Ok if you had too...

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

MGM for me. Nothing really appeals to me there.

 

[mama4]

My 15 yo enjoyed the thrill rides and all of my boys enjoyed the stunt shows and loved Sci Fi- but not enough to give up AK -we just love that park- and definitely not Epcot (my fave). If they could just move the stunt shows, maybe Tot and Sci Fi to one of the other parks, I don't think the boys and I'd miss MGM at all. My dh liked it a lot though- he didn't like it as as much as Epcot but he'd probably miss MGM more than the rest of our family

 

[pepe of ohio]

Our group likes MGM, especially in the evenings, great place to stroll around, we like Muppets, Great Movie Ride and others like TOT and RNRC. Me, I prefer to sit by the farmers markets and down some beers while the others ride the thrill rides.


As far as which to omit, its AK, too confusing and way overcrowded that adds to the heat. Never seems to be a breeze and AC places to cool off as few and far inbetween. Don't get me wrong, I like the SAfari and Rapids, have no ambition to ride EE but others do and I would just like to see it but other than that I can do without going to this park. The other draw back is how far the busses drop you off and by the time you walk to the gate on that hot concrete, you're sweating and leg tired with no AC place close to recoop.

 

[phisigprincess]

I've missed AK before. It's a tough call because there is so much great stuff, but in relation to the other parks there are fewer attractions to miss.

 

[Suzyq9241]

I still don't know which one.....I really need some more help

 

[hawkeyesparks]

Animal Kingdom. I feel guilty saying that because I feel like I'm condemning the animals to an unwarranted death, but you've got to do what you've got to do.

 

[Kath2003]

EPCOT.

In a word: dull

 

[jeankeri]

How many days are you going for, and what are the ages travelling?? MK and Epcot are must dos for me and my family- there is so much to do that you cannot possibly see/do it all in just one day, 1 1/2 days each minimum to appreciate it all without rushing too much. AK and MGM are both hard to do in the heat, and many of the attractions there are times shows. You might want to park hop- AK in the AM, MGM in the pm. With Everest, if you dont get to AK first thing it is very difficult to make a good AK touring plan. YOu can stay at AK till 1, take a break for lunch, then go to MGM at 3. You'll still have time for 1-2 shows before Fantasmic, and if they have 2 that night you can ride TOT and RNR as standby until the second show starts. Just a thought if you are stuck between dropping one of these parks.

 

[myprinceandprincess]

For us it would definitely be AK. The last time we were there we definitely had the least amount of fun. This time we are only planning on spending a half day there. Just to see a few of the attractions we did enjoy. I guess it would depend on your group. We happen to love all the other parks.

 

[mama4]

How many days are you going for, and what are the ages travelling?? MK and Epcot are must dos for me and my family- there is so much to do that you cannot possibly see/do it all in just one day, 1 1/2 days each minimum to appreciate it all without rushing too much. AK and MGM are both hard to do in the heat, and many of the attractions there are times shows. You might want to park hop- AK in the AM, MGM in the pm. With Everest, if you dont get to AK first thing it is very difficult to make a good AK touring plan. YOu can stay at AK till 1, take a break for lunch, then go to MGM at 3. You'll still have time for 1-2 shows before Fantasmic, and if they have 2 that night you can ride TOT and RNR as standby until the second show starts. Just a thought if you are stuck between dropping one of these parks.

The ages of your kids and the interests of your family make a huge difference. Different parks appeal to different folks for different reasons. Adults w/out kids usually like Epcot a lot (although there is a lot for kids there too) because the atmosphere is more adult, MGM and MK usually appeal to the thrill seekers (although AK has the new EE so you can't count that out if you like thrill rides) and AK (although a lot of folks seem to not like it) is a great place to see animals, there are some really cool shows (don't miss Festival of the Lion King) and a couple of cool rides. I like AK a lot -my boys dig the animals and they love the dinosaur area. It's not our fave but it's worth seeing. We always go in early spring or mid autumn. It's not quite as hot then but I imagine AK would be pretty hot in the summer mths. If you go in the summer, try what above poster said- AK in the AM and MGM in the PM. Each parks is doable in half a day in my opinion.

 

[WantToGoNow]

If I absolutely could not get a hopper and had to give up one of the parks, it would be Animal Kingdom (although my dh would disagree and we’d probably have to split up for the day). I love the park – but there really isn’t any attractions that I couldn’t give up for one visit at least.

MK is the favorite park of my children – and I do have a sweet spot for it myself. It is the most “Disney like” park and has the most attractions for small children. My dd22 has always loved Epcot the best – her first trip she was 10 and she fell in love with the World Showcase. My dh loves Animal Kingdom the best – he is big into nature and animals and isn’t into thrill rides – this park is for him. I personally love MGM – the atmosphere is great – I could spend an entire day or two just walking around looking at things and not really riding/seeing anything.

It really depends on your family and what type of rides/shows they enjoy the best. I really recommend the hopper pass and spending at least a little time in each of the parks.

 

[°O°Joe]

My favorites in order:

1. Magic Kingdom
2. Studios
3. Animal Kingdom
4. Epcot

Although there are many aspects of Epcot that I do like (Soarin, Journey Into Imagination, Spaceship Earth, Maelstrom, Rio Del Tiempo, World Showcase, Illuminations) not to mention Spaceship Earth is my all time favorite ride.

However, I couldn't completely eliminate it from my plans. It is my least favorite because it just wears me out - I don't know why, I know it's not the biggest park (Animal Kingdom is), but it just seems so huge. (EPCOT stands for *Every Person Comes Out Tired* by the way). That, and it really (Future World in particular) needs some updating. Also the different opening and closing times between the two sections (Future World and World Showcase) really kind of bugs me.

I think everyone here would agree that park hopper is the way to go. I can't imagine a trip to the World without a ride on Spaceship Earth... or on Expedition Everest... or on Hollywood Tower of Terror... or on most of the attractions at Magic Kingdom.

My advice is spend a little more and go with the park hopper and taste a little bit of all the parks, you won't be disappointed...

 

[ChristmasElf]

I still don't know which one.....I really need some more help

It's easy to see by the posts here that everyone will have a differing opinion on what to do or not do when in WDW.
Since you have never been to WDW, how about we just list the must sees at each park? That way you will be able to pick and choose.

If you have never been here though, you really should do each park if for no other reason, than to say you were there!!!
If you decide to go to the Animal Kingdom, GO EARLY IN THE MORNING!!
Head straight to the Safari which is in the back of the park to the left of the Tree of Life in Africa. You will see a lot more of the animals if you head here first as well as cut down on your wait time in line. (Don't worry about seeing the details of the Tree of Life now, there will be plenty of time when you go on the "It's Tough to Be a Bug" attraction which is under the Tree of Life.)

The Animal Kingdom has some great DON'T MISS shows! Like The Festival of the Lion King. This is wonderful and you and your kids will love it.
Tarzan Rocks was great as well-it's such a shame it is gone now

Expedition Everest is over in Asia- this is new and you will love it!!

It's probably lunch time now so head over to DinoLand and ride Dinosaur before you eat as there will be a little jostling on this and you don't want to be showing other people what you had for lunch now do we??

Depending on how hungry you are as well as how hot it is, this will determine if you eat at McDonalds or the Flame Tree Barbeque. Pizzafari is good if you want a quick little lunch in a hurry.

On your way out of the park, don't forget to hit the Kali Water Rapids to cool off just a bit!
There are many other attractions in the Animal Kingdom that you may want to spend the time on, I just listed my faves!

MGM- You could do this park on the same day you do the Animal Kingdom! This is also just a 6 hour do for me so we head there in the afternoon. One of the first things we do is the new Lights, Motor, Action Stunt Spectacular Show which the boys love! It is in bleacher like type setting, and you will have shade. Plus there will be a nice cross breeze to keep everyone cool.
Other faves are The Great Movie Ride, as well as don't miss ones like Tower of Terror and Rockin Rollercoaster.
I am not a big Star Wars fan and I could care less about Indiana Jones, so we usually skip these two as well.
If you want to grab a bite to eat, the Primetime Cafe is really fun and the food is good and not overly expensive either. This places throws you back into the 50's and serves a lot of family style foods like meatloaf and chicken, burgers, sandwiches,fries, etc. They will act like a big family in there complete with the strange cousin and the obnoxious Aunt!! very fun!

Fantasmic is the night time show that is also great to see. (If it is raining though or looks like it will start to storm any minute, skip this as it will end up getting cancelled if there is lightening) This show is only in the evenings and get there early to get a good seat.

If you did these 2 parks in one day, you are now no doubt exhausted! Head back to your resort and jump in the pool to cool off and relax!

EPCOT- there is a lot to see here and you will want to have your good tennis shoes on for this little stroll through the park. The countries are beautiful and the landscaping is gorgeous. If you are travelling with kids though, do the rides first.
Spaceship Earth-since you have never been, DO THIS.
Soarin is a MUST DO. Twice if you can. This is located over in the Land.

There is also Journey through the Land little boat ride that will take you through and see how we make use of the land and how plants can be grown without the use of soil. Just okay but worth seeing once.

Honey I Shrunk the Audience is fun.

The Living Seas is worth visiting once if you have never been.

2 of the countries have rides. One is Norway and the other is Mexico. But stroll through the countries and visit each one if you can.

At exactly 9 pm each night there is Illuminations which is not your average fireworks display. There is a laser show mixed in and is a must see.

I saved the BEST for last and you may even want to stretch this park over 2 days as you will want to do it all here!!!

When you go into the Magic Kingdom, go LEFT and keep LEFT all day. (Most people head to the right and you will avoid much of the crowd this way!) DO EVERYTHING at least once! Get a map and just do it all.
My faves are Buzz Lightyear over in Tomorrowland, The Tomorrowland Transit Authority and hopefully Carousel of Progress will be up and running and this will be a nice place to cool off for 20 minutes or so!
Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and even Peter Pan is a lot of fun! (there is always a line at Peter Pan though, so you will want to do this one early as well)

Will you have a rental car so you can wander around off property? If you need some restaurant ideas or any other ifo about places to see off property, just ask!!

 

[ChristmasElf]

(EPCOT stands for *Every Person Comes Out Tired* by the way).

I like to think of it as *Every Paycheck Comes On Thursday!*

 

[Suzyq9241]

Hubby and I


Its our Anniversary trip.....

No Kids Allowed

 

[tink1978]

I would give up either MGM or AK. They are both half-day parks for us....

 

[lisajl]

AK---When we went on the Safari I was not that impressed. Sure it was fun, but we have all but the hippos at the Columbus Zoo.

People were like, "Ewww..Okapi, cool." My boys were like, "Yea, we see those everytime we go to the zoo."

I know not all zoos are like ours. I did like seeing the Lion on top of his mountain. That was a sweet sight, but other than that, not that much fun.

Lisa

 

[mama4]

Hubby and I


Its our Anniversary trip.....

No Kids Allowed

Ok...well...a lot of people may disagree with me but since it is just you and the dh, and if you absolutely have to skip one park, and if you will be able to return with the kids sometime in the next year or so.. I would skip MK. Besides a few rides (the three mountains) and some shows, most of it is definitely geared toward kids and is the most crowded park by far. It is beautiful and magical and very dear to my heart, but both times dh and I have gone alone we have skipped MK and spent the time at Epcot. Granted, we go as a family at least once a year and sometimes more because we live so close by. Also, MK would make me think about the kids too much and I'd end up missing them and not having as good of a time. Also, the restaurants at MK are not the best in WDW- there are some good ones, but the best ones are at Epcot and at the resorts. Plus, if there will be any partaking of adult beverage consumption on this trip, remember that MK doesn't serve alcohol (which is great in my opinion since this is one reason we don't take our young children to Universal) - so don't plan a dinner there hoping to have a glass of wine

 

[NatalieO]

Okay I just got back Monday and it kinda funny cause I was planning on half a day at Epcot, because I didn't think my kids would like it that much ages 5,7,8. The loved it, the rode Test Track like 9 times no joke and loved Soarin. I would give up MGM, we didn't ride RNR (son too small) but rode TOT they loved it. So this is our family vote, DD 8- would give up MGM, but said she would never miss Fantasmic, DD 7- would give up AK, she hated EE. She only rode it 3 times though before she decided she hated it. And DS 5- would give up MGM, only if they moved the Power Rangers and Fantasmic to another park. Get a hopper! It was a life saver.

 

[tonyolily]

MGM. The only good rides are TOT & RNR. And I can only ride RNR! (I don't like that dropping over and over again thing with TOT) MHO, skip MGM...