mgm studios, how long?

[dink2061]

I hope someone can help, I am going to Disney the last week of March and only have 2 days to spend there. My hubby and I have decided to do the MK and MGM. We are going with our 8yr. old son, 7yr old son, and 4 1/2yr old daughter. Our children are on the mild side and when they get tired, thats it there done. I planned on a full day at MGM and a full day at Mk with afternoon siestas in between. Now, many have said that MGM does not require a full day, any responses would help alot. Our third day we plan on SeaWorld as my kids love that kind of stuff.

Thanks a bunch,
Dana

 

[Micca]

Hi Dink! Welcome to the Dis! I think you need a day and a half at MK, perhaps only a half day at the studios. You may have to research how you can make that happen from the pass perspective.

 

[gary4jenn]

You will need at least 1-1/2 days @MK.

I also agree that MGM is a half day park.

Do you have Park hoppers? They allow you to jump between parks. One tickets do not.

Also- If you want to see Fantasmic, you may want to go to MGM at night.

Since you have a limited time frame at WDW and you will going when it gets busy, you may want to get the Unofficial guidebook to Disney and follow thier "daily attraction plan".(not sure what the official name of these is). Lots of DISers swear by them on these boards (I've not used them personally). These daily guides apparently get you on all the things you want to go on but they must be followed exactly.

The other thing DISers say is that if you follow these EXACTLY it will minimize the wait times since this will be an issue as you are going at a busy time with young kids.


You may want to search this site for more info on the Unofficial WDW guide for more info on these

 

[XStAnt]

While I agree that with kids that age MK takes at least 1 1/2 days, I also think MGM takes a full day. MGM has a lot of shows that are worth seeing. It's a little tough to see all of these shows in just a 1/2 day because of the schedule of these shows. Things like Indiana Jones, Muppets, Millionaire, BATB, Little Mermaid, etc. are fun and worth seeing. But, they take time to see it all. If your older children like TOT and RnRC, then you'll need time for those rides. And don't forget about Fantasmic!!

 

[avsfan]

MK is a good 1 1/2 days
MGM is a full day, unless you plan on missing out on some great things!

 

[flfun]

Go to MGMStudios.org for great touring plans for half days or for full days, designed for adult or kid tastes. this was really helpful to me. Remember that the backlot tour is not open now. Hope this helps.

 

[4greatboys]

MGM is always a full day for our family.

 

[kbkids]

MGM doesn't take quite the whole day for our family, but definitely more than half a day. So, we end up repeating a couple of things to kill time until Fantasmic.

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by XStAnt
While I agree that with kids that age MK takes at least 1 1/2 days, I also think MGM takes a full day. MGM has a lot of shows that are worth seeing. It's a little tough to see all of these shows in just a 1/2 day because of the schedule of these shows. Things like Indiana Jones, Muppets, Millionaire, BATB, Little Mermaid, etc. are fun and worth seeing. But, they take time to see it all. If your older children like TOT and RnRC, then you'll need time for those rides. And don't forget about Fantasmic!!

I second this. I think it is tough to work in all the shows in less than a day because of the scheduled show times and how you end up waiting more so you don't miss the show that starts in 30 min. But, if you are willing to skip some of the shows, it's do-able.

 

[DemoBri1]

I would have to agree that MGM is more than 1/2 day park. Just trying to get to all the shows will take more than a 1/2 day, especially if it's crowded. Depending then on if you want to eat at the park, and if you want to watch the parade, ride ToT, and RnRC, and see Fantasmic, you can easily burn a full day at MGM.

MK will definitely be 1-1/2 days.

 

[Rodrigo]

You can save time in Disney MGM Studios if you split your party part of the day. Probably your DS's want to do Tot, RnRC, Star Tours while your DD prefer to see Beauty and the Beast, Playhouse Disney and the Little Mermaid, after that you can join to see the other attractions.

 

[amylovesdisney]

I can easily see doing MGM in 1/2 day with children that age. If I had to recommend an itinerary, I would say: Indiana Jones, TOT, R&RC, Star Tours (if open), Muppet 4D, Great Movie Ride. The animator show is nowhere near as good as it once was - when you got to see the studio with people actually working! Grab a bite but skip Sounds Dangerous and Fantasmic. Finally saw it after all these years and I was totally unimpressed by it.

I'll offer another opinion not usually shared here......Overdone on the light-up things for sale - loads of kids were asking for them and they were expensive. Put quite a few little ones in a sad frame of mind for the show if they don't get their light-up doo-hickey. As for the show....don't care for the evil/villain aspect, too much on the projected images with the water background. The only good part was the finale. I simply don't "get" what everyone raves about. The most fun we had was while waiting for the show - the people in the stands were doing the "wave".

IF you have a Park Hopper (but I don't think you can get for only 2 days??), split the time between MK & MGM. If not, you can stretch things out by spending more time at MGM. IMO, MK could easily be 1 1/2- 2days. Lots more to DO there.

 

[dink2061]

Thanks everyone, you all have given me alot to think about. I do think we will need 1 1/2 days at MK and hopefully during the RV ride down, I can convince my hubby to stay 1 additional day. I think once we are there, he will realize more time is needed and we will not be in a rush to get home as the kids will be off from school the week we return. Believe it or not my boys love Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and for them that is an absolute must at MGM and yes we do want to see Fantasmic!

Thanks again,
Dana

 

[QuickGold]

MGM is definetly one full day unless you really avoid a number of attractions. You can visit http://www.mgmstudios.org for lots of info on the park

 

[shady]

I've never been able to do everythin in a day at MGM.

It's definitely at LEAST a full day park. Those who call it a 1/2 day park are missing out on a bunch of things.