Only 2 parks with a 10 year old-which ones?

[smilie]

If you were going to Disney for a long weekend and could only do 2 parks, which would you choose? DD (10) has never been. Magic Kingdom is guaranteed to be one of them, I'm just torn on what the other should be.

 

[rdaky]

Depends on what the 10 year old likes. Every kid is different. Star Wars and/or Toy Story? Hollywood Studios. A love for animals and shows: Animal Kingdom. Science or likes learning about other countries: Epcot.

 

[sponica]

Honestly, it depends on how many days you have. If you only have 2 days, I'd totally spend them both in MK (it's less overwhelming for me to tackle that park in 2+ days)

 

[rdaky]

Honestly, it depends on how many days you have. If you only have 2 days, I'd totally spend them both in MK (it's less overwhelming for me to tackle that park in 2+ days)

I think I agree. If you've never been and only have 2 days, Magic Kingdom is pretty difficult to experience all in one day.

 

[smilie]

I think you are right. There's so much in the Magic Kingdom and I'd hate to cut it short for another park that I'm not as interested in. If I had more time, maybe. But I think both days at Magic Kingdom is the best option. Thank you so much!!

 

[isabellea]

My DD (9.5yo) would choose MK and AK or MK and DHS.

 

[FallsChurchDad]

It sounds like you already decided, but if she is 10 and you guys want to skip characters entirely (which would be my recommendation, with time short), I would second isabellea -- do a big first day in MK and then either AK or DHS, depending on what rides/shows look the most fun to you/her.

MK is great but you really can do most of it in a big, fun day, if you FP Space Mountain, SDMT and either HM or PPF from late morning to early afternoon. Knock out all of Frontierland and Adventureland at rope drop, then use your FPs while sprinkling in lunch and few anytime rides, then keep refreshing the 4th FP to do Pooh, Dumbo, Barnstormer, Little Mermaid, Buzz, etc. Each time you scan, start refreshing for another.

 

[tinkerjo]

I would also do 2 separate parks. At 10, she won’t be interested a lot in the “little kid rides”. You can hit most of the major rides in a day, watch fireworks, and hit a different park day 2. Personally, my kids ALWAYS pick AK. It’s more their style. It also has some great shows and would give you time to sit after going hung ho at MK day 1. Of course you alway have the option after day 1 to change your mind and go right back to MK. Same day FP selections are usually available for most rides except 7DMT which is OK but IMO is way overrated

 

[Disneyfan754321]

My ds8 and ds11 really didnt like epcot. They kept asking when we could leave go back to MK.
They really liked studios. Ak had hours that are were hard to work with.

 

[Kellina]

It's so hard because every kid is different of course! I have 2 boys, so possibly a little different, but they love HS for the Star Wars stuff! Toy Story land is awesome, as is ToT and RnRC!!! But I have one kid who won't ride either of those scary ones!

They also actually love Epcot! They love Soarin and TT plus Living with the Land! But other than that not a lot to do so I'd skip it with only 2 days!!

 

[rdaky]

I would also do 2 separate parks. At 10, she won’t be interested a lot in the “little kid rides”. You can hit most of the major rides in a day, watch fireworks, and hit a different park day 2. Personally, my kids ALWAYS pick AK. It’s more their style. It also has some great shows and would give you time to sit after going hung ho at MK day 1. Of course you alway have the option after day 1 to change your mind and go right back to MK. Same day FP selections are usually available for most rides except 7DMT which is OK but IMO is way overrated

It really does depend on the kid. And even my 13 year old still likes the little kid rides for sentimental reasons.

 

[MomOTwins]

If park hoppers are an option, we found this very helpful on our first disney trip, which was also 2 days. We started both days in MK to take advantage of the low morning crowds and checked out the other parks in the afternoon/evenings.

 

[KenHutch]

While Hollywood Studios is by far my favorite park if I had only 2 days I would do Magic Kingdom both days. On our trips we usually do 3 days at Magic Kingdom because it can really take 2 days to do it properly and do the 3rd day for any favorite rides.

 

[saraheliz]

My (almost) 10 year old would choose Epcot, but that's because the bigger/scarier rides at DHS and AK don't appeal to her, while she loves Test Track and Soarin. If it's someone who will enjoy scarier stuff (Everest, FoP, Dinosaur) then I'd probably lean towards AK. DHS I'd only do as the second park once SWGE is open.

 

[ForMyBoys]

My kids beg for Epcot because they like the Agent P adventures which are like mini scavenger hunts. They want to do all of them. Soarin is also their favorite ride and they like walking through the worlds so Epcot is a must do for us. I personally would do two diff parks.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

My 11 year old told me the other day her two favorite parks at AK and MK.