MGM or AK for a 5 and 3 yr old??

[suz2]

We are leaving at the end of the month. I haven't been since 1992. I have never been to the AK but I have been to MGM. Whuch is better for a 5 and 3 year old? I was leaning toward AK but I am having second thoughts. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!! I have learned so much from this board for our trip.

 

[bamajill]

My kids are 9,6, and 4 and they all preferred MGM to AK.

AK is beautiful that is for sure, but it just wasn't our favorite (actually, it was our least fave)....

I guess it just depends on what your kids like to do. There are not many rides at either park, but my kids loved the shows at MGM.

 

[cocodog]

My children are 5 and 8, and really liked AK. My 8 yo liked MGM, but because of ToT and RocknRollerCoaster. We did not spend a whole day at either.

 

[kaymak]

My kids were 5 and 2 when we went last May. They enjoyed AK but loved MGM. We got most of our autographs there. They loved the Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast (I have girls). We all really enjoyed the Studios!

 

[dizagain]

I'm leaning towards MGM too...my girls were older - 7 and 9- their first time, but they loved MGM much more than AK. They just loved the shows like Playhouse Disney, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasmic. Plus we also saw lots of characters that day - in fact, our first and only visit with Mickey was there.

We only stayed at AK for one morning - if your kids are way into animals, they might enjoy it for a longer time.

Have fun!

 

[caribear]

My dd is only 2 1/2, but she enjoys AK much more than MGM. We have only been to MGM once and AK about 10 times with her. I think it depends if your children can sit through the shows, as MGM is all about the shows, especially for the young ones. I know my dd will not wait in line for 30 minutes and then sit down for a 20 minute show. She loves animals and always wants to visit our local zoo, so I think that is why she loves AK. The 2 walking trails, the safari, the petting zoo, and the boneyard, plus Triceratop Spin are our usual attractions. Not to mention all of the other animals throughout the Oasis area. We usually spend a good 5-6 hours at AK when we go.

Hope this helps!

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

Mine are a little older (DD7 and DS7) and they loved AK and only liked MGM.

They loved AK's Safari, Kali's, Festival of the Lion King -- whereas MGM offered show times such that we were often either waiting in lines or couldn't get into to the next show. Plus not into TOT or Rollercoasters.

The 4 parks in order of love for them:
1) MK
2 tied) Epcot & AK
4) MGM

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Obviously it depends on your kids personalities, but to me this is a no contest question. DEFINITELY AK because MGM has a lot of things for adults and older children to enjoy, but AK has that whole section where kid's can look for "fossils" and just play. PLUS they see lots of exotic animals, can go on a safari (How cool is seeing a giraffe or hippo at that age eh?), etc. AK is a lot more educational than MGM (not that MGM is not educational, it's just more geared towards educating people about movie making, and thats not nearly as practical as the natural history, conservation, and zoology lessons that a kid can get at the AK). Basically, to me, even as a 23 year old, the AK is a lot funner than MGM (even though my all time favorite rides are at MGM) simply b/c of all the little spots that tell you about the animals. If you don't have a world class zoo near your home, this is definitely the one to go to, and the kid's section made me wish I was 5 again when we were there last. My poor husband had to drag me away from it reminding me that I was well over 48" lol. The downside to the AK is that it is only open till 5, so if you go there try to get in on an EMH evening. Have a blast!

 

[MrShiny]

My oldest hated Little Mermaid at MGM when she was 2 (too loud) and still doesn't want to see Fantasmic (she's 10!).

My youngest like Little Mermaid, but no longer wants to see Playhouse Disney (she's 6).

They both loved the HISTK playground.

However, they really LOVE AK. My youngest would happliy go only to AK. The love the Boneyard, and could just roam the park for hours looking at animals.

They also love the Festival of the Lion King.

 

[the kabuki]

For that age, at MGM basically the only things for them are the Little Mermaid show, Muppets 3-D, Beauty and the Beast show(do you have girls?), playground at Honey I shrunk the kids..uhmm trying to think of some more.

I know it was more difficult to keep DD3 occupied and happy at MGM while brother & sis were riding rides, than it was at AK.

At AK, the only ones that she couldn't do were Dinosaur and the zippy roller coaster thing.Oh, and the Rapids. There might have been one or two other ones.

AT AK There was a carousel, the spinning a la dumbo type ride, the safari, the animal trails, the dinosaur dig area and playground , the Lion King and Pocahntas shows, the oasis area with animals and ponds where you can see underwater.
Just seemed like there was more for her to do at AK

 

[swilphil]

We just went to WDW, and my kids are turning 3 and 5 this summer. They definitely prefer MGM over AK. They loved Disney Playhouse, Beauty and the Beast, the new Stunt Show, Great Movie Ride, Muppets 3-D, the HISTK Playground, and Pizza Planet. It's also the best park to meet characters. There is a line at Al's Toy Barn for Woody, Buzz, and Jessie, but there are several other character opportunities with little to no wait. The parade is lots of fun and a chance to see many characters up close. They also may enjoy Fantasmic. Your 5 year old can go on Star Tours and Tower of Terror, but the latter may be too frightening.
We found very little for our kids to do at AK. There's the safari, but it's hit or miss if you actually get to see any animals up close. The Festival of the Lion King show is good, but my BOYS like the Beauty and the Beast show much better. It's a Bug's Life is too scary for my kids, as is the Dinosaur ride. The Boneyard was fun, but it is basically just a big sandbox and playground. Triceratops Spin is a fun ride, but it's basically the same thing as Dumbo or the Magic Carpets in MK. They were too small for the Primevel Whirl ride and I think also for the water ride. Plus it seems to take a long time to get to and from AK, and it's so much hotter than the other parks.

 

[JenLynn]

We took DS to WDW when he was 15 months old and I was 6 months pregnant and we all hated AK. But we loved MGM (it was nice to be able to sit and enjoy the shows). And it was so hot and crowded at AK that I vowed to never go back. BUT ...

We have been back to WDW twice since then and will be going again this June with DS (7) and DD (5). All 4 of us are excited and most looking forward to going to AK! We are even staying at AKL so that we can be closer to AK. We love all the plants and animals ... the safari .. the walking trails .... the shows (especially Lion King) ... my DS adores the Tarzan show too ... the Dinosaur playground .. the river rapids .. the games in the Dinosaur section .... Triceratops spin. It's Tough to be a Bug was too intense for them last time, but DS says he wants to see it this time.

We enjoy the shows at MGM but always seem to have trouble fitting in all the shows at their particular times. In the past my children were too young to ride most of the rides at MGM, but DS is anxious to try Star Tours this time. DH and i like to baby swap and do the roller coaster. And the parade at MGM is really cool.

Of course we love all 4 WDW parks, but for us AK is our #1 park. We can comfortably do the entire park in a 1 day visit (which allows for us to "re-do" some favorites). But truly, you can't go wrong either way ..... it boils down to personal preference for the "type" of attractions at the parks ... does your family prefer movies/television or animals?

 

[ErinInCT]

I generally recommend doing them both in one day. You can go to AK in the am & then go back for a little rest & then hit MGM around the time of the parade. If you have girls you can do VotLM and B&tB, if you have boys you can do Indy & the new car stunt show or Star Tours. Both would like PHD & Fantasmic. MAYBE Muppets (my 4yo did not like 3D at all) & HISTK playground. For kids that age, I think both parks are half day parks.

 

[cheyita]

I generally recommend doing them both in one day. You can go to AK in the am & then go back for a little rest & then hit MGM around the time of the parade. If you have girls you can do VotLM and B&tB, if you have boys you can do Indy & the new car stunt show or Star Tours. Both would like PHD & Fantasmic. MAYBE Muppets (my 4yo did not like 3D at all) & HISTK playground. For kids that age, I think both parks are half day parks.

I agree. If I had to pickone, our family enjoys MGM more. But I think you can at least hit highlights of each during a half day.

 

[susykt4]

We just went to WDW last week and my DD4 (almost 5) and DS2 loved Animal Kingdom and were bored with the shows at the Studios (including Playhouse Disney and Little Mermaid.) My mom and I finally took them to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids playground while my husband and dad went to more shows. That playground was the only ride/attraction they liked.

However, my daughter and I hopped back to the Studios for a couple hours one afternoon just for character greetings/autographs and that was definitely a highlight of her trip.