Our first trip with both our kids, they were 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 and they both agreed, Epcot was their favorite!
AK first time, we just spent a few hours. Next trip, we spent all day, and could spend another day. Wandering the trails to look at the animals was so nice and fun! They loved the gorillas, big cats, and the bats! The cast members teaching about the animals was something my kids loved!
It wasn't until later that we did Rafiki's Planet Watch (my son and husband still haven't done that, since many trips recently are just my DD and me). She loves petting the animals and seeing how they care for them.
MK is definitely fun for little kids, of course.
Now HS is just a shell of what it used to be, so it's a half day park for us.
My favorite area to stay is in an Epcot resort, but with the costs soaring (no pun intended, okay maybe), she and I enjoyed Pop since it's so close, and the bus service has been very, very good. Plus, Epcot resorts have less quick meals to choose from, and we liked the options after we got back to Pop to eat in the room (we get tired, then I'd let her get back to the room and go get carry out and bring back to eat in the room).
Monorail resorts, we've done GF twice and I've done CR twice, once with family (but we got a military deal for $100/night). Not worth more really - we're not a fan but it was fun then for sure! Just it isn't my favorite!
My favorite Epcot resort is the Swan. BWI was good, especially the deals we got renting off redweek and TUG for villas. Last time we did BWI, it was not worth the cost even with a huge discount.
Still, the Epcot resort area is so nice, since you can walk to two parks and many resorts. And a morning walk around the lake is so beautiful.
