How many days at each park..

[Alisha's mom Sarah]

We are going Sept 1-9. I have planned 2 full days at MK and one at each other park along with 2 waterpark days. We will arrive to the airport around noon on the 1st so I could add a 1/2 day at a park.
I will be traveling with 5 y/o, 8 y/o and 10 y/o girls. Trying to decide if Epcot or DHS would be going for 1/2 day. I think they will like the shows at DHS, but not sure if 1 day is enough at Epcot. Thoughts if either of those parks would be worth an extra 1/2 day? Otherwise, we will just go to DTD and maybe swim at the pool on arrival day..

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Epcot is a hard one to figure out, because everyone does it differently. If you plan on taking in World Showcase, meet some characters there, and maybe some dining, then I think you can easily add the extra half day to Epcot. But if you are just focusing on Future World, then just one day should be enough.

Likewise with DHS, it kind of depends on your family's intention with the "big" rides. If you plan on Star Tours, ToT and RnRC, then the extra half day may be useful. But if you are going to focus mainly on the shows, probably one day is good.

 

[ArmyVet80]

2 days: MK (one normal day and one MNSSHP day)
3 days: Ep (F&W festival)
1 day: HS
.5 day (at most): AK
1.5 days: DTD and resort time

Really it varies to some degree but this is one of our typical trips. We also usually hit up AK our first day after we land to kind of get it out of the way. AK usually closes at 5 pm while we are there so we make an ADR for DTD or at a resort (yachtsmen or Cali Grill). We rarely use the water parks because the resort has a pool and hot tub which is all we need.

 

[Deanie1]

I think that AK warrants a full day, especially with kids of those ages. I would even do Safari twice, if possible, as different animals are active at different times.

 

[tink9702]

If your girls like the countries and characters in Epcot I'd plan your extra 1/2 day there. If that isn't a big draw then I'd do pool/DTD on your arrival day. I think 1 day at DHS is fine for girls those ages.

 

[itchin2go]

I would not spend any time at DTD right now - so many complaints about the construction.

My family cannot do a trip without 2 days at MK and 2 days at Epcot (but we love World Showcase). We have trouble filling a half day at AK and DHS. That said, on our first trip to DHS, we had a good day. We just don't really want to see most of the shows again. Contrast that to our first day at AK, where we left after lunch, kind of confused as to why we had blown a whole days' admission on the park.

 

[bwang123]

2 days at Animal Kingdom for sure.

 

[Figmentmommy]

I would do the extra half day on your arrival day at MK - that would be my first choice. For us nothing compares to kicking off our trip there. You can plan your 3 FP, enjoy the fireworks and just walk around. My second choice would be EPCOT. We always want just a little extra time in the World Showcase.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

MK..2................EPCOT..2................HS...1...........AK..1.............water park..1

AKK

 

[Tomh]

I would probably do 1 day, maybe even just half a day at the water park. EPCOT and MK both need 2 full days for me (actually, typically we do 4 days for each of those parks on a 10 day trip, 1 day at AK and DHS).

 

[Lucius Best]

On trip with 7yo niece, we figured MK would be the favorite, but had no idea how much she would like other parks so we planned 6 day trip as follows: Epcot/MK/HS/MK/AK/MK. MK days were full days. Other park days were "winging it", FP+ were reserved in the morning, and we did rope drop, but we had no idea how long we would stay. HS and AK ended up being half days, because after doing so much in the mornings, niece was ready to go back to pool.

If your plane is arriving at noon, not sure it's worth it to go to a park that day, but with FP+ you could certainly hit MK and get in a few rides without being out too late.

I personally would avoid DTD with all the construction that's been going on. With 2 water park days you must really like water parks, but those could also be half days. Once you have 4+ day park tickets, it's only $10 to add additional days. So you add a morning at a park, leave at noon, and go to water park until close. That could give you some flexibility. What if the kids end up loving HS, or AK? On one of your water park days, you could revisit that park in the morning while it isn't busy, then hit the water park.

 

[Disney Mom 7272]

We do 2 days at Magic Kingdom, 2 days at Hollywood Studios, 1 day at Epcot and 1 day at Animal Kingdom. My girls are 5 and 7. We do not park hop and this works well for our family. It's our third year in a row doing it this way!!

 

[AuntNi]

Like everything Disney-related, everyone has different priorities. But Epcot is our whole family's favorite park, and at both age 10 and age 13, it is where my DD would prefer to spend extra time. She loves the World Showcase so much - we all do. If yours are into character meeting, it seems to be an easy place to do those meet & greets - looked like shorter lines than MK.

I also see the appeal of going to MK on the first day, too - it's just quintessential Disney, IMO.

 

[Alisha's mom Sarah]

My girls really do love water parks. We have such a short summer here that they will for sure want to spend 2 days there. I will add at least one day to our passes, maybe 2.. The girls don't know we are going yet. I'm going to let them open the Magic Bands to find out.. Thanks for your opinions everyone. I know that everyone does thins differently, but it's nice to hear what works for different people.

 

[Catvondita]

I always end up staying at HS for a full day but I do consider it a half day park. If you want to do the biggies like ToT and RN'RC you have more than enough time. Epcot is a different story. I think most people need At least 2 full days. There's just so much to see and experience. The World Showcase is a different park in a sense and deserves a full day. Also WS isn't a park that you should just zoom through as there are plenty of food and drink options so for me its meant to be enjoyed slowly. I personally love having a Gran Marnier Orange Slush ( or 2 or 3!) and sitting down in France and just relaxing and people watching. Granted you have kids so this may not be possible but I would spend any extra time you can at Epcot.