Big dilemma -- one park only other than MK with two princesses

[isabellea]

This summer we are going to stay at Art of Animation resort for 3 nights after a 2 weeks vacation at the beach (St. Pete Beach). Whenever we are in FL we have to stop in Orlando to visit some friends and I love staying at WDW even if we don't go to more than one park. My dilemma this year is what park to visit with my two daughters (age almost 5 and 2 early August). Only one park as we want to keep a full day to visit our friends and enjoy the pools at AoA.

The last time we visited my oldest daughter was 2.5yo and we went to MK. She loved it and I know she would love to go back because she's a Princess fanatic (especially Belle and Ariel). But hubby said he doesn't want to go to MK this year and he would like to discover a new park. So my options are AK, Epcot and Disney Hollywood studios. What do you suggest? My last visit to Epcot and DHS was in 1991...

My main priority is that my daughters have fun! Thrill rides are not our priority this time.

Thank you for your help!

 

[noahdove]

Sorry husband Magic Kingdom all the way...the other 3 really don't have the Princesses out enough...

 

[Gracie09]

Sorry husband Magic Kingdom all the way...the other 3 really don't have the Princesses out enough...

I disagree. Epcot has tons of princesses including the Norway princess meal.


Elsa and anna
Snow White
Belle
Mulan
Jasmine
Sleeping beauty
Check Kenny the pirates website for times and locations

 

[nighttowll]

This is hard because MK really does cater to the preschool age better than any of the others. Would your husband consider a park hopper? Do half MK and say half a different park. I love all the other parks, but they just don't have as much for a toddler to do.

Hollywood Studios has the Disney Jr character meal which I think just added Sofia the First, and there is also the Muppet 3d show, the Little Mermaid show, Beauty and the Beast show, and TSM if you can score a FP+. Everything else to me seems geared more toward younger boys, older kids, or are thrill rides.

Animal Kingdom has lots of great animals to see, the petting zoo, a train ride, the wilderness explorers booths (crafts and activities you earn stickers for completing), the bird show, the Lion King show, Tricera Top Spin (dumbo ride), the safari ride, the rainforest cafe, and a great parade. If your girls are big animal fans, I'd check it out. Petting zoos are usually a big hit at that age.

Both HS and AK also have playgrounds.

Epcot has some princesses as mentioned, multiple slow boat rides, characters meals (both princess and other characters), Finding Nemo & the aquarium, a few slower rides on tracks that wouldn't scare younger kids, hands on exhibits in innovations, the kidcot stations in World Showcase, and has a butterfly garden and playground in the spring during the flower and garden festival, but no permanent playground the rest of the year.

I'd try Animal Kingdom or Epcot. Personally, I'd do a morning at AK, followed by an afternoon or evening at MK, just focussing on the attractions geared toward 2-5 year olds. I would think the kids would love to see the animals and your husband could explore a new park, but the kids would still get to meet the princesses and ride a few toddler rides at MK later.

 

[mom2maggie]

I cannot fathom not doing MK with girls your kids ages.

 

[Darcy03231]

DHS is one of my favorite parks, but having said that when I took my niece (she was 4, almost 5) it was a half day park for us. She loved the Beauty & the Beast show, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid, but there really isn't a lot for the pre-school aged kids in this park.

She liked both AK and Epcot. I don't think you can go wrong with either park.

In Epcot we did the princess breakfast at Norway and had dinner at Coral Reef next to the aquarium. She really enjoyed the Land and the Seas. Turtle Talk with Crush was a big hit (we ended up seeing it several times).

She really enjoyed all the shows at Epcot, the Safari, the train ride and the conservation station. She ended up getting picked to be in the Lion King show so that was a highlight of the trip.

 

[isabellea]

I agree that MK would be the best option but I also understand why he doesn't want to go back this summer. But one thing is sure, summer 2015 we're going back to MK and he doesn't have a choice!

Because of the princess aspect, I think I will choose Epcot. I have very good memories of that park from when I visited WDW for the first time as a teenager (in fact it had been my favourite park). I was just afraid the rides/attractions were too old for the girls but reading some of you, I think it's worth a try.

I will reserve lunch at the Norway castle so she can meet as many princesses at one place. Is Belle always there? As for Nemo, I'm sure my youngest will love that attraction. She's a HUGE fan of everything sea-related.

 

[Katy Belle]

I think the rides/attractions at MK are more suited to your kiddos.

Maybe just let your DH choose. You will have so much fun, no matter which park you end up in! Maybe schedule a character meal, to get some guaranteed character time.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

There's no way I would go to WDW and not do MK with two girls that small.

If there was no way around it I would do Epcot with Akershus breakfast to ensure princess time.

 

[lillykat]

While I understand your husbands point. The parks are more for the kids. MK hands down for that age. My girls only liked about 3 things at HS at that age, Ak was ok, EPCOT they enjoy but none come close to the MK at that age. The other three would suit an adult better. If you were doing more than one day I would feel differently, but for one day with two young kids MK wins hands down. Can't your DH just enjoy one day for your kids...or can you take them to the MK and he can go to his park of choosing...so everyone wins. Otherwise I say park hopper..MK in the morning and EPCOT at night.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Sorry, the kids trump the hubby. MK all the way for two little ones. If you end up not fighting this one, it's really a toss up. Epcot, WS has a lot of princes characters but they are always a hit or miss greeting. There is also the princess meal there. HS has a couple shows. My boys love all the parks and we do them all most trips but for one day....we always choose MK.

 

[henry72]

I agree with the others - MK would be your best bet. Epcot would be my next choice. My kids loved it at that age - plus you can do the princess breakfast. DD was 4 last time and loved that!

 

[SmallWorld71]

When DD was 5 her favorite park was Epcot and MK was second.
For DS14 is was AK, followed by MK.
And for DS18 is was DHS, followed by MK.

So while they each loved MK, they each had a park they loved more. There is absolutely no reason to think that you need to go to MK to have a good time with kids that age. Sure, it's great, but so are the other parks!

If you want to make it a full day: I'd pick Epcot for one BIG reason - the heat in the summer. AK and DHS are MUCH hotter to tour in the summer and even traveling with older kids we don't make it through a full day at either park in the summer.

Let us know what you decide and we can help you come up with tons of stuff to do no matter what park you choose.

 

[sigmasal]

I think if you decide on Epcot, it will be lots of fun and there are a lot of princesses there. If you can do a princess meal at Akershus you will be Golden. The aquarium was fascinating for my kids (we don't have a real one close by so they had never been) and there are so many things to do and look at...my kids absolutely loved the Finding Nemo ride and Turtle Talk with Crush (they were 6 & 3 last trip) and the crazy seagull display outside that kept saying, "mine, mine, mine," like in the movie. They spent the entire week saying, "mine, mine, mine," and cracking themselves up! And there are lots of things for your husband to explore, too.
If you plan to go back in a year, I think it's okay to skip MK...if your trips were spread far apart like ours are, I'd maybe have to put my definite vote to MK, lol!

 

[NjMamaMouse]

MK all the way with the two little ones. It has the most princess stuff and the most to offer for rides at those ages!
Epcot would be a distant second for that age

 

[lovetogowdw]

If DH is set on skipping MK this year and you Park Hopper is out of the question, then better to go along and get to come back to WDW more often, than push MK. More trips to WDW = overall more time in MK. So this year hit Epcot. Previous post had lots of good ideas on where to see various Princesses (most countries have a Princess you can see for an autograph!) and definitely do a character meal in Norway!! But there are some really fun rides and places that I didn't know about there until my third trip with a toddler. Go in the exit (gift shop) at Mission Space for indoor playground. At the end of the Spaceship Earth ride (which they can do) there are several activities for your oldest. My kids LOVED taste testing at Club Cool and playing in the misters outside of Test Track. The boat ride inside Mexico is very similar to It's a Small World. Norway's boat ride is a little "dark", but if your girls are the brave type, it might be a hit. Living with the Land boat ride is educational and don't miss the Circle of Life movie. Of course the Nemo ride and the Seas building have lots to do. And don't miss the Kid "fun stops" in this park. And evening fireworks are wonderful.

 

[Kpskyman]

I would go EPCOT. There are many princesses to see as well as other characters. Ride wise, if your girls like Nemo, they will love The Living Seas now that Nemo has taken it over. I would also look into getting the Princess Breakfast, and possibly the Garden Grill for Dinner as it has the Mickey characters. Your DH may enjoy trying beers and ales from the different countries in WS. And it is always fun to try the different Cokes in FW. HS would be next for me for your kids. Most of the Disney Jr characters are there for them to enjoy. This park is not ride heavy, but rather show heavy, so your daughters would love to see Beauty and the Beast Live, Disney Jr Live, the Little Mermaid, Muppet Vision, and Fantasmic. Make sure if this is your choice, you go to the Animation Building to see Mickey, and several other characters. AK would be my last option as there are no Princesses. Most of what would appeal to your girls, are the animals that you could see at a zoo. There are very limited options for rides for your girls, but Festival of the Lion King is one of my favorite shows.

 

[MandiC]

I have never been to Disney World but am in the final days of planning. I have to agree, Epcot seems to have a good amount of princesses and right now they even have the Frozen princesses. However, Hollywood Studios does have a lot of the Disney Junior characters, including Sofia the first (we are doing lunch at Hollywood&Vine, Sofia makes an appearance there now)

 

[RachaelA]

I guess Epcot....

I have 2 little girls and the thought of going to WDW and not going to MK with them is mind boggling to me.... Why does your husband get to call the shots?

Yes Epcot has a good amount of princesses to meet, but basically just a couple rides that a young child will like.

 

[SmallWorld71]

Things my daughter enjoyed at Epcot at the ages of 4 and 5:
Rides:
Spaceship Earth
Nemo
Living with the Land
Figment
Gran Fiesta Tour (Mexico)
Maelstrom
Mission Space (green side)
Test Track
Soarin
(The last 3 have height requirements which would exclude the 2 year old)

Other attractions:
Turtle Talk with Crush
The Aquariums
Where's the Fire at Innoventions
The play area after Mission Space
"driving" the cars after Test Track
the splash fountains
The kidcot stops in WS

Your older daughter may enjoy the Agent P adventures at well

Meeting Characters: There are a TON of them in Epcot and the lines aren't too bad compared to MK
Current Epcot Characters:
Anna, Elsa
Aladdin, Jasmine
Alice
Aurora
Belle
Chip and Dale
Donald
Duffy the Bear
Goofy
Mary Poppins
Mickey
Minnie
Mulan
Pluto
Snow White
Tigger, Winnie the Pooh

You could do the Akershus Princess meal.

My kids loved Biergarten, Coral Reef and Teppan Edo.

If you think the girls would like the animals at AK or the Disney Junior stuff at DHS more, let us know. But, I figured I'd mention some of the many great things at Epcot since you mentioned princesses.