Only staying 3 days...skip a park or split 2 parks in 1 day?

[MamaAlley]

Hello everyone! We are going to Disney for the 1st time this coming March. We are only going to be able to stay for 3 days. I am wondering if we should skip a park or try to do 2 parks in one day. If we should skip, which should we skip? And if we should split, which 2 should we split? My kids are 7 and 4.

Thanks!

Michelle

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

You could do Epcot and HS in one day. Or you could skip HS altogether.

 

[Happyjen27]

Skipping a park would probably be a more relaxed approach. If you have a great zoo in your home area, you could skip AK. Equally skippable is DHS. Check out youtube and the list of attractions to determine which of these to skip. At those ages, I might want to skip 2 parks and do MK over 2 days. Many parts of MK are magical only at certain ages, and I would almost rather submerge myself in MK magic than try to experience more things that might be less amazing (like EP, AK or DHS).

 

[beck02]

I'd skip a park. The AK seemed to be the least thrilling for us, although it rained on that day so most of the animals were not out. I loved HS--it has my favorite ride there, the aerosmith roller coaster, but if your kids aren't 48" they won't get to ride. When we went, HS was very light on the crowds, so it had a more relaxed, nicer feel to it, vs. MK which was almost elbow to elbow throughout the entire day. Epcot seems to be more geared towards adults--good to go to if you have the time.

If you only have 2 days, I'd suggest MK for both days, or MK & HS.

 

[Krobo1211]

I loved DHS... I know it's not a favorite and many people say to skip it but my 5 and 8 yo really enjoyed it. I would skip AK- def the least interesting for our family.

 

[dragonfly08]

My girls (now 7 and almost 10) are huge animal fans, but do not enjoy DAK at all. They love the other parks, though, so when we're there for a short visit we just do a day each at MK, EPCOT and DHS, and skip AK entirely. Park hopping makes us tired and cranky and we prefer not to do it (never mind that not adding it saves us money we can then spend elsewhere!).

 

[ArwenMarie]

For a first time trip with kids those ages, definitely two days at MK, first and last. Middle day...I would say Epcot or DHS. I agree that AK would be the last one I would pick in that situation, unless one of your kids is a huge animal lover or something else specific.

I think with those ages, I would do DHS over Epcot. Toy Story, Dis Jr show, Little Mermaid show, BATB show, cupcakes at Starring Roles

You could split it and then go see Epcot at night if you're up to it, and at least see Turtle Talk and Nemo, which are super cute.

Have fun planning!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I’d skip a park. Unless you are going to do 2 different parks on at least 2 of those days, it is not likely worth the $50 per ticket to add the park hopping privilege. Were it my crew, either Epcot or AK would be left out.

 

[amym2]

Do you think you'll go back to WDW in the future or is this a once in a lifetime (or at least a long while) trip? I agree that MK is the best park for those ages, but EP has always been our family's favorite, so I wouldn't skip it. It's nearly impossible to do all of EP in one day, so I'd focus on World Showcase (Nemo, Turtle Talk, Soarin, Test Track).

I'd suggest you look online at the attractions and shows for DHS and AK and choose which one to eliminate based on your family's interests. DHS has Toy Story, Star Tours, Disney Jr shows. AK has Kilimanjaro Safari, Nemo and Lion King shows, train to the Conservation Station (which is often ignored but was DS's favorite when he was younger).

With only three days, I wouldn't go to the expense of the park hopper. Hit the highlights of the three parks you choose, and plan to come back again!

 

[MamaAlley]

wow, thanks for all the feedback everyone!
this will probably be the only trip for a few years at least.
I like the idea of MK for 2 days and then picking one of the parks to do the third day. Or possibly doing AK (my hubby really wants to do that one) in the morning of one day and doing a different park for the rest of the day.
thanks for the help everyone!