Epcot or Animal Kingdom

[Frozen2014]

Hi,

We'll have 4 full days for the parks when we come in October - no park hopper.

Our son will be 9 and our daughter 5.

At moment, the plan is 2 days at Magic Kingdom and 2 days at Hollywood Studios. However, if we've seen enough at Hollywood Studios in one day, then we'd go to Epcot or Animal Kingdom the last day instead of a second day at HS.

Now I know this is a personal preference, but which is more appropriate for young kids...a boy and a girl? And I know it's not the same, but we have a pretty good zoo in our city so seeing the animals is not a novelty for us...its more about the attractions for young kids. At first I thought that Epcot would be boring, but when I look at the actual attractions, Epcot seems to have more fun stuff.

Our goal is not to see it all, but for the kids to enjoy the things that we do see.

Thoughts?

 

[ChernabogHades]

It all comes down to personal preference. I could honestly skip AK every time I go. EPCOT however is our second favorite park. Some people swear by AK though. If I had four days I would probably spend two in MK, one at HS, and one at EPCOT. EPCOT is pretty hard to do in a half day if you plan on spending anytime in World Showcase. HS however can be pretty easily navigated in one day, I don't really see the need for two.

 

[ChernabogHades]

I'd also bookend with the Magic Kingdom. You def want to go your first and last day, with the other parks sandwiched in the middle.

 

[hedge333]

My kids are 7 and 5 and we are not in the majority but we don't ever go to HS. We just don't care for it. Our girls love the safari and the animal treks at AK as well as the autograph opportunities, the shows, and the parade. We are also huge Epcot fans, we love Soarin' and the girls like to do kidcot stops and Agent P in the world showcase. If your kids like animals and shows, AK. If the like hands on activities, Epcot's kidcot stations and Agent P are great for that.

 

[ucfknight]

FWIW, my 7 and 5 year old have Epcot ranked a close 2nd behind MK among the 4 WDW parks.
They'd pick Epcot over Animal Kingdom by a wide margin.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Hi,

We'll have 4 full days for the parks when we come in October - no park hopper.

Our son will be 9 and our daughter 5.

At moment, the plan is 2 days at Magic Kingdom and 2 days at Hollywood Studios. However, if we've seen enough at Hollywood Studios in one day, then we'd go to Epcot or Animal Kingdom the last day instead of a second day at HS.

Now I know this is a personal preference, but which is more appropriate for young kids...a boy and a girl? And I know it's not the same, but we have a pretty good zoo in our city so seeing the animals is not a novelty for us...its more about the attractions for young kids. At first I thought that Epcot would be boring, but when I look at the actual attractions, Epcot seems to have more fun stuff.

Our goal is not to see it all, but for the kids to enjoy the things that we do see.

Thoughts?

Our family loves Epcot. My kids are similar ages to yours, and both my DD's LOVE Soarin', Living with the Land, and doing the KidCot things where they color something in each land. I do LIKE Animal Kingdom and so do the kids, but Epcot is just what I would choose.

 

[kiramay]

My kids loved Epcot. We rode TT like 6 times! We explored the buildings, and then the countries in the WS. We actually do two days at Epcot and 1.5 days at MK. AK was our least favorite park.

 

[prudence64]

My daughter liked Epcot better than magic kingdom at age 4.

 

[Surfinpiratee]

I dont think you need 2 days at hollywood studios..
Animal Kingdom has alot to offer..more than just animals. They also have that whole dinoland with a few rides that younger kids would really like. The safari is unbelievable. Theres a few shows that are really fun.
Epcot really is the best place to meet characters, there's a lot of them and pretty short waits. Plus at epcot youll have a fireworks show..
I love both parks..but I did like epcot a little more..the rides, characters, the countries, illuminations. All great!

 

[OldSpiceGuy]

Between EPCOT and AK I think almost everyone would choose EPCOT. Most people leave AK fairly early. If you want enough to do to take up an entire day, EPCOT is a better choice. The fam and I have ever spent more than six hours in AK. Its not a bad park but its really better as an add on to Park Hopper as opposed to a full day.

 

[ucfknight]

My kids loved Epcot. We rode TT like 6 times!

You must have found the one remaining slow time of year to visit WDW.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Epcot

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My kids would rank both AK and Epcot above MK, and could skip DHS altogether.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I love AK, it's such a beautiful park. But if I had to pick between the two, for kids I would pick Epcot.

 

[Frozen2014]

Great feedback. Without looking into it closer, I had assumed that AK would be better, but it looks like the consensus is Epcot. We would want to spend the day there. And it looks like 2 days for HS is not needed.

I've also read suggestions from others to end the trip with Magic Kingdom...so maybe we'll start with it and end with it.

Thanks!

 

[Alexsandra]

I have been going since my youngest was 8 months and the oldest was 3 every year after that. Now they are 3 and 7. My kids love all the parks but they prefer AK to Epcot.
Animal Kingdom is not like a zoo. It feels like you travelled to Asia or Africa. They love the lion king show, kilimanjaro safari, kali river rapids, Dinosaur ride, the Dig site play zone and a bug's life. We also do brunch at Tusker House with Mickey and the rest of the gang so my kids enjoy that. the afternoon parade is really fun and colourful and the kids always enjoy it too.
Epcot is huge and takes longer to get from one ride to another. Just the walking alone is a deterrent for them.The world showcase is beautiful but my kids get bored easily. The rides at Epcot are geared towards older kids and the younger kid rides are pretty bad. My oldest son likes maelstrom, soaring and test track but that is it! The rest he can do without. I love Epcot so I would do this but my kids greatly prefer AK. I suggest you look at the rides and shows at each park and see which appeals to your children most.
However just take note not that AK is not really a zoo. The Kilimanjaro safari feel like you are on a real safari in Africa but the rest is more like a lush, themed amusement park.

 

[photo_chick]

No one has asked what your kids are into. If you've got one into dinosaurs and animals you may not want to skip AK. If they love Phineas and Ferb then you'll want to spend some time at Epcot doing Agent P. My DD loves world culture so Epcot is a must for her but she also loves the safari at AK.

Personally I couldn't not do a park and would spend a day at each.

 

[summermac]

I would also not be able to skip a park.

However IF I had to choose, I would skip AK b/c we are riders and I feel like you get "more" of that at MK, Epcot or DHS.

 

[summermac]

I would also not be able to skip a park.

However IF I had to choose, I would skip AK b/c we are riders and I feel like you get "more" of that at MK, Epcot or DHS.

 

[Frozen2014]

No one has asked what your kids are into. If you've got one into dinosaurs and animals you may not want to skip AK. If they love Phineas and Ferb then you'll want to spend some time at Epcot doing Agent P. My DD loves world culture so Epcot is a must for her but she also loves the safari at AK.

Personally I couldn't not do a park and would spend a day at each.

My son likes dinosaurs (but is not obsessed or anything). Having said that, my daughter is a bit of a suck and scares easily and would NOT like the dinosaurs. I'm not even sure they know who Phineas and Ferb are.

It definitely sounds like Epcot is the winner, and I think from the feedback, we'll change our day 2 at HS to Epcot.

FutureWorld looks kind of cool. Any other specific attractions to see?