2 parks

[aubreysmom09]

Ok we are going in April for 2 days my family and my best friends family. 6 of us all together three kids ages 5,4,2. We are going to MK the first day. Where do you suggest for the second day?? My favorite park is Epcot, but for the kids probably not the top pick. I'm leaning toward AK, but it closes at 5. She is leaning toward HS, and it has EMH in the evening. My DH says he's staying out of it. Suggestions??

 

[Mikie]

With more days, I wouldn't skip any parks, but with only two to choose and kids so young, my gut reaction is DHS isn't the best choice. A second MK day would keep you plenty busy, or my kids have always said they love Epcot- even when that little. They like Figment and the play area after, Living with the land, performers and KidCot stops in the countries, play area by Mission:space, Nemo, Turtle talk and the Seas, Spaceship Earth and they pretty much think the monorail is an a epcot ride illuminations fireworks are lovely to end the day.

AK is awesome for littles as well, and I'm assuming your crew won't be up terribly late anyway.perhaps a full day at AK followed by dinner at a resort like Chef Mickey, 1900 Park Fair, Whispering Canyon, Mickey's Backyard BBQ, etc to draw out the fun.

Basically, I'd lean toward any park BUT DHS unless you've looked at the attraction list and really think its a good fit.

 

[richmo]

With three little kids, I don't think evening EMH at DHS is going to be much of a factor, especially if you've been there most of the day. I have to believe at least one of the kids will be totally spent by the time you'd get to that.

In April, you can add Epcot Flower and Garden to the mix. While it isn't a kid event, they usually add at least a couple small playgrounds that the kids can enjoy. As I recall there's one between Imagination and the walkway to World Showcase on that side and another towards the back of World Showcase. Plus there's a butterfly garden and all the character topiaries. My pick would be Epcot.

As an alternate, I would also consider a second day at MK, depending upon how much you get done the first day. Or, you could do the first day at Epcot, then hit them with MK the second day. Lots of choices...

 

[ariane37]

Hi! Here's my opinion, which is one of many you'll probably get . I think it depends on what the kids like and probably whether they're boys or girls. Also, I wouldn't discount EPCOT yet!

At AK, things they may be interested in would be:

Wilderness Explorers badges
animal trails
safari
3 shows (FOTLK, Nemo, Birds of Wonder)*however it can be hard fitting all 3 shows in to a day, along with lunch and FP's, and as you mentioned AK closes at 5)*
It's Tough To Be A Bug unless it will scare them
character meets
Triceratop Spin
playing in Boneyard
**you also have Everest, Dinosaur, and Kali River Rapids IF they are tall enough (I'm not sure of height requirements off-hand) and not scared!**

Certainly enough there to fill a day. Now, HS is MY favorite park, but for kids the ages of yours, and since you're only doing 2 parks-I don't know . Your choices, in my opinion, would be:

Shows-BATB, Indiana Jones, LMA, Frozen sing-a-long (again, fitting all in is somewhat difficult in one day)
character meets
VOTLM attraction
Disney Jr.
TSMM
Great Movie Ride
Muppets 3D
TOT?? *4 and 5 year old may be tall enough, but are they BRAVE enough lol*

I assume RnRC is out for the kids. You have the Animation Academy which I LOVE, but again giving my opinion, with the exception of maybe the 5 year old they are probably too young for this. So, not quite as much here as at AK.

Now, EPCOT! I think, depending on their likes, you may find more options for them here In FW alone you have:

both innovations buildings
Spaceship Earth
Nemo
Turtletalk with Crush
exploring the aquarium
Figment plus interactive stuff after it
TT - if the older 2 meet height requirement - and all the interactive stuff after it
Soarin (height req.)
Living with the Land
The movie in The Land building, upstairs, with Simba. I can never remember what its called!!!
character meets

In WS:
the KidCot coloring stations in every country, even if they only color for a few minutes it can keep them happy and they may let the adults stroll that country a little more slowly than if they didn't have that coloring break
Boat ride in Mexico
character meets - quite a few if you look them up
some of the entertainment. My boys always enjoyed the acrobats in China
Agent P missions (at least the older 2)

While all the parks have good/fun restaurants to eat in, and I don't know if you're planning to do a TS each day, EPCOT has Askershus and Garden Grill, both character meals, and Coral Reef. CR isn't a character meal and while some people strongly dislike it, others love it. It has a huge fish tank in the middle and if you can manage to get a seat with a view of that, kids can enjoy eating there, too. Am I trying to push EPCOT? LOL no; as I said HS is my favorite park; but I do think some people overlook how much EPCOT actually DOES have for children. My boys have loved EPCOT since they were toddlers. Whatever you decide enjoy your trip! But come back and post which park you decide to go to; after all this typing I deserve to know!

 

[Danny K]

Ok we are going in April for 2 days my family and my best friends family. 6 of us all together three kids ages 5,4,2. We are going to MK the first day. Where do you suggest for the second day?? My favorite park is Epcot, but for the kids probably not the top pick. I'm leaning toward AK, but it closes at 5. She is leaning toward HS, and it has EMH in the evening. My DH says he's staying out of it. Suggestions??

Well can you get park hoppers? To tell you the truth, I would go to AK in the morning and in the afternoon park hop to Epcot.

First of All: Test Track, Soarin, Mission Space, Rock N Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Primeval Whirl, Kali River Rapids, DINOSAUR, and Expedition Everest will likely be to scary and to tall for the kids to go on.

So I would hit Animal Kingdom in the morning and:

1. Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris
2. Stroll through Pangani Trails
3. See the first Festival of the Lion King Show
4. Go to Rafiki's Planet Watch and take your kids to the Affection Section
5. Have Lunch
6. Stroll through the Maharajah Jungle Trek
7. See the next Finding Nemo--The Musical Show

Park Hop to Epcot: Have FP+ for Living with the Land, Turtle Talk with Crush, and Spaceship Earth

1. Ride Ellen's Energy Adventure
2. Ride Spaceship Earth with FP+
3. Ride Journey into Imagination with Figment
4. Ride Living with the Land with FP+
5. Ride Seas with Nemo & Friends
6. See Turtle Talk with Crush with FP+
7. Have Dinner at either Garden Grill or Coral Reef
8. Consider staying for Illuminations

If you have to pick one park, go to Animal Kingdom, I think they will enjoy it the best.

At Hollywood Studios I only see 4 attractions that would really interest the kids that young:

Disney Junior--Live on Stage
Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage
Frozen Sing Along
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
MAYBE Toy Story Mania

 

[Danny K]

Hi! Here's my opinion, which is one of many you'll probably get . I think it depends on what the kids like and probably whether they're boys or girls. Also, I wouldn't discount EPCOT yet!

At AK, things they may be interested in would be:

Wilderness Explorers badges
animal trails
safari
3 shows (FOTLK, Nemo, Birds of Wonder)*however it can be hard fitting all 3 shows in to a day, along with lunch and FP's, and as you mentioned AK closes at 5)*
It's Tough To Be A Bug unless it will scare them
character meets
Triceratop Spin
playing in Boneyard
**you also have Everest, Dinosaur, and Kali River Rapids IF they are tall enough (I'm not sure of height requirements off-hand) and not scared!**

Its Tough to Be a Bug will likely scare them. Everest, DINOSAUR, and Kali are all 40+ inches requirement. At those age unless they are really tall people they won't be that tall except maybe for Kali, but Kali might drown them if they are scared of water. I am now about 5 ft 11 in, and I was 39 inches at age 6. Also don't forget Rafiki's Planet Watch and the affection section. AK is by far the best park for young kids after MK.

Certainly enough there to fill a day. Now, HS is MY favorite park, but for kids the ages of yours, and since you're only doing 2 parks-I don't know . Your choices, in my opinion, would be:

Shows-BATB, Indiana Jones, LMA, Frozen sing-a-long (again, fitting all in is somewhat difficult in one day)
character meets
VOTLM attraction
Disney Jr.
TSMM
Great Movie Ride
Muppets 3D
TOT?? *4 and 5 year old may be tall enough, but are they BRAVE enough lol*

I assume RnRC is out for the kids. You have the Animation Academy which I LOVE, but again giving my opinion, with the exception of maybe the 5 year old they are probably too young for this. So, not quite as much here as at AK.

LMA will likely scare them a bit as well. Indiana Jones I think is still made for an older age. TOT? Your Joking, 40 inches, and even if they are tall enough, it would scare them to death.

Great Movie Ride MIGHT interest them, but I don't think so.

Now, EPCOT! I think, depending on their likes, you may find more options for them here In FW alone you have:

both innovations buildings
Spaceship Earth
Nemo
Turtletalk with Crush
exploring the aquarium
Figment plus interactive stuff after it
TT - if the older 2 meet height requirement - and all the interactive stuff after it
Soarin (height req.)
Living with the Land
The movie in The Land building, upstairs, with Simba. I can never remember what its called!!! Circle of Life
character meets

In WS:
the KidCot coloring stations in every country, even if they only color for a few minutes it can keep them happy and they may let the adults stroll that country a little more slowly than if they didn't have that coloring break
Boat ride in Mexico
character meets - quite a few if you look them up
some of the entertainment. My boys always enjoyed the acrobats in China
Agent P missions (at least the older 2)

Test Track and Soarin (again 40 in). Test Track goes fast at some points and would likely scare them. Soarin might be good if they are tall enough.

While all the parks have good/fun restaurants to eat in, and I don't know if you're planning to do a TS each day, EPCOT has Askershus and Garden Grill, both character meals, and Coral Reef. CR isn't a character meal and while some people strongly dislike it, others love it. It has a huge fish tank in the middle and if you can manage to get a seat with a view of that, kids can enjoy eating there, too. Am I trying to push EPCOT? LOL no; as I said HS is my favorite park; but I do think some people overlook how much EPCOT actually DOES have for children. My boys have loved EPCOT since they were toddlers. Whatever you decide enjoy your trip! But come back and post which park you decide to go to; after all this typing I deserve to know!

About TS:

Epcot: Akershus, Garden Grill, Coral Reef, and maybe Biergarten

HS: Sci-Fi, Hollywood & Vine (Horrible Food though)

AK: Tusker House, Rainforest Cafe

 

[Danny K]

A Touring Plan for only AK would go like this: Have FP+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris, Finding Nemo, and Lion King.

1. Stroll through Pangani Forest Exploration Trails
2. Go to Rafiki's Planet Watch and see the Conservation Station and Affection Section
3. Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris with FP+
4. See FOLTK with FP+
5. Have Lunch (Tusker House would be good)
6. See Flights of Wonder Show
7. Stroll through Maharajah Jungle Trek
8. Ride Tricera Top Spin
9. Find Bones in Boneyard
10. See the next Finding Nemo--The Musical Show
12. See Oasis Exhibits on your way out
13. Have Dinner (Rainforest Cafe would be good)

Touring Plan for a day at HS: Have FP+ for Toy Story Mania, Frozen Sing Along, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid

1. Ride Great Movie Ride
2. See the first Beauty & the Beast--Live on Stage Show
3. Ride Toy Story Mania with FP+
4. See Disney Junior--Live on Stage
5. See Voyage of the Little Mermaid with FP+
6. Have Lunch (Sci Fi would be good)
7. See the next Indiana Jones Show
8. See Muppet Vision
9. See Frozen Sing Along with FP+
10. Stop by at the two playgrounds in the area (Honey i shrunk the Audience, and the Snow Playground).
11. Have Dinner
12. See Fantasmic


One Day at Epcot: Have FP+ for Living with the Land, Turtle Talk with Crush, and Spaceship Earth

1. Ride the Seas with Nemo & Friends
2. Explore the Aquarium
3. See Turtle Talk with Crush with FP+
4. See the Circle of Life
5. Ride Living with the Land with FP+
6. Explore the Land Pavilion a bit
7. Have Lunch (Coral Reef is a good place)
8. Ride Journey into Imagination with Figment
9. Stop by at Image Works
10. Ride Spaceship Earth with FP+
11. Ride Ellen's Energy Adventure
12. Explore Innoventions East & West
13. Start Touring the World starting with Mexico (Don't forget to Ride Gran Fiesta Tour)
You also might want to check out AP's World Showcase Adventure
14. Have Dinner (Try Akershus or Biergarten).
15. See Illuminations

 

[ariane37]

Its Tough to Be a Bug will likely scare them. Everest, DINOSAUR, and Kali are all 40+ inches requirement. At those age unless they are really tall people they won't be that tall except maybe for Kali, but Kali might drown them if they are scared of water. I am now about 5 ft 11 in, and I was 39 inches at age 6. Also don't forget Rafiki's Planet Watch and the affection section. AK is by far the best park for young kids after MK.



LMA will likely scare them a bit as well. Indiana Jones I think is still made for an older age. TOT? Your Joking, 40 inches, and even if they are tall enough, it would scare them to death.

Great Movie Ride MIGHT interest them, but I don't think so.



Test Track and Soarin (again 40 in). Test Track goes fast at some points and would likely scare them. Soarin might be good if they are tall enough.



About TS:

Epcot: Akershus, Garden Grill, Coral Reef, and maybe Biergarten

HS: Sci-Fi, Hollywood & Vine (Horrible Food though)

AK: Tusker House, Rainforest Cafe

Hi Danny! First, thanks for adding a bit about the height requirements. I was too lazy to look any up while eating breakfast lol! All I'm pretty sure of off-hand is that RnRc and Primevil Whirl are 38 inches. Also, I totally forgot about Rafiki's Planet Watch and Affection Section!
Second, I do need to disagree with you about some of the rides. Yes, it's true the ones you noted do have the potential to scare some children, However, all kids are different! My boys, along with their cousins and 4 friends the same ages, went on TT, Kali, GMR AND TOT at age 5, two of them at age 4! They were tall enough and not scared . I've been on TOT many, many times with younger children who seem less nervous than many adults riding at the same time . Another note on height, on the boards you hear about people whose kids are 10 but the height of an average 6 year old, and 4 year olds the height of your average 8 year old. My younger DS, now 9, was 46 inches at age 6 - 2 inches too short for RnRc I remember this clearly because it was the first time older DS, then 9, would try that ride and younger DS was SO upset he couldn't go, too. So a 6 year old at 46" doesn't make a 4 and 5 year old at 40 inches seem so strange...........now on the other hand, older DS did ITTBAB when he was 4 and now, at almost 13, refuses to try it again b/c it scared him so lol!!!!!!

Finally, I must respectfully disagree about LMA and Indiana Jones. Yes, if a child is afraid of loud noises these shows won't be good for them, but otherwise they aren't necessarily "made for older" kids or an older audience. Obviously the 2 yr. old won't get anything out of them, but my guess is, since the OP has been to WDW before, she knows there are many things the 4 and 5 year olds will do that the 2 yr. old won't or that the 2 year old WILL do, but won't remember I certainly didn't mean to imply the 2 yr. old would go on all those rides I listed as possibilities!!

 

[aubreysmom09]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. My DD is 5 and 45 inches tall. She has ridden ToT, Test Track, Tough to be a bug, and all of the 40in rides. She can finally go on the 44in rides now

My friends DD is 4, and 42in. Not much smaller than my kid. Her DS is 2, and we know he will be limited.

Normally when we go we have a minimum of 4 days. This was a good price, and we are going on a big vacation next December over seas.

Such a tough choice, but having others input helps.

Thanks

 

[aubreysmom09]

I wanted to add my DD just turned 5 on Christmas, and last year we went in February for her bday gift. She is really tall for her age at 4 she was 41 inches. ToT she just looked annoyed She doesn't scare very easily. I don't think my friends DD does either.

 

[Danny K]

Hight Requirements:

54''=Drive on Tomorrowland Speedway

48''=Rock N Roller Coaster, Primeval Whirl

44''=Space Mountain, Mission Space, Expedition Everest

40''=Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Test Track, Soarin, Tower of Terror, Star Tours, DINOSAUR

38''=Barnstormer, Tomorrowland Speedway, Kali River Rapids

 

[Danny K]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. My DD is 5 and 45 inches tall. She has ridden ToT, Test Track, Tough to be a bug, and all of the 40in rides. She can finally go on the 44in rides now

My friends DD is 4, and 42in. Not much smaller than my kid. Her DS is 2, and we know he will be limited.

Normally when we go we have a minimum of 4 days. This was a good price, and we are going on a big vacation next December over seas.

Such a tough choice, but having others input helps.

Thanks

Well in that case I really have to say AK, unless you can do hoppers, in that case do AK and then park hop to Epcot.

 

[RustManFan]

if I could only do 2 parks it would be Epcot and AK but with small kids I would have to vote for MK and AK.

 

[amie416]

I just wanted to add the option of doing AK as your second park and then something out of the parks in the evening, like the Chip and Dale sing-along campfire at Fort Wilderness... https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/chip-n-dale-campfire-sing-a-long/ The kids are a good age for it, and it's one of the rare free experiences at WDW.

 

[aubreysmom09]

I just wanted to add the option of doing AK as your second park and then something out of the parks in the evening, like the Chip and Dale sing-along campfire at Fort Wilderness... https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/chip-n-dale-campfire-sing-a-long/ The kids are a good age for it, and it's one of the rare free experiences at WDW.

I have never done the sing along. That sounds like so much fun, and I would have never thought of it.