Animal Kingdom or more time at MK?

[DisKneeNewbie]

Silly me, I thought that 4 1/2 days would be enough at WDW. What was I thinking?

It's my first time going to WDW and our first MAJOR family vacation. We've been saving for years, and I'm looking at it as a once in a lifetime trip. So would it be a HUGE mistake to skip Animal Kingdom?

I'm going with my DH, DD (7 years) and DD (5 years). For me, the trip is all about MK. But we are going to Epcot because my oldest is a "wanna-be" world traveler. We are also going to Hollywood studios so my youngest can enjoy the Frozen Sing-along. Which leaves the question, what should I do about AK? 1 day at AK means only 1 1/2 days in MK.

I would have loved to have gone to AK on our first day (a half day) but AK closes at 5:00. We are flying in and I have no idea how long it will take us to get to WDW. I'm guessing we will be there around 2:00 - which wouldn't leave us much time at AK.

Another component of this equation is my eldest daughter. She is on the spectrum. She's high functioning, but she needs breaks. If she doesn't get them, it feels like a nuclear explosion. So I know that we will have to go back to our resort every afternoon for a swim and/or a rest. Bottom line, it might take 2 1/2 days to really experience all of MK without burning us out.

I would love to just see how it goes, but it seems like I need to decide everything in advance to make sure I have the right fast passes and restaurant reservations.

Soooooo, What's more important? Visiting all the parks, because we probably won't make it back to WDW? Or spending more time in the place we really want to be. (Full Disclosure: I feel that I was robbed as a child because I never went to a Disney park, and I am looking forward to every moment in MK and feel lukewarm about going to AK.)

Thank you for your opinions.

 

[Mrs D]

Silly me, I thought that 4 1/2 days would be enough at WDW. What was I thinking?

It's my first time going to WDW and our first MAJOR family vacation. We've been saving for years, and I'm looking at it as a once in a lifetime trip. So would it be a HUGE mistake to skip Animal Kingdom?

I'm going with my DH, DD (7 years) and DD (5 years). For me, the trip is all about MK. But we are going to Epcot because my oldest is a "wanna-be" world traveler. We are also going to Hollywood studios so my youngest can enjoy the Frozen Sing-along. Which leaves the question, what should I do about AK? 1 day at AK means only 1 1/2 days in MK.

I would have loved to have gone to AK on our first day (a half day) but AK closes at 5:00. We are flying in and I have no idea how long it will take us to get to WDW. I'm guessing we will be there around 2:00 - which wouldn't leave us much time at AK.

Another component of this equation is my eldest daughter. She is on the spectrum. She's high functioning, but she needs breaks. If she doesn't get them, it feels like a nuclear explosion. So I know that we will have to go back to our resort every afternoon for a swim and/or a rest. Bottom line, it might take 2 1/2 days to really experience all of MK without burning us out.

I would love to just see how it goes, but it seems like I need to decide everything in advance to make sure I have the right fast passes and restaurant reservations.

Soooooo, What's more important? Visiting all the parks, because we probably won't make it back to WDW? Or spending more time in the place we really want to be. (Full Disclosure: I feel that I was robbed as a child because I never went to a Disney park, and I am looking forward to every moment in MK and feel lukewarm about going to AK.)

Thank you for your opinions.

First, I want to let you know that there are places in the parks where you can get a break, if needed. You are always welcome to go to the Baby Care centers at each park. It's cool and quiet. Also, just popping into a counter serve location and having a drink or snack can be helpful down time. A show or easy attraction can also do the trick (think Hall of Presidents/Spaceship Earth/Beauty & the Beast).

I assume you are not doing park hoppers? If so, you could always split a day to get a few hours in at AK.
Overall, while I love AK, it sounds like you all will get the most out of the extra time at MK.
The most imporatant thing to know is you will not be able to see & do everything on one trip. I go at least once a year and STILL haven't seen & done all!

Have fun!

 

[MandiC]

We loved AK but if it meant less than 2 days at MK I'd skip it. Honestly I loved Epcot more than I thought I would. We did both our Epcot days early in the trip and I was really sad when we left the second day that we wouldn't be going back (that trip was also MY first trip so I never went as a child either). So while you think you are only going to please your dd you may end up really enjoying it definitely look on the CreativeDISigns board before you go. I printed off a really neat Passport book on cardstock and had it bound at OfficeMax before we left and the kids and the CMs just loved it (had each country's capital and how to say a few basic phrases in the country's language)

 

[Zooshoveller]

Oh man, AK is tied with MK as our favorite park. With a good plan, you can accomplish a lot! Is there any way you can squeeze in park hoppers in your budget?

What are your dates? Are you staying onsite?

I'd think about doing MK, HS, EP, AK, MK.

 

[SweetMissy]

Since this is your 1st and maybe only time going, I would really really try to see every park. You can easily make EP and HS a half day....well at least my family can, lol. However, that may not be possible for you guys. Our 1st trip, we went 5 days and we did the park hopper and did a day/park and the last day did half a day MK and AK to do things we missed. AK is my 2nd favorite, so I can't see myself skipping it. Good luck figuring it all out....and hope you all have fun!

 

[msmama]

I don't think it's terrible to skip AK. If we are skipping a park, it's the first to go for us.

I do enjoy it, but if you're lukewarm about it and your kids aren't super into animals (or are more into something else) it's ok.

Plus, when you get home you can always start saving for another trip if you find you miss it!

 

[MandiC]

If you could get hoppers, even just one day, I would do AK one morning and HS in the afternoon/evening

 

[tobiana]

We have three full days and two half days, our first time and probably only time.

We are going to HS on arrival night, from around 3pm until the kids get tired to do Frozen and Disney JR and the Osborne lights. Next day is MK, then the next day Epcot unless kids want to go back to MK the next day, then another full day at MK. Last day it's AK until 3pm.

We hope this will work so we can hit all parks, with two full days at MK. Our kids are 6 and 3.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My daughters (at 6 & 11 respectively) both liked AK & Epcot better than MK (and both water parks at least as much as MK). And while neither really cared for DHS, they'll both tell you it would have been a huge mistake to miss it in favor of more time in any of the other parks.


There is no way to be certain which park(s) you'll love the most without experiencing all of them.

 

[perchy]

My husband says I'm constantly fitting 10 lbs of stuff in a 5 lbs bag. lol. I'm all for a day at MK, EP and EITHER a day at MK AND AK or MK AND HS. HS was kind of boring for us. We skipped AK last trip and I think next trip we're either more inclined to skip HS OR split HS and MK and use a full day at AK.

 

[olive]

If you are able to do the hoppers, I would also recommend trying to fit in AK. I have a son on spectrum who really loves that park. Obviously all spectrum kids are not alike, but if your daughter tends to get overstimulated, AK is more relaxed than the other options. An early entry day would be a great day to go, and then you can leave when she has had her fill. Separate from enjoying seeing the animals and being able to talk to people who work at the park about them (the bird show was a big hit), he LOVES the boneyard play area, which is a pretty amazing playground spot. He also really enjoys the Lion King show and Nemo show and the kali river rapids ride. He also enjoys the safari. Everest was a bit too intense for him, and so was Dinosaur. The park has plenty of quiet spots and just seems more serene than the rest of the Disney parks. We have been lucky enough to take him on several Disney trips, and our most successful trip involved the least park time. We just had to let him guide what we did. For some spectrum kids that may be all rides all the time, but for our son, there were points where we would ask what he wanted to do next and he would just want to go back to the hotel and sit in the room or play in the arcade. Having hoppers was convenient to be able to go to another park after a break if we wanted to change things up.

I hope you have an amazing first trip. And the other poster who suggested reaching out on the board focused on disabilities made a great suggestion (did the name of the board get changed?). I have found some great advice there for my own trips.