Need help, can only do one - MGM or Epcot??

[Tink215]

Another Vote for Epcot......
Its my favorite, Did MGM this year for the first time and well it was just ok, had fun but I would rather be in epcot, it depends on what your likes are???

 

[minijeanie]

I pick MGM only because Grandma may have a problem with walking,.
Epcot is all walking,.

MGM is much smaller as you know

 

[TnTsParty]

Is it possible to get grandma a wheelchair? If you are staying at a Disney resort I am pretty sure you can check on out for free at the front desk is there is one available. I am sure even non Disney resorts might do this as well. I would suggest going to Epcot if grandma can use a wheelchair in case the walking is too much. Since you and your family have never been to Epcot you should REALLY check it out. It is mine and DH's favorite park!!

 

[makinorlando]

It is hard to say which I would choose, if you do EPCOT, you will not see it all, and should try and plan what you want to see before you go. MGM is more do-able in one day.

I like the idea of doing MK for a whole day, and parkhopping between two of the others!

Would Grandma be opposed to a wheelchair? My 81 year old mother spent ALL day at EPCOT with us Thanksgiving weekend - we did SOARIN, Figment, Spaceship Earth, HISTA, Universe of Energy and walked all the way around World Showcase. We rented a wheelchair for her just in case... she used it as a walker for the stability rather than sitting in it to be pushed. My DD8 was the rider - it worked out well because it was a long day, and at one point she actually fell asleep in the chair!

 

[makinorlando]

Is it possible to get grandma a wheelchair? If you are staying at a Disney resort I am pretty sure you can check on out for free at the front desk is there is one available. I am sure even non Disney resorts might do this as well. I would suggest going to Epcot if grandma can use a wheelchair in case the walking is too much. Since you and your family have never been to Epcot you should REALLY check it out. It is mine and DH's favorite park!!

LOL - I was typing while you were posting!
I don't believe wheelchairs are free according to the website - I know we paid $10 as a non resort guest.
For your convenience, limited rentals are available for Guests with disabilities. Wheelchair and Electric Convenience Vehicle (ECV) rentals are available for a fee of $10.00* for Wheelchairs and $35.00 ‡ for ECVs with a refundable deposit of $5.00.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I would do Epcot but MGM might be more enjoyable with the kids!

 

[byoung]

Epcot get's my vote.

 

[helenm29]

Our family consists of 13 year old twins and a 19 year old along with my husband and I. We have been to both MGM and Epcot and we all prefer Epcot. it takes a lot of walking to get around both areas but there is always somewhere to sit if you need to.
We just enjoy the different "Countries" and all the rides so much. You can't really go wrong with either one though so have fun!

 

[Eeyore2003]

If Grandma would enjoy MGM, I'd stick with that this time. My MIL did TOT when she was 80, so I'm not sure what "grandma" likes or what age she is. I think there's allot there that she'd enjoy depending on what she likes to do. If her problem is walking, I guarantee you Epcot is not easy, I have very bad knees and it's allot. Even though I MUCH prefer Epcot myself, I'd stick with MGM in this case. Sounds like you also know your way around MGM which could also save her steps.

 

[Syrreal]

Epcot! Epcot! Epocot!

 

[Soprano]

I was neve keen on EPCOT in the past, but its growing on me. I LOVE MGM! My favourite park.

I would go AK/MGM one day and MK the other. As there is more to see at MK

 

[Samsma]

EPCOT is by far our favorite! Of course we love MK, but Soarin', Test Track, and Turtle Talk are awesome. Can't make myself do Mission Space, but I'm sure its great too. Your mom would probably get a lot of enjoyment from the World Showcase, and Illumination is wonderful! Choose EPCOT!!!

 

[momof2inPA]

Do both. There's plenty of time in one day. Go to MGM first thing, fastpass RRC, hit Star Wars and either stunt show. Use your fastpass and get another for ToT, then go to Narnia and/or Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Use your second fastpass, and you're done with all the really good things at MGM. Then, it's on to Epcot. The boat would be a nice relaxing way to get there. Make sure you stay for Illuminations. They're great.

 

[Merriwind]

Personally, we prefer Epcot, but I would suggest MGM for your family for a couple of reasons. With only one day, you could have to make choices at Epcot about what to do and what to miss. MGM is truly doable in one day. Plus, it is smaller, so easier for Grandma. As PPs have mentioned, you may want to look into a wheelchair, so as to make the days easier for Grandma. Even the smaller parks involve a lot of walking.

Do get back to go to Epcot one day. It is wonderful--for all ages. DD8 loves Epcot.

Enjoy!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I definately think you should do MK one day and then use your second day to do MGM or Epcot. Epcot is very spread out and if Grandma can't walk, pick MGM.

Day 1 - MK
Day 2 - MGM with maybe some Epcot in the afternoon. Like someone said, you can take the boat from one to the other

 

[SueM in MN]

Here is a link to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, which has information about the different ways to get a wheelchair or scooter (rent in the parks or from one of the off-site medical equipment companies; or sometimes you are able to borrow a wheelchair from the WDW resorts).
I think Grandma would enjoy Epcot more, but the kids might like MGM better.
There are a lot of things the kids would like at Epcot too, though. Things like Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Living Seas, Soarin. If you go to Epcot, get the kids Epcot Passports; there are stickers for each country and when you stop in each country, the CM will stamp the passport and write something in their language in the passport.
Whichever you choose, Grandma would probably enjoy it more with a wheelchair or scooter (if you choose to rent a scooter for her, I would go to Epcot - MGM is kind of tight for an in-experienced scooter driver).

 

[llfowl]

EPCOT - hands down!

 

[christophfam]

Wow, thanks for all of the responses. Still not sure what we will end up doing. If we do go to Epcot, we will definitely have to get a wheelchair for grandma (thanks for the link) and although she isn't into any of the rides, she really doesn't care where we go. She just likes to be with us. I took the kids to MK the last couple of times we were at WDW (we go a couple times a year for short trips) so that is why we are only going to it for half a day this time. The kids actually picked AK over MK so it will be nice to hit MK at night at least. We really can't do both MGM and Epcot though, that would just be too much for Grandma. All that extra walking from buses/boats to entrances.

I'm such a creature of habit and without the option of doing both Epcot and MGM it makes me nervous to try something new. Maybe that is why we've never made it to Epcot! I guess we need to try it sometime so I can find out for myself! So many of you love it.

Thanks so much!

 

[paigevz]

At your kids' ages...........MGM.

We love Epcot, but it is more for the adults in our party.........the kids like the characters there and the opportunity to buy more souvies in the World Showcase.
We enjoy the Future World rides, but you can feel as if you've been to Disney without going to Epcot.

MGM on the other hand, has so much more interesting stuff for kids.........more exciting rides, more familiar shows and themes. I couldn't make my kids miss it.

 

[AnotherHappyHaunt]

Depends what you like?

MGM has high thrill rides like ToT and RnRC.

Epcot has thrill rides but they are more toned down. Epcot is bigger and has more educational things.

Personally, I like Epcot better, but I also really like the shows and atmosphere. I can see how kids might be a little bored in the WS.