DLR Vets Who Have Been to WDW

[Fantaluminishes]

I can't comprehend the thought of a 1-day visit to WDW. If you've never been there, this would be a total waste of time IMO. Walt Disney World is a vacation destination. It's not in any way a single-day anything.

But if you MUST go for only a day, I say go to Animal Kingdom, or get a park hopper and go to DHS as well. This way you can see the Osbourne lights at night.

Don't visit MK or Epcot on a 1-day trip. Here's why: if you go to MK only, you might be disappointed at how much better many of the same rides are ad DL, and you could and up finding it anti-climatic. If you just go to Epcot, you won't see all of the park, and you may be disappointed because of it.

If you do take this 1-day trip (and I have a feeling you will), but you don't want to spring for hoppers, then make if JUST Animal Kingdom. You can see the wonderful live shows, and some attractions you've never done. Also, the park closes early, which will give you time in the evening for DTD.

These are only suggestions. Again, I don't recommend a 1-day WDW visit at all. You'd be much better off taking a separate vacation there.

 

[Lights_Out]

Easily it has to be MK. Splash Mountain is my favorite ride of all time and WDW's version is awesome. HM is also a winner. Plus you have the people mover (tomorrowland transit authority) and carousel of progress! Wouldn't you want to ride the Seven Dwarves Mine Coaster? Plus if you wanted to you could step out of the park and grab a bite to eat at one of the monorail resort hotels. To me Epcot use to be great but it needs new offerings or at least fix all the things they let go to waste (journey into imagination). AK is a half day park to me. Hollywood Studios is a half day park as well.

Have Fun!

I totally forgot about New Fantasyland! If I had just one day that's what I'd do.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

I see you have plenty of opinions already, but I'll toss mine in. I'm very familiar with both DL and WDW. Given that's it's a big crowd day, you're probably best off at AK versus Epcot. DHS and MK have a lot of the same rides as DL.
Don't rush and plan out the best of AK inclusing a couple of rides on Expedition Everest and any other favorites.

 

[RandFamily]

I would definitely go even if I only had one day. A day at Disney is always better than a day doing something else!!

If you want something VERY different from DL and DCA, I would recommend Animal Kingdom. There is no overlap with California at all and there are a good number of rides, plus great shows. It's a good park to take a 6-year-old, and even though the crowds will be CRAZY, the weather should be cool. In fact, if you go, check the weather before you go, sometimes it's very cold in January and you'll need a jacket, hat and gloves.

Enjoy!!

 

[ImDMous]

As much as I would hate to even attempt only 1 day, if that was all I had I think I would do Animal Kingdom. A few great rides, great shows and totally different from DL. Even with holiday crowds, you should be able to see most of it in a day. We usually spend half a day, but we skip a lot of things because we don't have kids.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I moved this thread to our Community Board.

 

[mummabear]

I would do MK, but I would not feel like I have done a Disney park without a castle.
MK is still quite different than DL and I enjoy the atmosphere there most.
Epcot is our least favourite park, probably enjoy DHS slightly more than DAK.
Also you could just check out DTD and watch Wishes from the Poly.

 

[mummabear]

You may be the first person I've "encountered" that hates Epcot.

I do think if you compare Disneyland park to the Magic Kingdom in Florida, the Magic Kingdom is a bit lacking.

Couldn't disagree with either of these statements more.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Couldn't disagree with either of these statements more.

Um, you can't disagree with my first statement. It was a statement about my experience. And that person was probably the first person I've encountered who said they hate Epcot. You can't disagree with my experience. That's like saying you disagree when I said "my dog's name is Lucy."

The second one, you are welcome to disagree with. I know plenty of people who like The Magic Kingdom better than Disneyland. I'm not one of those people though.

 

[LisaT91403]

Thank you all for the info!

After much deliberation, we've decided that we are going to do MK (if we decide to do it at all). DS is obsessed with the 7D right now -- he watches the show on DisneyXD, and plays the game on the iPad. The Mine Train is the one thing he'd want to do the most. So, we will go ride that, and then everything else will be icing on the cake. We won't be disappointed -- we will have fun no matter what, as we'll be at the Magic Kingdom

 

[Lights_Out]

Um, you can't disagree with my first statement. It was a statement about my experience. And that person was probably the first person I've encountered who said they hate Epcot. You can't disagree with my experience. That's like saying you disagree when I said "my dog's name is Lucy."

The second one, you are welcome to disagree with. I know plenty of people who like The Magic Kingdom better than Disneyland. I'm not one of those people though.

I agree with you! I also love Epcot and I also think that MK is a bit lacking, but that could be because we're so used to the amount of things to do at Disneyland (doesn't MK have like 30% less attractions than DL or something?).

But MK is special in it's own right. Their castle is just so majestic and with New Fantasyland... they're really upping their game. And it doesn't help that I'm totally jealous of their Haunted Mansion

 

[Lights_Out]

Thank you all for the info!

After much deliberation, we've decided that we are going to do MK (if we decide to do it at all). DS is obsessed with the 7D right now -- he watches the show on DisneyXD, and plays the game on the iPad. The Mine Train is the one thing he'd want to do the most. So, we will go ride that, and then everything else will be icing on the cake. We won't be disappointed -- we will have fun no matter what, as we'll be at the Magic Kingdom

Good choice!

While doing everything at New Fantasyland... if you have the time don't forget to check out HM and Philharmagic... we really loved those two when we went. Carousel of Progress was really special (but might be boring for your son). A lot of people agree that Jungle Cruise is better at MK. You can skip PoTC (DL version is a ton better).

Have fun!