How many days would you set aside for each park?

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

That always surprises me too since HS is our second favorite park (after MK) and we always spend two days there. It's the smallest, so it's easy to do and the rides are well worth more than one wait in line.

I agree about AK, I've never had an enjoyable experience there - we're going to try it again this year and see how it goes, but I remember being so drained on our first trip there that I didn't enjoy it very much. Didn't attribute it to the heat at that tim, but that's probably what it was.

Yeah, I enjoy the smallness of HS too. I feel like there's a lot packed into the small space though, and I always find things to keep me entertained!

We have tried AK twice now, and both times mom and I have fought b/c we can't handle the heat. It is very deceptive b/c when you first enter, it looks all cool and shady, and then you get to the back of the park and feel like melting. Our first trip there my parents planned the trip and were not aware that it closes early, so we showed up, ate at Tusker House, went on the safari, wasted a ton of time going to conservation station/Rafiki's Planet Watch (never again, thank you very much), got split up (which was the source of our first argument), our group saw It's Tough To be a Bug while everyone else was riding Kali, and then we found out the park was closed. I didn't get to ride Kali until last year (which was the source of our second fight, thus the title of my pre-trip report). This year it is important to do again b/c my niece and nephew have never been. I hope my mom survives.

 

[gary2411]

2 week

 

[Cad0587]

Problem solved! We added an extra day so now we have 7 days at the parks.. we figure 2 for Magic Kingdom, 2 for Epcot, 1 for Animal Kingdom and 1 for Hollywood Studios and then 1 extra day for whatever park the kids want to go back to!

 

[canopynut66]

We plan on going to all 4 parks... we have a 6 days pass. After really looking at things, I'm thinking we should maybe add a day! We've never been though. Those of you who've had the experiencs, how much time do you really need with each park?

we plan at least two days for MK and Epcot and we can do DHS in one day but two is more fun. AK is a whole full day as there are a lot of shows that take time over there. I tell my family to plan two days per park and if have time left then can go back where you want. We have been 62 times with #63 coming up the fall and we find something new to do each trip. so to us there is never enough time and we just have to return 7 days is a good place to start and then go from there. my cousin went last year and only wanted 5 days and she was crying getting onto Magical Express to leave as time went so fast

 

[Lisa71]

We do 2 at MK, 2 at Epcot, and one for AK, if we have time we do one at HS too, but since our kids are little (aka short) we are most likely skipping that one this year for a day at DTD. I like to plan a day at the resort, and one that is whatever we feel like. I do agree that AK is HOT! We loved the safari, and this year we might just do the safari, a show, and then back the resort after lunch. We have the character lunch at Tusker House reserved so that is my "end point" for the day. I was glad they added a character lunch since it gets us some a/c!

 

[jebobak]

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have the same question...

Going on our first trip to Disney, and it's just me, my wife and our DS9 (hope I got the palance down...) We'll be there Monday, May 7 through Wednesday, May 9, so the crowds should be moderate. This is all about DS9.

We've only got three days...maybe can be stretched into four. We're tentatively planning one day each for Epcot, HS, and MK, and maybe AK if we get an inkling... So, we are looking for advice on possibly how to spend our time.

My son is into science, space, and movies...and is tall enough for all the rides. He's not a huge Disney fan (gasp!), so he isn't into seeing particular characters or places. He really doesn't have any ideas or real notions of what's there. We've got park hoppers, so we can move around, and are staying at POFQ.

We know we are definitely doing Epcot and HS. We are moving to England next year, so the 'Around the World' tour in Epcot will be cool, but it's something we might be able to skim through...as we'll be seeing it for real very soon.

As for MK...there seems to be those who blast through it, and others really like it. Since this is all about what our son, what would a 9 y.o. boy like at MK?

He also likes animals, but we have been to zoos and aquariums across the country, so what would be 'new and interesting' at AK?

Thanks!

 

[jgualario]

If you have never ben to the WDW you don't know what you are missing. I would spend at least 1 full day in each park. Your son might surprise you when you get there and LOVE it like the rest of us.

 

[jebobak]

If you have never ben to the WDW you don't know what you are missing. I would spend at least 1 full day in each park. Your son might surprise you when you get there and LOVE it like the rest of us.

I am already sure he's going to love it...he just doesn't know it yet!!

I'd love to spend an entire day at each park, but I don't know if we can swing that 4th day...that's why I'd like some ideas on what a DS9 might most like to see. However, the more I look at AK, the less I think we should skip it...

So, if I may, I'd like to amend my original assumption that we'd skip AK, and ask another question...knowing that we've been to zoos, botanical parks, national parks, museums and aquariums from the west coast to the east coast, are there parts of AK that we could skip??

(Travelling is one benefit of being in the military...the fact that I am writing this from Afghanistan is one of the drawbacks... )

 

[AshleeH]

Jebobak, I would not skip the MK on your first trip! It might be a park you don't like, but you might love it! My boys are 5 and 8 and it is our favorite park to do each time we go (we make it there at least 4 times in a week). There are plenty of things for a 9 year old to do - the most obvious being the Mountains (Space, Splash, and Big Thunder). He might be too old for the Fantasyland rides, but Tomorrowland would interest him if he's into science and space. I think you've got the right idea with doing the three parks and possibly squeezing in AK if you can (that's the one park we only feel like going to for half a day - we love the other three!).

Have a magical first trip!

 

[chipdale74]

It does depend on whether you are going with kids are not. I would definitely plan for 2 days at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Epcot can get to be alot if you are not interested in the countries (still very nice to walk around the World Showcase). Take advantage of the extra hours they offer if you are staying on property. That can give some extra time when it won't be as crowded as during the day. Enjoy your vacation!