MGM vs. AK

[Disneynut4ever]

We can't decide. We visited MGM in 2004 but not AK, but have been to both already so neither park is new to us. We will be visiting in December so the park hours are shorter.

Just can't decide which to do. Can someone list the pros and cons to help us decide?

 

[abacobaby]

Hmmm..well, we LOVE AK, but we really do NOT like MGM for some reason. We took our DD there last year to see Bear in the big blue house and she cried the whole time. Besides the really great 3D movie, I can't really remember anything else we did. We only spent half a day there and that was more than enough.

AK on the other hand was just amazing. We love the nature walks where you can view all of the different animals. We saw the bird show which was great. We absolutely love the 3D movie, "It's tough to be a bug" (Believe it or not, DD was NOT afraid of that at all!). The safari ride was so much fun, we ended up doing it twice. Most people will tell you you only need half a day at AK, but for us it is a whole day trip because there is so much to do and see for us. My DH's theory as to why some people may not like AK as much as the other parks is that it is more of a Zoo rather than a DW park that has a lot of Disney Magic. Where we live we don't have Zoos so for us it is a great change of scenery and a more relaxing park day compared to Epcot or MK.

Good luck in deciding....

 

[bettyann29]

I really like both.. however there are more rides it seems at MGM.. AK is my one of my favorites because of the "real" animals... If it was myself and I didnt visit AK last time I would do it this time.. But thats just me.. Either way Im sure you guys will have a wonderful time..

 

[kilee]

I like them both 2 for various reasons. I think you really can't go wrong either way. Do you prefer shows or rides more?

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I'd pick MGM, anytime over AK. I just love ToT and RnR and you can't beat Fantasmic! IMHO. I also love that I always find charectors at MGM and can eat at Mama Melrose.
I at times don't care for AK b/c of the layout and it just seems so HOT over there, to me.

 

[mickey0216]

Both parks have their pros and cons, making it difficult for us not to do both parks.

If you haven't seen "The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights" and the snow in WDW, you should do MGM (at night).

 

[Metallicat]

I'd pick MGM, anytime over AK. I just love ToT and RnR and you can't beat Fantasmic! IMHO. I also love that I always find charectors at MGM and can eat at Mama Melrose.
I at times don't care for AK b/c of the layout and it just seems so HOT over there, to me.

I totally agree!

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

Since AK and MGM are are least favorite we are going to do AK in the morning and MGM at Night. There are a few rides that I want to ride at each park and AK closes earliest, around 5 in December, I think. We are going to Try and do those parks on the day that Mgm has there evening EMH. You will need a hopper pass for this though.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

WE love both but if we had to choose one it would be MGM. We are into the thrill rides right now (we dont have kids in tow yet) so we love the studios for the thrills but AK is just so beautiful! I could never choose-we always visit all of them each trip!

 

[parrothead365]

In Dec I would choose MGM. The Osbourne lights will be there, and the new stunt show is worth seeing at least once. I don't think AK does anything different in Dec but a Christmas themed Parade.

 

[lucyanna girl]

MGM without a doubt!

 

[robertsmom]

I'd pick MGM, anytime over AK. I just love ToT and RnR and you can't beat Fantasmic! IMHO. I also love that I always find charectors at MGM and can eat at Mama Melrose.
I at times don't care for AK b/c of the layout and it just seems so HOT over there, to me.

Me too! The AK is my least favorite park. I know lots of people love it, but to me it is simply a glorified zoo. Just my 2 cents...

 

[S. C.]

MGM without a doubt!

 

[Suzanne74]

It depends on your kids ages and what they like to do but I would have to agree that MGM seems a better choice for Dec. - the osborne lights look awesome!!!

 

[mjmcca]

I spent a significant amount of time in Orlando this summer. I let the kids choose the parks we went to for the most part. AK and MK were the ones they choose consistently over even the MK and they are young 3 and 4. I know why they choose MGM the power rangers are there. I spent more time in line waiting for the power rangers than for any other character in any of the parks. They choose the AK for the scenery and the shows and the animals I think. It is hard to get a straight answer from kids that age.

 

[blessedmama!!]

We've decided to do MGM although we loved both MGM &AK when we were there in 2003.

Our boys are 4 & 6. MGM is a winner because 1) Power Rangers 2) Star Tours/Star Wars characters in parade 2) ToT (6 year old wants to try) 3) My 4 year old has a crush on Mary Poppins and is so excited to see her in the parade ;-) 4) Muppets Movie 5) Indiana Jones show 6) New Stunt Show 7) Fantasmic and 8) Mom and Dad like the dining options better

At AK, we really loved The Lion King, safari, Kali River Rapids and the boys loved the Dino play area.

 

[Disneynut4ever]

I like them both 2 for various reasons. I think you really can't go wrong either way. Do you prefer shows or rides more?

Shows. My kids are not fans of the ToT, etc., thrill rides.

 

[Paul_Pearce]

Why not go to AK on an early entry day til lunch and go to MGM in the afternoon!

You can prioritise what you most want to do at both parks and get a bit of both. MGM rarely closes before 7pm even in December.

Alternatively go to AK in the AM and go to MGM when they have EMH in the evening, that gives you 12 hours between the parks, (and tired feet!), but hey this is WDW

 

[Disneynut4ever]

Why not go to AK on an early entry day til lunch and go to MGM in the afternoon!

You can prioritise what you most want to do at both parks and get a bit of both

I am leaning toward doing just that but it will cost us an extra $200 so I am debating if it is worth $200 to park hop this trip. What do you think?

 

[Paul_Pearce]

If it means an extra $200, I;d be tempted to shell out and stay an extra day and do both on a fullday if your torn between the two.

Depends on how much you like the parks.

If an extra day isn't possible I would either:

1. (if u are staying at a WDW hotel) Select the day when MGM is on EMH in the evening, go to AK in the AM and MGM when you've done what you want at AK. It will be open til 10 pm min. This gives you a lot of hours of touring.

2. Choose one or the other!! Personally the ToT and RRRC would sway me towards MGM, and the park is open longer.