Overthinking park days, could use advice!!

[whirlthepearl]

I'm an AP taking my parents (along with my husband and kids, 2 and 6) to WDW in early June for 3 nights/3 days to thank them for taking care of me after I was in a bad accident in the fall. I want the trip to be extra special and memorable for them, so I've purchased garden party fireworks viewing for them and the kids at MK and a few good ADRs. I've gone several times recently as "trials" to get a feel for what they'll like, crowd flow, etc. So the plan will be to go early, get a lot done, have a sit down lunch in the A/C, go back to the resort to rest/swim, and then possibly go back to the park but maybe not (they don't have park hoppers). My parents won't love the heat (I bought cooling towels) or crowds if it gets too crazy, so I don't want to push that "just one more ride" tendency I have when there.

I had scheduled 2 days at MK and one at HS (son's request) but now I'm wondering if we should go to AK on one of the MK days. Pros of AK: also opens at 8am, projected to be less crowded on the day we're going, it's a gorgeous park, and we could probably rope drop FOP (they don't love getting up early but agreed to follow my orders). Cons: no park hoppers, so this would be the only park of the day, and I'm worried there won't be enough to do, it's not as outwardly "magical" as MK. Pros of MK: I think it's the most fun to be at with kids, it would mean we can go at a more relaxed pace, we wouldn't have to focus on getting everything done in a day, and I've already secured good fast passes for both days. Cons: crowds at MK are projected at an 8 v 6 at AK, plus I want them to fall in love with Disney and they might get that by seeing another park rather than MK again.

Like I said, we are APs, so we can go plenty, but I doubt they'll be back anytime soon. I've asked them which they preferred but honestly they haven't done any research--I've taken care of all the planning (my gift to them). So any thoughts would be appreciated!!

 

[OFF2NVRLAND]

I would prefer 2 days at MK. There is so much to do and 1 day may not be enough. Especially with afternoon breaks. If you think they would enjoy the rides and atmosphere I’d go with MK. That way you can take your time at a more relaxing pace like you said. Maybe they will get another chance to check out AK

 

[saraheliz]

Given your kids' ages, I may just stick with MK, unless the 6 year old will do/is tall enough for EE, Dinosaur, FoP and the 2 year old is tall enough for Kali. I just think once you take those out of the equation, there isn't a ton to do- yes, there's walking around and it's beautiful and I LOVE AK, but with those ages of kids I'd probably just do a second day at MK. Or, you could play it by ear and always switch FP at the last minute if you needed to- if you feel like you get your fill of MK and want to try AK then just do it! Will take a little refreshing but shouldn't be too bad.

 

[gharter]

I love AK, but given your kids ages, I suspect they will have more fun at MK. MK has more rides that your 2 yo can do. It also gives you more time to do the character meet and greets which most kids love.
Your idea of in early, back to the resort in the afternoon and then back at night is a good choice.

 

[MrInfinity]

I'd swap to the 3 parks. You said early June? In that case I'd drop HS. EC-MK-AK. I would put MK on day 2 so it's the center of the trip. I'd do AK last to wind down. In terms of not being enough to do... This is grandparent-grandkid time. So like you said you're trying to *not* push that one more ride tendency. Embrace that. Do the AK. Grandparents could have an absolute blast doing Wilderness Explorer kits with the 6-yr-old. Going to all the stations -- doing activities and talking to people would be wonderful. Ride the Safari which is pretty much the most awesome grandparent ride in existence. You can probably get a FP to Na'vi too and rope drop FOP if you just can't break from the need to do so. BUT this will seriously ruin the "entering the park" experience. You have to walk aggressively and keep up with the crowd and it's not cool if you can't stop to enjoy. Walk the trails and do the Conservation train. Look at the birds on the trails. Try to identify them. People here get nervous if someone is doing something that isn't angled toward getting on the next ride but I think the AK is the most relaxing park to just wander around and be. If you want them to fall in love with it then I would walk in at a casual pace. Stop to look around. Go where the crowds aren't. See Lion King and TTBAB. Ooh and Aah.

Don't sell it as "We're going to get up at the crack of dawn and race to Flight of Passage because beyond that there isn't much to do there". That's setting it up to fail. Sell it as "This is our relaxing day in the most awesome animal park -- it's so different from most parks because you don't have to rush around". And then actually don't rush around. Do that on the MK day so you get your fix.

ETA: I might leave your parents with the kids at the Lion King show while you and DH sneak away for a couple hours to ride FOP.