MGM or EPCOT for (8 DS and 6 DD)

[cutiesmile]

I only have 2 park tickets w/no hopper. We will be in MK our first day no doubt there.
Should we hit EPCOT or MGM?
Just FYI, my kids don't like rides,, maybe some kiddies and family rides. Where do you think we should go?
Oh, and should we go to EPCOT or MGM first then MK, or MK to EPCOT or MGM next day?
Any info is appreciated.
TIA!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

MGM,aka Hollywood sudios(new name) Handy Manny, and loads of chara perfect for lil guy AND Beauty Beast broadway style show for lil girl! DREAMY!

BOY----Cars characters, Toy Story chara. playhouse disney show,Rattatouie and Incredibles .... Fast car Stunt show and Indiana Jones stunt show

Girl---Belle/Beast...Mermaid...lovely parade........

EPCOT (In my honest opinion, which is what was asked here so no FLAMES please ) is for Adults mainly
If u have time ,,,do all 4 parks if not do these 2 and NOT EPCOT.

 

[mrsannb]

Both are really fun. If they enjoy science, little art projects, fish & plants, definitely do Epcot. If they are more movie/show type kids, do MGM. You really can't go wrong.
If they want something more hands on, do Epcot. If they want something more sit and be entertained, do MGM.
If you do Epcot, there is a lot of stuff in Future world so start there.

 

[JKMJ441724]

MK and MGM used to be my two favorite parks. But I have come to love Epcot more and more with every visit. I think this park has been misunderstood. There are tons of entertainment options in WS. My kids had a great time at all the KIDCOT funstops.
Plus, we loved the rides!!

 

[The Lion King]

I had to make this same decision and I chose MGM/Hollywood Studios. DS will be 8 when we go next month and he LOVES Disney movies and I wanted him to be able to meet the Power Rangers and the Incredibles and this was the place to do it. Our other days will be at MK and AK.

 

[crisi]

Our least favorite park is the Studios. We maybe spend a few hours there each trip. We need to do Star Tours....and other than that there isn't any reason for us to go in.

 

[misricsmith]

my kids loved epcot!
we only rode 2 rides at mgm and left
EPCOT EPCOT EPCOT

 

[minniebeth]

It's a tough call, I agree with you can't go wrong with either one. If I had to choose, I would pick EPCOT because it is an ALL day park that is huge. You can definately spend more time here. MGM is wonderful with many shows, but it is hard to see them all since a lot of the times overlap. The food at EPCOT is awsome as well, a lot of fun and delicious counter service where the good food at MGM is mostly table service.
There are a lot of hidden gems in both. Whatever you choose, search for tips on how to make the most of your visit so that you fully appreciate it!

You asked which order...everyone has a different opinion, but mine is that you do Magic Kingdom AFTER the other parks. The parks are all magical in their own way, but nothing compares to the MK. Best for last.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I asked DS (who just turned 9 a couple weeks ago) and he said definitely Epcot! His don't miss list for kids his age includes: Test Track, Mission Space (the non-spinning side), Soarin, and Turtle Talk in Future World. In WS he recommends the masks in each country, meeting characters (short lines) and Kaki Gori (snowcones) in Japan.

He did say he could do a good list for Disney Studios too, but that he thinks Epcot was more fun.

 

[buckler]

Oh, and should we go to EPCOT or MGM first then MK, or MK to EPCOT or MGM next day?

What are the exact dates you plan on being in the parks? That info is important in determining which park to go to on which day. Also, are you the type of people to get there when the rope drops or will you arrive after the park opens.

 

[MiniGirl]

First things first....

Since your kiddos are a little older, I would get on the website or get a disney guide (official or unofficial) and look through it and see what appeals to your kiddos.

We love both Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM). In fact, we just came back from a quick overnight trip and only went to the Studios. We went to see Fantasmic the first night. The next day we had planned to go back and then hop to Epcot before heading home, but we never made it to Epcot. We got there just before rope drop and went in (since there were morning EMHs that day). While we were there, we won a dream and were allowed to stay in the park for 2 hours after closing and enjoy the rides. We left for a couple of hours to go play on the beach, but other than that, we were there the entire day and never got bored.

However, the Studios aren't for everyone, and many will tell you that it is a half-day park at best. Most people do love Epcot though, and there is a ton of stuff to do and see. Even if you just walk around, you take up a good portion of the day. Because of that, I would suggest Epcot to you. I think it has more general appeal.

As far as which one to do first, I think it depends. Are you staying on-site? If you are and are able to take advantage of EMHs, I would do that park on that day. If you are staying off site, it really is a personal preference. MK is Disney magic at its best. Some people don't really feel like they're at WDW until they see the castle. Others insist it is best to save it for the last day. It really is a personal call.

 

[cutiesmile]

Thank You guys for the replies and welcome!

These really helps me a LOT!

I forgot to say that we're going on March 23-25 and we'll be staying at the POP Century.

Now I've been thinking if I should just buy another park ticket and extend one more night. Can I do that at the front desk to make an extension or would it be fully booked already?

I've been also thinking of booking at another resort. 1 night and 1 ticket lets say at the All Stars Movies resort.. Is it gonna be a pain? We're also driving, so we will have a car. Is it worth it? Is it too much? It's gonna be another $500.

Or should we stay off the resort, like closer to the chelsea premium outlets, we're also hitting the outlets after WDW.

THANKS a bunch!!

 

[buckler]

Don't go to MK on Easter Sunday. It will be packed! Epcot has an EMH on Easter Sunday so it will get crowded there too (plus it's a holiday which are always busy). So I'd opt for the Studios for Sunday.

Monday would be ok for MK. It opens at 8am that day and you should be there at rope drop!!!!

There is a EMH for MK on Tuesday but it opens at 7am and you'd need to be at the gates even earlier than that to get through security etc to be there for rope drop. That's an early morning! I think I'd do MK on Monday.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

My kids are 8 & 6 and they really prefer MGM (DHS)! But honestly we can do both parks in a half day.

I think the thing with MGM is that you can see more of the "non-traditional" Disney characters there that you don't normally find in the other parks. The rides and shows are great too. Plus the kids LOVE Fantasmic!

We like Epcot too. My kids just really aren't into the World Showcase yet. To them it's boring. We do enjoy Soarin and Test Track as a family! We've never seen Illuminations yet, so can't comment on that until after the next trip!

Have fun no matter what you decide!!

 

[brad3640]

MGM- Cars, stunt show, tower of terror (cool ride), not one of mine or dh favorite, however the kids loved it.

EPCOT - test track and soarin really cool rides, tons of interactive things for the kids to do,

so if they are really into seeing characters and parades i would say MGM, if they are more into hands on activities EPCOT

 

[wannabprincess]

I know you asked epcot or studios, but I have the same age/sex kids as you and their favs are:
MK and AK, the shows are the best at AK Nemo and Lion King, I think they would like that park better. DS fav ride is Kali River Rapids and its pretty mild, but you can't tell from the pic.

 

[cutiesmile]

^^ Thanks for the pic!! They surely had fun!

Thanks once again everyone for the replies!
DS said EPCOT while DD said MGM.. So,, I guess we'll just have to buy another park ticket.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Our least favorite park is the Studios. We maybe spend a few hours there each trip. We need to do Star Tours....and other than that there isn't any reason for us to go in.

I was just about to post the exact same message!

If it wasn't for Star Tours, we would never go to the Studios.

My younger children (9 and 7) like Epcot more than MK!