Is it worth missing DHS or AK for 2 days at MK?

[luvmyguyz]

Hi everyone!

We are going on our first family trip to Disney World next Monday! Hooray! We are traveling in a group of 7 - me, my hubby, our kids (daughter age 12, sons ages 4 and 2), my mom, and my MIL. I have been busy planning our itinerary using the help of the Unofficial Guide to Disney World 2010, but I need some advice.

We are staying 3 nights, 4 full days (arrive on Monday at 8:20 AM, leave on Thursday at 9:25 PM.) Right now, my plan is to go to Epcot on Monday (arriving there at 11 and hopefully in time to get FASTPASSes for Soarin'.) Then MK on Tuesday, AK on Wednesday (we are going to the Campfire Sing-A-Long at Ft Wilderness that night), and then DHS on Thursday (leaving for airport around 6:30 PM or so.) I've been reading about DHS, and I'm not sure if we should waste a day there, or if we should plan to go back to MK on Thursday instead. We didn't get park hopper since we're only there for 4 days.

What do you advise in this situation? Thanks!!

-Jackie

 

[katied]

I would skip either AK or DHS and spend another day at MK. I've made this choice lots of times when on shorter trips. There is so much to see and do at MK.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I would absolutely skip them with a 2 and 4 year old. MK is definitely a 2 day park. Also, it's school vacation week so it's going to be fairly busy...you'll need that 2nd day to finish even the highlights.

Also, are you renting a car? I'm just questioning your park arrival time. If you are taking ME....You might not be at the parks by 11am. That's cutting it pretty close. (I only mention this in case you have an early lunch ADR)

 

[Lovin' Disney]

How funny is this....next week WE will be at the MK on Tues (Spectromagic!) AND AK on Wed (Extra Magic Hours!) AND the campfire on Wed night--Snow White! It's a small world after all!

Anyway, I would also spend another day at the MK rather than going to DHS. With your 2 little ones at DHS, there really aren't too many rides they can go on and will enjoy. Toy Story Mania is the only one off the top of my head that I think they will enjoy. DHS has mostly shows to go to...Playhouse Disney, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, Lights Motors Action, etc.

If you think everyone will enjoy going on rides vs. sitting down and watching shows all day, I would go to MK. It will also tire them out before your flight!

Have fun and maybe we'll see you guys around!

 

[luvmyguyz]

We are renting a car, but I know that the 11 AM arrival time at Epcot is probably a stretch!

Ugg, I was hoping it wasn't a normal school holiday week - do you think it will be super crowded next week?

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We are renting a car, but I know that the 11 AM arrival time at Epcot is probably a stretch!

Ugg, I was hoping it wasn't a normal school holiday week - do you think it will be super crowded next week?

Here is the crowd calendar for your days...it's going to be packed but as long as you are prepared and use FP- you'll be fine

Mon, 19 Apr '10 8 best MK worst AK
Tue, 20 Apr '10 6 best MK AK worse EP
Wed, 21 Apr '10 6 best EP DS worst AK
Thu, 22 Apr '10 9 best AK worst MK EP


OH and in case you don't know what this means...here are the wait times at MK for those levels. This is WORST CASE SCENERIO though

Level Magic Kingdom
1 14 mins. or less
2 15 - 24 mins.
3 25 - 34 mins.
4 35 - 44 mins.
5 45 - 54 mins.
6 55 - 64 mins.
7 65 - 74 mins.
8 75 - 84 mins.
9 85 - 94 mins.
10 95 mins. or more

 

[luvmyguyz]

How funny is this....next week WE will be at the MK on Tues (Spectromagic!) AND AK on Wed (Extra Magic Hours!) AND the campfire on Wed night--Snow White! It's a small world after all!

Anyway, I would also spend another day at the MK rather than going to DHS. With your 2 little ones at DHS, there really aren't too many rides they can go on and will enjoy. Toy Story Mania is the only one off the top of my head that I think they will enjoy. DHS has mostly shows to go to...Playhouse Disney, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, Lights Motors Action, etc.

If you think everyone will enjoy going on rides vs. sitting down and watching shows all day, I would go to MK. It will also tire them out before your flight!

Have fun and maybe we'll see you guys around!

That's so funny! Where are you staying? We'll be in a family suite at ASMu. Maybe we'll see you at the campfire!

 

[Grandmouse]

Soarin' is in Epcot's Future World and they open at 9 a.m. With the high crowds for that week, FPs may be gone by the time you arrive.

 

[luvmyguyz]

Soarin' is in Epcot's Future World and they open at 9 a.m. With the high crowds for that week, FPs may be gone by the time you arrive.

That would be a shame, but I would rather go to AK when it opens to get FP for Expedition Everest - that's the one ride I personally don't want to miss. So that's why we are planning Epcot for arrival day. Soarin' would be fun, but if we miss out, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Just curious, how do they determine what the crowds will be like?

 

[Lovin' Disney]

We're staying at Pop. I honestly don't think it will be as busy as everyone thinks. Spring Breaks are over with and end of the year field trips haven't started yet. I personally don't care what the "crowd prediction" sites say. I don't think that this time of year it is always accurate due to Spring Break/Easter varying each year. Especially going during the week, I think the parks will be just fine.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Springs Breaks aren't over for New England...they haven't even started yet.

Here is the crowd predictors and what statistical data they use to figure out the crowd predictions

http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14

 

[Suellen]

I would easily skip AK to do more MK. As a matter of fact all we have never spent more than 4 hours at AK.

I find it hot and crowded feeling. JMHO.

Who knows you may enjoy it!

 

[Suellen]

wanted to add we found a trip to AKL in the early evening to look at the animals from the outlook areas was a lot more geared towards what we wanted.

 

[perfectparanoia]

While I would totally skip MGM to do more MK. I would not with children that young skip AK. It is a great age to enjoy the beauty and animals in the park.

 

[luvmyguyz]

Thanks for your help everyone! We've decided we're going to go to Epcot on day 1, MK on day 2, AK on day 3, and then most likely MK again on day 4. I just can't find enough of a good reason to waste an entire day at DHS when it seems like the lines for the three main rides will be absolutely horrendous, and there are only a couple attractions my antsy boys will be interested in. I think we will hold off on going to DHS until they are older.

Less than a week until we leave! Hooray!