Epcot vs AK with kids aged 7, 5, and 3

[Jackie35]

I need some help! Taking our first trip in Disney in October with the fam and now debating on Epcot vs AK. We're already doing Hollywood studios one day (for the boy) since he's a huge Star Wars fan and MK two days, including the Halloween party. We have one extra day and not sure which park to choose. My 3 year old is the princess lover and I see Epcot has more princess meets (her fav is Anna and I don't see her at any other parks as a meet and greet), but hear AK has some pretty fun things too. Epcot also has extra magic hours (until 11pm) vs AK closes at 7pm the day we plan on going. Pandora looks kinda cool and that 'tree' as well. I'm torn...please help me make up my mind. Thanks!!

 

[Lvsdisney]

I think there is so much to do at each park that I wouldn't want to choose! I know this wasn't an option you threw out, but maybe instead of 2 full days at MK, you do a full day and then the day you do the party, do EPCOT in the morning. I *think* you should be able to that, since the party ticket is it's own ticket and it shouldn't matter what park you were at before. Just a thought!

 

[Jackie35]

Thank you for your response.
I thought of the Epcot morning ticket plus Halloween party, but essentially that's $1000 in tickets for one day. Eesh!
It's a tough one! That's why I need someone else to decide for me. Haha!!

 

[Lvsdisney]

Thank you for your response.
I thought of the Epcot morning ticket plus Halloween party, but essentially that's $1000 in tickets for one day. Eesh!
It's a tough one! That's why I need someone else to decide for me. Haha!!

I wasn't suggesting buying a EMM ticket for EPCOT. Just to use one of your days on your (I assume) 4 day pass for EPCOT in the morning and then go to your party in the evening. You should be able to do that since the party is it's own ticket. But, it's not my $$ to spend! Maybe ask your kids which park they'd like to go to most.

 

[robndani]

I'd say Epcot. It will be Food & Wine Festival, which is a DON'T MISS for us! My kids are 7 and love Epcot. We let them run around in the countries and there are a lot of characters to meet. There's also a great princess meal at Akershus that your daughter would LOVE! Plus there's Soarin', Test Track and other fun rides! Animal Kingdom is awesome too, but for a more Disney-ish feel I would go to Epcot. Have a great time!!!!

 

[TEM1234]

My kids are 7,5,3 and almost 1. We did Epcot for the first time last trip. They really liked it, although my 3 year old was too short to do a lot of things. On the other hand my kids LOVE animal kingdom. They love the lion king show, they loved the safari, they liked walking around looking at the animals, they liked meeting the characters (no princesses though). They loved playing in the boneyard. There aren't as many rides though and they also really loved out Princess Dinner in Epcot. I think if I could only do one next trip, I would do animal kingdom, especially with the new attractions (which they haven't seen)

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

If I had to choose between AK or Epcot with kids that age, well, that's easy. AK! Just get there when the gate opens and enjoy. Besides, if Epcot is EMH, it will likely be busier there. DD can see plenty of princesses at MK. I'm not sure what Elsa & Anana waits are like these days...was 8 hours when I went....well, 9:15pm @ Epcot and it says wait time is 35 minutes....but I think park closed 15 minutes ago.

Are you staying on-site?

 

[nickid22]

My kids (4 and 7) love AK, so that is what I'd choose. They love all the M&Gs there, the great shows and they could spend hours at the Boneyard if we let them. Maybe you can do that and take your princess-enthusiast to the Cinderella Happily Ever After Character dinner or the Princess Tea party, both at GF to get her dose of royalty.

 

[springtime]

My kids are 7 and 4. I would definitely say AK. The theming is amazing, we loved the Lion King and Safari. They really enjoyed the Wilderness Explorers. The Boneyard was a great break. Fair warning about Dinosaur, it terrified my kids.

We did the Akershus breakfast at Epcot for our princess fan, but we saw most the same princesses at other parks, too. I wouldn't use that as the decision to go to Epcot. As an adult I appreciated the countries, but my kids were bored with Agent P and Kidcot. Soarin and Test Track were both hits, but FEA was a letdown. I just think it is more interesting for older kids and adults

 

[juxtapose]

My kids (1 and 4 at the time) both preferred Ak to Epcot. Epcot is really cool for adults but Imo not as great for kids. I actually preferred AK overall too, it's just such a pretty park to walk around.

 

[maxiesmom]

Maybe my family is weird, but when the kids were little they loved Epcot! They would even chant Epcot Epcot when we got onto Disney property.

Could you buy park hoppers? And hop between Epcot and the Animal Kingdom?

 

[katyjeka]

Could never chose between the 2 as they are our favorite parks, both for different reasons...good luck as I would give up a day at mk for either one.

 

[Macprincess]

With kids that age no question, Animal Kingdom!

 

[DisneyParkLover]

I wasn't suggesting buying a EMM ticket for EPCOT. Just to use one of your days on your (I assume) 4 day pass for EPCOT in the morning and then go to your party in the evening. You should be able to do that since the party is it's own ticket. But, it's not my $$ to spend! Maybe ask your kids which park they'd like to go to most.

What this person said! Could you tell us how many days you have on your tickets (not including the party), so we could see if there was a way to do all the parks? If you have 4 park days on your regular tickets, you could do full days at DHS, AK, and MK, then morning at Epcot using park ticket and evening at MK using party ticket. This obviously won't work if you only have 3 day park tickets.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd choose AK. Our DGDs were so enthralled with the animals there, especially on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. Regarding Epcot, we did see a couple princesses there (most notably Mulan) that we didn't see elsewhere. But given a choice, the animals of AK were a bigger draw! BTW, we'll be there about the same time as you with our 7 and 5 yo DGDs. Maybe see you around AK!

 

[ktlm]

My DD has loved EPCOT since she was 2, but never cared much for AK as it has no princess presence and we have a really good zoo at home. We would absolutely pick EPCOT but, what day of the week are you going? If it is a Saturday in October with food and wine, I would avoid EPCOT and do AK. Saturdays during food and wine are very crowded.

 

[Jackie35]

Holy moly! I love this site! Thanks for all of the responses! Although with all of your great points, I'm no closer to deciding! Lol!
I originally had a four day pass, but since cheaper, I switched to 3 day. I can always add the extra day back to our plan if needed though. We are staying 5 nights but get in around three on day one so hanging out at hotel (Art of Animation) on day one. Plan was 3 full days at parks, then morning of Halloween party, letting older kids participate at the kid pirate cruise thing at Grand Floridain while hubs and I took our 3 year old daughter to the 1900 Fare breakfast with Alice in Wonderland.
I have Sunday open for either AK or Epcot.
I guess I'm torn too bc I hear the 'nights' at AK are truly not to be missed and with that park closing at 7pm (and looked online, sunset is around 6:53pm that day), I feel like I'd get more bang for my buck at Epcot (extra hours until 11pm same day).

 

[Jackie35]

I wasn't suggesting buying a EMM ticket for EPCOT. Just to use one of your days on your (I assume) 4 day pass for EPCOT in the morning and then go to your party in the evening. You should be able to do that since the party is it's own ticket. But, it's not my $$ to spend! Maybe ask your kids which park they'd like to go to most.

I originally had a 4 day ticket but then switched to 3 for the price since we're going the Halloween party. I can always switch back to 4 day. We are keeping this a surprise from the kiddos for now. I just need to make our decision by the fast pass booking window, which is still a few months out. I appreciate your help. =)

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

I originally had a 4 day ticket but then switched to 3 for the price since we're going the Halloween party. I can always switch back to 4 day. We are keeping this a surprise from the kiddos for now. I just need to make our decision by the fast pass booking window, which is still a few months out. I appreciate your help. =)

If you don't want to add the extra day, I would make a list of the activities from each park and then let the kids decide which they would rather do. We put things to a vote from time to time.

 

[isabellea]

For my 4 and 7 yo the choice would be very easy: AK. Animal Kingdom is their 2nd favourite park after MK and EPCOT their least favourite.