Please Help!

[jazbow]

Hi, I am new to disboards, but I have really enjoyed reading the threads. Very informative!! I need some advice please. We are planning a trip to Disney World for January of 2014. We will have 4 days to spend at the parks. We want to visit Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and the Magic Kingdom. My children are boys, ages 10 and 11. Based on their enjoyment, which park should we do twice? It will be our first trip to Disney World and we are super excited!!! Thanks for your help!

 

[figmentswife]

Hi, I am new to disboards, but I have really enjoyed reading the threads. Very informative!! I need some advice please. We are planning a trip to Disney World for January of 2014. We will have 4 days to spend at the parks. We want to visit Epcot, Universal Studios, and the Magic Kingdom. My children are boys, ages 10 and 11. Based on their enjoyment, which park should we do twice? It will be our first trip to Disney World and we are super excited!!! Thanks for your help!

You asked so I will give my input. Number 1, universal is NOT a part of Disney. You may be thinking about Hollywood Studios, which would be a great park for your boys. As for a second day that would need to be magic kingdom, it takes 2 days to do most things.

Have fun planning

 

[PrettyFlower2]

Magic Kingdom should be split into 2 days if you expect to see most of it.

 

[MHSweb79]

You have plenty of time- pick up a guidebook like the Unofficial Guide or Birnbaum's Disney for Kids. That will tell you which parks offer which attractions and help you decide. OR, you could do the three parks you mentioned (of course, Hollywood Studios, not Universal) and on the last day decide which park to revisit. Don't rule out Animal Kingdom - your boys would probably like Dinosaur and Expedition Everest, as well as It's Tough to be a Bug.

Universal is a completely different park, as the PP stated. I hope your boys aren't looking forward to Harry Potter land, because that's nowhere to be found at Disney!

 

[jazbow]

Ooops!! I meant Hollywood Studios. Too many hours at the computer!

 

[Mickeygolf]

If this is your first visit and it sounds like it is then Magic Kingdom would be the most logical choice. Just so much to do and see to get it all done in a day the first visit. I like the advice to check out the three parks and then let your boys decide what to do on the last day. First and foremost check out Easywdw to figure out which days will be the best to visit on.

Good luck!!!

 

[rebeccalizzie]

We're doing a 4 day trip also--hitting MK, Epcot and AK. We figure we'll hit whatever park we want to go back to most on the last day, but I think it will likely be Epcot based on my kids' interests. MK is much bigger but there are a lot of things there that my kids aren't interested in at all. Your kids are old enough that I'd ask them what they think!

 

[larryz]

Hi, I am new to disboards, but I have really enjoyed reading the threads. Very informative!!

First of all,

I need some advice please. ... My children are boys, ages 10 and 11. Based on their enjoyment, which park should we do twice?

Since your boys are 10 and 11, they might actually find Epcot more to their liking for a second visit. It will, of course, depend on how "worldly" they are -- whether or not they're interested in international affairs and the like.

I'm afraid they'll find most of the rides in MK kind of tame (excepting the mountains), and AK is at best a half-day park (but by skipping it, your boys will be missing two world-class rides -- Dinosaur and Expedition Everest). DHS has several headliners (Toy Story Midway Mania, Tower of Terror, Rock-n-Roller Coaster, Star Tours), but once you're done with them, there's probably not much they'd want to repeat.

But for me (and this is subjective), I could spend two whole days in Epcot -- the attractions I most consider "re-visitable" include Mission:Space, Test Track (disclaimer -- I haven't been on since the refurb), The Land and Seas pavilions, Mexico, Japan, Germany, France and Norway. Plus, I just like the feel of the place.

However, most people will wait until they get there, and let the group decide which park they'd like to revisit based on how well their first day went.

My opinion, worth what you paid for it. No matter how you decide, you'll enjoy your trip and have a great time!

 

[roselark]

I think you should go to Animal Kingdom. Why not do one day at each park? It gets a bad rap from some people, but it is the best themed of all the parks and has some amazing detail. I think AK is the shining example of what separates Disney parks from all the rest and is one of my favorites. I think too many people rush from ride to ride and fail to see all the park as to offer.

As another poster mentioned, it also has Expedition Everest, which is my favorite ride in any of the parks.

 

[jmcghee2024]

Agree that Magic Kingdom needs 2 days.
HS is a one day park.
Epcot is 2 days for adults who enjoy both sections but not for kids.
I would reconsider Animal Kingdom...boys that age would love it.

 

[kappyfamily]

I have to agree, I would do one day at each of the four parks. AK is great! Make your longest day mk so you can be there open until close.... Have fun!

 

[chartle]

I think you should go to Animal Kingdom. Why not do one day at each park? It gets a bad rap from some people, but it is the best themed of all the parks and has some amazing detail. I think AK is the shining example of what separates Disney parks from all the rest and is one of my favorites. I think too many people rush from ride to ride and fail to see all the park as to offer.

As another poster mentioned, it also has Expedition Everest, which is my favorite ride in any of the parks.

I have to agree, I would do one day at each of the four parks. AK is great! Make your longest day mk so you can be there open until close.... Have fun!

I also agree.

If you are not going to AK because "we go to the zoo all the time" or "we have a great zoo at home" just one thing. AK is not a Zoo.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Is there a specific reason you're leaving Animal Kingdom off your itinerary? Just curious.

 

[Cyrano]

Hi jazbow. Danny, Brian and Reid welcome you to the TPAS DIS board

We are a friendly and knowledgeable bunch here so please join in on any other thread or if you have a number of questions then just start a new thread

If you have not had a look yet the DIS posting guidelines can be found here.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I think you should go to Animal Kingdom. Why not do one day at each park? It gets a bad rap from some people, but it is the best themed of all the parks and has some amazing detail. I think AK is the shining example of what separates Disney parks from all the rest and is one of my favorites. I think too many people rush from ride to ride and fail to see all the park as to offer.

As another poster mentioned, it also has Expedition Everest, which is my favorite ride in any of the parks.

I was about to say this, especially for children who are older. Animal Kingdom is definitely one of the best parks.

 

[Peepster]

Yes, welcome!

Just wanted to add my two cents. I agree that Animal Kingdom gets a bad rap and wanted to say it's become our second favorite park next to MK.

Please do go...and remember, it's an adventure! The paths are supposed to be narrow and winding.

Have fun in all you do and please don't try to do everything...stop for the little things. The little things make the memories.

Auntie Peep

 

[jazbow]

Thank you all so much! It's great to be a part of the community here. You have all given me great input. I had heard some negatives about AK, but after listening to all of your comments I think we will try to do all 4 of the parks. Epcot sounds fun, and we have actually been doing world history and geography this year (we homeschool), and I think it will be a great park because it will add to what we have already studied. I just want to make this a magical trip for them. From what I gather from your comments, AK doesn't need to be left out!

 

[MomofKatie]

Will you have hopping on your tickets? If so, I'd definitely start the 4 days at each of the 4 parks. Then, if you feel you've hit the high points of that park (for us, DHS is a half day park, and AK usually closes early), you can hop over to another. We love to hop to Epcot or MK in the evenings- we can sometimes not schedule any mornings at Epcot, but spend most of our late afternoon/evenings there.

If you aren't hopping, I wouid still plan on one day at each of the 4 major parks. Make 2 days "open to close" at MK and Epcot, and 2 shorter days at DHS and AK- you can spend those 2 evenings swimming at your resort or hanging out at DTD.