How Many Days in MK?

[ksrogers]

We are going for 5 days at the end of June and first couple days in July and are trying to decide how many days to spend in MK. We are traveling with DD4 and DD6 and want to meet almost all characters and ride most rides that they are able to ride. Our original plan was to spend 2 days at MK, and 1 day each AK, Epcot and HS. But now we are wondering if we should leave out the day at AK or Epcot for an extra day at MK. We don't have hopper passes so that is not an option for us. I would love to hear the different opinions from people to help us make our decision easier!

 

[Robo]

Hoppers would make a lot of sense for you.
I'd take another look that that option.

 

[asmit4]

I know this will get a lot of thumbs down....but I'd go 3 at MK and 2 at AK and skip DHS and Epcot.

 

[bastos]

I'd still go to all of the parks. Both Animal Kingdom and Epcot both have pretty good character meet and greets - some of which are only in those parks. Plus, you can also meet the duplicate characters quicker in those areas.

For example: Mulan - Epcot. Only (really...) Epcot also has QUITE a few Princesses you can zip through. Animal Kingdom can be similar. Not certain if Up characters on the list - again - just there. Along with the Dino Dance Party to knock out a few more obscure characters.

Really? I'd go everywhere - and just plan for longer days at MK - with a possible break. I wouldn't miss any park. But that's just me.

Of course, on our first visit, we stayed 4 days at MK, 2 at Epcot, and one each at HS and AK.

 

[minniegirl19]

if characters are important id definitely do epcot… they have a lot of characters some that aren't in other parks (like mulan) around world showcase and lines are usually a little less then the ones at mk… animal kingdom has characters like dug and russell from up among a few others and HS has different characters like vanellope and ralph and the incredibles i definitely wouldn't skip any park but if you were to skip one i would skip HS because some rides might not appeal to your little ones

 

[CaryHaven]

We are going for 5 days at the end of June and first couple days in July and are trying to decide how many days to spend in MK. We are traveling with DD4 and DD6 and want to meet almost all characters and ride most rides that they are able to ride. Our original plan was to spend 2 days at MK, and 1 day each AK, Epcot and HS. But now we are wondering if we should leave out the day at AK or Epcot for an extra day at MK. We don't have hopper passes so that is not an option for us. I would love to hear the different opinions from people to help us make our decision easier!

I personally wouldn't skip Epcot. I'd rather skip HS or AK. In fact,except for this upcoming trip, we have always skipped HS. It just depends on what you're into, but my little girl is way into animals over much of anything at HS. It's only a half day at AK (and I hear HS), and I just really enjoy Epcot, especially the aquarium area and the World Showcase. MK is my favorite, and I can easily spend three days there.

I think in your case I'd keep your original schedule.

 

[DisMama5]

Everyone will probably tell you, it depends on your children.. Which is so very true! It sounds like you are in the same boat as my family was our last trip, with younger ones and meeting characters being a priority. On our last trip we spent the most time at Magic kingdom, then DHS, then AK and then Epcot. Epcot does have a good amount of characters but most being princesses, but other then that for your ages of your kids there isn't so much for them unless. The world showcase IMO is more for teens and adults, my daughter only enjoyed nemo and turtle talk at Epcot and meeting Mickey and friends at character spot which of who you could meet at MK also. So needless to say our family will be skipping Epcot next time or atleast only doing a night there. Now that's just my family. For our kids and ages, tastes, etc., MK and DHS were the best options and AK was right up there also because our kids love zoos and animals so Ak having that and Disney all in one park was great. We picked more days at MK and DHS Only because our kids enjoy fantasy land because they are young (3-7) and it had the most for them, they enjoyed meeting the characters at MK also. DHS was the second best because they all enjoy Disney junior still and the shows at DHS were very entertaining for them.. (Little mermaid, fantastic, Indiana jones, car stunt show). If I were you I would do 3 days at MK, 1 at DHS and 1 at AK But again it all depends on the taste of your kids style to the parks. Many people I've noticed on these boards say they would never skip Epcot but for us it's a definite skip, our kids are just too young to enjoy that park really for what it is or even at all.

 

[Zooshoveller]

We are going for 5 days at the end of June and first couple days in July and are trying to decide how many days to spend in MK. We are traveling with DD4 and DD6 and want to meet almost all characters and ride most rides that they are able to ride. Our original plan was to spend 2 days at MK, and 1 day each AK, Epcot and HS. But now we are wondering if we should leave out the day at AK or Epcot for an extra day at MK. We don't have hopper passes so that is not an option for us. I would love to hear the different opinions from people to help us make our decision easier!

Check out Kennythepirate.com He has everything you need to know about character M&Gs. Character meals are a great option to meeting a lot of characters by NOT standing in lines in the heat!

It's hard to say whether or not your kids would enjoy other parks. I would get hoppers and loosely plan 1/2 days at HS EP and AK, and the afternoons back at MK.

 

[jkf26]

I would try to go to all the parks. They each have something unique to offer. If I had to skip one I would skip HS. I also agree if you can get character meals this is a great option to meet the characters w/o waiting in long lines.

 

[MinnieMe129]

Everyone will probably tell you, it depends on your children.. Which is so very true! It sounds like you are in the same boat as my family was our last trip, with younger ones and meeting characters being a priority. On our last trip we spent the most time at Magic kingdom, then DHS, then AK and then Epcot. Epcot does have a good amount of characters but most being princesses, but other then that for your ages of your kids there isn't so much for them unless. The world showcase IMO is more for teens and adults, my daughter only enjoyed nemo and turtle talk at Epcot and meeting Mickey and friends at character spot which of who you could meet at MK also. So needless to say our family will be skipping Epcot next time or atleast only doing a night there. Now that's just my family. For our kids and ages, tastes, etc., MK and DHS were the best options and AK was right up there also because our kids love zoos and animals so Ak having that and Disney all in one park was great. We picked more days at MK and DHS Only because our kids enjoy fantasy land because they are young (3-7) and it had the most for them, they enjoyed meeting the characters at MK also. DHS was the second best because they all enjoy Disney junior still and the shows at DHS were very entertaining for them.. (Little mermaid, fantastic, Indiana jones, car stunt show). If I were you I would do 3 days at MK, 1 at DHS and 1 at AK But again it all depends on the taste of your kids style to the parks. Many people I've noticed on these boards say they would never skip Epcot but for us it's a definite skip, our kids are just too young to enjoy that park really for what it is or even at all.

I agree with this. You will get a lot of comments on this board favoring Epcot. We took DD3 to Epcot this past Feb JUST to meet Anna and Elsa. Aside from that, for us, the only other thing she enjoyed was meeting princesses (but she had already met them all at MK) and the Nemo ride. All of the science stuff was over her head and the bigger rides we didn't feel like we could do with her in tow. We also took her to Epcot on a prior trip for the princess dinner but didn't do anything else.

We leave in two days and HS is a MUST for us this trip because of Disney Junior. We get park hoppers and will do half a day at HS and the rest of the day at MK.

We did AK on our last trip too and DD liked it - lots of characters too.

For the age of your children, I don't really think you can go to MK too much. We did MK at least half a day for 7 days.

 

[IamOlafheisSven]

Our situation is similar to yours. We spent 7 days at WDW at the end of April / early May with DD6, DD4 and DS1 and we spent 3 days at MK, 1 at HS and one at Epcot.

HS was a must for us because the girls LOVE Sofia the First. We did the H&V character lunch which was great. It was also a chance for my wife and I to have some fun on ToT and RnRC (use Rider Switch)... There's not much in the way of M&Gs at HS that our girls like other than the Disney Junior characters.

Epcot has a lot of the M&Gs like others have said. Belle is a biggie as she does not have a M&G at MK anymore. Just the ETWB which is not the same. Pooh/Tigger are DS's favorites so UK was a must. Mary Poppins is Epcot only.

MK for three days allowed us to take a slower pace. We had FP for A&E which helped a ton. We met Merida just as the parade ended which beat the crowd. But in reality your girls will enjoy MK the most so why not spend your days there and pace yourselves. You'll approach the day with less pressure to get everything done in the two days. You can also take midday breaks which is very helpful. One other positive of 3 days: we didn't feel the pressure to the see all the parades/shows/fireworks in 1 or 2 days. Instead, one day we watched Dream and Wishes, the next we watched FoF and MSEP... the 3rd we did the street party....

AK is beautiful but we have seasons passes at our Zoo and we go 10-15 times per year so the appeal of the safari and the other animal exhibits is not high on our list.

 

[tng1920]

I plan for 2 days at MK. I have DD7, DD11 and DD20 so I have to do all four parks. We all love MK, planning for 2 days allows you to do a lot and take your time. We use base tickets and stay really late, never leaving the park. My youngest refuses to leave MK when we go. Our last trip she was 5 and I remember dragging her out of MK at 1:30am during EMH.

 

[MissionMouse]

Recommend upgrading to park hopper option tickets. Allows flexibility to adapt your plans based upon your families feedback and your observations. We always found the freedom they provide to be more than worth the added cost.

 

[nvlorenzai]

It sounds like you are in the same boat as my family was our last trip

 

[ksrogers]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I will be sure to check out Kennythepirate website. We talked about park hopper option or adding a day to our tickets. Does anyone know how much it would be to add park hopper to a 5 day base ticket? We also seen that it would only cost $10.65 each to add another day so that we are looking at too.

 

[PEC]

I would either add another day and go to MK or keep what you have and do MK twice and the other parks once. You will get a lot of discussion on this board and get various opinions of what other parks work well for your family. The reality is you probably need to go to all of them once so you can tell which ones work best for your family. Probably the only given is a 4 yo and 6 yo will like MK. The extra day or 2 at MK should meet that requirement. Now if you go back again, then you can better gauge which parks best fit your family.

 

[Robo]

Does anyone know how much it would be to add park hopper to a 5 day base ticket?

$60, per ticket, plus tax.

 

[think-like-tink]

I am going to say 2. We have 2 days in the past and will do 2 days this trip.

We have gone to all 4 parks the last couple of trips and love them all. But, this trip we are skipping Epcot. We are going with the 4day military salute ticket promo. this time.

 

[PartOfYourWDWorld]

I am a huge Epcot fan, but in your case, I would skip it to get a third full day at MK. I highly recommend hoppers though as AK (and maybe HS, depending on your kids interests) is not a full day park IMO.

 

[Aquatic]

I would rather add an extra day instead of getting park hoppers if that was an option because your kids are young. My dd was 5 when we went when it wasn't summer, and yet we couldn't imagine park hopping.