IOA + MK vs 2 days at MK

[LadyL]

Hello all…I’m new here, but really struggling with this decision. Taking our family of 4 to Disney in June: we will be in Orlando for 5 days. 4 days of Parks and 1 day of rest at on-site hotel. 1 day at Epcot for my space obsessed 7 year old daughter and 1 day at AK. I’m not sure what to do with the other 2 days remaining. Should we do 2 days at MK or 1 day at IOA and 1 day at MK? My 4 year old son loves Spiderman and my kids love Dr. Suess. I’d love to do the Harry Potter rides, but they are mostly too little except for Flight of the Hippogriff. At the same time, I don’t want to feel too rushed with 1 day of MK. It’s my son’s first time and My daughter can’t remember much from her first trip 4 years ago.
All suggestions appreciated!

 

[stinkpickle]

For such a short trip, I wouldn't mix Disney and Universal parks. It's much more economical to stick with one.

 

[Dis Dragon]

You didn't mention Hollywood Studios, are you avoiding it?

For your schedule, I would just plan on hitting 1 Disney park a day. Our family has always park hopped and squeezed as much as we could even when the kids were younger.

For a long day (with a break), you could do AK and then end with Epcot, do HS on another day and bookend MK.

 

[LadyL]

Thanks for your replies! Both good points. Yes, I’m not planning on doing HS. Just not enough interest for the attractions and shows there…

 

[LoveToDisney]

I’d do 2 days at MK with your kids age. Lots to do and repeat favorites. Too young for US…keep that in your back pocket for the teen years when they are getting bored with Disney.

 

[Dis Dragon]

Thanks for your replies! Both good points. Yes, I’m not planning on doing HS. Just not enough interest for the attractions and shows there…

I'm really surprised between Toy Story and Star Wars you don't have any fans. HS is turning into a really good park, it's just usually over crowded.

If you're really against HS, you should do 2 days at MK and 1 day at Epcot and AK. Don't forget there's some really good restaurants at Disney Springs to sprinkle in there as well.

 

[lockets]

One day at IOA and one day at MK. Because you said your kids like a lot of the IOA themed rides so that’s a proven good use of your $. Plus they still get one day at MK. During the one day at MK you can be selective/strategic about what to do so you don’t feel rushed.

 

[CynBeth]

I also agree with such a short trip just stick to Disney and do 2 MK days in addition to 1 day at AK and Epcot. Get park hoppers so you can spend an evening at Epcot as well after AK we usually need 2 days for that park. Or skip the rest day and do a second day at Epcot.

 

[nicksinger8]

Being able to spread MK over 2 days is surely the way to go. It is the jewel in the Crown and one of the world's best theme parks - to be able to do that at your leisure, doing all the key rides and taking in the atmosphere and shopping; I suspect you may still not get it all done! 1 day at MK and 1 day at IOA will be very tiring and rushed especially as you are in parks 4 days out of 5 with two little ones. Even that might be a push in the Florida heat.

 

[Selket]

Assuming the cost is not a factor (cheaper to add 1 day of parks to your 4 day park ticket vs. buying IOA tickets). Also assuming you have another adult with you to do something with the kids while you ride the adult rides? If you don't - I would not bother with IOA unless you're a die hard fan of something there like HP and you'd be thrilled just to look at it without riding.

Otherwise - your kids are young enough that any of the parks will make them happy most likely. Really much of the answer depends on your $$$ situation, if you're traveling with other adults, if it is unlikely you will return to Orlando for several years, etc.

At that age, my kids were all about the swimming pool. I always had to plan plenty of pool time. Regardless of what you do it will be a great trip with little ones - enjoy!

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

are they potterheads?

 

[snikki]

I would do a second day at MK. I would also skip the rest day and do at least a half day at Hollywood Studios.

We haven't been to Universal in years but when we go back we will concentrate on Universal. Stay onsite for express pass and do a few days so we don't have to rush through the experience of the park.

The cost of doing two parks when adding days on my Disney tickets is so much cheaper deters us from doing both parks in one trip.

 

[hes122]

I agree with many of the others- add that 2nd MK day and save IOA for a different trip. It'll save you $$ and you won't feel rushed to get through everything in MK.

 

[Brian Noble]

For such a short trip, I wouldn't mix Disney and Universal parks. It's much more economical to stick with one.

When we go for a trip that is a week or less, we either do Only Disney, or Not Disney. For a Not-Disney week-long trip, we typically combine the Universal parks with Sea World.

There's more than enough to keep you entertained just within WDW; adding another destination just complicates the logistics. I also think that the Universal parks work a little better with tweens/teens than with kids in grade school.

 

[danceintherain]

My parents just spent $600 to plan for one day at Universal for just the two of them. Granted, they got park-to-park tickets and Express Passes, but the first day on any ticket is the most expensive.

We will likely plan a trip to just Universal when my kids are older. Like 16, 12, 8 and 5.

 

[emilyann704]

I had a great time at Universal (as an adult) but your kids might be too young for the Marvel themed rides, they were mainly roller coasters. The Harry Potter worlds were AWESOME and worth it even if you don't do the rides. But again, it probably makes sense just to do 2 days at Magic Kingdom since your kids are smaller and wait until they can ride some roller coasters before going to Universal.

 

[HeiHei2018]

I would stick to Disney only and go for two days at MK. We also have little interest in HS (or AK), so we usually did 2 days MK and 1 day Epcot. At 4 and 7, it is nice to have the option of re-riding favorites and taking time for cavalcades and shows and character sightings. We are not park hoppers or Disney Springs fans.

 

[kathy884]

My parents just spent $600 to plan for one day at Universal for just the two of them. Granted, they got park-to-park tickets and Express Passes, but the first day on any ticket is the most expensive.

We will likely plan a trip to just Universal when my kids are older. Like 16, 12, 8 and 5.

We are doing the same thing for four of the eleven in our party who are doing one park to park day at Universal/IOA over spring break. It's $345 pp for the day for each of the four: $194 one day park to park ticket, $130 pp one time express pass for both parks on that busy day, and $21 in taxes. Now, as seven of the eleven don't even want to do Universal/IOA these days, a trip doing just Universal isn't in the cards. It was a little painful for me even though it was in the budget to click accept and buy those expensive tickets and passes given my bean counter personality lol. I think my 20 somethings who want to go will have a blast though.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

IOA has the Seuss land and not much else for very young kids. Don't think a 4 year old could ride the Spiderman ride or most of the other rides outside Seuss, although he might get to see Spiderman.