One day-MK, HS or AK?

[adoptivemama]

We are doing a last minute couple of days at Disney this weekend. On our way down to visit family in South Florida and decided to do a stop over. We have a 4 year old and a 16 month old. At first I thought we would do MK, an obvious choice but now I am wondering is HS might be good because of the Disney Junior characters, Cars characters, Toy Story, etc.
Also thought that AK might be good because of the animals. I doubt the 16 month old will care, she is entertained by Tupperware but also want fun things for her to look at and experience.

Also, maybe the crowds will be smaller at HS and AK?

If you had one day.......??

 

[jacknsally19]

Since you don't feel too strongly about a particular park, I'd suggest looking at the crowd calendar on touring plans site or easy wdw and see which park is most recommended.

 

[POTCAddict]

Although the AK is near and dear to my heart; I think for your age group MK or HS would be better. I think Magic Kingdom is a must- see with the castle and the princess meet and greets (and fairies, and the fab five) but at four they love Disney junior, toy story, cars... I would consider which the 4 yr old likes best as the 16 month old will be happy either way or do a park hopper! Rope drop at the magic kingdom; head straight to Dumbo and fantasyland, princesses, Peter Pan, any other favorites and then spend the afternoon in HS. Do the Disney junior show, the little mermaid and then watch the Pixar parade. Hit up cars and the muppet show... Some pizza planet pizza and you're outta there.

 

[tourguide81]

The studios would absolutely not be my choice, but that's our least favorite park. For me it would be MK hands down unless the crowds would be super bad that day. I'd probably opt for Epcot over AK, though.

 

[henry72]

If you only have one day, I would do MK.

 

[pigletgirl]

I would do AK! It's a lot to do it all in one day if you choose MK.

 

[Julie711]

If you only have one day hands down my choice would be MK!

 

[worm761]

I think it really depends on what your 4 year old is into. And how they would both react to characters. And what you want from this one day.

MK is my favorite park and a really good choice for both ages. But my DD is 4 and is really into animals so if I only had one day I would do AK. Actually, she was refusing to potty train so I bribed her with a trip to AK if she would just start peeing on the potty. It worked! So after our trip to St Augustine we will be driving to Disney and doing AK and MK before coming home.

 

[kohlby]

Definitely MK.

AK was actually a flop with my kids - and we tried it three times! I think they had been to our local zoo too many times. HS was a hit with my kids, but MK has a lot more. EP is actually my kids' favorite park - and was even at 3 years old for all three kids!

 

[MandiC]

I loved AK but I will say, it is not a full day park. Expedition Everest, Dinosaur and Kali River rapids all have height restrictions so it would be an even shorter day for you than it was for us. There are a few kids rides but you would pretty much be going for the safari and animals...if you have a zoo near your home your kids might get bored. (I mean you might be really impressed by the exotic animals but to my kids...they mostly just thought...animals )
HS- I didn't see any Car themed anything or characters, the only place I saw a Toy Story character was MK but I wasn't really looking. It's not like the Disney Jr. characters are throughout the park, they are just at the Disney Jr show, courtyard and Hollywood and Vine restaurant. That wasn't a fully day park for us either and similar to AK it doesn't have much for rides for kids (really just Toy Story Mania). How do you feel about sitting through shows with your kids? Some kids are fine sitting, others want to run around and play.

If it were me I'd do MK with kids those ages. Maybe a park hopper to get in the Disney Jr show or breakfast in the am and then head to MK for the rest of the day.

 

[little miss minnie]

Like PP's said... try to go off of what you think your kids will enjoy most. I would personally choose MK because that's my favorite park. I also feel like there is more for young kids at MK then DHS.

 

[mm1971]

We are doing a last minute couple of days at Disney this weekend. On our way down to visit family in South Florida and decided to do a stop over. We have a 4 year old and a 16 month old. At first I thought we would do MK, an obvious choice but now I am wondering is HS might be good because of the Disney Junior characters, Cars characters, Toy Story, etc.
Also thought that AK might be good because of the animals. I doubt the 16 month old will care, she is entertained by Tupperware but also want fun things for her to look at and experience.

Also, maybe the crowds will be smaller at HS and AK?

If you had one day.......??

With young ones we would always default to MK. There is just so much more for them to do and the magic of being that first park and really what represents Disney World. HS for us would be last in of the 3 and AK for us would be more of a morning/early afternoon. If you have a PH ticket, why not do AK for half a day and then head over to MK.

 

[Happyjen27]

MK.

Always.

So much magic, perfect for young kids.

I would rather have a crowded day at MK than an empty day at AK or HS. AK will not have much beyond a zoo for kids that age due to height restrictions. HS is entertaining, but it doesn't have the volume of rides that cater to that 4 yo age like Peter Pan, Pooh, Small World, Philharmagic, etc.

 

[BubblyTrip]

MK for sure, for sure, for sure. Perfectly geared for little ones. We've done two day trips the last two years while visiting family (stay on site) and do MK both days happily. If you can be at RD, you will do well even on a busy, not recommended day.

 

[Marsheliz]

We just did 5 days in October but are going back for just a weekend in June to see my sister who we never get to see... We chose to just do the MK for our one day... While I love the other parks, no way I could visit and not do MK. it just screams Disney!

 

[BebopBaloo]

Absolutely MK. AK comes in second and HS a distant third. The Little Mermaid show at HS features a giant Ursula and is kind of scary for the toddler crowd.

Epcot is a good choice along side MK.