MGM for 3-4 year olds?

[mxylplik2]

I have a 3 and 4 year old boy and we've been to Magic Kingdom twice and Animal Kingdom twice. Seaworld once. Not sure we want to do Animal Kingdom again this year - it seems like we've done everything already - Safari, Trails, same animals, Triceratops, and Lion King Show will seem repetitive again.

So with three full days (April 14, 15, 16) , we plan on doing MK, possibly a water park like Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon and then thinking about MGM. Not having been there - anyone care to provide thoughts on whether MGM is more geared for older kids or not. I'm sure there are rides, shows and attractions for 3 - 4 year old but are there more shows than rides for young kids (e.g., Muppet Vision 3D, Fantasmic, Beauty & The Beast, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney) where its like SeaWorld where you have to go from one show to another and plan your day that way? If so, I think the kids would enjoy age appropriates rides more than sitting in show after show. Maybe I have a wrong impression of MGM. Help!

Can you take advantage of FP's for shows? Thanks!

 

[bradk]

i think you have a basic understanding, although it should help to know that Little Mermaid and Muppetvision run continuously, so at their worst, you have to wait for the current show to finish. otherwise, scheduling the other shows can be a pain.. although PHD does run fairly frequently.

characters may be more of a charm at MGM. Lightning McQueen and Mater make scheduled appearances, as do several generations of Power Rangers. You can also find Sorcerer Mickey, Mike & Sullly from Monsters, Inc., Woody, Buzz and Jessie from Toy Story (2), Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl & Frozone, Jojo and Goliath, Annie, Leo, June and Quincy from Little Einsteins, and a bunch more including Chicken Little.

and Lights, Motor, Action if they're into cars (some amazing precision driving)

there's also the HISTK playground.

as far as FPs for shows go, Little Mermaid has them (but I've NEVER experienced having to need them). LMA only uses them pretty much in holiday seasons. and Indiana Jones Stunt Show sometimes uses them.

bear in mind that with Indy and LMA, the way FP works is it sells out for particular shows and then immediately starts distributing for later shows. shouldn't be an issue with Indy, but when LMA first opened, it wasn't uncommon for at least 2 shows to be sold out before the first show.

another treat is on certain days of the week, an a capella group called Four for a Dollar performs as a warm up prior to Beauty & the Beast and they're worth showing up a little early for to check out.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

My kids love MGM. I'd say the only things you can't do are ToT, Star Tours, and RnR. Everything else is very toddler friendly.

 

[mrzrich]

My kids love MGM. I'd say the only things you can't do are ToT, Star Tours, and RnR. Everything else is very toddler friendly.

See...I guess it depends on the kids, because my are bored stiff at MGM. My three y/o can only ride TGMR and he really only likes the Wizard of OZ scene...the rest of it he's scared!

Ariel and Belle don't thrill him, so its basically Playhouse Disney, Muppetvision and LMA...kind of a wasted day for us when we can be doing so much more at the other parks

 

[MomofCKJ]

My 4 year old loved Tower of Terror and Star Tours as well as TGMR and LMA show. He was 41 inches when we went so depending on how tall your kids are they might make it. He is a daredevil too with no fear so he really wanted to ride ToT and ST. I guess that would depend on the child, some might get scared by them.

All that to say we did enjoy MGM with a 4y old. Meeting the Power Rangers was a highlight for him!

Allyson

 

[mxylplik2]

Thanks for the feedback - but please keep them coming. Did your children ever say that wanted to go to MGM over another park.

One more thing - DW is close to her third trimester - haven't looked into which park has more for a pregnant wife to do - she will gladly sit out of rides but trying to find the right balance so that we maximize the number of rides where the boys and her can go on. Thoughts?

 

[tjmw2727]

MGM is my 4yo nephews favorite park right now. He LOVED the Power Rangers meet and greet as well as the abundance of characters here, Ron and Kim Possible were also highlights. He loved Lights Motor Action show and talked about the "red hero car" for weeks. Other favorites were Star Tours, the Movie ride and the Muppets. He didn't love the Little Mrmaid but tolerated it for the sake of his sister

He did like the animation show quite a bit which surprised us and then meeting the Incredibles in the exit area was another delight. He liked Beauty and the Beast, I think he would have liked Indiana Jones better but we ran out of time. He liked the parade at MGM better than the MK, I think it was because he was more familiar with the characters here. For example, Monsters Inc, Toy Story and the Playhouse Disney gang are more familiar to him than Cinderella and the more traditional Characters featured at MK.

Anyway - in your situation I would definately give MGM a try!

TJ

edited to add - I forgot the Honey I shrunk the kids playgound - a total 100% hands down favorite. We found we could alternate shows, rides and activities very well here. The shows are continuous and I know VOTLM does have FP as does LMA.

Congrats to you both! IMHO MGM or Epcot would be the best choice as far as having the family able to do most everything together. At MGM the only thing the 3/4yos would do that your wife wouldn't would be Star Tours. If the 3yo isn't 40" he and your wife can ride in a non-simulated vehicle and still have a great ride.