Disney for the 1st time

[ayshimama]

We are going to Disney with a group for the 1st time we are staying offsite and would love some advice.

I am going to visit Disney 4 days I had origianlly thought to do AK, MK twice and DHS.

I am wondering if we should spend only 1 day at MK and go to Epcot. There are 9 kids in our group 5 girls aged 6 to 10 and 4 boys 4 yrs old.

Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[momtoejanda]

I cant imagine not going to epcot. Even if you are not in to the World Showcase area there are so many fun rides.

Test Track--favorite of everyone
Soarin--not to be missed
(both of which my 4 year olds were tall enough for)
The Seas with Nemo
Turtle Talk with Crush
Illuminations


If you do want to go through the countries (which we all love) They can do the Kim Possible Missions

I have to say, we have been many times but there is no park I would ever skip because they all have so many different things to offer. Dont skip it, just come back and do more another time.

No matter what you choose you will not do everything!

 

[rachel09985]

Agree- If it is your first Disney vacation you will want to at least sample everything! I would do a full day at each park for sure.

 

[sharonabe]

Your group har FOUR 4-yr old boys?! Oh my!

I agree with PP, it's your first time, and all four parks have things that appeal to all different types. Spend a day at each one and enjoy the magic.

 

[mikewdw]

one other thought (although a risky one) is to do Epcot 1/2 day and MK for
1 1/2. maybe MK one morning, then Epcot at night or vice versa would be better to make sure you got on Soaring, TT, MS etc (morning only though means missing Illuminations). we are family of 5 and for us Epcot and AK (our kids don't just love animals) are 1/2 parks with evening at different park. but travelling with your group may not be worth the hastle. just something to think about

 

[ayshimama]

Your group har FOUR 4-yr old boys?! Oh my!

I agree with PP, it's your first time, and all four parks have things that appeal to all different types. Spend a day at each one and enjoy the magic.

LOL

My sister and I both have 4 yr olds and my 2 friends that are joining us also have 4 yr olds so we never actually thoguht about it until we booked the trip and thought...

oh no...

what have we gotton ourselves into.

they are an active bunch too.

 

[mommystieg]

You should spend one day in each park. Our girls LOVE Epcot - it is their second favorite park after MK. The park absorbs crowds better and has really nice, wide walkways -- lots of room for busy 4 year olds!!

 

[ayshimama]

one other thought (although a risky one) is to do Epcot 1/2 day and MK for
1 1/2. maybe MK one morning, then Epcot at night or vice versa would be better to make sure you got on Soaring, TT, MS etc (morning only though means missing Illuminations). we are family of 5 and for us Epcot and AK (our kids don't just love animals) are 1/2 parks with evening at different park. but travelling with your group may not be worth the hastle. just something to think about

We went thru the YES program and choose 4 day passes so I don't have park hoppers but it looks like I shud not skip Epcot.

 

[momtoejanda]

LOL

My sister and I both have 4 yr olds and my 2 friends that are joining us also have 4 yr olds so we never actually thoguht about it until we booked the trip and thought...

oh no...

what have we gotton ourselves into.

they are an active bunch too.

You will be fine. I have twin (at the time) 4yo boys and we were with friends that also have 4 yo's ...no problem!!! We had kids 10,10,9,7,7,5,4,4,4 and 1 piece of cake!

 

[jbuey22]

ant the first thing you do with kids that age is go stright to spaceship earth(the big golf ball). It is a great ride and it is what epcot is all about. Some of the other rides may be too much for 4yr olds. Test Track, Mission Space, definetly too much for 4yr olds, but the adults should go on these rides with somebody watching the kids. Definetly dont skip soarin' 4yr olds may be ok but not sure if they will pass the height limit.

 

[sharonabe]

a. Some of the other rides may be too much for 4yr olds. Test Track, Mission Space, definetly too much for 4yr olds, but the adults should go on these rides with somebody watching the kids. Definetly dont skip soarin' 4yr olds may be ok but not sure if they will pass the height limit.

I disagree. My then 5 yr old DS's favorite ride was Test Trak. If they make the height requirement and want to ride, then go for it! Now, I would advise the easy side to Mission Space, but again, it's just a simulation ride and if they like space at all, they will love it!

 

[~Tonga Wingo~]

I would do all four parks. I would book AK on a day where MK is open later. Then if you need more MK time, you can hop over to MK after AK since AK usually closes at 5 or 6. If you don't do the bigger rides, you could potentially hop over on your HS day as well.

 

[Prolif1k]

In my opinion, if you have 4 days, do all 4 parks. You could end up regretting not going to Epcot, as opposed to seeing MK twice. While MK certainly could take 2 days to complete with such a large group, it's better to see what you can in each park. Epcot really embodies a lot of the magic of Disney outside of the literal interpretations found in MK. It's such a unique place that really shouldn't be missed.

 

[DisneyStoryMania]

Our first disney we did the same thing (skipped Epcot) and we have regreted it ever since, Epcot seems like a place for adults but it is like all the disney parks they have a feel for everyone my DD Love Epcot...and Kim possible thing is soooooo fun.... you have to goto all the parks for one day..... I wish we would had went to Epcot the first year cause it was very fun.....

 

[Zeebs]

We missed out on the world showcase because I didn't think it would hold the boys at the time 2.5 and 11 months attention. Plus we knew we were going to make a return trip when they were older. I don't regret our decision waste of time dwelling on stuff in the past. It worked for us.

I would do a day at each of the parks.

Kirsten

 

[bitohoney]

Yikes! Only 4 days is bad enough...but DO NOT SKIP EPCOT! It's our favorite park (I love AK too)! 1 day per park will work but you may not have time for everything. But then, you can plan your next trip with us!

 

[Kyle D.]

No Way would I EVER skip the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow!!!

EPCOT is the best, it's so laid back, you have to do EPCOT, we always go the first day and the last day of our trip!

In my opinion if you feel like you absolutely have to do 2 days at MK, then I would skip AK. The Safari can be really awesome or a complete dud and the park closes pretty early every day (no nighttime show at AK) for a trip that's only going to be 4 days. You never know what kind of ride Everest is going to be (whether or not you will see the Yeti).

No matter what way you choose, just make sure to relax and take in the small things! Look for Mr. Toad in the Graveyard....

Have a Wonderful trip

 

[Swank]

Have fun.. and good luck with all those kids it will be like herding cats.

 

[NaLisa]

Another vote for one day at each of the parks. We spent three days at Epcot last week and my DDs (7 & 6) loved it! Such a beautiful park and much more relaxed than the others. We loved all four and wouldn't be able to choose if we had to skip one.

 

[kirsangel]

I would skip the Studios, or do a 1/2 day there at most. Get there early, do Toy Story Mania. and RnR and ToT for the older kids. On our last trip, we were really disappointed in this park. Great Movie ride and Muppets need to be redone. Backlot tour was closed and now Star Tours is closed. Our kids (7 and 4) will not sit long for shows and I would imagine your group of 4 year old would be the same. TSM is awesome though.