If You Could Skip 1 Park...

[Melany502]

I wish we skipped HS and did a full day at AK and Epcot. I didn't like HS much.

 

[smitch425]

For a repeat visit, I'd skip DHS.

For a first time visit, I'd reduce the MK days and see all the parks at least once. Matter of fact, I would not choose which park to visit for a second time until my family had had the chance to see all four and choose a favorite.

That is a great idea.OP, I would do MK and DHS first and decide if you think 3 days at MK is needed, and then decide what to do with the other three days based on your early experiences.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I would skip animal kingdom. I would say that's our least favorite park. I don't really think there is a lot to do there. They have the safari and that's great and their only other really good attractions are Everest expedition and dinosaur and those 2 rides can be scary for the little kids. They do have the boardwalk games which are fun but let's face it y would u spend all this money to go to disney and then spend more money on boardwalk games. I love Epcot and do does my DS7. But if u are planning on doing ALL of Epcot in 1 day wear really comfortable shoes. We tried to do Epcot in 1 day 2 years ago and my feet were screaming by the end of the day, anyways hope this helps!

 

[seenellie81]

i would not skip a park, i would do AK in the morning and epcot in the evening. AK is only a half day park but my kids love it and so do i...except for the roadside carnival part . You could also do MK 2.5 days and AK for a half day, HS 1 day and Epcot 1 day.

 

[MommaBarb]

For a repeat visit, I'd skip DHS.

For a first time visit, I'd reduce the MK days and see all the parks at least once. Matter of fact, I would not choose which park to visit for a second time until my family had had the chance to see all four and choose a favorite.

I agree with this. My kids enjoyed both Epcot and AK more than I thought they would. And the older ones may like more as well. My two are about the ages of your two younger ones and I can't imagine skipping any park. This time, we're only doing half days in DHS and AK, but our plans could change, since we do have hoppers.

If the Disney Jr characters are non-negotiable, which they used to be for mine, DHS is a must do. That's the only place they are, and I'd recommend eating breakfast or lunch at Hollywood and Vine.

 

[smitch425]

i would not skip a park, i would do AK in the morning and epcot in the evening. AK is only a half day park but my kids love it and so do i...except for the roadside carnival part . You could also do MK 2.5 days and AK for a half day, HS 1 day and Epcot 1 day.

I'm assuming OP is not interested in hoppers since she said she couldn't do both in one day. Plus, it will cost $300+ dollars to hop. That is an awfully large amount of money to spend on half a day in a park.

Also, to Disboards!

 

[ariel326]

I also agree about shorting your MK visits.
Granted we were at MK on a 8-1am day and were there from were there from 9:30am-12am, but pretty much saw it all and did everything we wanted to do.

If you want to see all 4 parks, consider shorting your time at Mk and squeeze in AK and DHS as well. Also definitely do Epcot

 

[AthenaBolina]

Interesting how almost everyone says to skip DHS or AK. when I went four years ago, my kids were 4.5, 8, 9.5x2 and they were bored out of their minds at Epcot. We did have a few fun rides, and loved the free sodas, but that was it. MK is our fave, followed by AK then DHS. Epcot bores us and when we go in May, we'll only spend a morning there and possibly come back for Illuminations one night. But my kids are almost all thrill seekers too, so that could be it as well.

 

[jess1662]

I'd skip Epcot. I think it's definitely more of an acquired taste.

 

[ariel326]

My 3 1/2 year old LOVED Epcot. He loved the rides in future world and love the different countries. I don't know if you truly "got it" but he was very excited to go from country to country, see the shows, meet the characters, and taste the food.

I remember HATING Epcot as a kid, but I also remember LOVING it. I think it depends on the pace you go and what you are forced to go see. 360 movies on china? yeah no thanks. Kidcots, character meet and greets and yummy treats? Sure! Sounds good!

 

[mlsst124]

I would not skip HS. You mentioned you are interested in the disney jr characters so you may also want to see lightning McQueen or phineas and ferb there too in addition to many of the things the other posters have mentioned. There is plenty to do to fill the day - for my kids it's a close 2nd behind MK. Between the last 2, my advice would be to read about the rides/shows at each and see which has more for your families interests. If it were me though I would skip AK - I think there are more unique rides and things to do at Epcot.

However I agree with the others that 2 days may be enough at MK.

 

[frozengurl]

I love Epcot... So this is hard for me to say BUT... I'd skip Epcot! DHS is fun withTSMM, and TOT... Even your 4 year old might be tall enough for. TOT if she/he is a brave one! The beauty and the beast show is great as well! Plus, like you said Disney Jr. For my 3 & 6 y/o Disney Jr. Characters are a must!
AK is a beautiful park that does not get enough credit! There is SO much to do there... My kids could have stayed forever in the boneyard alone! We only spent a half day in AK and were sad bc we felt like we missed so much we wanted to see... And it wasn't even a busy time!
Epcot.... As an adult I love it! But my kids were done with Epcot after TT, Sorin, Nemo, and Crush. I wish I would have spent a half day in Epcot and a full day in AK!

However, I agree with others that you should do 2 days at MK, and 1 day atoll the other parks. And if you have a hopper then do a half day at Epcot and hop over to MK for the evening!

 

[dumbolove]

I always loved Epcot as a kid. I'm 23 and it's still my favorite park! AK is just ok, but they have kid activities to do for kids. No kids with us when we go so we are out within 2 hours at AK. I would suggest looking at the lists of both parks and decide what your family would be into. We live near several zoos so seeing animals is never that big of a deal to us.

 

[ZoZo]

For a repeat visit, I'd skip DHS.

For a first time visit, I'd reduce the MK days and see all the parks at least once. Matter of fact, I would not choose which park to visit for a second time until my family had had the chance to see all four and choose a favorite.

i agree. I'd recommend spending at least one day in each park and repeating your favorites!! You might be surprised which ones you like the best.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

i agree. I'd recommend spending at least one day in each park and repeating your favorites!! You might be surprised which ones you like the best.

We were

 

[BigAlsGal]

I respectfully disagree. We never ride thrill rides and find plenty to do at DHS. Did you miss the part where OP wants to see the Disney Jr. Characters? She cannot do that at any other park.

The title states "if you could skip 1 park". I gave my park and why (based on my experiences with my kids). Not sure why this warrants a "well I respectfully disagree" response.

 

[Planogirl]

With kids that young, I'd skip Epcot. I just don't think that there is as much for them as at the other parks. I wouldn't have said that in the past.

 

[smitch425]

The title states "if you could skip 1 park". I gave my park and why (based on my experiences with my kids). Not sure why this warrants a "well I respectfully disagree" response.

I never used the word "well". I was respectfully disagreeing that there might only be a few things they would like. I asked if you missed what the OP had written in the post because your response made no sense with the question that was asked. Now that I know you based your answer on the title only, it makes sense. The question was which park to skip between AK and EPCOT. OP had already made the decision that DHS was a must do.

 

[BigAlsGal]

I never used the word "well". I was respectfully disagreeing that there might only be a few things they would like. I asked if you missed what the OP had written in the post because your response made no sense with the question that was asked. Now that I know you based your answer on the title only, it makes sense. The question was which park to skip between AK and EPCOT. OP had already made the decision that DHS was a must do.

I see. If it's between those two I would pick AK to skip. Epcot just has too many kid friendly things!

 

[hawkeyesparks]

Skip AK. Epcot has so much more to offer your whole family. The layout of the park is better for a family, the pavilions are great to see and explore at your own speed, and the FOOD OPTIONS are waaaay better!