If had to skip a park, would it be AK or MGM?

[DisneyDotty]

Gotta chime in here--you may want to reconsider a whole day at Epcot with your kids. Not sure they'd be interested in all the movies at the World Showcase. I think you can do all the parks if you start out early each day in a park (check Unofficial Guide for which park to do which day--use EMH as guide) and then head back to your hotel for rest/pool time. Then head to a park in the late afternoon/early evening.
My kids (DD 11 and DS 7) really loved AK this time. We went early in the morning and were done early afternoon.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[kbkids]

Gotta chime in here--you may want to reconsider a whole day at Epcot with your kids. Not sure they'd be interested in all the movies at the World Showcase. I think you can do all the parks if you start out early each day in a park (check Unofficial Guide for which park to do which day--use EMH as guide) and then head back to your hotel for rest/pool time. Then head to a park in the late afternoon/early evening.
My kids (DD 11 and DS 7) really loved AK this time. We went early in the morning and were done early afternoon.
Good luck and have fun!

You know, I totally missed this thought - but I agree. My kids really enjoy Future World in Epcot but can't wait to get out of the World Showcase. Epcot is usually a half day thing for us too. In fact, anytime we have done AK, we've park-hopped over to Epcot - and honestly, got to see everything we wanted to in both parks. We can easily do all four parks in three days and see everything we want to. Now, we've been alot - so we know what we want to see and what we can skip, so that helps us. But if you've got five days and park hopper tickets, I see no reason why you really can't see all four parks and not have to worry that you've missed something.

 

[Jalva22]

Do you like animal, safari-like things or are you very interested in movies? MGM is my least favorite park, but I don't care for movies that much (no, I don't know what's wrong with me! ). My wife loves movies and MGM is her very favorite park. Neither park is loaded with attractions, but both have some good shows IMO. I'd pick the one whose theme appeals to you most, unless you go with the park hopping option. As has been already posted, you can definitely do the best of both parks in a day.

That's the great thing about WDW. Four people came on our trip earlier this month and all four of us left with a different favorite park! There is truly something there for everybody!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I would skip AK. It is not a whole day park like the rest of them.

 

[minnie2me]

After visits to AK at all times of the year, July and August are the worst. The sidewalk paths are narrow and long, the pavement is scortching with guests jammed elbow to elbow, and most of the animals stay out of view during the day. In addition, the different food stops are packed with no seats. I'd opt for MGM!





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[cowtownmom]

We just got back and did all 4 parks again. We made the mistake of going to MGM late in the afternoon and missed most of the shows. They all end early and we did not know that. We did get in a few of them though. So, if you do MGM, make sure you go early in the day.

I think next time we go that we will skip AK. We've been twice now and it is just SOOO hot. We have a wonderful zoo here, so for us, the animals are not that big of a draw. But, if you don't have a good zoo that you can go to, I can understand the enjoyment of seeing all of the animals. And I do like seeing them there too. I think the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playground at MGM is better then the Dinodig playground at AK. There is not nearly as much shade at the AK one. All of the brown makes it seem so hot too.

If you don't like feeling crowded, AK is not as good on that factor. The walkways are much more narrow so that you are more crowded in trying to walk around.

 

[rgf207]

My personal preference would be to skip AK. My 2 most favorite rides are in MGM (ToT and RNRC). I think there are plenty of things to do in MGM and the themed restaurants are great (food is only sub par though)

 

[kate]

We do not have time to go to all the parks and of course we must go to MK. I am dying to see Epcot as I have never been there before. We will only have time for one more park, so between AK and MGM, which would you skip and which would you go to?

We are a family of four with two kids, ages 6 and 4.

Thanks!

I vote for going to AK. We like it even better than MK. We took our daugher when she was 4 (to all the parks) and again when she was 6. Both times MGM bored her. AK was the winner. It is "not just a zoo". As my daugher says, "It is way cool." Have your kids create a Mask at Epcot when touring the World Showcase, otherwise it can be boring for the little ones.

Have fun.

 

[afcgirl]

Thanks for the additional input.

I have decided, for better or worse, to go to MGM and skip AK. The main reasons are 1) the heat and 2) AK has no Early Magic Hour while we are there. At MGM, we will be able to take advantage of the extra morning hour. I also think my kids will enjoy Playhouse Disney, Beauty and the Beast and Muppetvision. My DH will like ToT and RocknRoller Coaster.

I am a little bummed about missing Kilimanjaro and the Lion King, but there's always next year!

Thanks again!

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I would miss AK.
We often go to the Bronx Zoo which blows it away, and the rides at MGM are much better.
THough seing them build Everest that may change in the future.

Besides as someone else stated, the heat at AA seems 10 degres hotter.

 

[kbkids]

Thanks for the additional input.

I have decided, for better or worse, to go to MGM and skip AK. The main reasons are 1) the heat and 2) AK has no Early Magic Hour while we are there. At MGM, we will be able to take advantage of the extra morning hour. I also think my kids will enjoy Playhouse Disney, Beauty and the Beast and Muppetvision. My DH will like ToT and RocknRoller Coaster.

I am a little bummed about missing Kilimanjaro and the Lion King, but there's always next year!

Thanks again!

If your boys are Toy Story fans, this is my 4 yr old's favorite park to see all the characters - you get Buzz, Woody, and Jessie all at one time. Al's Toy Barn is a stop we have to routinely make so he can say hello to everyone.
Not sure if they will still be there, but right now, they've also got the Incredibles and the Power Rangers. I'm so hoping they are there in October because mine haven't seen these guys before and would love it!

Your kids will also love the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. It's a good break for Mom and Dad too. Mine also enjoy Indy's Stunt Spectacular.

I think you made a good choice. Hope you have a great time!!

Oh, and don't miss Fantasmic!! It's worth the wait!

 

[bubba73]

If you would have to skip a park, I would skip AK. It is an ok park but just isn't my cup of tea. I love MGM. Now, I do agree with the fact that it would be a good idea to have the hopper ticket. It would help you be able to see both parks.

 

[Rootskate]

For us it would be AK that we skipped. (Actually, we do skip it.)

 

[4theloveofdisney]

I haven't read through all of the replies yet so I'm sure someone has probably already mentioned this. IMO, both parks are easily done in 1/2 a day. If you get to AK when it opens, and if you have a plan in mind, you will really be able to do a lot. I would plan on leaving between 1:00 and 2:00 and then head to MGM, where I would also have a plan of must do's. You should even be able to hit the afternoon parade there. You can end the night there with Fantasmic.

If not, we really prefer MGM over AK.

 

[The Phantom Blot]

I would personnally go to MGM. They have a lot more to do there and much bigger thrills. But for kids that little, AK would be a better option.

 

[slo]

I didn't read all the other posts - but I would skip Animal Kingdom. We didn't care for this park very much and we always have fun at MGM.

 

[Suzanne74]

I haven't seen any of the replies but my guess is that you are going for 4 days?? Do you have hoppers? I would do 2 whole days in MK, one morning in Epcot future wolrd, one eve in MGM (their parade is at 5:30pm and Fantasmic late too), one morning in AK and the last night to go back to whatever park you need to catch up on, maybe Epcot for Illuminations and WS or MGM if you want to see more stuff.

If you don't have hoppers - with that age, I would do AK. I have an almost 4 yr old and she wasn't a fan of MGM. She was sick of all the shows - thats really all MGM is, there are no rides for preschoolers at all. Sure some of the shows are cute but it gets old quick - and most are very girly!!!

AK has the safari, Rafiki's train and petting zoo with a scavenger hunt for pretend animals (my dd loved this!) The Dinosaur ride that is like Dumbo, the rapids are fun for little ones too, I think you only need to be 38" for it. Then, the Boneyard - dd could have stayed in there all day. Camp Mickey is a great place for pics - they seem to always be out. The boardwalk style games are fun too. Lion King is a must see too!!! I just think it is a better diverse park and lost of fun stuff to explore and see - MGM for little ones is tough, esp a whole day. We knocked it out in 4 hrs last time we were there and nothing too exciting but seeing Buzz and Woody - and you can see them at MK.

 

[tamu91]

with two little ones, skip MGM

 

[DOOM1001]

If you're going for five days there's no reason you should skip either park. If you get to AK at opening you could probably do most of the park by 2 or 3 pm. If I absolutely had to skip a park it would definitely be Ak. Definitely don't miss MGM, you have the new stunt show, cool thrill rides , classic attractions and cool shows, plus Fantasmic at night. AK most of the year is closing at 5 or 6 so they don't expect you to stay a full day anyways. Spend 2 full days at MK and Epcot maybe taking a break in the afternoon to go back to your hotel to come back later for Wishes, Spectromagic and Illuminations. A third day go to AK in the morning until 2 or 3pm, come back to the hotel hit the pool, then later maybe go to Downtown Disney.The fourth day sleep in a little bit,head to MGM about noonish and spend the rest of the day there staying to catch Fantasmic.If it gets hot in the middle of the day head to an indoor attraction or show, they've got plenty of them or eat lunch at the Sci-fi dine in theater or the 50's Prime Time Cafe. The fifth day head back to MK or do as you please. Have Fun!!

 

[afcgirl]

A few of you mentioned going to AK in the morning and then MGM at night to catch Fantasmic. My only hesitation is that one of the main attractions at MGM for my kids will be Playhouse Disney and Beauty and the Beast and I read they stop these early in the day. If I get to MGM after 2:00 pm will these shows still be running (and will we get in with the heavy crowds)? Will my DH still be able to get on ToT and RocknRoller Coaster?

Thanks for the tips!