Animal Kingdom vs Epcot

[iheartears]

My DD is 4 1/2. We can do either Epcot or AK. She is not especially into animals, but my brother said AK would be best. Which do you recommend?

 

[mesaboy2]

My DD is 4 1/2. We can do either Epcot or AK. She is not especially into animals, but my brother said AK would be best. Which do you recommend?

As a complete stranger, I'd say Epcot based on the "not especially into animals" description. There is also simply more "stuff" at Epcot to do.

 

[DizzDoll]

There are 2 fantastic live shows at AK: The Festival of the Lion King and Nemo. As an aside we prefer Lion King!! Also Flights of Wonder is not to be missed. There is also Rafiki's Planet Watch that has a petting zoo even though your DD isn't into animals that much. But Conservation Station is also, for my family, a must do and my "kids" are 22 and 20

She may like Kali River Rapids, its a VERY wet water ride. As well, the entertainment in AK is second to none. The afternoon parade is spectacular.

Near Dinoland is the Boneyard where she can dig and "find" archaeological treasures. Walk around the Tree of Life and see how many carvings can be found. There's a new game called Wilderness Explorers you may want to look into. I don't know much about it because it's brand new and we won't be able to do it until next month (but we WILL do it).

Does she like Hidden Mickeys? TONS in AK. I could really go on and on about this park because we can't get enough of it.

EPOCT is our other favorite park. We do a few of the rides in FW then we're straight off to the WS. However, there is a Character Meet & Greet, and definitely make time to see the Jammitors. Now, in WS there is also a TON of cool stuff for children to do. There's passports that your DD can fill - one page per country - and it's a brilliant way to meet people from those lands. And the CMs there are fantastic. There's also KidCot where she can color different masks, again at each country, and have them either attached to a stick or she can have the stick stamped. Either way it's cool for the kids. And yes she can do both. There's also the Agent P game that everyone loves (again we won't be able to do that until August). The street entertainment is second to none (appears to be that way throughout Disney). And back to the passports for a second, while your child is enjoying that, as you leave it's a great time to explore the country you're visiting.

There's a boatload to do in either park and in my opinion which ever one you decide to spend your day at will not be a mistake.

 

[FiggieFan]

They have added a lot of options for kids at EPCOT. My nephews favorite of all the parks was Innoventions in EPCOT. Just an FYI - they have stopped the masks at the stations in the countries - the kids can now color Duffy the Bear in the countries colors, etc. There is Turtle Talk with Crush which is in the same area as Nemo and the Seas. They are have an area in there where you can look at the aquariums and fish and have some things for kids to run around.

If she is not that into animals, I would do EPCOT over AK. We love AK but don't spend a lot of time with the animals. I would be careful of the It's a Bug Life movie in the tree - the ending can be pretty scary for a youngster. The Flights of Wonder bird show is great, but if you go, make sure you arrive early to get a good seat. We LOVE the rapids ride, it is one of our Disney favorites, but you will get soaked and we have ridden with hysterical kids.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Epcot because you can get a hug from Duffy

 

[ToyStory3]

For us there's no question about it - Epcot for sure. We like AK but not nearly as much as we like Epcot. We can barely stand only having two full days at Epcot on vacation. I have about 10 must-do attractions right off the bat. My kids love Ellen's ride because of the dinosaurs, Nemo is a must-do, Turtle Talk is awesome, and Spaceship Earth is my DD's favorite ride anywhere. I think the countries are great for kids to experience.

 

[Raenstoirm]

Is she a princess girl? If so, thats a no brainer. Epcot all the way! There are more good rides in epcot then AK for a kid (Everest and Dinosaur are a no for her age and those are two fo the best in AK). Epcot has Nemo, Crush- not technically a ride I know, Spaceship Earth, Figment, maybe Ellen if you have the time, Living with the Land if she can sit still, Soarin if she is tall enough, Mexico, Norway, maybe even Test Track. And tons of princesses!

 

[dpswift]

I would say AK. There is the Safari, shows, and the dinosaur midway. It is a park that our whole family enjoys.

Nemo, the land ride, and the Ellen ride can be boring for kids. WS has 2 rides that are good for children in Mexico and Norway. However I see many bored children of that age in the WS shows. Kidcot stations can be interesting, but for a short trip do you want to color Duffy.

 

[GeneralTso]

That's a tough one!

I think there are more little kid types of things at AK, plus you don't have to love animals. It's just a fun and very pretty park.

She'll truly have fun at either.

I love Epcot so would choose that, but that's just me. Maybe show her pictures of both parks and let her decide?

 

[Princess Katherine]

AK is better for children. Epcot will just bore them and its a lot of walking which can be tiresome.

Katie

 

[smorkovsky]

We also will be taking a 4.5 year old DD (and boys 8 and 10) and we are planning to skip AK for two days at MK (4 day passes). This is something I decided after reading up on the attractions at AK. In my mind, it's a glorified zoo. We have seen the zoo. I know people will start going crazy on me for saying that, but it's just an opinion (and not even one based on experience, just reading, and other's opinions). There's no way I view Epcot as skippable, but I view AK as great, sure, but skippable. That said, if my kid's were totally into animals (like my SILs kids), and hadn't been to the zoo more times than I can even count, we'd not be skipping AK.

 

[smorkovsky]

AK is better for children. Epcot will just bore them and its a lot of walking which can be tiresome.

Katie

While this may be true....is the vacation ONLY for the kids? Mine's not, and I'm sure my kids will love Epcot too. (We are skipping AK) And they'll never know what they are missing.

Would you say Epcot is skippable for the adults? I mean, assuming I care also about having a great time myself? (Not being snarky, I'd really like your opinion.)

 

[LauraLap]

My vote would be for Epcot for sure!

 

[Hayliesmom]

I think it really depends on the child. I keep reading that "epcot is boring" but my daughter loves it. You can meet characters in almost every country in the world showcase plus there are all kinds of little trinkets in the stores. And as mentioned, plenty of rides in future world. And DELICIOUS food!

We love animal Kingdom as well, but I believe there is more to do at epcot. Especially if your little one does not like animals. .......

 

[sandbmisnfla]

Has she been to either park before ? If not I would say either one. Even if shes not particularly into animals the experience at AK is probably much more then she can imagine. Its more personal preference then anything

 

[tony609]

If she's not into animals as you said I would do EPCOT. There's a lot for kids that age 4 1/2 to do (outside world showcase) like Nemo, turtle talk with crush, Spaceship earth, the land Pavilion. World showcase offers a lot of princess experiences if she is into them also music to listen to and dance is she desires. If it were an older child looking for thrill rides I would say AK for EE, Kali, It's tough to be a bug and Dinosaur. I DO agree with a previous poster that I have seen many and was with bored kids at EPCOT (World Showcase). My nephew felt WS was a big place to shop and eat. BUT for a 4 1/2 year old if she's into princess WS is a great opportunity. If she likes Nemo she would certainly love turtle talk with Crush and Nemo's ride and journey into imagination is cute for little ones.

I am an AK lover, we have one of the top zoos in the country 30 minutes away, AK is Much more than a zoo, I have never felt like it was ANY zoo I have EVER been too, IN FACT Zoo's bore me, I'm never bored at AK, going twice on the upcoming trip.

But for this OP I would , based on info given recommend EPCOT.

 

[meggiebeth]

We would likely choose Epcot. AK holds our interest for half a day, although that may just be us. It is our least favourite park.

Epcot has a lot to do, loads of things to see, and is more 'Disney' to me than AK.

Meg~ Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[estherhead]

Also Flights of Wonder is not to be missed.

Really? Is this popular? I went when it first opened and a few years ago because I thought my mom would like it. And haven't been back. I would think it would be boring for a 4 1/2 year old who isn't in to animals that much. Plus, it's so HOT. Well, maybe we always skip it because we go in August.

 

[ktlm]

My DD (7) did not care for AK much at that age (or age 2 and 3). She usually tolerated AK until close to noon and then started begging to go back to MK or Epcot. It is still her least favorite park, although she will spend more time there without complaining now.

EPCOT, on the other hand, has been her absolute favorite park other than MK. When we go to DL, the only thing from WDW she complains about missing is EPCOT. It is a 2 day park for us. She loves eating at Biergarten and ranks it up there with Princess meals. There are tons of Princesses to meet in WS, and lots of entertainment to watch. The boat ride inside Mexico is not to be missed at that age. There is Soarin (if she is tall enough- DD was at 3), Nemo, Turtle Talk with Crush, Living with the Land (never underestimate how impressed littles are with greenhouses), Journey into Imagination and so much more.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says............................................... Honestly? At 4 1/2 pick what is best for you! She will not remember much, if anything. And that's the bottom line. Making memories! Not at 4 1/2.

So I say EPCOT. Fun for parents, and they have those kid stations all around the world! Activities and stamps for the little ones.