Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios?

[ivs112]

We're going to WDW in August and are definitely going to MK and want to do one more park. Our DD is almost 4 years old. We are going back and forth between AK and DHS. Which would you recommend? She loves Disney Junior characters but isn't big into Toy Story, etc.

 

[ghtx]

Ak.

 

[smitch425]

We're going to WDW in August and are definitely going to MK and want to do one more park. Our DD is almost 4 years old. We are going back and forth between AK and DHS. Which would you recommend? She loves Disney Junior characters but isn't big into Toy Story, etc.

All kids are different, but mine have always preferred DHS over AK. There just aren't enough non-animal things at AK to keep them interested. We go to several great zoos a year, and they don't do thrill rides. They enjoy the safari, Kali rapids and Triceratops spin, but that's about it.

 

[JoeKir]

I'd go AK. Not sure if a 4 year old would be able or want to enjoy tower of terror or rockin rollercoaster.

 

[tony609]

Both offer lots for that age. AK is my faovrite park so thats my vote I'm sure she would love the LionKing and Nemo show, the safari..they also have great character interaction with smaller lines at Camp Minnie-Mickey.

 

[NorthernBuckeye]

We took our DD when she was 4. I think she enjoyed HS more. Beauty and Beast play, DisJunior, Little Mermaid, Tower of Terror were among her favorites.

 

[Kingdome8]

I love both parks. But Hollywood studious is my fav

My little girls love it there.
To me fantasmic is the best part

 

[lucyem]

I have two boys and they love both and have loved both since they ware young. That being said at that age both would have preferred AK and would have had more to do there.

In AK they enjoyed seeing the animals on the safari, the lion king show, petting the animals out at the station, the whole dinoland area with the boneyard play area, all the animal trails, flights of wonder etc. They always have more freedom here to walk around at their own pace especially out on the trails viewing animals. DHS is more shows which means more lines and more sitting.

 

[ktlm]

Actually, at age 4, and still today at age 7, my DD would have picked EPCOT. Lots of Princesses; "Donald duck" boat ride in Mexico; finding Nemo ride; Turtle Talke with Crush; Living with the Land ride; Soarin; Journey into Imagination; Entertainers; etc.

We have a really good zoo at home, so she has never been much of an AK fan. She likes to ride Safari, see some characters, and go to the Lion King show, and then she is ready to go back to Epcot or MK.

DHS- There aren't really many rides there for that age. Toy Story Mania is fun, but the line is almost always over an hour and the fastpasses are gone early, so it is not something you can do over and over. The Great Movie Ride and Star Tours, are really the only other rides. DD loved Star Tours at age 4, but not every kid does. She likes Great Move Ride okay, but it isn't one of her favorites. Depending on the kid, some kids get a little scared by it. DHS is very show heavy. If you are looking for a day to just sit and watch shows, it isn't a bad place to be. The Beauty and the Beast show is really good. There is also the Little Mermaid Show and the Disney Jr. show. (4 year old will love it, parents probably won't). My DD has never set foot on Tower of Terror, and I'm pretty sure she would hate it if she did.

If we had to choose between AK and DHS, we would pick DHS. DD is usually begging to leave AK by noon, and she makes it at DHS until mid to late afternoon. Neither would be our pick if we were only going to do 2 parks. We would 100% pick EPCOT. EPCOT is actually a 2 full day park open to close for us.

 

[Blessedwith3boys]

Ak !!

 

[jaz0308]

DHS for my kids! They love Disney Jr. show, little mermaid, muppets. Also, loved seeing sorcerer mickey and monsters inc. characters! Also got to meet Disney Jr. characters outside the show and at Hollywood and Vine for lunch. Toy Story was big for us, too so that added to the excitement! This year we are also going to try Jedi Academy! AK was just ok for us. I know some love it but my family was not thrilled!

 

[ammag]

I think AK....it was funny, DHS had the adults far rides..TSMM and star tours...and DD loved the disney jr show, she was 5. However, that was kind of it for us. Probably doesn't help that it was about 97 degrees, in October! And she got heat stroke that evening...we are also doing two parks this November and we are doing mk and ak. Considering getting hoppers to maaaaybe do Epcot the afternoon and evening after ak, only because its EMH and we don't do Everest. My daughter said its a tie between mk and ak I was surprised! But she loves animals

 

[MrsDuck]

I'd probably go to DHS.

 

[Karbase8]

I would probably say DHS as well however AK has it's pluses as well for young ones. Disney Jr. Beauty and the Beast, may even enjoy Indiana Jones or American Idol. Great Movie Ride, Mermaid is my favorite, the Muppets and dont count out the ARt of Animation where there is a short movie and she can draw her own animation it's a hidden gem and certainly Fantasmic! For Ak, the 3 shows there, It's tough to be a bug, the safari, the dinosaur playground the trails of animals either way you choose you will have a great time!

 

[DisneyFive]

That's really a toss up!

Our first trip to Disney was a few years ago, and AK was our second favorite park (behind MK of course ), then the 2nd and 3rd trips it changed to HS.

...definately a toss up. Great shows and attractions at both. You can't go wrong.

Dan

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

I would choose Animal Kingdom between the two you are asking about. However, I personally would go to EPCOT.

 

[kevdo]

We're going to WDW in August and are definitely going to MK and want to do one more park. Our DD is almost 4 years old. We are going back and forth between AK and DHS. Which would you recommend? She loves Disney Junior characters but isn't big into Toy Story, etc.

Depending on the height of DD, there may not be very much to do at DHS. AK seems like a better fit.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I have always felt that the Studios have more of an adult vibe, so I would choose Animal Kingdom.

 

[katt789]

I personally would choose DHS, but that's just me, for a four year old, depending on height and how much thrill they like,and if they can sit through shows, here's what I'd say is at each park:

DHS:
-Toy Story Mania
-Disney Jr Show
-Little Mermaid Show
-Beauty and the Beast show
-Muppets 3D
-Great Movie Ride
-Fantasmic
-Character meet and greets [including the fab five, chipmunks, buzz and woody, stitch, daisy, wreck it ralph, disney jr characters]

AK:
-Safari
-Kali River Rapids
-Triceratops Spin
-Primeval Whirl
-Boneyard playground
-Festival of the Lion King show
-Finding Nemo musical
-Animal viewing trails
-Character meet and greets [including Winnie the pooh and friends, mickey and the gang, Pocahontas, mickey and the gang, king louie and baloo, Russell and dug]

If they like animals more, and can spend hours at a zoo, then I'd say AK, but if they prefer to see more, I'd say DHS, there just seems to be more to do there, especially if they have the ability to sit through shows.

 

[disneydreamkate]

I think both AK and DHS offer plenty to do. IMO, some highlights from each:

AK:
Tusker House Character Meal
Safari
Nemo Show
FOTLK
Flights of Wonder

DHS:
TSM
Great Movie Ride
Muppet Show
Magic of Disney Animation

That said, my son at four (and even now) would choose Epcot over either of these two parks. He loves Soarin', Spaceship Earth, Nemo, The Aquarium, and he just loves Ellen's Energy Adventure. He also has fun in Innovations, and enjoys many things in WS, including getting his face painted and the toys at the shop in Japan.

So, don't count out Epcot. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time.