2nd visit with preschooler

[Vesuvius]

We will be in Orlando for two days over Thanksgiving week. What would be the best option with a 3.5 year old?
1. MK + AK
2. MK + Epcot
3. MK + Universal

We did MK + AK last year. At that time, he was really into the characters and not so much into rides. MK was a huge hit. He enjoyed AK too, but we ran out of things to do pretty quickly.

I think he will enjoy the rides more this year. But don't think he's ready for universal yet. Not sure if it is worth spending the money to stay in the kiddie section of universal.

We've never been to Epcot.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

I wouldn't do Universal because I just don't think there is enough for a little one there (I would only go if I had a mix of some tweens/teens and some wee ones).

What about doing MK both days? If you are there over Thanksgiving week, it will probably be crowded so that might be better - ensure you get to do most things.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yeah, I would skip Universal.

I would do either two days at MK or I might even do a day at Legoland and a day at MK. Not sure if you have a car or not.

 

[Boo Bear]

If you want to do two parks I'd do MK & DHS. I'm taking DS, also preschool age, to DHS on our first day for the Toy Story and Disney Junior stuff. Otherwise I'd plan 2 days for MK.

 

[HatboxHaint]

Mk + mk

 

[MinnieF]

Mk + mk

 

[Fratthouse]

Either 2 days MK or MK + AK. My 3 yr old loves AK, but he LOVES animals. The last time we went, we did the safari, FOTLK, Finding Nemo (this was a tad long for his attention span, but he really enjoyed the first 30 minutes), the animal trails, dinoland and the boneyard, and EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER M&G. We stayed busy for a day I also think it would be fun to do the wilderness explorer badges with him - he'd probably need help with most of the tasks, but doing it together would be fun. Either way, have fun. I think this is such a fun time for kids to be at WDW!

 

[twinsmama]

MK + AK or to MK days

We will be in Orlando for two days over Thanksgiving week. What would be the best option with a 3.5 year old?
1. MK + AK
2. MK + Epcot
3. MK + Universal

We did MK + AK last year. At that time, he was really into the characters and not so much into rides. MK was a huge hit. He enjoyed AK too, but we ran out of things to do pretty quickly.

I think he will enjoy the rides more this year. But don't think he's ready for universal yet. Not sure if it is worth spending the money to stay in the kiddie section of universal.

We've never been to Epcot.

 

[RustManFan]

I can't see anyone running out of stuff to do at AK for a full day.... as long as the trails and animal viewing spots are fully appreciated. In fact I can do multiple days there and did last trip. Flights of Wonder, and Festival of the Lion King show were also big hits with us!

I vote MK and AK! Epcot should probably wait for another trip. Went there when first when mine were 5 and 8 and they really enjoyed it then

 

[Vesuvius]

Looks like there is consensus that MK or MK + AK for two days is the way to go. Last year, DS was just not into shows. We had to walk out of almost all the live shows at AK to avoid disrupting it for others. I think, we'll get the 2 day pass and then make the call whether to spend day 2 at MK or AK. Thanks for helping me make the decision.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

Personally I would do MK & epcot. My sons first trip to disney he was about the same age and epcot was his favorite park he loved the simulator type rides. To this day epcot is still his fav park and he's 8 now

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I'd personally do either MK + AK, or MK + MK. Or, preferably, get park hoppers and do a full MK day, and then a morning at AK then hop to EPCOT.

There aren't a ton of rides at EPCOT, and at least at 3.5, my DD wasn't tall enough for many of the ones that are there (she does love Spaceship Earth, though). She still loves EPCOT, but mostly to explore WS. I'm personally not a huge fan of Future World (I'd still rather be there than most other places, it's just not my favorite place in WDW), but I LOVE WS.

DHS has TSMM, VotLM, Animation Academy, character M&Gs, and TGMR, which my daughter liked when she was younger. But I'm excited that she's now both tall enough for, and interested in riding, TOT and Star Tours (she's still a little too short for RRC).

I know a lot of people don't care for AK and/or feel like it's a 1/2 day park, but our family has always loved it (especially the safari and Everest). It was cool enough when we in November a couple years ago that a LOT of animals were out and active when we did both the safari and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail - by far the best views of the animals we've ever had. The shows are also awesome (especially FotLK).

I'd definitely recommend not doing Universal. There aren't enough family-friendly rides to make it worth the price of admission. We've purposefully stayed away until this next trip, when DD will finally be tall enough for the rides and when we'll have grandparents with us to watch younger DS.

 

[RachaelA]

We just went for 8 days with a 3 year old and a 1 year old and our 3 year old could have spent the entire 8 days at MK. There is just so much for them to see and do there. None of the other 3 parks held her attention quite like MK.