Are MK and AK enough for a 4 year old?

[Breakfast@Tiffany's]

My first post, no longer just a lurker! My family has been given an amazing gift, a friend is letting us use his condo in Orlando, so we're taking our 4 yr dd to Disney for the first time, the week after Thanksgiving for 5 days. Of course I have a thousand and one questions, but this board is so awesome, I've been up in the wee hours of many mornings reading.

DH has been to Disney before, but it was back in the 70's and I've never been. We're not commando vacationers, especially with a child, and I know we'll be back with our extended family in the future. I know dd will enjoy MK and AK, but the other parks sound like they are targeted towards older children. I'm wondering if going to MK and AK will be enough? Will we really be missing anything by not doing the other 2 parks?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[3littleHalls]

I have a 6yr, 3yr, and 15mos...been taking them since oldest turned 3 and middle one was a baby. MK is their fav by far b/c of the rides. Then AK and MGM are tied. Epcot they only like the "golf ball", TT, and the living seas. The other things are just a bit above their tastes yet. I would guess that AK has a bit more for a 4yr old to ride/see. My 3yr old(DS) was over 40" right before his 3rd b-day so he could ride most rides. My 6yr old(DD) would say that the best things you might be missing out on at MGM are...Muppets, Star Wars, Fantasmic, Tower of Terror(wants to ride this one so bad...but was sick the last time we went) and Beauty and the Beast Show. Enjoy planning your trip!

 

[goofy4dis]

Yes although making masks in Epcot is fun for kids, I would say that as long you get everything in MK and AK that you want to done, then it will be fine.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I have 3 kids, 2 that are 5, and we really enjoy Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure better than Disney. If your child is a Dr Seuss fan or likes Spiderman or dinosaurs then you should really look at Islands of Adventure. You can check out the website at www.universalorlando.com

 

[bytheblood]

I say yes. I do not think that EPCOT or MGM is really geared towards smaller children.

 

[ainmama2001]

We've been taking my dd to MGM since she was 2. She loves Playhouse Disney Live on Stage. This year (She's almost 4) she loved Beauty and the Beast and she got to meet JoJo and Goliath. It's a good place to go for the kids who watch the Disney Channel. It kind of ties it all together for them.

 

[Chrissi242]

After reading many many posts here I have decided on taking my children ages 6 a nd 2 to mainly MK and AK. I am sure we will try to get to MGM also. Those parks are geared towards younger children. I just need to make a decision on what character breakfast and magical dinners to do!
Have fun planning!

 

[byoung]

Make sure you see the lion king show at AK

 

[Breakfast@Tiffany's]

Chrissi242-That's my next decision to make - what character meal to attend? I did try for the Cinderella breakfast, but as this is a last minute trip, did not expect to get in. So I'm thinking of 1900 or Chef Mickey. I also have heard of a Princess something or other with Snow White (DD is a Snow White fanatic). So many choices, I love it!

 

[MrsNick]

Crystal Palace has all of the Winnie the Pooh characters at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Good luck and have fun!

 

[liamandcaili]

Chrissi242-That's my next decision to make - what character meal to attend? I did try for the Cinderella breakfast, but as this is a last minute trip, did not expect to get in. So I'm thinking of 1900 or Chef Mickey. I also have heard of a Princess something or other with Snow White (DD is a Snow White fanatic). So many choices, I love it!

I don't know what princesses are there, but we were able to book the Princess Storybook dinner at Norway today, and we are going in a little more than a month. I don't know if you're completely committed to breakfast, but you might try Norway, as I believe all meals are Princess meals...and they have a breakfast too.

 

[murcor]

We went last year and our dd was 5 and ds 4. We went to MK, AK and MGM. MK was by far their favorite and then MGM. We are saving Epcot for a few years down the road....something new and exciting.

 

[DisneyArk]

You are going to have such a fun trip!! The Christmas decorations will be up when you're there!

I have 2 boys and they love MK and AK (like others have said). When they were 3 and 5 we took them to Epcot and they actually liked going to the countries and making the masks. The mask is their favorite souvenir. This is surprising since they don't like to make crafts or color. I guess its the Disney Magic. The countries in Epcot will have some great holiday decorations! Plus the MK park hours are usually shorter in Nov. and Epcot WS is opened later.

We usually spend a half day at MGM. When they were younger we made a special trip there to get their picture taken with Buzz Lightyear. The Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground is fun and has some great picture taking opportunities! They also liked Playhouse Disney, The Little Mermaid and The Muppets.

We really love to park hop and be able to hit all of our favorites again on the last day!

 

[kpk89]

I'd say they are definitely enough. There's so much to see beyond just rides, that they certainly won't be bored. Try Belle's storytime in Fantasyland. If you do need a 3rd park, I think MGM has a TON to offer for littler kids! Playhouse Disney on stage, Beauty & the Beast show, Voyage of the LIttle Mermaid, etc.

Have a magical vacation!

 

[Violetx3]

My 4 year old twins definitely preferred AK to MGM. No one in my family was super-excited by the live shows at MGM. It's fine if you have the time and it depends on your personal interest. We personally liked Epcot better than MGM.

 

[abacobaby]

We take DD to MK and AK. We spend at least 2 days at MK and 1 whole day at AK. None of us were impressed at all with MGM so we're skipping that park altogether this year. We like to go to Epcot (but that is more for my DH and I), but there is not 'that' much too do at Epcot for children.

I think your DC will be quite thrilled with seeing MK and AK. Can you get reservations for breakfast or lunch at the castle in MK? If not, the princess characters are also at 1900 Park Fare, if your DC likes the princess characters.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My boys are 4 and 2. The 2-yo just goes along with whatever, but my 4-yo says Epcot is his favorite park. I think MGM is better for little kids than AK, but Festival of the lion King at AK is awesome.

 

[Chrissi242]

Chrissi242-That's my next decision to make - what character meal to attend? I did try for the Cinderella breakfast, but as this is a last minute trip, did not expect to get in. So I'm thinking of 1900 or Chef Mickey. I also have heard of a Princess something or other with Snow White (DD is a Snow White fanatic). So many choices, I love it!

I am thinking about Chef Mickey's that is the one that has gotten the most favorable reviews here. I also heard that Lilo and Stitch are at Ohana's now. ds would love that! Let me know what you decide and how it turns out!

 

[go cowboys]

Just wanted to add my two cents.

We also go the same week each year. MK and AK are not enough!.

Epcot is one of our favorites at that time as the countries all have there Christmas traditions on display. It is neat for all kids to see the different ways other cultures celebrate the birth of Christ.

MGM is also great for kids of any age. The whole Playhouse Disney show is awesome. My kids all love it every time. Its Bear and the Big Blue House, Pooh, Roly Poly Oly and Stanley on stage. Very fun! I also think the Little Mermaid show is great and my kids love the parade because its never as crowded.

My children are 9,7,5 and 2 (this is her third trip) and they like AK the least. We rarely spend more than half a day there. Too spread out and lots of older kid rides.

PM me if youu want more info about that week. Be sure you get Very Merry Christmas Party tickets.

 

[cheerbop]

Just wanted to add my two cents.

We also go the same week each year. MK and AK are not enough!.

Epcot is one of our favorites at that time as the countries all have there Christmas traditions on display. It is neat for all kids to see the different ways other cultures celebrate the birth of Christ.

MGM is also great for kids of any age. The whole Playhouse Disney show is awesome. My kids all love it every time. Its Bear and the Big Blue House, Pooh, Roly Poly Oly and Stanley on stage. Very fun! I also think the Little Mermaid show is great and my kids love the parade because its never as crowded.

My children are 9,7,5 and 2 (this is her third trip) and they like AK the least. We rarely spend more than half a day there. Too spread out and lots of older kid rides.

PM me if youu want more info about that week. Be sure you get Very Merry Christmas Party tickets.

I completely agree with oyu..all 4 parks have something for kids...YES, MK is usually the fave, but there is someting for every age at all 4. Actually, the last time we went when my DS was 4 he was not all that excited by AK except for a few things. He much preferred MGM. And, by far his favorite show was Fantasmic at MGM. He is now 8 and still talks about it!

I say plan alot of your time at MK but make sure to visit all 4...even Epct has great things for kids..esp at that time of the year! We will be there in Dec as well!