AK or MGM?

[weregoingtodw]

UGH... I thought we had this all planned out - okay, I thought *I* had this all planned out, but now I'm not so sure...

We are a party of eight, going to WDW for a relaxing, leisurely trip (7-14 May). Our intention was to do a park day every other day (i.e., three park days). My sister's family will be departing the morning of our third park day, so for the last day, we'll have my mom, my 9yo DD and me.

Since we knew we'd only be doing three parks this time, and MK & Epcot had to be two of them, I let my DD choose which to do for our third. She said MGM, which was fine with us. Lately she's said a few things hinting around that she's not sure, which is fine as well - I don't mind switching, but it seems like the final choice will rest with me.

So... herein lies the problem. I was all set for MGM. Since it was our last night, I was going to book the Fantasmic dinner package to see the show for a great finale for our trip. However, in doing so, I've discovered that I'm not sure that I'm all too keen on the package (see my thread on the Restaurants board). Although not enjoying the food would be a letdown certainly, being rained out would be even worse. I'm wondering now if we should say forget it and do AK (we're huge fans of the Festival of the Lion King and it's bothering me a bit to miss it this year). Then, since AK closes early, we could go back to the hotel, get ready for a leisurely dinner, and do something really fantastic for our last meal there (something a bit more 'guaranteed' of a good time). I was thinking perhaps doing the Concourse Steakhouse for dinner, to coincide with Wishes. Again, that could be rained out as well.

So... what would you do?

 

[danny1649]

Majors at AK by 2:00 in the afternoon,take a couple hours break then head for MGM and see alot and do alot and catch Fantasmic to finih the day.Just a idea

 

[Micki_Streeter]

Personally, I would stick with MGM. But if you go the Animal Kingdom route, you could always do Downtown Disney at night or see one of the dinner shows in Orlando like Medieval Times. We really enjoy that one.

 

[Goofy4]

Sorry answer your question outside of your current plans.. I would spend the $15 to go from a 3 to 4 day ticket and do AK & Fantasmic.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

Sorry answer your question outside of your current plans.. I would spend the $15 to go from a 3 to 4 day ticket and do AK & Fantasmic.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I agree-I would do AK during the day and then go to MGM for dinner and Fantasmic, ride a few rides/shows.

 

[catonsville]

If you absolutely can't do both...I'd do MGM just because there is more to do and can fill your whole day and I wouldn't want to miss Fantasmic...but we love AK and don't miss it on a trip. Try to get that 4th park ticket. It is worth it!!

 

[rt2dz]

I like MGM, but I LOVE AK. So, if you are only going to do one, I'd do AK. But I think the best option would be to do AK in the morning (maybe get early entrance & do Donald's--love that meal--for dd), do your musts by 1 or 2 and then head over to MGM finishing with fantastmic. AK is a leisurely park, so you won't wear yourselves out. You could also just take a break at the hotel pool and then go to MGM just for fantastmic.

 

[mking624]

I, too, would just spend the extra $15 and go to AK during the day and then hop over to MGM for dinner and shows and some rides.

But if doing both were an absolute non-doable thing, I'd stick with MGM simply because AK closes a few hours earlier so you get more time to play and do things at MGM.

 

[swilphil]

I'd do MGM, definitely. You could always skip the dinner package and make a PS at one of the sit-down restaurants instead, or even go over to the Boardwalk for a meal. We just spent 5 days in the parks and didn't go to AK at all. We had planned to spend a 1/2 day there but it didn't happen.

 

[bkline]

Next to MK, AK is ny favorite. I would pick AK for the attractions. There is a great restaurant in Downtown Disney: Fulton's CrabHouse. I was there once for lunch and once for dinner. Fantastic seafood and a great way to end a trip to Disney. It's also fun to look in a few of the shops after dinner or spend some time at DisneyQuest.

 

[happytraveler65]

We just got back from WDW and I LOVED MGM!!! AK was ok, but nothing that I raved about (I expected more, I guess) MGM was a question if we would even go, we have TOT here in Cal, but we ended up pleasantly surprised, and next to MK it was our favorite by far.

 

[marriedmarylander]

Do they have fantasmic package openings the day you are going? I know they are pretty booked around that time.

 

[marriedmarylander]

I, too, would just spend the extra $15 and go to AK during the day and then hop over to MGM for dinner and shows and some rides.

$15 to add park hopping? Ours it would be extra $45. Where does $15 come from?

 

[swilphil]

Yes, it would be $45. Maybe they figured it would be $15 per day if you were going 3 days.