AK or Epcott for Toddler?

[casana]

We'll be going in mid April to WDW for 3 days (sneaking in a WDW visit since we're visiting family in FL)

DD will be 2 1/2 yrs old and she pretty much refuses being in a stroller (so napping in it is out of the question!)

We decided she can only take 2 days in the parks, and are trying to decide which ones to take her. I absolutely have to take her to MK, but we're not sure about the second park.

I say we go to Epcott, she'll love seeing the flower show and all the activity there (plus I love it too). DH says that AK would be better because she loves animals. Neither of us has been to AK.

Any opinions out there from more experienced parents?

 

[jjj444]

First off Epcot is huge! If your DD doesn't like a stroller ot will be a lot of walking for her. I personally believe there is much more for a toddler to do at AK over Epcot. Most of Epcot is for adults especially the Worlds Showcase and most of the rides. My vote would be for Ak

 

[mamatojon]

I would choose AK if only for the fact that you and your husband haven't been there. It is a great park. Have fun!

 

[LisaNJ25]

We'll be going in mid April to WDW for 3 days (sneaking in a WDW visit since we're visiting family in FL)

DD will be 2 1/2 yrs old and she pretty much refuses being in a stroller (so napping in it is out of the question!)

We decided she can only take 2 days in the parks, and are trying to decide which ones to take her. I absolutely have to take her to MK, but we're not sure about the second park.

I say we go to Epcott, she'll love seeing the flower show and all the activity there (plus I love it too). DH says that AK would be better because she loves animals. Neither of us has been to AK.

Any opinions out there from more experienced parents?

Have you considered MGM? My 2 1/2 dd is a big playhouse Disney fan and we are going to make sure we catch all of the characters and lunch with Jo Jo.

Are you going to bring a stroller with you in case? I would try and work on it at home with her.. I couldn't imagine going to the parks and not having my 2 1/2 dd in a stroller.

 

[casana]

Yeah, we'll bring the stroller *just in case* we can talk her into it, if nothing else it will hold her diaper bag while we're doing rides! I'm also thinking of bringing my Ergo baby carrier (kinda like a cloth backpack) in case I can talk her into a 'piggy back ride' with daddy.

We considered MGM, but she barely watches TV and she *loves* animals, so we thought AK might be good. But mamma *really* wants to go back to Epcott... Now, if I could talk DH into a THIRD day in the parks we'd be cooking but I'm afraid that DD will not be able to handle that much park activity. She naps 2-4pm usually, while at the parks we may try and get her to skip her nap but you can only do that so long before the inevitable meltdown.

Decisions, decisions..!!

 

[LisaNJ25]

Yeah, we'll bring the stroller *just in case* we can talk her into it, if nothing else it will hold her diaper bag while we're doing rides! I'm also thinking of bringing my Ergo baby carrier (kinda like a cloth backpack) in case I can talk her into a 'piggy back ride' with daddy.

We considered MGM, but she barely watches TV and she *loves* animals, so we thought AK might be good. But mamma *really* wants to go back to Epcott... Now, if I could talk DH into a THIRD day in the parks we'd be cooking but I'm afraid that DD will not be able to handle that much park activity. She naps 2-4pm usually, while at the parks we may try and get her to skip her nap but you can only do that so long before the inevitable meltdown.

Decisions, decisions..!!

LOL I hear ya.. My youngest 2 children will be turning 3 and 2 while we are on our trip. I made sure I planned no early reservations and will go with the flow. I have 8 park days planned.

 

[Hannathy]

I would go to AK. We went when my DS was 2 1/2 and he had a much better time at AK than EPCOT. There just isn't that much to do for a little one at EPCOTand be honest just how much of the flower displays is she really going to be interested in. At AK my DS loved the boneyard play area! He and I spent about 1 1/2 hrs there while his big sister and dad went on the bigger rides. He liked FOTLK, the bird show, the safari, Kali rapids and at that time it was Tarzan but now I think it is Nemo show. Plus conservation center has the train ride and the petting zoo. It really is a great day for a toddler. And the trails are nice with animals to look at. If it has to be one I'd go to AK.

 

[jenseib]

We just went with our 2YO. She doesn't like the stroller much, and walked alot of the time. But did hop in every so often. I think your 2 YO could care less about the flowers, honestly. It's a hard choice on to which park to go to. There were pluses and minuses to both. We didn't get to see all of the Animal Kingdom as DH wanted to go back and swim with the little one. But EPCOT is really big and alot of boring stuff to a 2YO as well as fun. She was a bit board with the Honey I shrunk the Audience. Figment was jsut OK to her. She liked the kidoct stations that we stopped at. The seas Nemo ride was nice. Actaully i nth world showcase area, the Outpost had these drums out and that was a big hit. And she liked to watch the street shows in some of the countries.
The biggest hit with her was the parades. The Mk had 2 big ones and a few samll ones through out the day, and we tried to watch them. The Animal KIngdom had a nice parade as well ,and that was the biggest hit there for her. We never made it to the Dinoland, but I have been there about 8 years ago, and the boneyard was a hit then with my older children.
I would jsut look online and check what each park has. But being that you've been to EPCOT already, maybe I would lean towards the AK.

 

[Dis1978]

It's a tricky one. AK definitely better for toddler. Epcot is pretty boring for little ones, although we did find things to interest our youngest whilst the older kids were on the rides. However, at that age she would be just as happy seeing the animals at a local zoo or farm and if you desperately want to do EPCot again then maybe you should do what you fancy. Sometimes mums have to have a little bit of fun too. I would hate to miss EPCOT and you are taking the little one to MK, so it is a tough one but have some fun and do what you really want to do

 

[BeckyR]

I vote for Animal Kingdom, Epcot is just something the little ones dont enjoy all that much

 

[mericletwins]

Yeah, we'll bring the stroller *just in case* we can talk her into it, if nothing else it will hold her diaper bag while we're doing rides! I'm also thinking of bringing my Ergo baby carrier (kinda like a cloth backpack) in case I can talk her into a 'piggy back ride' with daddy.

We considered MGM, but she barely watches TV and she *loves* animals, so we thought AK might be good. But mamma *really* wants to go back to Epcott... Now, if I could talk DH into a THIRD day in the parks we'd be cooking but I'm afraid that DD will not be able to handle that much park activity. She naps 2-4pm usually, while at the parks we may try and get her to skip her nap but you can only do that so long before the inevitable meltdown.

Decisions, decisions..!!

Are you staying on-site? If so I would leave whatever park you are in at 1:00 and go back and do the nap. If that is the regular routine, stick with it. When she wakes up, eat in your room, or at your resort while she gets her bearings and then go back to the parks. If you have the hopper, you can do a different park then in the morning. If not, go back to the same park and do what you missed in the morning. I would stick with the naps and do a third day in the parks. That way you'll get to see Epcot and AK.

 

[amarberry]

I'd have to vote for AK. I have a 2.5 yo and it is probably the best park for her after MK. We also enjoy MGM with the Playhouse Disney stuff, but there is a lot more to do for little kids at AK. The Lion King show and the Nemo show are both great. There is the Boneyard and the petting zoo area for the little ones to run around. My DD and I also had a lot of fun just walking on the trails and looking at the monkeys outside of Kali River Rapids.

 

[dismom301930]

Epcot is pretty boring for little ones

I have to dsagree with this. My kids LOVE Epcot. We also love AK, so choosing one park over the other would be a tough decison for us.

On our first trip with kids in 2003, our girls were 2 and 3. In December 2006, our kids were 2.5, 5, and 6.

Here is what they loved at Epcot:

Living Seas - Aquarium (try to be there when they feed the fish), Nemo ride, turtle Talk with Crush
Journey into Imagination - Figment ride, all the interactive stuff after the ride, and especially the fountains outside this pavillion
Land - Soarin (if 40 inches, my DD2 was and loved it), boat ride
Spaceship Earth - I don't love this ride, honestly, but my kids do. I think it has something to do with riding in the "big ball."
Character Connection
World showcase - They loved the boat rides in Norway and Mexico. They also loved all of the entertainment as we walked around, especially the acrobats in China and all of the musicians. We also did the Princess Storybook dinner in Norway, which my girls loved.

I am sure I am forgetting lots of things they loved about Epcot, but I know for certain that they were not bored.

But mamma *really* wants to go back to Epcott...

Since you are doing one day at MK for your DD, why not do one day for yourself at Epcot if that is where you really want to go? If you think you'll be back in a few years when your DD is older, AK will still be there when you come back.

Whether you go to AK or Epcot, I'm sure you will have a great time!

 

[Samar]

We'll be going in mid April to WDW for 3 days (sneaking in a WDW visit since we're visiting family in FL)

DD will be 2 1/2 yrs old and she pretty much refuses being in a stroller (so napping in it is out of the question!)

We decided she can only take 2 days in the parks, and are trying to decide which ones to take her. I absolutely have to take her to MK, but we're not sure about the second park.

I say we go to Epcott, she'll love seeing the flower show and all the activity there (plus I love it too). DH says that AK would be better because she loves animals. Neither of us has been to AK.

Any opinions out there from more experienced parents?

I'm going to agree with picking AK especially since you guys also haven't gone. I made DH take me to Epcot solo last year because I KNEW it would just be a ME thing I got a souvenir from each country too I've done AK once but that was pre-kids but I know my toddlers will absolutely love it!

Like one of the PP's said, see if you can arrange a day at Epcot solo (for you and your DH) or if not and you have a Park Hopper, maybe do Epcot towards the end of the day?

 

[kate0305]

Are you staying on-site? If so I would leave whatever park you are in at 1:00 and go back and do the nap. If that is the regular routine, stick with it. When she wakes up, eat in your room, or at your resort while she gets her bearings and then go back to the parks. If you have the hopper, you can do a different park then in the morning. If not, go back to the same park and do what you missed in the morning. I would stick with the naps and do a third day in the parks. That way you'll get to see Epcot and AK.

We do WDW trips every other year, and my DS4 has been 3 times and DD2 has been twice (ok, so we went every year since she has been born, can you blame us?) and naps have been essential. We only tried to push on through one time, and the evening was such a mess AND we had ADR at Alfredos in Epcot, not the best spot for melt down city.

We also did commando day this last trip, and only did the essentials to us at MGM, AK and MK one day, and then MK and Epcot the other day. We too only do 2 days at the park, and then one pool/ride the monorail/buses/boats the third day, and one day for whatever else we need.

 

[jcc0621]

AK, more for the little one's, especially if they like animals

 

[Cory's Gal]

I will probably make your decision harder but my son LOVED both parks and here's why:
Epcot-LOVED Nemo ride, watching the water fountain, trains by Germany, characters, Spaceship Earth, Journey into Imagination, Kidcot Fun Stops, and it's a slower paced park

AK-LOVED Safari, Conservation Station, Triceratops Spin, FotLK, Nemo Musical, animal trails, drums, and the PARADE is the best.

If you and DH haven't been to AK, give it a try, your child will love it!! I don't think you can go wrong at either park though!!!

 

[Sebastianmom]

Last time we were ata WDW our son was 2 yrs old, and he just LOVED! AK. He had such a great time at the petting farm and in the Kilimanjaro Safaris - besides, the in the boneyard you can let them blow off some steam if she really likes to climb, like my son.

Epcot has great stuff too - My DS still remembers the fountain dance and the upside down waterfall, but if I had to choose only one, AK would be it.

Have fun!

 

[ededmd]

I would say decide for whom you are scheduling your second day. If it is for you (and that's okay) go to Epcot. If it is for your daughter, go to AK.

Epcot is really sprawling for a no stroller visit, but AK is not particularly compact either.

Perhaps you can convince your daughter to sit in a *special* WDW carriage, i.e. in park rental stroller. Not as confining as a regular stroller.

Best wishes!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

We just came back from 9 days at the parks. My DD is 2.5 and will not sleep in the stroller either. We bought her a pink stroller before we left and made sure she had her sleeping binky. She took a two hour nap in the parks every day, sometimes longer!

She loved AK, we won an extra magic hour there and she had a blast! She loved the safari and all the animals. She LOVES Epcot too though, she likes to ride the "big boring ball", and we did Figment about 15 times, she's still singing the songs. And to throw you for a loop, she loves MGM too, she wants to do "French" stunts in the mini-van now after watching Lights, Motors, Action - she'd seen it at DLP too though.

I say try to make it the three days, do MK one day, and then hop the other day. We did a lot of hopping on our trip, kept things interesting!