Ak or MGM - Help me decide

[jennszoo]

We are arriving on 8/8 (Weds) and will leave Sunday. I was going to get 3day passes, but it was so little to add the 4th day, so now we will visit a park on the afternoon we arrive (after driving 8 hrs - ugh). The plan is to do MK on Thurs, Epcot on Fri and MK again on Saturday. (We dont have park hoppers). My kids are 6yo and 20m.

Since we only have the afternoon/early evening (my kids go to bed fairly early) on that Weds - which park do you think we would get the most out of on that first day? AK or MGM?

Thanks!

 

[Yensid_MD]

Your best bet is to check the hours at each park. That may decide it for you. If it were me personally I would do MGM and hit the highlights. You will have a good time at either.

 

[simonkodousek]

I would spend that afternoon at AK. MGM would just be too much after 8 hours of driving...

 

[kathie859]

You may want to check the closing time for AK...it doesn't stay open nearly as long as MK. Have fun!

 

[LorilieMarie]

My personal opinion is that there is not a lot to do at AK. We are skipping it this year It just seems to be so much walking for so few attractions. But then again, it would be more relaxing and the kids might enjoy the animals more. I would pick your favorite attractions from both parks and see which ones are a "must do" and comare. Good Luck!

 

[I'mNoPrince]

MGM maybe you can catch Fantasmic.

Your kids are young enough to not wanting the big attractions of MGM so you should be able to get some show in.

 

[raven69david]

Animal Kingdom closes at 7pm on 8/8 and MGM closes at 10pm. I'd say AK since your kids go to bed early. There's more for them to see and enjoy at AK since they are young. MGM would be good for older kids. I think your 6 year old would enjoy the animals at Kiliminjaro Safari tours, Camp Minnie Mickey and the awesome parade more than MGM.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/aug07.cfm?requesttimeout=1000

 

[Cool-Beans]

If you'll have a few hours, I'd go to Animal Kingdom. Mostly because I think it is more relaxing. If you can see the Lion King show, do it. There is enough going on that the older one will love it and the little one will have big eyes, taking it all in.

I'd also get the kids to bed early so I could be up and at 'em the next morning.

 

[TxRabbit]

We are arriving on 8/8 (Weds) and will leave Sunday. I was going to get 3day passes, but it was so little to add the 4th day, so now we will visit a park on the afternoon we arrive (after driving 8 hrs - ugh). The plan is to do MK on Thurs, Epcot on Fri and MK again on Saturday. (We dont have park hoppers). My kids are 6yo and 20m.

Since we only have the afternoon/early evening (my kids go to bed fairly early) on that Weds - which park do you think we would get the most out of on that first day? AK or MGM?

Thanks!

I vote for AK. It's a different kind of park. Slower pace, especially if you are not riding the big thrill rides...you can see a lot without having to wait a lot. The kids can stretch their legs in The Boneyard...you can walk the trails to see the animals (an especially good thing to do while waiting for your Safari FP return time). There are little actitivity stations throughout the park where the kids can do a little something and get a stamp in their little book for doing it. FOLK is a great show. High energy...very entertaining...very dynamic. I haven't seen the Flights of Wonder at AK, but I have seen similar and it is a good show. We didn't try to meet the characters in AK, but I have heard that the lines are generally shorter (watch the timing for when FOLK lets out) and that you can meet a lot in a short time. The park closes earlier so you aren't tempted to stay out too late...you can head back to your room and get a good night's sleep and be ready to tackle MK the next day.

Happy planning!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I vote for the AK as well! We have kids that are 8, 4 & 2 and they don't show much interest in MGM - having said that they've only seen the planning dvd they've never been there. Our first day at disney we'll be going to AK because that seems to be the park that our 8 & 4 yr really want to see. For my family & their interests MGM really doesn't have much - in fact if it wasn't for the Power Rangers being there we'd probably skip it until our next trip when they're older. I must say that DD4 would like the Little Mermaid and the Beauty & the Beast show which we'll definitely see when we go. PlayHouse Disney - kids really don't watch Stanley, Pooh (sometimes they do), & Bear in BBH. The Muppets is a cute show but the preshow is probably too long for our kids to wait - they'll probably lose interest but it is a cute show.

Good luck making your decision. I think the kids would really like the trails & the animals at AK. Plus as a previous poster wrote, seeing the characters may be a little easier at AK. Have fun whichever you choose.