magic kingdom or animal kingdom for a 2 year old

[sunshineny]

We are leaving in just two days, staying at the GF - we have a 2 year old and want to take him to one park - we are staying 3 nights, but have other obligations, so can only go to 1 park - which one would you choose - magic kingdom or animal kingdom.

Our son is in to dinasaurs, boats, cars and animals. We are a little worried about the sun exposure (we both have had melanoma) so want something that offers shade. We are only going to spend half a day at the park - any suggestions???

Thanks so much!

 

[dancin'girl]

Since your staying at the GF, it would be most convenient to hop on the monorail and visit the MK. With only having a half day, it would take a chunk of time to get over to Animal Kingdom and back, plus it is a hot park, very sunny! My DS(2) loved many of the rides at MK, especially the steam train and Dumbo. He loved the carrousel, and the boats on Its A Small World. Toontown was great! Loved Donald's boat. He was just tall enough to ride the speedway cars, too, which he loved!
His favorite thing at AK was The Dig. He loved digging up the dinosaur bones, but other than that he didn't want to sit to watch the shows and wasn't all that interested in looking at the animals. DD (4) seemed much more interested in the animals and attractions at AK.

 

[brockash]

I could never imagine going to WDW and not doing MK (especially with a 2 year old.) It's just so magical. Also, if you're staying at GF, it'd be a lot easier/quicker to get to the park, and you could easily come back for a rest during the hottest part of the day, and then maybe enjoy the park at night again, once it's cooled down.

 

[Kallista]

My two sons had a better time at AK then at MK when we took them at age 1 and age 2.5. On that trip the favorites ranking went: 1. AK; 2. Epcot; 3.Disney Studios; 4. Blizzard Beach; 5. Magic Kingdom.

AK is a slower park and has two great shows for kids.

Do what you want to do, though. He'll have fun no matter what. What would YOU rather do?

 

[barbmouse]

Hands down... Magic Kingdom!! I love all of the parks but when I think of WDW especially with little ones I think of Magic Kingdom!

 

[asoko]

My son is a freak about dinosaurs. I just asked him. He said he would want to dig for dinosaurs. He loves cars, and trains though too. So I asked if he could dig for dinos at TRex restaurant then would he want to go do the cars etc at MK and he said he would. Which is what we did last visit. Did lunch at TRex where he had the most fun outside digging for dinos. He's 5 and he's been to AK 2 times and MK 3times.

I think if it is a first time at Disney and I only had one day, I would take him to MK and try to fit in a visit to Downtown Disney and dig for dinos there.

Also, if you had time there is Dinosaur World in Plant City Fl. We went there and he had a great time.

 

[twinmom06]

Definitely Magic Kingdom, especially fantasyland - my 2 year old twins had a ball there!

 

[ireland_nicole]

Definitely MK with the parameters you've mentioned. You'll have a blast.

 

[EthansMom]

No Question... Magic Kingdom. Lots of stuff for younger kids. Fantasyland has lots of younger kid stuff. Rides/shows I'd recommend are the Country Bear Jamboree, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, the Peter Pan Ride, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Philharmagic.

If you've got time sometime during your trip, a meal at Chef Mickeys is a great way to see some of the characters in a relaxed atmosphere. You'll want reservations for that, though.

ETA: AK has some nice stuff, but LOTS of walking and somehow seems to get hotter than any of the other parks, IMO. My family has gotten to where we see the Tough To Be a Bug Show and go on the Kilamanjaro Safari and we're done with AK.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Another vote for MK here! Esp if staying at GF, you are already so close! MK is so geared to little ones. We took ds12 right after his 3rd bday and it was absolutely magical. We'll never forget it. He was so into Peter Pan, pirates and crocs already. I thought he would kiss Capn Hook's feet. lol!

Arrive early, at opening if poss, and find some shade during the hottest times of the day. Luckily many rides are indoors.

Have fun!

 

[DISNEYNV]

I love AK, but with the proximity and having a two year old I say go to MK!

 

[cmusschoot]

Magic Kingdom...

I could not imagine a trip to Disney where we did not go to the Magic Kingdom. My kids have been going there since they were babies...

They can go on SO many rides and there is plenty to do "inside" as most rides for kids are inside (minus Dumbo...). Small world is so fun to ride through the eyes of a child...

Have a great trip...also, enjoy the GF, it is a great hotel!!!

 

[ktlm]

Magic Kingdom! My DD actually hated AK when she was 2 and begged to go back to MK after a couple of hours. She liked AK when she was 3 though, so you just never know.

 

[cel_disney]

MK vote here..

We've taken DS on his first and second birthdays for a week and did all of the parks. Hands down MK was his favorite - probably the buzz lightyear ride even though he had no idea who buzz was! We have had great luck with timing and usually manage to get through all of the fantasy land rides in short time and he had a blast - at 2 he also really liked riding the indy cars and TTA. We skip Stitches great escape and Monsters Inc Laugh Factory.

He enjoyed things at AK but there werent many rides and there was ALOT ALOT ALOT of walking. He didnt really understand the theming either so it just wasnt the best place...He did LOVE Donalds Breakfast though at Tusker House!!

Other things - we didnt do Its a Bugs Life or Lion King Show while we were there. He was scared of bugs and uneasy with 3D in some situations and had no idea about the lion king story. I didnt want to spend time waiting in line for them to start AND to watch them, so we skipped them. We did see the nemo show which he enjoyed - but he also watched Finding Nemo the movie what seemed like every day for a month the summer before!

 

[GoinToDisney]

MK without a doubt. Get there when the park opens and you can do so much. You'll find a lot for him in Fantasy Land.

Animal Kingdom can be sooo hot. There aren't as many air conditioned attractions to keep you cool and shade is certainly harder to find. There is also just not as much to do there. Not that it isn't fun, but Fantasy Land is a blast for that age.