Plan 4 or 5 days for 10 and 12-y-o boys

[taterules]

If you were spending 4 or 5 days in the DW parks with a 10- and 12-year-old boy, how would you divide the time up between parks? This will be their first and only trip to Disney. Budget is a concern, but if I decide something like water parks or park hoppers are really worth the money, I can spring for it within reason.

 

[lisadisney2003]

If you only have 4-5 days, I would skip the water parks. There are 4 major parks and depending of the time of year you visit, some of these parks can easily take 2 days to complete. If it were me, I would go for the 5 day park hopper. Then I would each day for a different park based on which park is open on longest that particular day but do at least every park once. With the park hopper, you are able to switch over to another park for the evening if you like. Save the last day for whatever park you liked the most and want to return to.

Best wishes.

 

[minniebeth]

I've always been a park hopper fan, but on my recent trip, I had park hoppers and did not use them. I did one park each day. I didn't exactly design it that way, but that is how it worked out. I'm not sure how much the difference in cost is for park hoppers, but it is not a necessity to have them.
It gives you a little less flexibility, but with a little planning, works out fine.
I have a DS11 and DD9.... for that age group, the highlights would be depending on their spirit of adventure:
MGM...Lights, Motor, Action! show, Indiana Jones show, Rock n' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Fantasmic
Animal Kingdom...Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, Primevil Whirl, Kilimanjaro Safaris, The Lion King Show, It's Tought to be a Bug
Epcot...everything!
Magic Kingdom...everything!

I would give them a book and let them read about each thing and let them choose what the must dos are and then if there is time for more, great.

I would skip the water parks as well....

Good Luck!

 

[tripplanner]

With 4 or 5 days, I wouldn't do any water parks (they are fun, but not as much fun as the parks). I also would probably not do park hoppers to save some money. The only reason I would choose park hoppers, would be if money is no issue and if you really expect to spend a single day in more than one park. We spent the extra money many, many times and just didn't use it enough to justify the expense. With a 10 and 12 year old, all the parks are really great. I would probably spend more time in MK, MGM (if they like thrill rides like Rock n Roller coaster and Tower of Terror), and Epcot. I would definitely spend at least a day in AK. My kids were 11 & 12 on our last trip and liked to spend a little time in AK, but never wanted to stay more than a few hours. They never tend to run out of interest in any of the other parks.

 

[anabelle]

I have and 11 and 12 year old and their favorites in order are:
Blizzard Beach
R&RRC
TofT
Space Mountain
Mission Space
Soarin
Innoventions
Philharmagic

So if it were me, I would by a one day ticket to BB and then a Basic ticket to visit MGM, MK and EPCOT, no hopping if it is off season. My kids like AK the least, even with Everest.

 

[CharmedLife]

I think the park hopping question depends on what time of year you're going. If you're going during a slow time, keep in mind that Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and MGM may all close somewhat early (5 - 7). Epcot is always open until at least 9 no matter what, so sometimes we will go to one park during the day, but then jump over to Epcot at night.

During busier times of year, all of the parks will be open later and then I think the park hopper is less important, and cutting it could be a good way to save.

 

[bartleby1]

Well, if you only have 4 or 5 days, you will need to make some choices as to what you definitely want to see. We like to do one day in AK, one day in MGM, two days at Epcot and two days at MK. Also, your kids are old enough to really enjoy the water parks too. Personally, if you can possibly spare the time (time off from work/school), I'd try to squeeze another couple of days into the vacation, especially if this is a one time only trip. If you buy tickets through a discount place like undercovertourist.com, the 6 day tickets are the same price as the 4 day tickets. The park hoppers are $38 more than the regular MYW tickets. Since you said that you could possibly splurge for the park hoppers if it is needed, I would advise you to skip the hoppers but take the extra money and pay for another night or two in the hotel since the extra ticket day would be the same price anyway. The way disney has designed the tickets, you can add additional days for next to nothing once you have already put out the money for the first few days. For example, a 10 day adult MYW non-hopping 10 day ticket is only $19 more than a 3 day ticket through undercovertourist.com! So, if you can afford the time and the hotel bill, the extra park admissions are really cheap.

Just something else to consider.