Parking at Downtown Disney & Shopping &AK

[kdorn75]

Hi

This will be my first trip to Florida and WDW.

-Is it free to park the car at Downtown Disney? I will stay at Bonnet Creek.

-I bought 5 days-base tickets and have been told that Animal Kingdom is kinda boring from friends who have been there. They told me to skip this park and said the park is too big for 5 years old kid to walk around, is it true?

-Is there any good shopping place near WDW area apart from Premium Outlet on Vineland? Downtown Disney must be expensive, but I just want to go there to look around and shop elsewhere.

Please suggest, thank you.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes, it is free to park your car at DownTown Disney and shop there.

I don't think the Animal Kingdom is boring at all! However, I really like animals. And I can't imagine anyone finding Expedition Everest boring. Or Dinosaur for that matter. If you don't think your 5 year old is up to a lot of walking, then bring or rent them a stroller. You will see kids that are a lot older in strollers, so no one would bat an eye, it that worries you.

 

[SoonerSarah]

I can't really answer on the shopping, we went in search of an outlet and came across a very small one and didn't have time to keep looking.

Yes, parking at DTD is free.

As for the parks, it all depends on your child and family. I have never been to Epcot, but DH has and insisted that everyone would hate it, simply because he did more than 15 years ago. We did go to AK and I think it was a complete waste of time. We have been to many, many zoos and I have to say that other than the safari, I would have rather spent the day at a zoo. Some of it was poor planning on DH's part. Thankfully, I don't think he wwas all that impressed with it either, so whenever we are able to go back, we will go to Epcot.

As for your child getting tired...my older girls, 3 and 7, did walking and riding in the stroller. The oldest gets tired easily, and gets sick easily in the heat, so on the longer walking portions and late at night they would hop in the stroller.

 

[sharonabe]

Since you have 5-day tickets, I suggest you give every park a try. You never know what will be the hidden gem for your family. Like the old saying goes, "one man's trash, is another man's treasure." So I wouldn't base my decision on what someone else has said. Go and see for yourself.

AK does usually close earlier than other parks, so you can leave from there and go to DTD to do some shopping/looking around in the evening.

Unless your 5 yr old is unlike most energetic 5 yr olds, he/she should be fine walking around all the parks. But you can always rent a stroller if they get tired.

 

[mkwj]

There are a lot of people who spend only a half day. We really like it. There is a lot more to do there than just the animals. The nemo show is like a broadway and we really enjoyed it. Last time we had hoppers and actually took a day and a half there. It is a great park to do midway through your trip.

 

[DaniB]

I would say Epcot has the most walking! And my 6 year old was just fine walking most days rope drop to dinner time.

Don't skip a park because other people don't like it. Try it and see what your own family thinks of it.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Everyone's family is different. Our 2 favorite parks are AK and EPCOT. DD11 has been going since she was almost 3. I didn't mention MK but that's because we have DL in our backyard and go there a lot.

If I had to skip a park it would probably be DHS. But that's me.

You know your family best. Personally I would go to AK just for Kilimanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest. (your 5 y/o may be too small/too young for this ride)

Your 5 y/o would love The Boneyard (mine still does), Finding Nemo, and the Festival of the Lion King.

 

[GreenDog]

Totally disagree with AK being boring!! That is my favorite park (I love all four), but I had a great time at AK. Kali River Rapids and the Safari are awesome and FOTLK is not to be missed. Spend some time simply staring at the Tree of Life, the detail is simply incredible.

 

[ilovemyjj]

Ak is far from boring! My family loves it!! There is 6 of us! We just got back like 2 wks ago..we have AP, so we go a lot! :O)
But, see for yourself, then make an opinion! We go to the ehs, spent 8am-12pm, eat lunch and we go back to our hotel, we get all the major rides in thos hrs! We walk on the rides! Go, have fun! :O)

 

[stitcher3000]

Nooooooo don't miss out on this park, as prev posters have said, Nemo, Everest, Dinosaur, Lion King show. It's tough to be a bug, Kilimanjaro safaris, Panganini forest trail to name a few, plenty to see and do and again if bubba gets tired and cranky either take a stroller or hire one?
We listened to a friend of ours saying that Epcot was a waste of time and didn't go on our 1st trip, well we went on our 2nd trip and well it's a toss up as to which is our favorite park between AK & Epcot.
The tree of life is a sight to behold for the wee ones too.
Most of all have fun and enjoy