New To WDW! What one or two places would you absolutely plan on?

[famofour]

I just came upon this site the other day from the tug boards and I'm so glad that I did! What a WORLD of information!

We're planning our first trip to Disney next Feb. (2 adults, 8 & 12 yr. olds), most likely staying at Vistana (not sure if it's Villages or Resort) and obviously planning to do a couple parks, but won't have the time or $$ for everything...

If you had to choose two places to visit, which would they be?

Thanks!

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

Welcome!

Are you talking about which parks - if so, I would defintately do Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom . But it's really hard to choose..

Have a great time!

 

[kandeebunny]

Magic Kingdom and Epcot!!!

 

[Shell76]

I would definitely choose Magic Kingdom. The other 3 parks are great, so it's tough to choose, although I would probably go to Disney Studios the other day -- based on your kids ages.

 

[oogieboogie]

MK and Epcot.

 

[agotta]

I think with the ages of your kids, MGM would be the other good park to do. Magic Kingdom is obvious!!

Amanda

 

[Destination Disney]

Welcome to the DIS boards!

I would choose MK,... oh and you must watch Wishes (firework display), and as far as your other choice...

MGM has great rides such as Rockin' Roller coaster, Tower of Terror, the night show Fantasmic is great! There is also a Star Wars ride, stunt shows, etc.

Epcot has the world show case, a lot of "educational stuff", Test track is great as well as Mission Space.

Animal Kingdom has the Safari, Kali Rapids, Dinosaur, etc. They have some great shows, but this park always closes earlier then the others.

I would go with MGM! MGM & Magic Kingdom!

 

[tar heel]

My child who is 10 (and went when he was 8 and 9) would vote for MK and either Epcot or MGM (he would have trouble deciding). I love MGM b/c my favorite attraction is there, but would have trouble giving up Epcot. AK would be in fourth place for everyone in my family -- I also wouldn't choose it for one-park tickets b/c the hours are always shorter.

Is there any chance you could add the hopper option and go from opening to closing and visit at least three of the parks? I would not do two days in a row of this from off-site, though. Put a sleep late and rest day inbetween.

 

[famofour]

Ok - Am I understanding the MYW passes - If we want to go to 3 parks, then we'd buy the 3-day pass - which would allow us a park a day (three different parks) within 14 days? And that would cost approx. $125 per person for each pass?

 

[famofour]

Ooops - Actually about $186 per 3-day pass, per person? I was looking at the 2-day price!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Magic Kingdom for the kids and definately Epcot for more fun rides and World Showcase for culture. Epcot is my fav!!!!

 

[powellrj]

My kids are 8 and 14 and they love MGM because of RnR and ToT! Our 2nd choice would be MK. Our 3rd would be Epcot and last would be AK. The last time we went to AK they got bored and we left early.

 

[maggiew]

I would vote for MK and Epcot. My kids are 12 & 9 and this is where we usually spend the most time. MGM would be a distant 3rd. And AK last.

On your non-park days, spend one evening at Downtown Disney. Then spend another evening at the Boardwalk. It's free to window shop .

Maggie

 

[Danemom]

If you can, I'd try to get hopper passes. Since February should be a slower time you'd be able to hit most of your top choices in 3 parks.

What do your kids like? Do they like thrill rides? Most Disney rides are pretty tame but MGM has a couple of good thrill rides in RnR and ToT. We also love Muppets 3D, Indiana Jones, and Fantasmic is amazing. Epcot has Mission Space but my kids (11 and 9) don't really love anything else there.

For my family it would be MK, MGM, Epcot, then AK.

 

[minijeanie]

if you can only do 2 parks and with the ages of your kids...I would definitely do MK and MGM

but another consideration would be Universal....
don't know how much time you have alloted to parks,,,but if your kids love rides. definitely include Island of adventure

Vistana is a nice place, you should enjoy it

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Or get park hoppers and split a day between Epcot and MGM.

It's hard to choose.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

MK & MGM get our vote. DH & I really enjoy Epcot, but the kids find it boring, except for Mission Space and Test Track. They love TOT, Rockin Rollercoaster and Who Wants to Be A Millionaire (great place to go to get out of the sun!) at MGM, as well as Backlot Tours (i think that's the name of it)and one other place I just can't think of right now. MK is a no-brainer, tho - we could spend days there! We don't care much for AK - I think you'll find that people either really like it there or don't.

Whatever you choose, you will have a wonderful and magical time, so don't stress over the choices too much.

 

[lucyjuce27]

Being a 12 yearold myself, I think you should visit MGM, AK and maybe Mk if you can fit it in. Dont bother with Epcot. I was not impressed at all, its a bit of a letdown compared to some of the other parks!
The waterparks are also fantastic so if your kids like slides, swimming etc. it would be a great experience.

If you decide to parkhop and can only chose a few rides from each park I would sugest these;
[MGM]
ToT= Terrifying but you HAVE to go on it!
R'nRC=I didnt go on it last time but then really regretted it.
Beauty and the Beast show: Trust me, I went to see the show in London this one was so much better!
Indiana Jones: What can I say? Just fantabulous!

[MGM]
Kilimanjaro safaris: Its amazing to see the animals so close, without being in a zoo.
Kali river Rapids: Probably on of the best rides in WDW!

[MK]
Space Mountain: The best ride ever!
Big thunder mountain: Ditto!
Splash Mountain: : Ditto again!
Buzz lightyear: Really cool! Ive been on similar versions of this game but this is the best.

[Epcot]
Test track: Two boys in a speeding car...what more can I say?
Mission Space: Supposed to be brilliant!

Please take in mind that I am a GIRL so some of the rides may not appeal to your kids as much as they did to me!

 

[Princess Glenda]

MK and MGM get my vote because MK is Disney magic at its best and MGM would be good for the ages of your kids. There are lots of non-park things to do including Down Town Disney, walking on the Boardwalk, checking out the other resorts including Animal Kingdom Lodge where you could "animal watch", and doing a character breakfast at one of the resorts.

 

[famofour]

Thanks again for all the responses! This helps out a lot!

Now, we're talking about staying in Palm Beach (closer to family we haven't seen in a while!) rather than Orlando, and then driving up for a day to Orlando.

Now we have to make the decision on what ONE place we'll visit!