Looking for opinions on AK vs Hollywood Studios...

[melbiel]

Hi,

We are going to Disney the first week in May with our 6, 4, and almost 2 year old little girls. We have planned to do 2 days in MK, and we need to decide between AK or Hollywood Studios for our third day at the parks.

We were initially planning to do AK, but recently I have heard so many varying opinions that I am finding this very difficult. The tickets are expensive, and I don't want to end up buying tickets to something the girls won't enjoy. One person I spoke with LOVED AK, but then my friend just came back and said it is just like a big zoo and her kids were bored. Another friend of mine said she left Hollywood Studios after 2 hours because her kids were bored. She said it definitely was not a full day park.

Any opinion on which park is better would be so helpful. Thanks so much!

Melissa

 

[super_crunch]

I have a 7 year old girl and a 4 year old boy...

We weren't fans of AK. The Safari was wonderful, Expedition Everest is great, but both the Bugs Life movie and Dinosaur were terrifying to the kids. Otherwise there were plenty of animals to view on gorgeous walking trails...but we live about 10 miles from the National Zoo and see exotic animals for free on a regular basis. If we weren't regular zoo-goers, we might have enjoyed it more.

We absolutely loved DHS. The toy story ride alone was worth it for us. But with 3 young girls, they may enjoy the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, the playhouse Disney show, Beauty and the Beast, etc.
Our son loved Star Tours, Indiana Jones, Lights, Motors, Action, and our daughter loved the Rockin Roller Coaster and the Muppet 3d movie.

We had 7 days on our last trip and we had only been to MK previously. We ended up spending 2 at MK, 1 at AK, 2 at DHS, and 1 plus our half day at Epcot.

I would suggest looking at maps of each park and trying to determine which things the kids might be interested in. Every family has different interests.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I think part of your decision will need to be made on height and thrill-seeking. Both parks have the pros and cons...personally our family likes both (Dh, me, DS5 and DD3) because they offer different themes. We LOVED Lion King and liked Nemo very much. DS was able to ride everything, DD missed out on EE (neither rode primevilwhirl). There are paths and Rafiki's Jungle Trek...we didn't do these. HS has TSM (a must for some). DS and DD were able to do everything, but RnR. Little Mermaid was the favorite for DD and Beauty and the Beast was good (preferred Nemo and LK). The stunt show was good (I'm not into that stuff but DH and DS liked it). There is also the playhouse Disney show...we missed it. If your choice comes down to resturants, I'd say HS (but TH has a very good Character breakfast). fantasmic is another consideration. Sorry this probably isn't much of a help. Check out all the rides/shows and get your kid's input.

 

[jpkkld]

I think it really depends on your kids. Are they into nature and animals, or are they more into movies and shows? Either park can fill a whole day with advance planning and careful matching to your interests.

AK is so much more than a zoo, but like a zoo, you have to be patient and observant to really see the animals. There is a LOT of walking on rough paths - bring or rent a double stoller if you can. If your DDs like hiking or camping, they will probably LOVE AK. If you often take them to children's museums, petting zoos, or local festivals, then AK will have plenty to interest them. Make sure to remind them before you go that there are not many rides - it's more like being an adventurer and traveling around the world. Your 6yo may really like going to Asia and Africa AND seeing dinosaurs all in one day. AK Dinoland also has an immense "sandbox" where kids can excavate bones and play on cool playground equipment. Of course, there are shows at AK too - Finding Nemo and Festival of the Lion King get great reviews, and Pocahontas is there too. I have to say, it's really hard to qualify AK - there's a very unique feel to the place. I've never been anywhere quite like it.

If your kids are not very outdoorsy, HS is more like MK, except the rides are mostly thrill rides, and the emphasis is definitely on the shows. If you go to HS, get a Times Guide and PLAN YOUR DAY. Otherwise, you may miss shows you really want to see, or wait in ridiculous lines unneccessarily, or worse, wander around aimlessly wondering what there is to do! Your kids will probably love the princess shows, Little Einsteins, and the Muppets. But, again, not as many rides as MK. And with a 2yo, will you be able to sit through multiple long shows? Also, I've heard the weekends here are very crowded.

We're spending 2 days at AK and skipping HS - but I debated long and hard whether to spend a day at each (we'll be there for 8 days late April). I have to say, I just love AK. There is a quieter sort of Disney magic to be found there. It's very green, very detailed, a nice break from Disney commercialism. And yet it's still 100% Disney! Go figure!

Good luck with your decision.
-Kristin

 

[mahend0]

My wife and kids (DD6, DD3, DS2) returned last week from WDW. On the first day they visited DHS and my wife said the day was extremely difficult. The kids whined constantly because they wanted to go on rides instead of seeing all shows, and were scared over what seemed like the tiniest things. The question is, do your kids scare easily - dark rooms, loud noises, etc.? Of course the two youngest found Ariel frightening, and surprised my wife that they found the Indiana Jones Stunt show so terrifying that they had to leave in the first 5 minutes. Even Fantasmic brought out the villains and some screams.

Are you using a double stroller? AK is nice, but a lot of walking with small children. We are members of the local zoo which we visit pretty often, so while the kids enjoy themselved at AK, they usually aren't as excited to see the animals. Also keep in mind that AK is a short day, so if you go you'll have that evening free. In the past we saved this for a half day.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[PollyannaMom]

We loved AK, but not the Studios. - It really does depend on your family, though.

DS was 5 the last time we went to both of those, absolutely loves animals, and would have spent 2 hours in the boneyard playground at AK if we hadn't convinced him there was more to do! (Donald was also his favorite character at the time, and that's where his breakfast is.)

He was not really into the shows at DHS, though, or big enough for the larger rides, and the The Honey-I-Shrunk-the-Kids playground made us very nervous. - It's extremely hard to keep track of them in there. This is our least favorite park.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

Like everyone has said, it all depends on your kids and what they are into. We avoid AK because we and our DS 5 easily get bored and although we're up for exercise, hate the walking. During the day most of the animals are sleeping. About the only time you really see animals is on the Safari ride. The few times we've been to AK it's been very hot because of all the vegetation you don't get much air moving through. There isn't a whole lot of shade either.

DS would rather spend the day at DHS vs AK. He likes the shows and the rides in the park so for us picking DHS is a no-brainer.

 

[tigerali]

I'd personally say AK is less of an "all day park" than MGM. It does depend on your kids' personalities. MGM has a lot of GREAT shows if they are into that. Personally, I would choose MGM over AK if I had to pick.

 

[DISNEYNV]

I LOVE AK, but the kids are not as crazy about it as I am and DH does not appreciate animals in the same manor as I do! With that said I think DD ( who was 4 on our last trip) liked AK but was a little bored and wanted to go on rides! She was interested in The Flights of Wonder show, the Safari, and Rafikis planet Watch. The kids could have stayed all day at the Boneyard playground too...

I would have to say that HS was a bigger hit with the shows (she does enjoy shows), star tours, TSM ride, Muppets, Beauty and the Beast show especially, etc.

There is more interactive attractions at HS than at AK. Also Scifi dinner and fifties primetime at HS too.

It really is all about what activities your kids like best. Perhaps they can vote on their favorite park!

 

[melbiel]

Thanks so much for all of the advice! I happen to have very girly girls, who would probably not be thrilled to be hiking around AK in the May heat. My older daughter hates to be extremely hot, and my middle daughter will definitely be saying she doesnt like the walking! It sounds as if HS might be a better pick for us. They LOVE princesses and the Little Mermaid, and they also love shows.

One more question....how would I go about planning our trip to HS? Is it possible to get a map beforehand? Also, are there good places to eat at HS?

Again, any advice is so appreciated. Thanks!

Melissa

 

[mrsannb]

You'll want to do Muppets 3D, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Toy Story Mania, Playhouse Disney, the parade, and the Beauty and the Beast show. That will make for a full day if you try to see all of them.
Do they like the Little Einstein characters? There is a character breakfast, Play n Dine at Hollywood & Vine. My daughter likes them, ds was scared of them because their heads are huge and the music was too loud. The counter service restaurants there are so-so.