First time at WDW

[Ginar695]

Hi,

My husband is having his annual conference this year in Orlando in a few weeks so since his airfare will be paid for (we're flying from San Diego) myself and our 10 year old son will be joining him at the end of his conference. We'll be at WDW from Thursday to Monday and staying at Beach Club Villas. We had Disneyland AP for the past two years so we've been to Disneyland multiple times. I've heard that Magic Kingdom is pretty much just a larger version of Disneyland so I didn't want to spend money on a ticket for MK. We are only going to go to a theme park one day, most likely Saturday. I've gotten a lot of good ideas on what to do the other days at our resort and surrounding resorts and areas so I know we'll be able to fill up our time the other days we're not at a park on Saturday. My dilemma is that we were thinking of going to Epcot Center but not sure if there will be enough to keep our 10 year old interested. The other option we were looking at was Animal Kingdom but I'm not sure if it's just a zoo or more of a theme park. We have a pretty amazing zoo here in San Diego so I didn't want to go to AK if it's the same. We have also been to Universal Studios Hollywood a few times so not really wanting to go to Universal Studios Orlando either. Basically, we want to put our money where our son will have the best experience since we'll only be able to buy a theme park ticket for one day. Thank you in advance for all of your replies and suggestions!!

 

[craigkerstiens]

While as an adult we love EPCOT and our 3 year old daughter can find enough to do, for a kid about 10 it's probably the least exciting of all the parks (unless he's really into countries). The two highlight rides at EPCOT are Soarin, which you have in Disneyland, and Test Track which from a ride perspective is very similar to radiator springs racers, though from an experience a bit different.

Animal Kingdom is definitely a good bit park and not really a zoo so much. While there are animals around there's probably as many rides overall as EPCOT. At AK you'll have a roller coaster, a few shows (nemo and lion king), a carnival ish area, and then a few other rides that are all pretty good. The thing about AK is it normally closes a bit earlier, so there's a chance you could do it on the earlier part of the day then head over to EPCOT. Given you're at Beach Club EPCOT is a super easy walk so if you're up for a park hopper pass it'd work out well.

 

[alliecat523]

We're not fans of AK. My 11 year old prefers to skip it. I don't think there is enough to do there. Even those that enjoy it say that it's a half day park.

Epcot has plenty to do and enjoy. Soarin' is closed for refurb so that's out. While there are some less thrilling rides, it's still enjoyable. If you are considering a hopper, you could do Hollywood Studios as well. They have the Star Wars Launch Bay now plus the regular thrill rides.

 

[dmc6469]

I just had my first WDW trip last month. After being from CA originally I spent hundreds of days at Disneyland and let me tell you, it is NOT just a larger version of it. It’s really different. MK is very similar except its HUGE!! I’m used to walking from Fanstasyland to New Orleans square in a matter of minutes. But from Fantasyland to Adventureland takes forever and you are winded. The size amazed me. Lot of the same rides, of course different ones or the same ones might have some tweeks, etc. We were 3 adults there but as for Epcot I don’t see how a child would enjoy it for the day. AK we loved. I wanted to go, being a photographer, since I was looking forward to photos of everything there. My 2 BFFs didn’t want to but they decided to do it since it was our 1st trip and ‘do all parks and get this one over with’. Well, it ended up being their favorite park. They loved it. It really is neat. I saw a lot of kids liking it because of the rides, the shows (the Lion King show ROCKS), and the animals. I’ve been to the San Diego zoo a lot and love it but there’s no comparison. Very different. I would suggest MK and AK for sure.

 

[Storminion]

I don't know any ten year old boy who doesn't like Star Wars. If that's your case as well, then Hollywood Studios is a ten minute walk from your resort. Star Tours, Rockin' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror and Toy Story are the must do's. Lunch at Sci Fi Drive In (foods not that great but it's way fun for kids) and Fasntasmic at night. Maybe they will have the Star Wars fireworks show when you're there.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Keep in mind Soarin is closed till this summer.
AK is more than a zoo. There are several rides. The Lion King show is a must see. Ride the train over to Rafiki Planet watch. You can sometimes catch the zookeepers doing exams on animals. There is usually an animal that is on display that a zookeeper has out in the open and is talking about the animal and you can touch it. Below are a couple helpful links about AK.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/animalkingdom/ak-overview.htm

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/animalkingdom/ak-rafiki-ovr.htm

 

[csmom2015]

If you just have a day, then I agree a park hopper is the way to go. I have a 10 year old boy and he loved AK. Expedition Everest is his favorite ride, he liked Dinosaur but my 6 yr old didn't.( too scary) The safari is great and you will definitely find enough to do for the first half of a day. Then use the park hopper to check out Epcot and if you really don't like it, MK is usually open late on the weekends. 10 can still be an age where you are surprised at what they like. Mine LOVES Tom Sawyers Island.