Advice for choosing 3 parks?

[Mlchiranky]

Hi friends! First time posting a new thread so hopefully I got it right.

we’ve heard rumors about Disney doing away with park hopping for awhile.

We have 3 Day tickets with park hopping, but I’m trying to make some decisions in case we can’t buy another ticket for a fourth day.

Which park would you leave out if you needed to?

a little background on my husband and I...

-not big drinkers, but we love good food
-HUGE Star Wars fans
-thinking magic kingdom needs to be included because... how can you go to Disney without visiting the magic kingdom?
-we do not have kids so kid-friendly attractions don’t need to be considered.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Elle :)]

My two cents:

- Hollywood Studios. For obvious Star Wars reasons.
- Magic Kingdom. It wouldn’t feel like a trip to Disney without going to MK (for me at least).
- Epcot. One word: Food! I’m not a big drinker either but I love trying different foods in the World Showcase. Some of the best food in Disney is in Epcot.

 

[Mlchiranky]

My two cents:

- Hollywood Studios. For obvious Star Wars reasons.
- Magic Kingdom. It wouldn’t feel like a trip to Disney without going to MK (for me at least).
- Epcot. One word: Food! I’m not a big drinker either but I love trying different foods in the World Showcase. Some of the best food in Disney is in Epcot.

Thank you!!!

 

[Randywatson79]

HS has Star Wars and Magic Kingdom is a must for first timers, like you said.

You're between leaving out Epcot and Animal Kingdom then.

Epcot has a variety of food and souvenirs with the world showcase. While I get the appeal of having a lot of options, I'm from a big city where lots of immigrants and cultures came to, so there's not a lot that I can't get within a 30 minute (or far less) trip. To me, food in Epcot (and Disney in general) is a bit over hyped (I'm sure I'll get flak for saying that). But I understand not everyone lives in a similar locale and so I totally get the appeal. That said, Epcot is more spread out and chill. It might be a nice change of pace. It's definitely a more "adult" park.

It's also worth noting that the current Epcot experience is slightly hampered because of heavy renovation. If you get hooked like the rest of us, it should offer some great changes on your next trip!

Animal Kingdom has basically a African-centric zoo, more traditional rides, and shows. It does offer a unique amusement park experience with how they blend it all. There's a safari ride on an actual savannah. Also, Pandora is really unique at night, and flights of passage is a one of kind ride experience. The food isn't bad, second best to Epcot IMO.

It's a hard call, but if you're feeling like a chill time and want to try the variety of cuisines, go for Epcot. If you want that unique Africa/zoo/theme park experience, go for Animal Kingdom. I don't think you can wrong either way.

 

[Mlchiranky]

HS has Star Wars and Magic Kingdom is a must for first timers, like you said.

You're between leaving out Epcot and Animal Kingdom then.

Epcot has a variety of food and souvenirs with the world showcase. While I get the appeal of having a lot of options, I'm from a big city where lots of immigrants and cultures came to, so there's not a lot that I can't get within a 30 minute (or far less) trip. To me, food in Epcot (and Disney in general) is a bit over hyped (I'm sure I'll get flak for saying that). But I understand not everyone lives in a similar locale and so I totally get the appeal. That said, Epcot is more spread out and chill. It might be a nice change of pace. It's definitely a more "adult" park.

It's also worth noting that the current Epcot experience is slightly hampered because of heavy renovation. If you get hooked like the rest of us, it should offer some great changes on your next trip!

Animal Kingdom has basically a African-centric zoo, more traditional rides, and shows. It does offer a unique amusement park experience with how they blend it all. There's a safari ride on an actual savannah. Also, Pandora is really unique at night, and flights of passage is a one of kind ride experience. The food isn't bad, second best to Epcot IMO.

It's a hard call, but if you're feeling like a chill time and want to try the variety of cuisines, go for Epcot. If you want that unique Africa/zoo/theme park experience, go for Animal Kingdom. I don't think you can wrong either way.

We are definitely planning to come back, I’m already hooked and we haven’t even been yet
This was so helpful, thank you so much!

 

[LisaBi]

Personally, I would highly recommend that no one makes a first time or once in a lifetime trip until things start to normalize. I just can’t imagine trying to navigate everything around a Disney trip without prior experience during all of this. Of course the upside for a first timer sounds like it may be the lack of planning required. And for a once-in-a-lifetime trip they would miss so much.

That said if I HAD to skip a park, it would be between AK and HS but I love things in both. AK seems to be the one we spend the least time in. Given you said your huge Star Wars fans you probably wouldn’t want to skip HS. However if thrill rides are at the top of your list that I may consider Epcot being the one I skip although that’s not something I’d ever want to do personally.

 

[Mlchiranky]

Personally, I would highly recommend that no one makes a first time or once in a lifetime trip until things start to normalize. I just can’t imagine trying to navigate everything around a Disney trip without prior experience during all of this. Of course the upside for a first timer sounds like it may be the lack of planning required. And for a once-in-a-lifetime trip they would miss so much.

That said if I HAD to skip a park, it would be between AK and HS but I love things in both. AK seems to be the one we spend the least time in. Given you said your huge Star Wars fans you probably wouldn’t want to skip HS. However if thrill rides are at the top of your list that I may consider Epcot being the one I skip although that’s not something I’d ever want to do personally.

Thanks Lisa! Yes, we’ve seen posts advising that we wait until things are normal to go for our first time. We LOVE theme parks and honestly, from our eyes... we don’t know what we are missing so I think we’ll have a great time either way! Definitely disappointed about the fireworks... but we will live. We already have another Disney trip planned for November 2021 so we will definitely make it back when more of the magic is back!

We will be celebrating our one year anniversary and my husband’s 30th... we just can’t imagine staying home for that

thank you for the recommendation, though! We are definitely in between Epcot/AK. I appreciate your insight!

 

[shoegal9]

Thanks Lisa! Yes, we’ve seen posts advising that we wait until things are normal to go for our first time. We LOVE theme parks and honestly, from our eyes... we don’t know what we are missing so I think we’ll have a great time either way! Definitely disappointed about the fireworks... but we will live. We already have another Disney trip planned for November 2021 so we will definitely make it back when more of the magic is back!

We will be celebrating our one year anniversary and my husband’s 30th... we just can’t imagine staying home for that

thank you for the recommendation, though! We are definitely in between Epcot/AK. I appreciate your insight!

EPCOT is my favorite park, but right now I would skip EPCOT. Between the extensive construction and lack of Cultural reps it’s not going to be the same until next year. Do AK and save EPCOT for later.

AK has great spots for food. Satuli Canteen is probably the best quick service on property. And we love the bread service at Nomad Lounge and the tuna nachos at Yak & Yeti. Expedition Everest, Flight of Passage, and the Kilimanjaro Safari are in my top rides at WDW as well. The vibe of AK is really quite amazing!

Either way- they are both great experiences!

 

[Mlchiranky]

EPCOT is my favorite park, but right now I would skip EPCOT. Between the extensive construction and lack of Cultural reps it’s not going to be the same until next year. Do AK and save EPCOT for later.

AK has great spots for food. Satuli Canteen is probably the best quick service on property. And we love the bread service at Nomad Lounge and the tuna nachos at Yak & Yeti. Expedition Everest, Flight of Passage, and the Kilimanjaro Safari are in my top rides at WDW as well. The vibe of AK is really quite amazing!

Either way- they are both great experiences!

Thank you!!

 

[FatBambi]

I personally would skip Epcot if I was only three, but if you guys are big foodies, I'd think about what types of cuisine you like and decide between Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom might have more exotic food, but if you guys love the food from the lands in World Showcase. The menus are online for the restaurants! As far as rides, I'd pick Animal Kingdom above Epcot.

 

[lovethattink]

I’d skip Epcot, if I had to pick one for myself.

 

[Helvetica]

If you're going back in November 2021, I'd skip Epcot. Epcot is very much in a transition phase so there's lots of construction. Also, the international cast members aren't going to be there during the reopening and they're a huge part of why people love the park. In November 2021, Ratatouille and Guardians should both be open and all the major construction should (hopefully) be done. The cast members should be back and hopefully that includes the entertainment.

I also know I'm biased since Animal Kingdom is my favorite park, but I think it's in a much better place than Epcot right now. I love the food at Animal Kingdom. They got great quick service options, some good table service and good snacks.

One thing to also consider are the hours. Animal Kingdom is going to be open 8 am - 6 pm while Epcot is open 11 am - 9 pm. While they're open the same amount of hours, it may not be worth it if you're not a morning person.

 

[DanielNYC]

EPCOT is my favorite park, but right now I would skip EPCOT. Between the extensive construction and lack of Cultural reps it’s not going to be the same until next year. Do AK and save EPCOT for later.

AK has great spots for food. Satuli Canteen is probably the best quick service on property. And we love the bread service at Nomad Lounge and the tuna nachos at Yak & Yeti. Expedition Everest, Flight of Passage, and the Kilimanjaro Safari are in my top rides at WDW as well. The vibe of AK is really quite amazing!

Well said. EPCOT is a mess right now, and it's going to have several enhancements by the time you make a return trip so I would skip it this time and enjoy AK, MK and HS. Have fun!

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Skip Epcot. There are two pretty good rides there, Soarin' and Test Track, and then a bunch of so-so rides. FOP, Everest and Safari at Animal Kingdom are all better in my mind than anything at Epcot, plus we think the trails are super neat. Epcot has some pretty good quick service or table service restaurants, but how much are you really going to eat?

 

[NLKim]

I also agree with skipping Epcot, except I think you You .also need to consider what month you are going. If your trip is in August it will be HOT. AK is the park where you feel the heat the most and has the longest stretches between stores with AC. While this is usually not intolerable (I am an animal nut and also FOP is one of my must do rides), you need to consider that you will be wearing a mask. Not a deal breaker but if you haven't been to the parks in the summer it's definitely something to be aware of.

 

[MomOTwins]

Definitely sounds like it is between Animal Kingdom and Epcot, and I agree--MK is a must, and HS has star wars. I can answer this question from personal experience because when I had a 3 day ticket, I dropped AK.

AK has one very good ride--flight of passage--and the demand for it is so off the charts that even with reduced capacity, I would expect long waits because people will try to ride it over and over and over. Other than that, AK is our least favorite park. We have a wonderful zoo in our hometown, and Safari is not much different from that. And Everest is a fun coaster, but there are lots of good coasters at MK so it doesn't add much new. Most of the other rides (Kali, Primeaval whirl, Dinosaur, Navi, and don't get me started on the awful bug show) are just not good at all, and that silly dinosaur concrete carnival is just an eyesore. Oh, also, for reasons I have never been able to explain, it always feel 100 times hotter at Animal Kingdom than any other park, which in the summer is murder.

In contrast, Epcot has fewer things to do, but it is a really great overall experience. The world showcase is so beautiful, and I could spend all day exploring, eating, and drinking my way through it without setting foot in future world and still be happy. Plus Soarin just takes my breath away.

 

[MomOTwins]

I also agree with skipping Epcot, except I think you You .also need to consider what month you are going. If your trip is in August it will be HOT. AK is the park where you feel the heat the most and has the longest stretches between stores with AC. While this is usually not intolerable (I am an animal nut and also FOP is one of my must do rides), you need to consider that you will be wearing a mask. Not a deal breaker but if you haven't been to the parks in the summer it's definitely something to be aware of.

Hah--I just said the same thing. Glad I am not the only who has experienced the bizarre heat increase that happens at AK. I wish I knew why that was. I think you might be right that what makes it worse is the lack of AC, but it also just objectively feels hotter there. Maybe it is all the vegetation.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Hah--I just said the same thing. Glad I am not the only who has experienced the bizarre heat increase that happens at AK. I wish I knew why that was. I think you might be right that what makes it worse is the lack of AC, but it also just objectively feels hotter there. Maybe it is all the vegetation.

This is weird, because I've never felt hotter than when it is 100 degrees and humid and I'm walking on uncovered concrete at Epcot. It was miserable.

 

[ramee]

Hi friends! First time posting a new thread so hopefully I got it right.

we’ve heard rumors about Disney doing away with park hopping for awhile.

this is our first trip to WDW and we have 3 Day tickets with park hopping, but I’m trying to make some decisions in case we can’t buy another ticket for a fourth day.

Which park would you leave out if you needed to?

a little background on my husband and I...

-not big drinkers, but we love good food
-HUGE Star Wars fans
-thinking magic kingdom needs to be included because... how can you go to Disney without visiting the magic kingdom?
-we do not have kids so kid-friendly attractions don’t need to be considered.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Can you get the hoppers refunded?

I was going to say I’d skip AK. Epcot was our favorite park. But I agree with PP, since you plan to go back, I’d wait to experience Epcot when more things will be completed.

But if you do choose to go to Epcot, (and I’m not sure about guidelines for then) maybe make a reservation for Boma or another AKL restaurant to kind of make up for not visiting AK.

 

[MarkS2112]

HS for Star Wars, trust me it will not disappoint. RoTR is phenomenal and a must do. MFSR is also fun. Cannot get better than piloting the Falcon. Plus HS has many other great attractions like Tower of Terror, Rock and Roll Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash plus more. Also Star Wars fireworks are a must for fans.

MK is a must for first timers. Just so many classic attractions and one day is not enough to give it justice.

For third I prefer Animal Kingdom. Pandora and FOP are musts, EE and KS also musts along with Lion King. It is a smaller but diverse park you will enjoy with allot of food choices.

Epcot would be last. With all the construction there is less to do and if not during food and wine it can be meh unless you spend allot of time in the countries. With the COVID restrictions the food scene there may also be limited.

Hope you can get back when things are back to normal as that will really allow you o get the full experience.