AK or HS with toddlers & preschoolers

[Luvmnkytoe]

Hi! We are planning our first trip to WDW the last week in October. We are traveling with family and will have 4 children (ages 4, 4, 2, 1). We are staying off-site and our tentative itinerary is, we are planning on purchasing the 4 day pass non-park hopper:

Sat - Arrive/Check-In
Sun-MK
Mon-Morning at pool/MK in evening for parade and fireworks
Tue-No Park
Wed-AK or HS ***This is the day we are struggling with which park***
Thu-MK
Fri-No Park
Sat-Depart

We are hoping to do some other things on the non-park days -pool,movies, maybe visit the resorts and see family in that area.

Any suggestions on which park to on Wednesday? I've read that neither of those parks are full day parks so I don't want to waste a day but don't feel like adding the park hopper option makes sense with small kids. The kids are into Disney Junior shows so I was leaning toward HS but have read that it isn't full day (which with kids that age who knows what a full day will mean anyways!!).
Any thoughts/advice??
Thanks,
Denise

 

[Paigesmom2013]

I would start with easywdw.com to check the crowd calendar for your week. Then I would say pick the most recommended park between AK and the Studios.

With kids, I think either park would be close to a whole day park. Don't do the park hoppers.

 

[hakepb]

Most of the "half day" comments are from repeat guests. Both AK and DHS have a lot of shows, but fewer rides. Since many people like repeating rides but not repeating shows...suddenly AL and DHS get labeled half day parks.

Our families problem with youngsters at DHS, we deemed a few shows too intense for DS (all kids are different) so that mostly ruled out Indy, GMR and F! Which left us with a short DHS day. Now that we meet all height and thrill requirements, DHS is more of a 2 day park

 

[Capang]

HS has some great shows. They also have TOy Story ride which your whole family could ride. Also You could all do the great movie ride and frozen sing along. The Disney jr show is fun, just know everyone sits on the floor. Our first trip DD was 3 and we spent the entire day at HS. AK has very little shade, no where to really cool off and very little the family could ride together.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

HS for a toddler is maybe 2 rides and 4 shows and you'll know your toddlers best as to whether or not sitting for 10 to 20 min is something your little one can do. Our son loved AK at 1 because he loved the animals. He did okay with the shows because there is a lot more movement but no explosions. We spent a full day there walking through every exhibit and trail and we've always enjoyed having the park close early as it turns into our DTD evening.

 

[nat8199]

We went two years ago with a 4yo and two 2yos. AK was bybfar their favorite park. We actually canceled a second epcot day to spend another day at AK. We were there a full day both days. We are planning another two full days there on our upcoming trip.

So... I recommend AK.

 

[wddub2015]

It really depends on what your kids are into, but both parks have lots of fun things to do that are young kid friendly. There aren't a ton of rides at either park for your age range, but lots of shows. We went earlier this year when my kids were 4 and 3 and we spent a full day at both AK and HS.

At AK there is the lion king show, the Safari, character interactions you might not find elsewhere, the boneyard playground, and all of the animals. We went on the dinosaur ride and my kids loved it, but that one would be intense for a sensitive preschooler.

At HS TSMM is a great ride and if you get there at rope drop and book a FP you can ride it twice with minimal wait times. My kids also loved the Disney Jr show, meeting Jake, and the Indiana Jones show (we saw it twice - my younger son is a huge Indy fan). There are other shows that are great for young kids, too.

For us, the Indiana Jones show would make us pick HS over AK if we had to choose one park. AK is an amazing experience and the theming is fantastic, so I would pick there if you don't have anyone obsessed with any of the HS characters. The only words of caution I have is that park is blazing hot. I'm not sure what to expect for October, but if the temps will be high when you are going that might be another factor to consider.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

DD(3) Loves AK. She loves the safari, the shows, the animals, the dinosaur themed area, she could ride triceratop spin all day ( and the line for that is never more than 10 mins). She loves the Finding Nemo show so much that she makes me play you tube videos of it every day. She is excited about finally being able to ride kali river rapids on our next trip in dec.

The other fun things she really enjoys are the live performances throughout the park, and the fountain splash area over by Kali. Oh, and the Mickey And Minnie at adventurers outpost are great! We have never made it out to Rafiki's planet watch, but it looks fun as well.

The only thing she doesn't like is the tough to be a bug show. it is too intense for her.

 

[karly05]

I have reached the conclusion that most people who consider AK a half day park are either interested only in rides or are night owls for whom a full day means staying out as late as possible. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

But I would think your group could enjoy a day at AK, especially if the kids like animals. Read up on all there is to do and see. Safari, animal trails and other animal exhibits, the Rafiki's Planet Watch area with petting zoo. The Lion King show is a must for all ages and I also love the Nemo show (might be a bit long for tiny ones) and the Flights of Wonder bird show. They can ride Triceratops Spin (Dumbo but with dinosaurs) and play in the "Boneyard" playground. Tusker House has character meals with Mickey and crew that a lot of folks love and of course there are characters to meet in the park including some like Pocahontas and Rafiki who I don't think meet anywhere else. I think you could definitely make an enjoyable day at AK.

 

[newdeal]

How many adults are going? Toy story mania will actually be a bit advanced for even the 4 year olds and if there aren't enough adults it will be a problem to let the 2 and 1 year old go on the ride with you. The shows at HS likely won't hold their attention. I would likely suggest AK. The bone yard there can keep little ones busy for half a day alone

 

[Angel Ariel]

Hi! We are planning our first trip to WDW the last week in October. We are traveling with family and will have 4 children (ages 4, 4, 2, 1). We are staying off-site and our tentative itinerary is, we are planning on purchasing the 4 day pass non-park hopper:

Sat - Arrive/Check-In
Sun-MK
Mon-Morning at pool/MK in evening for parade and fireworks
Tue-No Park
Wed-AK or HS ***This is the day we are struggling with which park***
Thu-MK
Fri-No Park
Sat-Depart

We are hoping to do some other things on the non-park days -pool,movies, maybe visit the resorts and see family in that area.

Any suggestions on which park to on Wednesday? I've read that neither of those parks are full day parks so I don't want to waste a day but don't feel like adding the park hopper option makes sense with small kids. The kids are into Disney Junior shows so I was leaning toward HS but have read that it isn't full day (which with kids that age who knows what a full day will mean anyways!!).
Any thoughts/advice??
Thanks,
Denise

I would go to AK. There really isn't a ton at DHS that's for the toddler/preschool set...basically just shows and TSMM.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

You could wait and let the weather help you decide. Each park has two or three rides with no height restriction. AK has the safari, train to Rafiki's Planet Watch and Triceratops Spin, all outdoors. DHS has TSM and GMR, both indoors. Each park has shows that are indoors or covered. AK is larger with fewer and more dispersed places to escape the elements.

If it looks like pleasant weather, go to AK and enjoy the trails and outdoor rides. If it looks like rain, go to DHS. To cover the possibility, I would book FP+ for TSM, since AK can be done without FP+.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

The bone yard there can keep little ones busy for half a day alone

Indeed. Some of the bones there were left by parents who died while waiting.

 

[JMason79]

Just wanted to add that both parks have a very fun outdoor play area. At Animal Kingdom its the Boneyard in DinoLand which is pretty cool. Tons of slides and climbing areas plus a huge sandbox as well. And at Hollywood studios Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie set adventure will keep them busy as well!

 

[surran12]

I would also give a vote for AK. We spent a whole day there with kids 7,4,3 & 2 they all seemed to love it. Also if you are at all thinking of doing a character meal Tusker House is a great option to see Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Daisy.

 

[kastoney]

It's really a matter of opinion and only you know what your kids would enjoy best. My 4 year old would pick AK, but that is because she loves the safari, boneyard, and the goats at planet watch.

 

[starsweeper]

It depends on your kid, but I would pick AK over HS. My YDD (3) and YDS (4) were bored at HS after seeing the Frozen show. They love the Safari and DinoLand, but my newly ride-obsessed YDS did complain he wanted to go back to the other place (MK) to ride rides.

 

[Kathryn777]

Another vote for AK. My kids (9,5,2) love it there.

 

[vinotinto]

With kids of those ages, I would also pick AK. These are all fun for kids ages 1 through 4. I think you could do a full day there. Plus the park "looks" so much nicer. It is well-themed (unlike DHS) and has lots of shade.

• Safari
• Flights of Wonder show
• The train up to Rafiki's Planet watch
• Triceratop spin
• Boneyard play area
• Finding Nemo Show
• Festival of the Lion King Show
• Pangani Forest Trail
• Kali River Rapids (for the 4-year olds, the 1-year old won't meet height restriction)

DHS has only a few attractions for those ages:

• Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area
• Disney Junior Show
• Little Mermaid Show
• TSMM (for the 4-year olds)

 

[Wendydagny]

Are there other adults traveling with you? I only ask because none of your children are old enough to ride alone, so you will definitely need a game plan for how you will manage four very young children on the rides. I'm thinking in particular TSMM will be difficult to impossible, so that would tip the scales towards Animal Kingdom with your family.