AK V DHS: half day?

[got15]

Please solve our first time visitor dilemma: We are heard that both AK and DHS and half day parks. We had 2 DS (16mo and 4). We are planning on doing both in one day- with a rest mid-day. If this is crazy- we can move DHS to our last day of our trip where we would flex with Epcot (2nd day @ park). DH really wants to see Fantasmic- and our check out of hotel is at 11am that day. I am worried that it would be too long of a day and cant figure out when and where we could take a break. On the Last day- could we do DHS in the AM and then EPCOT?

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Please solve our first time visitor dilemma: We are heard that both AK and DHS and half day parks. We had 2 DS (16mo and 4). We are planning on doing both in one day- with a rest mid-day. If this is crazy- we can move DHS to our last day of our trip where we would flex with Epcot (2nd day @ park). DH really wants to see Fantasmic- and our check out of hotel is at 11am that day. I am worried that it would be too long of a day and cant figure out when and where we could take a break. On the Last day- could we do DHS in the AM and then EPCOT?

With the ages of your kids, I would say you could definitely do DHS half-day in the morning. We usually go and ride Toy Story Mania, watch the Disney Junior Show, eat something, walk around, and leave. If you had older kids, the park could probably be a longer day to ride all the "big kid" rides. We actually did this in February: DHS in the AM and then over to Epcot for the rest of the day. As for Fantasmic, we've never seen it because we don't stay in that park that late ever. Either way, have fun!

 

[Lolsmum]

Honestly, you can make any park 1/2 day if you choose or take the whole day there.

We spent the whole day, before opening (reservation at Tusker House) through close at AK and didn't see everything, but we have kids who like animals and really loved the boneyard too.

I do think it's a good idea to take a mid-day break whenever possible with young kids. Heck, I like to do it myself.

 

[lucyem]

I think you should start at AK, have a break/nap in the room and finish with just a couple of hours DHS. Use your fp+ fot TSMM etc at DHS right before fantasmic.

 

[serene56]

Have you been before?

On our first trip everything I read that said we can do Animal Kingdom in a half a day.

Well our plan was rope drop til about 2 then go back for a nap and a swim (since the park closes at 5 anyways.

Well we spent the entire day there-- from rope drop til park closing when they escorted us out.

We did go to the conservation station - which was NOT on our list to see. We spent way too much time here with animals, Coloring with Pocohantas. Marching with Jiminy and seeing Rafiki. We saw and learned about an owl with a broken wing. (kids were just turned 5.)

Festival of the Lion King (which is on hiatus now)
Finding Nemo
and FLights of Wonder were all shows we saw.

Riding the safari

and now they have the badges kids can earn by visiting stations--- and there are many

 

[richmo]

I think you should start at AK, have a break/nap in the room and finish with just a couple of hours DHS. Use your fp+ fot TSMM etc at DHS right before fantasmic.

This is very similar to what I was going to say. If I'm doing half days at each, I'd go AK first, then DHS. One time I did DHS early and was a little disappointed that many of the "show" type attractions there: like Indy, the car show, Idol etc., don't tend to start until late morning. I would make your FP+'s for DHS in the PM and do standby at AK. Usually Everest isn't bad fairly early, same with Dinosaur...Safari can get crowded pretty quick, so I might hit that first.

 

[linzbear]

OP, this is going to depend entirely upon what shows you want to see more. I personally prefer the shows at AK better, so I end up spending more time there.

 

[TwoMisfits]

With the age of your kids, I'd only do 1 1/2 days of Epcot. There really isn't a lot for kids that age to enjoy there (since they are unlikely to really love WS, and there are very few Future World rides for them that will have any real waits...)

 

[serene56]

thats not even mention that it is costing you 58.pp to park hop

are you hopping any other day?

 

[got15]

Thanks everyone! I guess you can tell that this is our first time! We did purchase the park hopper- but I dont know if we will actually park hop. We were told that its better to purchase the ticket with that feature. I think everyone is right- we have decided to do AK for one day and DHS for the departure day. I think we will pass on Fantasmic due to the timing and age of our children. Thanks for all your advice!