Couple questions for small family

[toyotaae86lg]

Hey guys just need some advice from experts. We are a small family me, DW and DD3. I will be booking for the week of 8/31-9/4 as September is our favorite time to come. Our last year 2014 setup was
Monday- Arrival
Tuesday - MK/MNSSHP
Wednesday - Rest/explore day
Thursday - HS
Friday - Departure
I had a couple strategy questions:

1. Last year we did the almost identical dates M-F, we do 2day park tickets and MNSSHP. Last year we did MK and MNSSHP on the same day with nice break in the middle back at Pop, absolutely nothing wrong with it, liked it a lot and MK crowds were super low. This year I was thinking what if I did MNSSHP on Tuesday, MK on wednesday and then secondary park on Thursday. That way we go away with two visits to MK altogether. What you think?

2. Secondly i'm at a toss up where to take my 3 year old girl, Animal Kingdom or Epcot. We went to HS last year and it was nice. She does like animals and with all the shows at AK i'm leaning towards that but would also like to hear other opinions on it too

Thank you

 

[glassslippergirl]

I would split up the MK days. In your regular MK day, you can go to MK in the morning and evening with an afternoon break. Then, an MNSSHP day, you can sleep late (ideal if after a late MK night), have a late lunch, and enter MK at 4:00.

AK is also my suggestion for your family, though some shows are too long for a little one.

 

[bas71873]

We usually do what the PP mentioned. On our party day, we sleep in, hang out at the pool, have a late lunch and go to MK at 4:00 when they start letting people in with party tickets.

 

[bas71873]

I could't figure out how to edit my post. We prefer AK over Epcot and my DD is 11. We like to go to Epcot to eat, but overall, and at that young age, I would think AK might be a better fit. The shows are fun, lively and colorful and you have the animal trail, the safari ride. Just my opinion though.

 

[newdeal]

yes definitely AK over epcot. At Epcot my kids (who are 2 and 4) like the seas but that is about it. Now that my oldest is 40 inches tall she loves soarin but prior to that really only the seas. They didn't even like Figment due to the part where they shoot air at you

 

[anniemae]

I think AK would be a good choice too. Don't forget to take the train to the conservation station. My kids love that.

Also, expect higher crowds that week. I think it will be busy since labor day is so late this year. Many schools are starting after labor day, so a lot of families will be going last week of Aug/first week of Sept. Last year labor day was the 1st I think, so the parks emptied out then. I have heard the parks really empty out right after labor day.

 

[kastoney]

Agree AK is a great choice. We started going when my DD was 2 1/2 and trip number 4 is coming up for her 4th bday. She's loved AK each time, especially the boneyard and conservation station.

 

[merina888]

I'm going to be at WDW that same time and they have not released dates for MNSSHP yet. Labor Day is late this year which may mean that MNSSHP may be later as well. I'd wait until dates are released before knowing if you can do it. That said, I hope it does start at the beginning of September or my family may never experience it.

 

[GatorMama]

I definitely think you should split up your MK time. Having a party ticket is almost like adding an extra day to your tickets. I, personally, can't handle a full park day after the party. We party 100% from 4 til midnight so we need the day after to recover and rest and relax.

 

[GatorMama]

I'm going to be at WDW that same time and they have not released dates for MNSSHP yet. Labor Day is late this year which may mean that MNSSHP may be later as well. I'd wait until dates are released before knowing if you can do it. That said, I hope it does start at the beginning of September or my family may never experience it.

MNSSHPS dates aren't offocially out yet but the September schedule was released, hinting at the MNSSHPS schedule

 

[toyotaae86lg]

I'm going to be at WDW that same time and they have not released dates for MNSSHP yet. Labor Day is late this year which may mean that MNSSHP may be later as well. I'd wait until dates are released before knowing if you can do it. That said, I hope it does start at the beginning of September or my family may never experience it.

This is only under assumption but they released September times and you can see when MK closes early with no Wishes, I can only assume this is when MNSSHP will be.

 

[Hockeyfan17]

I'm going to be at WDW that same time and they have not released dates for MNSSHP yet. Labor Day is late this year which may mean that MNSSHP may be later as well. I'd wait until dates are released before knowing if you can do it. That said, I hope it does start at the beginning of September or my family may never experience it.

Just to let you know, the September hours were released in an earlier thread. MK is scheduled to close at 7pm on the 1st, and although they have not released the dates for MNSSHP, you can probably assume that it will run on that date. Hope this helps.

 

[disnut8]

I suggest Animal Kingdom as well. With a three year old, I don't think you'll be doing the thrill rides like Expedition Everest but if you or your wife wanted to do that, you can use the single riders' line. Most of Animal Kingdom doesn't need a FastPass so I'd just FastPass the Safari and leave the rest of the day free for exploration. Take her to Rafiki's Planet Watch and she can pet the animals as well as see the exhibits inside and the train ride is a nice one. Also, she'll love Flights of Wonder and I'd advise to sit in the bleachers for a relatively unobstructed view of everything. The walking trails are nice and you can take your time there as well. Dinoland is geared for the younger crowds so you can fun there just watching the people play the games. And then there's the Boneyard for her to run around in and play. It can be a very relaxing day.

 

[toyotaae86lg]

I think AK would be a good choice too. Don't forget to take the train to the conservation station. My kids love that.

Also, expect higher crowds that week. I think it will be busy since labor day is so late this year. Many schools are starting after labor day, so a lot of families will be going last week of Aug/first week of Sept. Last year labor day was the 1st I think, so the parks emptied out then. I have heard the parks really empty out right after labor day.

Thank you for this info, I didn't realize the first week would be a little more crowded, I may be pushing it back a few weeks to mid Sept now just for that reason

 

[toyotaae86lg]

Thank you all for your advice. I talked with DW and we decided to book Sept 14-18 more mid Sept and after labor day, we decided to do the split for MK and MNSSHP so we will be getting two days of MK and decided to do AK for our secondary park Pretty stoked and just hoping for free dining for the fall

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Sounds like a great plan. I like to do the party on our last park day since it is so late and do a rest day after or an afternoon flight out.