Epcot or MGM for almost 1, 2 and 9 year old?

[PrincessasMommy]

We purchased 3 day passes and this is our first family trip so we'd like to experience as much as we can.

We've decided on MK our first day (already have our top ride list compiled), AK is the 3rd day as I have booked a character breakfast so can't change the orer of things, so Day 2 ????

Epcot or MGM - which would be better for the kids?

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

For the ages of your children I would say MGM.

 

[Aidensmom]

I would say MGM too. However, we went last year for 3 days, planning on doing MK, AK, and MGM and ended up doing 1 day at AK and two at MK. There is just so much at MK, especially for young children. You may want to consider that possibility.

DH and I ended up going to MGM about a month later by ourselves, and it only took us about 1/2 day to do all we wanted to do. However, they do have a lot of characters there that they do not have in the other parks (my son's favorites are Monsters Inc characters, Incredibles characters, and -the love of his young life- Minnie Mouse, and of those only Minnie Mouse can be seen at the other parks).

 

[the kabuki]

Do you absolutely only have time/$$$ for 3 days in the parks?? Being that it's your familys' first trip there, 3 days doesn't really give you enough time to enjoy many of the things WDW has to offer.

I've had people tell me that they're going to WDW for 2 or 3 days, they think that it's plenty of time. But they haven't been there since they were young and don't realize how much there is now . Even 4 days, so you could do one park a day would be better. I hate to think someone's going down with expectations of doing it all in a short time, then being disappointed because they felt rushed throughout their vacation and didn't enjoy it.

Just my opinion

 

[mary174]

I've got to go with 2 days at Magic Kingdom. I think with your age mix one day will not be enough. Between Epcot and MGM I think in your shoes I'd choose Epcot, but it's close on all three. Maybe ask the 9 y/o to choose. There's so much to do at all of the parks.

 

[KimWDW]

I'd say MGM. Though, I'd probably pick EPCOT over AK.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

We are actually going to Florida to visit my sick Grandma and WDW is not the main purpose of our trip, but having children and flying from Canada, how could we not? So we're making the very best of the situation. We will have 4 full days in Orlando, we purchased 3 day passes from our travel agent with the following thoughts.......your advise is appreciated on each....

- we could upgrade to 4 day at the park if necessary

- if it calls for rain storms we're not out $$$

- 3 days out of 4 days is probably enough for our children, it is a vaction, we don't want to rush through it doing everything

- we'd like to leave some things for "next time"

- we did consider MK for 2 days but we are planning on going on a Tuesday, the park will be open 9-9 that day, our plan is to be at Cinderella Castle at 9 am when the rope drops and pull Fast Passes for Pooh first thing, do Indy Speedway and then do all of Fantasy Land, is it unreasonable to assume we could complete 5-6 rides by lunch? That would leave Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Railroad and Pirates of the Caribbean as the only other rides our 9 year old DD has listed as a must see? with the entire afternoon and the FP option is that not do-able? I haven't been in years so maybe I am crazy to assume my plan will work?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I bet you will want to upgrade to the 4 day once you are there. Are your passes hopper? If so I would spend the bulk of each day at MK, MGM, & AK then hop over to Epcot each evening. THat being said, DS has always prefered Epcot over MGM as our entire family.

Good luck!!

Jordan's mom

 

[the kabuki]

Well, the 1 & 2 yr olds will be slowing you down, don't forget. My youngest is 3 and I always figure extra time into anything we do, disney or elsewhere.

IMHO, if you only do 3 day passes, you'll feel MORE rushed, trying to get in everything too quickly. At least the 4 day would give you a little more leeway.
Go for the 4 day hopper pass. I guarantee that you won't be sorry you did

 

[moinab]

Epcot or Studios - it depends on your children.

We have found that, with a 1 year old and a 3 year old, Studios is our least favorite park. The majority of the attractions are shows, which involve sitting for 15-25 minutes (on top of the time spent waiting in line/waiting for the show to begin) or are not suitable for little ones (Star Tours, RnRC, ToT). The Playhouse Disney show is cute, and the HISTK playground in great, but there really isn't much else for toddlers, unless they're good about sitting through shows or very slow-moving, long tram rides.

Our kids love Epcot. I don't think it has so much to do with any particular attraction, but they love all the sights and sounds.

 

[Mersmom98]

I suggest going to MGM. We just got back and my dd age 7 was pretty bored at Epcot. If your older son likes rides then the two best in my opinion are at MGM...The Rock'n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. There are a lot of characters there as well that you don't see anywhere else.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I too think you'ld be happier with 4 days at a slower pace than 3 rushed days at the park 9 to 9. That said I would choose Epcot over MGM. My kids don't really like MGM that much. How many times can your 9 year old do RnRC and TOT? Your younger ones can't do those and my kids just aren't into the shows. I think your DD(9) would like making the mask at Epcot. There are lots of characters there too and other entertainment. The acrobats are great and the candy lady in Japan is great too. You can purchase a passport for your DD and the CM's in the different countries will stamp it and sign it (something like hello in their language) or you can do this in an autograph book as well. Your younger ones would probably enjoy the Living Seas and Figment.

 

[OCDdisneynut]

With the ages of your children, I would go with MGM if you're doing one park/day. If you will have the hopper option on your tickets, you could return to the MK for your final afternoon after the AK or visit Epcot.

 

[tinaluis]

I know I'm in the minority here but I'd choose EPCOT for the 2nd day. My DDs (8, 6 and3) have always loved EPCOT and we spend a lot of time there when we're in Orlando. Think big interactive science museum (with a lot of hands on stuff for everyone) in Future World, combined with a few rides everyone can do (Spaceship Earth, Figment) . There's also Kidcot stations at the countries in World Showcase where your children can get a stamp on their masks, decorate them, have their names written in different languages, etc. It really is a great park and happens to be my second favorite (behind MK of course). Have fun planning and have a great trip!

 

[lovin'Mickey]

I was actually shocked that my children aged 2,5,6 loved Epcot more than MGM. I believe they loved the laid backness of the park they really enjoyed the flowers and colors all around. However I would also say that if you are only getting 3 days I would opt for 2 in MK you will never see it all with 1 day and 3 small children......we still have not seen it all. Enjoy your vacation I am sure you will become addicted like the rest of us!!!!!

 

[tommygirl79]

I know that you said you were "set" on going to Animal Kingdom one of the days, but honestly, if we only had 3 days it would be last by a large margin on our lists. As you can tell by my signature, we took an 18 month old and a 3 1/2 yr old and they LOVED EPCOT. They enjoyed some of the things at Animal Kingdom but seemed to wear out quick and lose interest. MGM has some pretty good shows that kept BOTH of their attention (not just the 3 1/2 yr old). Of course, one can easily spend three days at MK alone so you might find that you want more time there as other posters have mentioned. This is JMHO and if you're set on AK I guess my vote for the other day would be Epcot and save Animal Kingdom for next time as you suggested you are doing. Hope this helps!!!

 

[Aidensmom]

We really enjoyed Animal Kingdom (even more than Busch Gardens which has the same basic theme and we have AP's to!), so depending on what you and your children like, I would not necessarily give that up. If your kids like animals, the safari there is better than I have experienced anywhere else, and my DH and DS would say the same.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

DH and my oldest dd are HUGE wildlife enthusiasists so dropping AK from the line up is not an option. We were pretty set on MK for 2 days but are reconsidering because....we are going the end of April, I have researched and made sure it's not a Magic Hour day at MK that day and it's a Tuesday - so it shouldn't be busy right? That's why I'm asking here - I haven't a clue! Could it not be done in one day? We plan on being at Cinderella Castle at 8:30 and hustling for the first 2 hours as after that is when lunch and snacks and nap time is coming up and we would like to wind down then and stroll comfortably, grab a bite, enjoy the aura of Disney. Our ride list is 8 rides long - is that realistic? If so, I'd like to ask the question again, MGM or Epcot? And Why? And thanks so much to everyone who's responded, I appreciate the help!