First timer needs advice on must see attractions

[Phish]

in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom.

My husband and I are taking a last minute trip there this weekend. This is his first time and may as well be mine since I've only been once years ago. What are the must see attractions at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom?

Thanks!

 

[careens]

My do not miss for Magic Kingdom is Mickey's Philharmagic. For Animal Kingdom it is It's Tough To Be a Bug.
Have a great trip!

 

[koobs]

Hi Phish. For me it's PhilharMagic, Space Mountain, Wishes and SpectroMagic in Magic Kingdom.

In MGM its Fantasmic and the Tower of Terror.

In EPCOT it's Test Track so far but apparently Soarin is supposed to be quite good. We'll find out in three weeks.

Last, in Animal Kingdom, It's Tough To Be a Bug was quite good as was the Festival of the Lion King and the safari (both the drive through and the walking version). I'm looking forward to Expedition Everest. When we were there in March 2005 it was under construction.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

It really depends on the type of person you are. Do you like rides, shows, parades, fireworks, etc.
Must do rides:
MK - Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and the classics like It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Snow White, Pirates of the Carribean
AK - Everest Expedition, Dinosaur, Safari
Epcot - Test Track, Spaceship Earth, Living Earth we have to do
MGM - Tower of Terror and Rockin Rollercoaster

Shows:
MK - Mickeys Philharmonic
AK - we really enjoyed the Lion King Show, Bugs Life
MGM - Muppets 3-D

Fireworks
All 3 parks are awesome and offer different views
MK - over the castle
MGM - Fantasmic is an Unbelievable interactive fireworks show
Epcot - Laser & Fireworks show over the Lagoon

Take your time and soak it all in. Many people rush around and miss out on the magic because they are too busy running ride to ride. Take in the Gardens, Go to each country at Epcot and browse the shops, watch the children going on the rides - their lit up faces are magical. Whatever you miss this time is just an excuse to go again

 

[vass]

What I'm having trouble with as a first timer is coming up with a good itinerary. We're going with a 3 year old, so we'd want to focus on MK. So what's a good first day itinerary at MK?

 

[rkwells]

Before my dis trips I always pick up the Unofficial guide to WDW along with subscribing with tourguidemike. They have all the info you will need to select the "perfect itinerary" for your group.

 

[sandymandr]

I am not much of a "show" person, but I LOVED the Lion King Show at AK!! And It's tough to be a bug should not be missed, very fun!! The safari is great, but do it in the morning so you can see more animals out.
As for MK, even if I wasn't going with kids, I'd still do Buzz Lightyear, Small World, and Pirates of Caribbean....they are just fun! Just enjoy yourself!!!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

What I'm having trouble with as a first timer is coming up with a good itinerary. We're going with a 3 year old, so we'd want to focus on MK. So what's a good first day itinerary at MK?

Head straight though the castle! If you are staying onsite see if you can get an ADR for Crystal Palace before the park opens to the public (if it fits into your budget) Pooh & characters are at this meal so you could get some great photo ops and introduce the 3YO to characters. Main Street is deserted and noone is really around if you wanted to get some photo's in front of the castle. After breakfast/When you enter the park head to fantasyland. Here you will have multiple choices - dumbo, carousel, peter pan, snow white, IASM, etc. Then around 10:00ish head over to toon town. Again more photo ops with characters - Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Princess, etc. Bring a change of clothes for the little one and let em play in the 100 acre woods playground - they have little step on water fountain kind of things so a change of clothes comes in handy

With our 3 & 4YO at the time this is where we spent most of our time. You can also walk around the other areas and see what else gets the childs attention - there are more rides around the park that are suitable for you with child. The best advice I got before we went in 2005 with the kids for the 1st time was take everything at the childs pace, it's not worth the fight! And I highly recommend a stroller!

edited to add: Beware of 3-D shows, they TERRIFIED my 3yo - i didn't expect her reaction and we were one of those parents that had to exit stage left very quickly in It's a Bugs Life!

 

[avsfan]

in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom.

My husband and I are taking a last minute trip there this weekend. This is his first time and may as well be mine since I've only been once years ago. What are the must see attractions at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom?

Thanks!

Magic Kingdom--Splash Mtn, Space Mtn., Big Thunder Mtn., Mickey's Philharmagic, Haunted Mansion. Parades are always good. Wishes fireworks are a must see.

Epcot--Test Track, Soarin, Spaceship Earth is a classic, Illuminations a must see at closing.

Animal Kingdom--Expedition Everest, Safari ride, Dinosaur, Festival of the Lion King show, and they are currently doing some advance showing of the new Nemo show which replaced the Tarzan show.

Hope that helps. Let us know of any other questions.

 

[Desnik]

Must sees:
MK:
Mickey's Philharmagic
Haunted Mansion
WISHES

Epcot:
Soarin
Illuminations

MGM:
Afternoon Parade
Beauty and the Beast

AK:
Safari
Festival of the Lion King

 

[mickeysgirl17]

MK: Pirates of the caribbean, big thunder mt, haunted mansion, phillharmagic, peter pan, buzz lightyear, splash and space mountain (only if you like thrill ride) and Wishes.
Epcot: illuminations, The living seas, turtle talk with crush, maelstrom, impressions de france, soarin, test track and mission space for thrills. Be sure to see the street acts too.
AK: Festival of the lion king, kilimanjaro safaris, finding nemo musical, and dinosour, and expedition everest for thrills.

 

[latexscooter]

Well, this is like asking me what kind of chocolate I like - I love it all. Here are the top three for me. My favorite park is MGM but I see you elected not to do that. I'd willingly drop AK for MGM anyday - but it's personal preference.

Magic Kingdom:
Pirates
Splash and Big Thunder Mtns
Buzz

EPCOT:
Turtle Talk
Soarin

Animal Kingdom:
Everest
Kilimanjaro
Dinosaur

 

[skier_pete]

For Phish:
Must-sees:
EPCOT - Test Track, Soarin', Honey I shrunk the audience, Maelstrom, (I haven't done Mission: Space yet, sorry!)
AK: Kilomanjaro Safaris, Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, Festival of the Lion King (DO NOT MISS THIS LAST ONE)
MK: Everything? No - OK Top 5 - The 3 mountains (Space, Splash, Thunder), Haunted Mansion, Mickey's Philharmagic

Vass:
We just got back with a three year old, she really enjoyed the shows more than the rides, especially the "dark rides". She thought Pooh was "scary" and wouldn't go on Peter Pan. Disney is very overwhelming when you are that small. She LOVED Jungle Cruise and liked It's a small World, the Carousel, Ariel's Grotto & Donald's Boat (got soaked). She also loved the castle show (whenever she sees a picture of the castle, she says.."Dreams come true!"). The best judge of a three-year old is themselves. Start in Fantasy land and hit Dumbo first thing before the crowds. (This is a truly unimpressive ride, but kids tend to like it.) For the dark rides, start him/her out with It's a small world, and if that goes OK, try either Peter Pan or Pooh. I would avoid Philharmagic, though it is Fantastic, its very loud and things jump out at you. Try to hit the Castle show, there is also Storytime with Belle, a show near the castle which is good for a Beauty and the Beast fan, which our daughter is. Be sure to FP the jungle cruise at some point. Catch the train at some point, great for kids Crystal palace is also a great place to introduce your kid to character interactions.

SkierPete

 

[Phish]

We're still in the planning stages so we could switch to MGM (or try to find time to hop there with our hopper pass)

Well, this is like asking me what kind of chocolate I like - I love it all. Here are the top three for me. My favorite park is MGM but I see you elected not to do that. I'd willingly drop AK for MGM anyday - but it's personal preference.

Magic Kingdom:
Pirates
Splash and Big Thunder Mtns
Buzz

EPCOT:
Turtle Talk
Soarin

Animal Kingdom:
Everest
Kilimanjaro
Dinosaur

 

[Red Sox Idiot]

Not a show person here

MK
Splash Mountain
Space Mountain
POTC
Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan
Buzz Lightyear
Small World


MGM
Tower of Terror
Rock n Rollercoaster

EPCOT
Soarin (even though its overrated)
Test Track
Mission Space
Spaceship Earth

ANIMAL KINGDOM
Everest
Dinosaur
Kilminjaro Safaris
Kali River Rapids

 

[debkorb1]

Very hard to choose, so I'll give a top 4 but you need to see more than this! I've tried to make it as diverse as possible.

MK: Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Mickey's Philharmagic and it's a small world.

AK: Dinosaur, Safari, Lion King show, Expedition Everest.

MGM: Tower of Terror, Great Movie Ride, Rock n Roller Coaster (if you like fast rides) and the Muppets show.

Epcot: Test Track, Mission Space, Soarin and I'd spend the rest of the time at the World Showcase.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

MK: Pirates of the caribbean, big thunder mt, haunted mansion, phillharmagic, peter pan, buzz lightyear, splash and space mountain (only if you like thrill ride) and Wishes.
Epcot: illuminations, The living seas, turtle talk with crush, maelstrom, impressions de france, soarin, test track and mission space for thrills. Be sure to see the street acts too.
AK: Festival of the lion king, kilimanjaro safaris, finding nemo musical, and dinosour, and expedition everest for thrills.

same here with one addition AK Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade

have a wonderful time, and take in the magic

 

[helenm29]

The choices are un-limited! Our personal favorites are:
Haunted Mansion
Mickey's Philharmagic
Space Mountain
Mission Space
Peter Pan's Flight
Soarin'
Animal Kingdom Safari
Tough to be a Bug