Animal Kingdom Vs. Epcot

[New York Minnie]

We will be going to WDW during President's Week and plan to go to either Animal Kingdom or Epcot. Which park would you recommend for a family with two girls ages 6 and 9? Any rides that you like in particular? Any restaurants that anyone could suggest?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[KNWVIKING]

I think there is more at AK for your kids to enjoy,especially if they've never been there. My kids,even when they were a few years older, really didn't enjoy WS and I don't think FW is a full days activities for kids that age.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Welcome fellow NY Disney lover.

If I had to choose one park I'd say AK. However, this recommendation is very much based on personal preference. The things I'd recommend in the AK would be the Lion King show, the Safari, Kali Rapids, the walking trails in Africa and Asia, the Tarzan show, Primevil Whirl, Dinosaur, Tough to be a Bug and the parade. In addition, the AK has lots of places to walk around and see other wildlife, explore the Tree of Life, see various other live entertainment and enjoy great Disney theming in a relaxed environment. As for meals, we enjoy Doanlds Breakfasosaurus. Otherwise, food offerings tend toward the counter service side.

Epcot has a lot to offer as well. With kids who are 6 and 9 you'd probably enjoy a lot of Future World, as well as Maelstrom, Rio del Tiempo, possibly the American Adventure and definitely Illuminations.

IMHO, you could keep very busy in either park, but Epcot might be able to occupy more hours (depending on how your kids feel about walking around the World Showcase countries).

If you have park hopper tickets I'd suggest doing the AK until the parade, then finish the day at Epcot. You'd have enough time in Epcot to hit one or two things in Future World, explore most of World Showcase, and see Illuminations.

 

[Sarangel]

New York Minnie -

I've moved this post to the Theme Parks Attractions & Stratagies board (where it properly belongs). You will likely receive *many* more answers to your question than you'd get on the News and Rumors board. Please understand that we do this to keep each board on topic so that people don't have to weed out items that aren't of interest to them (which is why the DIS has *so many* boards, each with different topics).

Good luck.

Sarangel

 

[DisneyFan79]

I think younger children would like AK a lot more than EPCOT. They have the Festival of the Lion King show, Camp Minnie Mickey and all the great rides. Hope this helps!!!

 

[kevind65]

I agree with disneykidds. If you have the ability to park hop, go to AK in the morning and stay until the parade, then go over to Epcot and enjoy the rest of the day there. Our dd, then age 5(almost 6) absolutely loved EPCOT, especially WS. There are lots of kid activities and the "street" entertainment in each country is wonderful.

 

[kilee]

AK seems to be either one of those parks you love or hate. Many people seem to feel pretty strongly one way or the other. Dh can't stand it and ds (9) found it pretty boring. The walkways weren't designed really well for heavy traffic flow and the stroller brigade. I however, really enjoyed the "It's tough to be a bug" and Kali River Rapids rides. When we took the safari many of the animals were off in the distance sleeping. Also, we were at AK on a rainy day, and from what I hear this is the worst park to be in during rain.
Epcot keeps us busy from start to finish. I do wish they would have a character oriented parade here though.

 

[disneyfanfl]

You will get alot of answers based on people's personal preferences, so be prepared for alot of feedback. I personally prefer Epcot, so you'll know my bias going in. However, I would say Epcot based on the following:
Park Hours: AK only stays open usually from 8-5, so you have limited hours to see it all and have to get an early start on the day. Epcot is 9-9 (w/ variations).
Attractions: True Epcot is more adult/science/learning oriented, but there is such a wide variety of attractions. I'm usually tired of AK after a few hours. But with Epcot you can race around Test Track, listen to a beautiful singing group, and try an exotic new food all in one day. Epcot is one of my favorites for all of it's hidden jewels and items you could still discover after multiple visits.
Events: I would take the Tapestry of Dreams and Illuminations over any entertainment in AK. Illuminations particularly is a triumph of computer-synchronized fireworks/fire/music that is moving and fun.

 

[bscs]

I also have two girls 5 & 10. They say Animal Kingdom for sure! As for a place to eat Rainforest Cafe is a must. We will also be there Presidents week. Have a great time.

 

[PKS44]

Depends on your kids: my 6 and 9 yo boys:

Epcot:
In Future World:

Innoventions: Computer games and stuff-my older boy loves it, the younger one does not.

The Land-younger one likes it, older one doesnt. Same for the Circle of Life..Both liked Food Rocks show.

Spaceship Earth and Energy Adventure and Test Track all were popular with both.

Imagination Pavilion ride and hands on exhibits were popular with both, the ride less so with the younger one.

Honey I shrunk- both hated it--they hate 3D movies and the effects freaked them out.

IN World showcase:
Craft activities at the countries- some love them, my boys could not care less.
Loved playing on the Viking ship at Norway and they like the Mexican boat ride. The rest was boring to them until Illuminations which they loved. They don't care for parades and Tap OF Dreams was no exception.

AT AK: Their favorite thing is playing in the Boneyard playground. DId not even try the bug movie with them. They love the safari and the Lion King show but neither cares about character meets which is all Camp Minnie Mickey really is other than the shows. Dino is intense for kids and Kali gets you VERY wet so they would not try either. The rest of the park is basically a very nice zoo..my younger loves zoos, the older does not.


For us, if we had to go to only one, the choice is simple- Epcot.

Paul

 

[soxcub]

My family visited June 2002. DD's ages 7 and 9 at the time.

Epcot : They enjoyed Innoventions (tons of stuff for kids to participate in), The Living Seas and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. Neither wanted anything to do with TT. Unfortunately, the rain prevented us from really enjoying most of WS.


AK : All the stage shows were enjoyable for the kids. Neither enjoyed the Bug's Life show (mom and dad both did, but it's just a little extreme for some younger kids).


The day we visited AK, it was extreme heat in the am and thunderstorms pm. If the safari is on the agenda, plan it early in the morning. The warmer it gets, the more the animals like to hide. Overall, both parks are worth the visit, but AK is more kid oriented. Enjoy !!!

 

[mickeysaver]

My vote would have to be for AK. I like Epcot well enough, but I would think that AK would be much more fun for your kids. If they like Animal Planet shows, they will most likely enjoy all the critters at AK. The shows and the characters that are spread throughout will keep them entertained also. We really enjoyed ITTBaB! The whole place was cool! Mickey

 

[DisneyKidds]

I do wish they would have a character oriented parade here though.

Looks like you will get your wish. As you may or may not know, Tapestry of Dreams is slated to end when the 100 Years celebration closes down. Rumor has it that it will be replaced by a parade that involves Disney characters.

 

[Olszkids]

I would pick AK. We really like this place.

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says...................................If it's only one park or the other, then it's EPCOT hands down. Three times as much things to see, and open 33% longer than AK. DD loved EPCOT at ages 7,9,11. Wanted to learn and study and find museums! All of a sudden at age 12 on our last trip none of that mattered! It was shopping!!! So she still loved EPCOT.
If hopping is possible, I'd pop AK early and hit Safaris first, then Kali River Rapids, ITTBAB, Primeval Whirl,TriceraTop Spin, Dinosaur, and a little play time at The Boneyard. Maybe try to catch Lion King and or Pocahontas, and your out by lunch time.
Out by lunch time as in the food at AK is really lacking. WE eat at Tusker house, nice chicken, but at EPCOT you have 10 times the choices! Go to World Showcase and try something new. Last trip we ate at Teppanyaki, and one couple at our grill had never tried Japanese food before. They got a fantastic show, wonderful food, and great conversation, as did we! Did Norway for lunch, a buffet. It's not all fish, it was great, any place that has smoked salmon and pork roast on the menu gets my vote!
Then there is Illuminations (I start to choke up, grab my Millennium Celebration CD and I'm ok,lol ). Not to be missed!!!!!

 

[New York Minnie]

Thanks for all the information. Everyone was so helpful and offered such great advice in regard to the parks. This will really help us plan our trip to Disney.

Once again, thanks for all of your help and advice! See you in Disney!

 

[Erik_in_TN]

Epcot has a lot more to do for families with smaller children:

-Spaceship Earth
-The Seas with Nemo & Friends
-Ellen's Energy Adventure
-Gran Fiesta Tour
-Figment
-Living with the Land
-American Adventure
-Maelstrom

All are at a pace suitable for smaller children which may frighten easily. AK is not our cup of tea. The park really needs to grow more and put in more family rides. Plenty of shows...but not enough on the ride factor.

 

[MrsPMC00]

I highly, highly suggest Epcot. My kids (currently 7 & 4) LOVE Epcot....we are doing only one day in a park this year before the Disney Cruise in March, and they cannot decide between Epcot and Magic Kingdom - that is how much they like Epcot!!! Last spring, we skipped Animal Kingdom all together - we have never really enjoyed it very much. Have a great trip!

 

[vettechick99]

How did this thread get bumped back up? It's from 2003!!!

 

[twokids0204]

In 2003 I would go to AK, but in 2010 I would go to Epcot, they now have Kim Possible afterall.