First trip- which park to drop? Epcot or HS?

[tukkerlove]

Hi, we are going on our first trip to WDW in May 2011- my son will be 5 years old. We will be in the parks for four days. My initial plan was to do 2 days in MK, 1 in AK, 1 in Epcot... but I've been talking to a few people around work and they are saying Hollywood Studios would be better for my sons age than Epcot. I really think we'll want 2 days in MK so I'm really wondering- which would be better? Height-wise he'll be on or just over 42", if that helps for what he could go on in either park.

Another option I was thinking was to get a park hopper and try to do two parks in one day, but that sounds like a rushed proposition (my kid gets grumpy in the evenings so no taking advantage of late park hours anywhere). Still, maybe it could be done so we can see all four??

Any advice is appreciated- if you have a kids that age, which do they enjoy more?

 

[abooch]

Well since your son is young I would say drop Epcot... But I say buy hoppers and check out all four..

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Well since your son is young I would say drop Epcot... But I say buy hoppers and check out all four..

Agree 100%

 

[budbeerlady]

I would hop thru Epcot and HS on the same day. Hit toy story and muppets, take the boat to Epcot and do Figment, etc. Then let him do the Kidcot stops in the World showcase and see Illuminations to round out the night.

 

[Scubee]

With a 5yo, you're on the right track that MK is probably a two-day park for you.

I can't tell you which one to skip, but for my DS7 and DS3 on our last trip we could certainly have skipped AK. We usually visit a zoo once or twice a year, so the only animals that were new to them were the rare ones and they simply weren't that interested. From AK, my DS7 only fondly talks about the Nemo show and that's it. The other attractions simply weren't as engaging to them as the other parks. Again, this is just from our experience.

Try printing off some maps to the parks, find your must-dos, and see which park wins out.

 

[aurorae]

Yes, with a 5 yo you certainly won't be spending all day and night in the Parks. So I agree, look at the park attractions, list out the must see ones for you, and then see which parks are at the top of the list and which have few must sees.

 

[ccgirl]

I usually hop AK and HS in the same day. Are you staying in the parks? If you are; you are eligible for EMH (extra magic hours) and will really help you maximize your time. Epcot has always been one of my DD's favorite parks. Don't forget; Test Track and Soarin are there. NOt to mention the boat rides in Norway and Mexico.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I would add Park Hopper. I would go to Ak in the morning and go to Epcot in late afternoon. My son will be 5yr old next trip but I just asked him which park would he mind not going but he said we have to go to all parks...mommy I don't want to miss anything

 

[SmallWorld71]

Hi, we are going on our first trip to WDW in May 2011- my son will be 5 years old. We will be in the parks for four days. My initial plan was to do 2 days in MK, 1 in AK, 1 in Epcot... but I've been talking to a few people around work and they are saying Hollywood Studios would be better for my sons age than Epcot. I really think we'll want 2 days in MK so I'm really wondering- which would be better? Height-wise he'll be on or just over 42", if that helps for what he could go on in either park.

Another option I was thinking was to get a park hopper and try to do two parks in one day, but that sounds like a rushed proposition (my kid gets grumpy in the evenings so no taking advantage of late park hours anywhere). Still, maybe it could be done so we can see all four??

Any advice is appreciated- if you have a kids that age, which do they enjoy more?

It depends on the kid.
DS14 preferred DHS but DS11 and DD7 preferred Epcot. I think there is a lot more for kids to do at Epcot. So much in fact, that it is a 2 day park for us where we only spend half days at DHS. DHS is a VERY HOT park, so if your trip is towards the end of May when the humidity comes, you may want to take that into consideration. Epcot is the easiest park of all 4 to tour in the heat because of all the pavilions.

 

[j&j620]

I think there is a lot more for kids to do at Epcot.

I was thinking that, too.

 

[dismichael]

Definitely upgrade your ticket to park hopper for the small fee. Do 2 days MK, 1 day Epcot, and 1/2 day AK and 1/2 HS....For my family, the only two rides that are greatly kid-friendly are the "It's tough to be a bug" in the tree of life, the Kilimanjaro Safari, and the Nemo/Lion King shows. That all can be done (with fastpasses) by around 3 or 4 if you get to the AK early. Try to go on a day that HS has EMH or is opened to 9, and then you will have ample time to do TSM, and the other rides there. The Playhouse Disney show as well as the other HS shows (except maybe the Beauty and the beast) run pretty late so you will not miss out.... I definitely think trying things this way could help you see everything.... AK is very big and has some cool stuff, but it is also very very hot and tiresome for a young child. Splitting the day in two might also give you the chance to cool off at the hotel and refresh before heading out into another park.

 

[jbrnhrt]

i'm going this fall with 6year old DS and have a 3 day park hopper, plus tickets to MNSSHP. we thought 1 day in MK, one day in AK with quick pass through HS(not much there we're personally interested in), and 1 day at epcot. MNSSHP will give us another 8 hours at MK. we also have a 5th day in fl which we're going to seaworld.I;m glad i read this thread!

 

[pixarmom]

We have three boys, and DHS is their favorite park. They range in age from pre-school to pre-teen and our oldest's first visit was when he was 18 months. While we would spend equal time at DHS and MK, I know that's not for everyone. It's just always worked well for us to start our day at MK, DHS or AK and then hop to EPCOT later in the day.

So I'd definitely recommend the park hopper. I'd also suggest starting at MK two mornings, starting at AK one morning and starting at DHS one morning. Unless Soarin is really important to you, you can usually enjoy EPCOT either later in the day or after the mid-day break. That also puts you in EPCOT for all the great restaurants at dinner time.

By the way, it's not that we don't love EPCOT - we do (especially for the food) it's just not a park we feel we need to get to at rope drop and we can do it in little bits.

 

[RitaFaye94]

With a 5yo, you're on the right track that MK is probably a two-day park for you.

I can't tell you which one to skip, but for my DS7 and DS3 on our last trip we could certainly have skipped AK. We usually visit a zoo once or twice a year, so the only animals that were new to them were the rare ones and they simply weren't that interested. From AK, my DS7 only fondly talks about the Nemo show and that's it. The other attractions simply weren't as engaging to them as the other parks. Again, this is just from our experience.

Try printing off some maps to the parks, find your must-dos, and see which park wins out.

I agree - skip AK. Or you could do AK on an EMH morning day and then leave and go to DHS or Epcot. My DS4 wasn't big on AK other than the character meets, Nemo, and Lion King. He LOVES DHS and liked Epcot.

 

[ocd4disney]

I agree with skipping AK or splitting a day between AK and HS.

 

[baler31]

I agree - skip AK. Or you could do AK on an EMH morning day and then leave and go to DHS or Epcot. My DS4 wasn't big on AK other than the character meets, Nemo, and Lion King. He LOVES DHS and liked Epcot.

We can totally skip AK.

 

[Silver Queen]

If at all possible I'd get hoppers. Each park has a lot to offer. If we had to skip a park it would be DHS. There's so much to do at Epcot that we'd never miss it, even with children.

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

Well... when we went last year for our first trip we only went for 3 days MK for 2 and HS for 1. DS was 5 at the time, he wanted to go to the big hat and ride Star Wars! Park Hoppers were not an option for us, but if you have that option, go for the park hoppers!

 

[feezle]

We have three boys, and DHS is their favorite park. They range in age from pre-school to pre-teen and our oldest's first visit was when he was 18 months. While we would spend equal time at DHS and MK, I know that's not for everyone. It's just always worked well for us to start our day at MK, DHS or AK and then hop to EPCOT later in the day.

So I'd definitely recommend the park hopper. I'd also suggest starting at MK two mornings, starting at AK one morning and starting at DHS one morning. Unless Soarin is really important to you, you can usually enjoy EPCOT either later in the day or after the mid-day break. That also puts you in EPCOT for all the great restaurants at dinner time.

By the way, it's not that we don't love EPCOT - we do (especially for the food) it's just not a park we feel we need to get to at rope drop and we can do it in little bits.

I would have to say that I think this is the best option. Don't skip Epcot!

 

[Ariel8676]

I would get a park hopper..2 days in MK, 1/2 day in AK then Future world in Epcot, 1/2 day in HS then World showcase in Epcot.
My girls (8,7,4) love Epcot!