DAH at at AK vs VAH - Which would you choose?

[maui2k5]

We will be in WDW in early Aug and are debating on the value of the events in the evenings at AK and MK. We have two girls ages 8 & 10.

Which would you choose (if any) between DAH at Animal Kingdom vs VAH at Magic Kingdom and why? We have 9 day park hopper tickets.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

With 9 day hoppers, you'll be able to accomplish everything at both of those parks over the course of your trip.

I'd allocate the extra $500 in the budget to some other special offering, like the HEA dessert party or a fancy meal. Something that you can't already get with your 9 parks days.

 

[Soph&HanMom]

I am going in August as well for 7 days. We opted to do MNSSHP and AH AK.
I feel that the events like the villains and Halloween party offer special experiences that you can’t have with a regular park day. We are doing AK AH because it’s August...and being at what I feel is the hottest park at night is a much more enjoyable experience. We will do some pool time go to AK a bit early to do the safari, Lion King show, Kali...things not offered during AH.

If I had to choose with an 8 & 10 year old I would probably go to the villains party. I’ve done late nights/ Christmas party at MK with my girls at the age and it’s an awesome experience.

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

9 days is enough without the event, but if you REALLY want to I'd say Villains. Don't get me wrong, I prefer AK as a park by far but DAH at AK just doesn't offer as much. It's basically designed for you to ride a bunch of rides over and over again, and in a park that is more than it's rides, I don't see it as good value. Most of the time you won't get on Kali, it closes before 7pm (I think). No Lion King, no Nemo - their last showtimes are before 7pm. Trails are closed at sundown so you'll have to pick one to go on I think before both close if you arrive at 7. It's just not worth it. AK isn't just about rides.

Villains, however, seems to be really worth it. In multiple reviews I have heard people say that the amount of rides they got done during the event is equivalent to or more than the amount they normally get done in a full day at MK. PLUS there's the special entertainment. Very much worth it.

Save a full day for AK where you can actually get everything done. Get a FP for FoP or arrive early. DAH at AK isn't worth it while Villains is. In fact, you could probably substitute a full MK day for Villains.

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

We will do some pool time go to AK a bit early to do the safari, Lion King show, Kali...things not offered during AH.

just letting you know that you might get the safari but probably not Lion King show.

 

[Soph&HanMom]

Like the OP we have hopper tickets and made plans for breakfast with pooh and friends, pool time, and made fast passes for the 6:00 Lion King show and the safari between 6:40-7:40 so we would be using a park day ticket as well as our AH ticket to get these things done.

 

[Tomh]

We have 10 days in the parks. We will be attending the VAH at MK, not for the ride time, but just for the enjoyment of the event.