MK 2 days and the rest 1?

[KenHutch]

While we never plan trips that short (we only go every 3rd year of so) I agree with all of the above posters you need 2 days at Magic Kingdom and still won't get everything done that you want. For our next trip I have 3 days planned for Magic Kingdom, 2 each for the others and 1 day for the dreaded shopping day (I resort hop and take pictures).

 

[Babs1975]

You will get a million different answers here, but I certainly think your plan is great. We go every other year, stay offsite and do many other things in Florida as well. Although our time in Florida is 10 days, we choose to do 4 day tickets, 1 day at each park plus the Christmas party. So very similar to what you are doing. For us, it is perfect.

 

[mamamelody2]

MK is my favorite park and there's SO MANY attractions there, that I definitely agree 2 days are necessary. Also, your kids are the perfect age to love MK.
If I had a 5 day ticket, it would absolutely be 2 days in MK, 1 day in the rest.

 

[bettymae1121]

I think Epcot being a 1 day vs. 2 day park depends entirely on how much time you want to spend in World Showcase. If you are good with just one pass through the countries and not spending a huge amount of time in each one (or most of them at least) then I think Epcot can be a one and done. But if you are like me and really enjoy stopping and smelling the roses (literally in some cases, depending on the pavilion!) then 1 1/2 or even two days is better. On our trip next month we have 1 full Epcot day, but also plan on having a "pool day" at our resort, but then going to Epcot late in the afternoon for dinner and more WS touring (plus maybe a ride or two). We're at an Epcot resort so "popping in" for dinner is easy-peasy.

Our itinerary has 3 full days at MK, 1.5 days at Epcot, 1 day each at AK and DS plus the pool day (which is also our 1/2 Epcot day). Two full days at MK is fine, but we looooove MK so like the extra time there.

 

[KelNChrisKYDis]

This is so subjective. For us, MK is at least a 2 day park. AK is a 1 day, Epcot could be 2, but our kids would be bored. We're skipping DHS entirely this time. (Neither of our kiddos like ToT or RRC, and with TMM not having FP+, and Toy Story Land not being open, I anticipate a long line. My hubby and I enjoy Star Wars, but our kids are not super into it. Not doing park hoppers so there is no way I'd waste an entire day for this park.) It all really depends on how much time you have, what your park strategy is (do you anticipate a resort/hotel/pool break mid-day? are you a rope drop to fireworks kind of family?), etc., to really know if 1 or 2 days is more appropriate. My husband & I took an adults only trip in Oct and we spent 2 full days at MK and could have done more. We also spent 2 full days at AK and 1.5 days + at EPCOT. (We had park hoppers and did DHS for 4 hours and covered everything we wanted to do.) With your kids ages, it's a little tricky as the 12 year old and the 5 year old will probably have different interests, but I think MK will always be a 2 day park for our family.

 

[bwang123]

It is all subjective, for us, MK is only a half day park. It always has been even when my son was young. We always have park hoppers so we don't ever spend all of one day at any park but we visit all of them, even MK at least twice in every trip.

2 halves make a whole.

 

[Tksolomom]

We are going in December. We are doing 2 days at AK, 2 days at Epcot, 1 day at HS, 1 day at MK plus one day MVMCP. Our kids are 18 and 15. We love MK, but it is the most similar to DL, some like to see what is completely different. I think your plans are great though.

 

[Silvermist999]

I would personally get park hoppers. Then you can decide if you want to go to another park in the evening, or remain at the same park all day.

 

[MorpethMiss]

How tall is your 5 year old? He/she will probably be able to do just about everything.
With kids that age I personally would plan one day at each park, then leave the last day open to see which park was their favorite and go back there.

That's what we have done in the past. Each child had a different favourite, so we split up for "bonus day," one adult and child at Epcot, another adult and child at Magic Kingdom. Worked out nicely.

 

[emgilmartin]

It is all subjective, for us, MK is only a half day park. It always has been even when my son was young. We always have park hoppers so we don't ever spend all of one day at any park but we visit all of them, even MK at least twice in every trip.

Two for Epcot in my opinion