1st trip with kids - need a bit of help

[marymoo]

Dh and I are going to WDW in 1 week with dd-8, ds-6, and another couple who have dd-8 and ds-5. We are definetly going to MK for 2 full days. That leaves us 2 more days for EPCOT, AK, and MGM. I don't know if it makes a difference but we are not staying on-site. Any recommendations how to split up those 2 days?
Any ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks - Marymoo

 

[riopooh]

I would do a full day at Epcot and then split the other day AK in the am and MGM in the afternoon/evening. Ak cl;oses earlier than most of the parks so its more of a morning place.

 

[marymoo]

Thanks Riopooh!

 

[precious pixie]

It really depends on what your kids like to do. My little cousins (about the same age) don't get as much out of epcot as others (ecspecially adults) do. When we go we spend the whole morning and afternoon at AK and then do dinner and catch illuminations at Epcot. We all really being at AK seeing all of the animals and I love thier bird show don't miss it. We then do MGM for a day. It really just depends on what your family really wants to see

 

[winniedapooh]

As others have said it depends on your children. My kids love EPCOT and will go on the rides in the morning and then do World Showcase with us after lunch. It is a long day though. Often we will do MGM in the morning, take a break and go to EPCOT for late afternoon and evening fireworks. We do not really care for AK though and our trip last week, we never even made it there. That is though, others may feel different. Pixie dust to you!

 

[sters]

Epcot is a favorite of my children since they were in strollers. There is a playground in Norway to burn off some steam.

 

[bettyann29]

I agree that you need 2 days for MK.. I would say to do AK in the morning and MGM in the afternoon on one day. I would give a full day to Epcot.. My kids loved Epcot.. There really isnt a whole lot to AK so if you get there first thing in the morning you can really breeze thru it and devote the rest of your time to MGM..

 

[marymoo]

Thanks to all! I guess the main thing I am hearing is that AK is more of a 1/2 day thing. The other family went to WDW a few years ago, maybe I will leave it up to them if we spend a whole or half day at MGM and EPCOT.

Thanks again - marymoo

 

[AimeeM]

Marymoo- Im another one who thinks AK is a half day park. Its our least favorite, but we do still go every trip. There are a few great things to do and see. If your kids are ok with dark 3-d shows, Its tough to be a bug inside the big tree of life is a must see. Its not scarey like Honey I Shrunk the Audience is. Its a really cute show. My kids like it. Its cool to walk around the tree, and acually go inside of it for the show. Your kids will love the Safari Ride too! Its great! There is a Dumbo type ride over in the new section, Dinoland. Im not sure if all the kids will be big enough for the rollercoaster, Primeval Whirl. Its kind of jerky. Not a great fan of it. Dinosaur is a big favorite of ours.. but its dark and intense. Again, not sure if your kids like that kind of thing. Mine liked that ride since they were 3 1/2 & 5. There is a boneyard playground they might like. There is also a river rapids water ride, that we have never been on. We never wanted to get soaking wet, so we skip it. Other than that, the rest is shows, and walking trails to see the animals. If you have acess to a zoo at home, Id personally skip the trails. I wouldnt do conservation station either. It was boring for my kids when they were that age. Festival of the Lion King is good. They will probably like Tarzen Rocks too ( you might not like it..haha) The bird show is ok, but skipable if you are doing a half day. So is Pocahontas. Take them to Camp Minnie Mickey and see the characters there.

My kids love Epcot. Its definately at LEAST a one day park. Its more like a one week park because there is so much to do and see. If you only have 2 days left, Do a full day in Epcot. Split AK & MGM. If you get to AK by 9, you can be out of there by 1-2. Leave there, and go straight to MGM. See the parade at MGM. It has tons of characters. Then you have all late afternoon & evening to see MGM. The kids will like Beauty & the Beast on stage, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Muppets 3-d show, Indiana Jones stunt show..and of course Fantasmic!! Make sure the adults and even the kids if they are big enough, hit Tower Of Terror & Rock N Roller Coaster!!

 

[Disnutty]

You said you are leaving in a week, but please be advised that on November 13th and 14th is Super Soap weekend at MGM. If you are there at that time MGM will be mobbed and you will not be able to do very much at that Park on those two days. Therefore if you are there on that weekend plan on going to the other parks on Sat and Sun. Hopefully you will miss this popular weekend. And obviously plan on going ot MGM on Thursday or Friday.

 

[webmomom]

This is my personal opinion. AK is park that takes us at least a day to a day in half. there is so much to see and do. It is not park with a bunch of mechanical rides. It is nature and a really good learning experience for children as well as adults. You need to slow down to do this park and most of it is stopping and looking.. My DH and myself go to everyshow, whether large or small and they are all great. We even love the children shows like
Pocahontas. It is so cute with all of the little animals running across the stage. The whole park is amazing. Just stopp and think of the the orginal area and how Disney has transformed into AFrica and Asia is amazing. Look at all of the little detarils. they left nothing to chance.

They also have a game for children there. There are several kids areas along the trails that you can stop and they will do things with the kids pertaining to the animals.

Conseervation Station is great. they have so much going on there. Hands on demo's, if you get there early enough you might see a operation takingplace. Out side is the animals and every so often they have a very cute show with unusual animals out there. on the walkway out there is one of the childrene games that I mention before. It is really cute. They have a garden set up. They give the children a board with picures of animals on them and then they have to find the animals in the garden. Of course the animals are not real. When they get them all checked off they get a card mark and then youj can go to one of the other station and do something there. I think there is aboujt 6 different stations through out the park. If you are into hidden Mickeys there are alot of them out there also. AS I said this is a park where you need to SLOW down and look and you will see some amazing things, instead of mechincal rides.

Of course they one has there own opionion, but WE LOVE THIS PARK.