If you HAD to skep a park, which one?

[8 Ears]

We are not sure we will be able to fit the 4 parks in, wich one would you skip and why? 10yr DS and 13yr DS have never been to WDW. We were thinking about skipping Epcot? What do you think? We will be staying at AKL in December. Thanks

 

[graygables]

We would skip MGM. There is just so much more to see and do in Epcot and it is my DDs (18, 15, 8, 5) favorite park, with MK and AK running a tight 2nd & 3rd. We never go to MGM for more than 1/2 a day and last time we were there, both ToT and RnR were not working, so it was a real waste of time for the teens.

It's all relative, but I would *never* miss Epcot!

 

[hydster]

My opinion is just the opposite of greygables..LOL!

Our kids were 9,7 and 3 but they got SO bored at Epcot they were begging to leave after 20 min. Once they rode Test Track they were done for the day. We don't plan on doing anything but WDW and MGM/AK this trip. Fortunately since we had park hoppers we just left and went to AK instead. We didn't get much of a chance to go through MGM since it was a cold downpour and we were miserable so we plan on going to MGM again. If you get Park Hopper's though and you get to one park and do everything you want to do you can go to another park that sounds more "exciting" if you want.

My opinion was Epcot for our kids was boring. We however didn't give it a very long chance either because they kids kept whining about wanting to go somewhere FUN!

Heidi

 

[jrabbit]

Now there's the hardest decision to make.

The Magic Kingdom: All of the magic of Disney - nope can't skip that one.
Epcot: Full of fun and educational attractions. If the kids like thrills there's Test Track and Mission Space - two of the bigger thrills Disney has.
Disney-MGM Studios: Pretty good attractions - Like thrills, there's THe Tower of Terror and the Rockin' Rollercoaster. Like shows, the Indy Stunt show is spectacular, Muppets 4D is a hoot and Little Mermaid is really well done.
Animal Kingdom: Great combination of animals and rides and shows.

Are you getting 3 - one day tickets? If not you can park hop (go to multiple parks in one day). If you are able to park hop I would spend some time in each of the parks.

Here are some generalizations:
Animal Kingdom: be there first thing in the AM (people say you can do this park in 1/2 day). Do the Safari Ride, Count Down To Extinction and the Kali River Rapids first. You can catch Bugs Life almost anytime in the day. THe Lion King show is not to be missed.

Epcot: Enjoy this park first thing in the AM or later in the evening. If you go later there is a good chance you WON'T be able to ride test track or mission space, but the crowds will be less and you won't have to long of a wait in any line. There is a lot to do and see here. Illuminations is a great show over the World Showcase lagoon (closes the park)

MGM: If you get there when the park opens and hustle through the attractions you can see almost everything in 3/4 of a day.

Magic Kingdom: it's really a two day park and you have to start the day when the park open.

Sometimes its tough, but you have to make it to the parks BEFORE they open. We will wait 30-60 minutes outside of the park so we can be in the first wave in. In the first 2 hours (3 hours if you take advantage of the surprise mornings) you can experience more attractions than you can in the next 4 hours.

If your are not staying on site (therefore you can't do the surprise mornings) DO NOT go to the park that has had the early opening that day - it will be more crowded than normal - especially earlier in the day).

I know I didn't tell you which park to skip, but hopefully with this info and more questions you will be able to make your decision. We are kinda faced with this same delima, but we have only 2 days. Since we can't make a decision, we are buying 5 day passes so we can park hop and save 3 days for our next trip to WDW.

 

[two-foxes]

I guess I am on the same page as jrabbit.....

Since AK generally closes earlier than the rest of the parks, why don't you go there for the majority of the day, then head over to Epcot at around 4 or 5 for dinner in the country of your choice, take a spin on test track or Mission:Space then check out IllumiNations, which is so amazing. I, imagining I am a kid, would have the least fun at Epcot as a whole....but as an adult, the food and adult beverages keep me interested!!!

 

[8 Ears]

Wow, thanks for all super fast responses. We will have a 4-day hopper but not sure what time we will get there on day 1. jrabbit, I had the feeling we could do MGM in less than a day. AK also seems like it will not take a whole day. Still not sure but am thankful for all your opinions!

Thanks.

Anyone else have different thoughts about which one to skip?

Hurry December!!!!!

 

[april riddle]

This is a hard one - but I might skip animal kingdom if I had been there before. I love Magic Kingdom and MGM (my 10 year old is a star wars fanatic). If you have a park hopper you can split a day and go to two parks if there are certain things you want to see. One of the things I love at Animal kingdom is the tree of life - everytime we go we see different animals. good luck with your choice - it is really hard to do.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I wouldn't skip Epcot. It might not be your kids' favorite, but it just might end up being yours. (It is mine). Plus, in December, they have the tree lighting ceremony and also the Candlelight Processional. When we only had 3 days, we did one day at MK, one day at Epcot and the third we spent the first half the day at AK and then headed over to MGM for the second half. Both parks are neat and don't take an entire day to see. If you want to skip a park, I would skip AK.

 

[Hygiene99]

U have to go on Mission Space at Epcot....................


Half day at AK and half at Epcot... ( EVERY PARENT CARRY'S ONE TODDLER ) = Epcot And U have to see the night time Fireworks show at Epcot....... Will be along day but worth it......

Will need a good portion of the day to see MGM... and u must SEE
Fantasmic the night time show AT MGM.....


No need to skip any one park just skip a couple of things at each.....

 

[jwann]

IMHO -
try to make all 4 parks with your park hopper - get a planning book (We liked "Walt Disney World with Kids" and their "Don't miss" lists (grouped by age groups) were "right on" and then plan your visits accordingly.

Our family loves EPCOT (the boys don't neccesarily like the World Showcase but love the pavillions and Innoventions) and we actually spend the LEAST amount of time in the Magic Kingdom.

My family's preference list:
1. Epcot (at least 1 full day for us)
2. MGM (at least 1 full day for us)
3. Animal Kingdom (usually 1/2 day for us)
4. Magic Kingdom (usually 1/2 day for us)
but we usually park hop throughout the day

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Another vote to skip AK.

We've done WDW each year for 6 years in a row, and we only do AK every other year. It closes too early, and even though it's better than a zoo, there's too much we don't want to miss at the other parks.

 

[sitchu2]

I would do it all if you have not done so lately. My option would be to split 2 days .

Day 1 Magic Kingdom. If closes earlier then 9pm go to Epcot , try to ride spaceship earth, testrack, and mission space and cap off the night with illuminations.

Day 2 Epcot-- see all the pavilions, and finish off world showcase. Just try to hit all the highlights, and be finished by the afternoon hours, it will be an abreviated tour , but youll get the best of.

Head to MGM via friendship boat out of the world showcase exit, and try to commando the highlights of mgm. Finish off the night with fantasmic.

Day 3 Early start at animal kingdom. Again Hit the highlights. Aim to leave by 3pm and go back to your favorite : MK or MGM .

This can be done easily with the help of a good guidebook, this way you can list all your must do's beforehand.

Good Luck

 

[goin2disneyagain]

My vote would be to skip MGM.

 

[prymsu]

my family would skip Epcot. Just too darn much walking for us.

 

[goingbacksoon]

Another alternative maybe...

Maybe skip the World Showcase part of EPCOT, and only take the kids to future world. They are essentailly seperate parks anyways, and the kids probably don't care much for German food or tasty French pastries. I know we do, but flashback to middle school, and I know I would have liked a cool space simulator and a test car track roller coaster better.

AK, MGM, and Magic Kingdom are not to be missed. Trust me

goingbacksoon

 

[jilljill]

I would skip Animal Kingdom.
DD is almost 10 and Epcot is her favorite park with MGM being a very close 2nd. She loves to visit BB Good at Radio Disney at MGM - she comes out to meet the kids at 4:15 Mon.-Fri. and hands out goodies.

 

[dclwdwlover]

I completely agree with jwann. I have 4 boys who have grown up going to WDW & they all like something different. No. 3 son has never liked AK since it opened. He goes if we ask him to, but usually opts to stay behind if there is a way to.

The younger they are the more they will love MK, but at this point, with my youngest being 13, we pretty much do MK in 3-4 hrs. & they've had enough for the whole trip. I remember spending entire days/nights there when they were younger.

My kids have always loved MGM, but they also like roller coasters & fast moving things (ToT). They love the studio tour & the Muppets, as well - even at 13 & 18yo.

I remember thinking EPCOT's World Showcase was boring when I was younger - now it's one of my favorite places to be. However, my kids only enjoy going into 2-3 of the countries & then are itching to head into Innoventions, Mission Space & Honey I Shrunk the Audience.

Again, it's all in what your kids like. I also recommend getting one of the books to research the rides & attractions. With good planning you can cover everything in every park that you/they want to.

It was good advice from the others to split up your days. We ALWAYS start at one park in the am & move to another in the afternoon. Depending on what's going on & the day - sometimes it's 2 parks a day - sometimes it's 3. We just rotate it back & forth depending on shows, fireworks, weather, etc.

 

[two-foxes]

I can't believe so many people would skip AK!!!!! How can you skip Dinosaur or the Safaris or Bug's Life!!!! Those are my favorites and I would imagine kids would dig it, too.....

Ok, to each their own (I know I have said that here many times before )

 

[GUNER]

EPCOT IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITES. THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO AND SEE. MY DS 10 AND DD 8 LOVE IT. IF I WERE TO SKIP A PARKI WOULD HAVE TO SAY AK. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE BEEN TO WDW 6 TIMES AND AK 6 TIMES, THE OTHER PARKS WE GO TO AT LEAST TWICE EACH. WE WILL DO ALL PARKS TWICE EXCEPT AK THIS TIME AROUND. WE WILL GO ONCE BUT ONLY BECAUSE DB HAS NOT BEEN. I SUGGEST GOING TO AK IN MORNING AND MGM IN AFTERNOON. EPCOT FOR SURE IN THE EVENING. THE FIREWORKS ARE A NOT MISS. WE SEE THEM EVERYYEAR. DON'T FORGET THE BOARDWALK THAT YOU CAN WALK TO FROM EPCOT.

 

[CACruiser]

I would probably skip MGM. I never miss Epcot and my kids love it too! They will be 10 and 6 this trip and still look forward to it!

They love the different countries and how each person in each area is really from that country. We get the passport book and they collect different autographs from various CM's in their own language. We also plan on eating at least two meals in the countries and get to sample different treats. The resturaunts are ALL kid freindly too.

I also really adore the Animal Kingdom. Beautiful park.

We tend to take 1/2 day, if at all, at the MK...because we are from California and Disneyland is available to us. We go into MK to see the things that are not present at DL.....or slightly different.

Have a great trip!
LisaCA