Epcot or Animal Kingdom - how much time?

[lchughes75]

In planning our itinerary for our first trip, we have one day that will be cut a bit short because of the MNSSHP. If I had to do either Epcot or Animal Kingdom that day, which is better in terms of which takes less time to see? Or, are they about the same? TIA!

 

[nilla]

AK can be done in a day, IMO, and typically closes before 6:00 pm most nights anyway. Epcot requires AT LEAST two days.

 

[tink9702]

Who's in your group and what are their interests? If you have young children who like animals then you'll need more time in AK than teens who like thrill rides.

For AK do you plan on meeting characters, seeing shows, riding rides & seeing animals or only two of those options? For Epcot the same question.

Honestly leaving at 3pm is too early for our family for either park (to get there for 4pm). Now if you are saying you'd leave around 5/6pm to just get there for the 7pm party then I'd be willing to do AK as the party day. We are planning on a lazy pool morning the day we do the party. If I had to pick a park that could be a shorter day for us I'd choose HS.

 

[fly girl]

All depends upon your interests.

Personally, if I had to make one a half day hands down it would be AK. Hit rope drop go to Killamanjaro, Jungle Trek, EE, Dinosaur, and a show and be done.

Epcot is so much larger and we love exploring both Future World and World Showcase. But many see Epcot as a half day.

All subjective. You'd have to look at attractions at both parks and see which one would be better for your family as a half day.

 

[jrandall]

I would vote for AK.

 

[lchughes75]

Yikes - this is going to be tough, but ultimately, I'm going to have to choose . Good questions on our group - 2 kids, 4 and 6. No thrill rides, but they love kiddie rides. And DS wants to see the Nemo show at AK. Seeing animals, they will love BUT, they won't care if they leave a little early from that particular part. And, leaving at 3pm is precisely what I was shooting for. Where are the better kiddie rides. I'm researching on my end too, but you all are so helpful!

 

[Lifelong Disney Addict]

AK is the best bet. Our family could spend several days there. However, if you decide what you want to see and what to skip half a day is still enjoyable! And if you feel you needed more time then you can always start planning your next trip!

 

[itchin2go]

We find little to do at AK, and can spend days at EP. My daughter's favorite park is Epcot ... has been since she was 6 years old.

If you just want to do Future World at Epcot, it is easily half a day - probably less. We leave Future World at 11:00 when World Showcase opens, and only go back to Future World to exit the park. My family adores World Showcase, but others on these boards don't see the appeal.

 

[itchin2go]

Yikes - this is going to be tough, but ultimately, I'm going to have to choose . Good questions on our group - 2 kids, 4 and 6. No thrill rides, but they love kiddie rides. And DS wants to see the Nemo show at AK. Seeing animals, they will love BUT, they won't care if they leave a little early from that particular part. And, leaving at 3pm is precisely what I was shooting for. Where are the better kiddie rides. I'm researching on my end too, but you all are so helpful!

Neither park is really about the rides.

At Epcot, I would think little ones could ride Nemo, Figment, Spaceship Earth and the boat ride in Mexico, perhaps Soarin and Test Track, depending on height, but I wouldn't call either of those "kiddie rides". My daughter rode all of those when she was 6.

Not an expert at AK, but I think they could ride the Safari, Kali and Triceratops Spin.

 

[tlmadden73]

AK. No question ... if you hit the Safari first thing .. there really isn't much more to do at AK (if you aren't interested in thrill rides like Mt. Everest) but walk around and catch a few other rides and shows - it closes early anyways .. I have always used AK as my park hopper park .. go to AK until mid-afternoon ... eat dinner there .. then hit up another park for the rest of the day.

It's a fun "zoo" like park so you can pretty much set your own pace.