Help me choose which park to go to!

[Allensfan]

Hello everyone! I am really enjoying planning my trip in Sept. and this site is making it more fun!!

I have a 6 year old son and my husband and I going. My ds will be celebrating his 7th birthday while we are there.

We are going to go to Epcot one day, MK one day, Seaworld one day, and the other day we are torn between AK or MGM. I am not the kind of person that wants to cram my days so full that we are pooped and not enjoying ourselves.

Our hotel is the AKL so I wondered if that was like enjoying the AK park? Both seem okay but neither is really speaking to me. Can you guys help?? Which would my little boy enjoy more? He is not going to be tall enough or brave enough to ride the roller coasters or tower of terror.

Thanks so much.

Maggie

 

[makinorlando]

I'm thinking a 7 year old might enjoy AK more (that's what my DD9 says... anyway!) We enjoy a day at MGM, but for a little boy, I think AK is better (It sounds like you aren't getting Park hoppers...)


MGM has Muppets 3D, Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid shows, Backlot Tour, Power Rangers meet and greet, and the Lights Motor Action Show and of course Fantasmic at night...

AK has - Dinoland (playground), Triceratops (Dumbo with Dinosaurs), maybe the Dinosaur Ride, Festival of the Lion King show, Safari, train ride to Rafiki's Planet Watch, with Affection Station (petting zoo type attraction), a parade that we really enjoy, and much more.

BTW - Sea World is great too!

 

[Allensfan]

Well, we do have park hoppers, but it seems like so much effort to try and squeeze in AKL and then race over to MGM and see that park. I want to see the parks, maybe go back to the hotel at 4:00...relax for a couple of hours and then get cleaned up and back out for dinner.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Based on my experience last summer with DS6 If I was looking at a whole day I'd choose AK over MGM. Festival of the Lion King, and Kali River Rapids were big hits with my son. On the other hand, it might be nice to spend a day at the pool (AKL has a great pool!) and then go over to MGM for just a few hours to do the Fantasmic and the stunt shows. Fantasmic is really wonderful! Also, you might be able to do the new MGM character meal with Buzz and Woody and other Pixar characters.

However, my first choice would probably be to do neither AK nor MGM and instead go back for a 2nd day at M.K.. We spent two and a half days there on our trip, and when DS talks about going back everything he mentions is there -- Goofy's barnstormer, Stitch, Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad were his favorite rides. The early morning periods at MK are the best and if you go twice you'll be able to concentrate on Fantasyland/Fronteirland one day and Tomorrowland the other.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I just read that you do have park hoppers. In that case I'd get up early, do a few hours at M.K., leave there by noon to go back to the hotel and then do either the MGM character dinner and Fantasmic or the Fantasmic dining package.

I agree that trying to do a full day at A.K. and then the evening at MGM would be too much for 1 day.

 

[estnh]

For a younger child, I would definitly choose AK. MGM is really a great park for teenagers, but there is almost nothing for 6 year olds.

 

[Allensfan]

Now I feel really torn. I am not thrilled about either park because I just don't feel the excitement that I feel about MK and Epcot. I do get a bit of excitement at the thought of swiming with the sharks and playing in the water at TL. That is not a part of my package but I could always buy tickets to go. I just want to give my little boy the best vacation possible.

 

[princessesrule4]

AK is my 10 year old DS's and DH's favorite park! There is definitely a lot to do for a 7 year old boy! I know you really don't want to but if you could get to AK at opening , you could do most of what you want by 1 or 2pm. Then you could go to your room to relax for an hour or 2 since you are at AKL and then go experience MGM for the late afternoon /evening. My kids love Lights, Motors,Action ,the Indy Stunt Show, the Great Movie Ride and Star Tours. Then you would get to see Fantasmic,too. (You could have a quick dinner at Toy Story Pizza Planet beforehand!) Have a great trip!

 

[4greatboys]

With a 6 yr old I would go to MGM. They have Bear in the Big Blue House, Voyage of the little mermaid, Indiana Jones, Star Tours (my 6 yr olds favorite!), Lights, Motor, Action, the backlot tour, Power Rangers (another fav for my ds). My 2 youngest sons (6 and 3) love the Stars and Motor Cars Parade, Honey I Shrunk the kids Playground and the Muppets.


At AK my kids like ITTBAB, Triceratop Spin and KS.

 

[goofy's friends]

My DS4 and DD7 (I just asked them) say AK for sure!!! They love FOLK, The parade was our favorite in all WDW and it screams Disney! The bug show (3D) is a boy favorite and the Dinosaur ride (if he wouldn't get scared). They loved digging in the boneyard, the Dumbo-like dino ride we did over and over, and the safari is wonderful! The Kali River Rapids was a favorite, too. The bird show was fun and we didn't have time for Rafiki's, but if you take it liesurely, you will. We love the animal trails, but we are animal fans.

About MGM, My kids did not enjoy. They were not famliar with movies in the GMR, Backlot tour, Indiana Jones, even Muppets. They did enjoy Star Tours, Mermaid, playground. We missed the Power Rangers. Another thing, MGM is a lot of scheduling because of the many shows.

One suggestion, eat at the new MGM breakfast (would have loved that!!), do a couple of can't stand to miss things at MGM, and head over to AK for the rest of your day.