MK PeopleMover is not the same as the old DL one (which I never rode. The cars do not have a canopy, but rather the entire track does. It doesn't go quite as far (the old DL one went all the way around the Submarine Voyage and all). It's still pretty great though!

 

[xipotec]

Ah, another PM thread.

Its definitely one of my favorite rides, usually ride it 6-7 times each trip.

Not worth going to WDW just for it. Since Tron is right next to it , and 7DMT is right there also, I would go for those experiences cause you can't have those at DL.

DL needs to get a PM between DL and DCA or the cable car system.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Yes. I would, but I Love the People Mover at night!! Carousel of Progress, Presidents Hall, TRON, Country Bear Jamboree and to cool off - Dole on top of Pineapple Upside Down cake at Aloha Isle! All fun stuff we don't have in Calif!

TRON and the Hall of Presidents look awesome. I can easily turn it into a much longer day. Humidity is my enemy, though. I'll have to read some August trip reports.

 

[xipotec]

TRON and the Hall of Presidents look awesome. I can easily turn it into a much longer day. Humidity is my enemy, though. I'll have to read some August trip reports.

We were there this August....it's hot. Hotter than you will think.

We were always open to close people. But that trip (our first August) we just couldn't.

We left and went back to the resort at 1 and returned at 5.

Was pretty good way to do touring in summer. While you CAN escape the heat in creative ways, you CANNOT escape what that heat is doing to the people around you....and that was the thing that drove us back to the resorts. The heat , humidity and what it was doing the the crowds and kids in the parks was too much to deal with. It made people miserable to be around.

This is coming from a person who lived there for 10 years.....

 

[BrianL]

TRON and the Hall of Presidents look awesome. I can easily turn it into a much longer day. Humidity is my enemy, though. I'll have to read some August trip reports.

So, if you're a DL regular doing MK, here are my full tips:

• Don't be surprised by how large it is yet how many fewer attractions there are. WDW is not as dense as DLR.
  • MK is like a scaled up DL. On the plus side, walkways don't jam up as badly for the most part.
  • That castle is big, but there is nothing in it except a restaurant.
• Some rides are the same, some slightly different, some very different, and somea re the same in-name-only:
  • Jungle Cruise has an enclosed tunnel (I believe DL used to have this).
  • Tiki Room is a shortened show.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean is WAY shorter - easy skip if you are used to the DL version.
  • Tiana's at MK will have larger logs that seat two across and you will likely not get as wet.
  • Big Thunder is very similar, though it is down for all of 2025 - hopefully to get the upgrades DL got a few years ago.
  • Haunted Mansion has some differences - I like the MK one a ltitle better. Worth it if you have time.
  • Peter Pan's Flight is largely similar.
  • it's a small world is also largely similar, though they never added the Disney characters.
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid is identical to the one at DCA (with a much nicer exterior queue).
  • The Mad Tea Party is the same but covered.
  • Dumbo the Flying Elepahnt is the same - except there's TWO of them!
  • Tomorrowland Speedway is like a much shorter version of Autopia. Much shorter.
  • Space Mountain is radically different, thoug actually super similar to The Matterhorn. It's worth a look just to see.
  • Astro Orbiter is way on top of Rocket Tower Plaza - nice veiws!
  • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin is similar enough, but not as good really (guns are mounted like Toy Story).
  • There is nothing nearly as interesting on the WDW Railroad as there is on the DL Railroad - not even close!
• The shows are worthwhile I think. Festival of Fantasy parade and Happily Ever After fireworks are both top-notch! The Fantasy Faire show is pretty cute, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
• Counter service food tends to be not as good as at DL, though they are catching up - sadly not at MK though. I do recommend the Adventureland Eggroll Cart (right at the entrance to the land from the Hub). If you know, you know! The Cheshire Tail is a good treat too from the Cheshire Cafe near the Teacups.
  • Table Service food is largely better. If you want a sit-down meal. I recommend the Skipper Canteen at MK for a fun atmosphere and good food.

So, it;'s a lot to cram into one day. Hopefully the ride guide can help with some "skips" that are at DL. Don't miss htat PeopleMover though - it's always great.


August will be hot.

 

[mdmost]

If going isn't that big of a financial inconvenience for you then I would certainly do that if you're right there. It's a lot to pay for an evening but there's few things I enjoy more about Disney parks than WDW's Tomorrowland in the dusk to evening hours. I'd also slip over to ride Haunted Mansion because the queue is great and it's incredible to experience at night. I'll disagree with Brian and say I enjoy it so much more than the DL version. You could ride the People Mover, Carousel of Progress, and Space Mountain. I say the final one because it's a fun ride and queue is fantastic. Then walk your way counter clockwise towards the Haunted Mansion. You can experience the lone Tangled content at the US parks, the bathroom right before the transition to Liberty Square. I'd also recommend a full loop on the monorail over to Epcot so you can also see that. I believe you can stay on and take it all the way back to the Polynesian though it depends how late you're going.

 

[TinkAgainU]

TRON and the Hall of Presidents look awesome. I can easily turn it into a much longer day. Humidity is my enemy, though. I'll have to read some August trip reports.

Hall of Presidents has Air Conditioning and does not seem super popular so not a long wait, but I enjoyed the exhibit area while waiting too. Will be interesting to see how they add the Trumpx2. TRON was pretty at night too - even if all you do is look at the outside from the PeopleMover

///UPDATE/// The Hall of Presidents is scheduled to be closed Jan 20th, 2025 until it reopens. I'm sad it will be closed for our visit in early February, but they update it with each new President (hopefully, a quicker update this time). I can imagine the fun (that's sarcasm) they are having deciding what to have President Trump's animation say.

 

[irlandaise]

While you CAN escape the heat in creative ways, you CANNOT escape what that heat is doing to the people around you....and that was the thing that drove us back to the resorts. The heat , humidity and what it was doing the the crowds and kids in the parks was too much to deal with. It made people miserable to be around.

Do you mean that visitors were short-tempered because of the heat?

 

[xipotec]

Do you mean that visitors were short-tempered because of the heat?

Oh yeah. Very much so. Very evident to me.

 

[ComeToSocialize]

While it's not the best land overall, as a DL regular, I always really enjoy WDW tomorrowland, just because everything is a little different. Peoplemover and Carousel of Progress actually work and aren't just visible carcasses. High flying Astro Orbiter. Space Matterhorn as I like to think of it. Crappy versions of Buzz and Autopia (we usually skip Autopia). I haven't been since Tron opened but would love to try that.

The rest (7DMT notwithstanding) just is too similar or clearly worse, although the couple extra rooms in HM are nice, and the WDW splash mountain was objectively better (sounds like maybe not with Tiana).

If I had one night in WDW though, I'd go to Epcot.

 

[Love Tink]

My husband and I have discussed spending a whole day at MK just riding the People Mover. We want to see how many times we could ride it in one day. Haven't done it yet, but someday...

TOTALLY worth it.

 

[jimmymc]

If I was coming in for a cruise and had most of the day available to spend at the park, I would.