Preference of WDW Parks

[Advance The Man]

My preference:
1. Magic Kingdom
2. MGM
3. Epcot
4. Any County Fair
98. Watching paint dry
99. Animal Kingdom

We were there last weekend and went to AK and MGM for the first time and MK (several times before) with a 1 year and 3 year old.

I've got to say AK was a complete disapointment. We had a wonderful character breakfast at Donaldsaurus and went to Dinoland where the dumbo like ride is. We went to the roller coaster and the minimum height nexed that. I asked if there where any roller coasters for his size & there isn't. She recommended a park with slides on it. This is located a short distance away, is all fenced with concrete. Just plain ugly. We went on the train (in Africa) to see animals and it only passes what appears to be the vet hospital wards. Each of these identical buildings are concrete block and chain link fencing. We saw a rhino through a window and maybe a wilderbeast laying down behind a chain link fence. That was it! Why they would design the train with no savannah view, no real animal views, I have no idea. The cast members were pleasant, but most appeared new b/c they didn't know how to give directions. After the train we left. It just wasn't for us. Animal Kingdom, without a doubt is the worst theme park I've ever been to. This includes county fairs!. To each their own, but we're so much more comfortable with MK and the child friendly 'Toon Town', the carousel, etc.

MGM was a welcome surprise. Bear and the Big Blue House was terrific for the 3 yr old and the 1 yr old. The 1 yr old learned how to clap during the show! Little Mermaid show was good as was the stunt Indiana Jones show. We had a disastrous ABC Commissary lunch or lack of. No exagerration, we waited 25 minutes in line AFTER we paid. I politely got my money back. This started a mass refund exodous. People were fuming. I asked what the deal was and they were short on cook staff. There had to been 250 people in line with no food coming to the counter. We went to a pizza joint near the muppett show, which was very cool 3d movie. Unfortunately we were unable to do any of the adult rides, but we'll be back in April.

 

[mickeymom629]

I think you missed my favorite attractions in AK--the Safari Ride and Lion King show. My kids love the Kali River Rapids and Dinosaur!, which your child is too young for. But the Tarzan Show might have been a hit for you all. I like the train ride, but I do agree that the view could be better. The older my kids have gotten, the more we appreciate all there is to see at the AK. But I'm glad you posted your opinions because we are going with my sister's family (kids ages 3 and 5) and we were wondering which might be better--MGM or Ak. I guess we'll do MGM for their first trip (of course, in addition to MK and Epcot!).

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I just went to AK for the first time and I loved it. DD fell asleep.

 

[Ted and Holly]

No offense, but you didn't really prepare for AK at all.

The train is a backstage trip to Conservation Station in Rafiki's Planet Watch. You described exactly what it is supposed to be.

If you want to see animals, go on the Kilimanjaro Safari. Also, the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and the Maharaja Jungle Trek are both walk-through exhibits where you see LOTS of wildlife.

For rides, Kali River Radids is fun, but only on hot days, unless you wear a poncho. Dinosaur! is also a very good ride.

The Lion King show is excellent. And if you are into birds, Flights of Wonder is fun and informative. Want to see a "cool 3D movie"? Try It's Tough to be a Bug.

AK is NOT a commando ride park. It is a place to take it easy and see the sights. If you are running from ride to ride, you won't see a thing.

Ted

 

[cmonroe]

My preference:
1. Magic Kingdom
2. MGM
3. Epcot
4. Any County Fair
98. Watching paint dry
99. Animal Kingdom

.........

LOL... Watching paint dry..Too funny. I woudn't say that it's that far down on my list, but when I visited AK on my last two trips, I was not that impressed either. I have children similar ages. The Kilimanjaro Safari and the lion king show are amazing though. My DD 3yr was terribly frightened by It's tough to be a bug. But I agree with above poster I can see it being more fun for the children when they get a little older. My daughter's favorite "attraction" there is the Rainforest Cafe! We might skip next trip, and will reserve complete judgement for when they're a little older.

 

[annej]

we loved AK. Found it relaxing and a switch from rides, rides rides! My kids, 10 and 6, loved it too! Try it again but with a different approach.

 

[tar heel]

1. MGM
2. MK
3. Epcot
4. AK

The first three are so close together that I change the order depending on my mood. My favorite attraction -- ToT -- is at MGM. My favorite restaurants are at Epcot but I also like a couple at MGM. I love to spend a few hours seeing the small shows in the countries at Epcot. MK is so diverse and has so many attractions. Although AK is last, I like it better each time I go.

I'm sorry you missed AK's best attractions -- the safari, in which you do see lots of animals, and the Festival of the Lion King show.

 

[JennyMominRI]

For me it's
Epcot
MK
AK
MGM

My favorite it park out of WDW and DL is Epcot.. Next to the I like DL's MK.
I just didn't get the same disney magic feel at WDW's MK...That may be because I'm so used to CL's MK.. I'm willing to change my opinions this may

 

[Advance The Man]

Interesting about DL's MK. Growing up in Florida I sometimes forget that it exists! What's it like? How is it different? Do they have extracurricular theme parks like Epcot, MGM, AK?

For me it's
Epcot
MK
AK
MGM

My favorite it park out of WDW and DL is Epcot.. Next to the I like DL's MK.
I just didn't get the same disney magic feel at WDW's MK...That may be because I'm so used to CL's MK.. I'm willing to change my opinions this may

 

[JoyMouse]

Our favorites:

1. MK
2. MGM
3. EPCOT
4. AK

*Animal Kingdom is growing on us. We didn't like it much to start, but it seems to get better each trip. DeVine is one of our favorite things about WDW!

 

[slo]

We don't love AK either. In fact, when we went, we were so tired if by 12 noon that we grabbed a bus and went back to the MK. Eventually we will give AK another chance, but I still think I won't like it.

My order of parks are:
MK
Epcot
MGM
AK

 

[Bellefan66]

Same here....

MK
MGM
EPCOT
cutting my childs toenails
balancing the checkbook
AK

Just wasn't impressed. Our Safari ride wasn't what we thought. We saw the same 3 animals. We did however like Tarzan Rocks and the rapids. CM's were very gracious, the park is beautiful,just not our cup of tea.

 

[Bobb G]

We visited AK in August of 2003. We were not impresses for the most part. The safari ride was lame...we didn't see one animal. Granted, it wasn't first thing in the morning, but was mid morning and they were all sleeping.

When we return in July, we'll give AK another try since there are other good things about it.

 

[Matt'sMom]

Well, I guess a lot depends on the age of the family members that are with you on your trip... and your interests. We tend to enjoy the more relaxing and/or educational attractions, as oppossed to either 'kiddie rides' or wild thrill rides. Our favorite parks, in order would be:

EPCOT
DAK
MK
BB (haven't been to TL yet)...
and MGM.


There are attractions that we do enjoy, and attractions we could very well do without, at each of the WDW parks.

But to say that DAK is more boring than paint drying??? Sure sounds like someone simply didn't take the time to look very far. The park is filled with lots of interesting animals (more than 1700 of them) from the moment you walk through the gates... and there was more there to see and do than we could ever fit into one day. There are naked mole rats (like on 'Kim Possible'), flying foxes (huge fruit bats), silver-backed Gorillas... many of which are in enclosures designed so that you are almost always guaranteed an opportunity to observe them. The safari is aboutt he only place where you might not always be able to view the animals as easily (due to the size of the habitats). DAk has loads of trails to explore, and the kids can quite literally have a 'hands on' encounter with the heritage livestock at Rafiki's Planet Watch (if they want to pet & brush the animals). The exotic birds in the walk-through aviaries came right up to us too. And the Boneyard, where you can help dig up a woolley mammoth, is one of my DS's all time favorite WDW play areas. There is a lot more to DAK than just Dino-Rama.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I wasn't ready for AK. Everyone I talked to said I could do the whole park in half the day. Let me tell you...I was there for 6 hours in off season and didn't get to see any of the shows OR Dinoland (well, I saw Dinoland, but didn't get to walk through it). Very deceptive, I tell you. Next time I won't stop to smell the flowers (literally! lol) and will try to see at least 1 show.

 

[Advance The Man]

MattsMom,

I appreciate the 1700 animals, but don't find them interesting. We have a season pass to our local zoo and go probably 8 - 10 times a year. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

I'm glad to read all of the responses to my original post. I agree with several of you, we didn't do a couple of things like Tarzan, Lion King and Bug 3d that we probably would of enjoyed. I also agree that a lot depends on the ages of the children. If you were in my shoes though! It was hot, a grumpy 3 year old saying "rowwer coaster, rowwer coaster", we go to Dinoland and he's too small for this one, so I said "later when we go to MK, let's go see the animals on the train ride", then no animals. By this time I was like forget this, let's go to MK where I know there is a "rowwer coaster" (Goofy's in ToonTown) and plenty of sure hits for the boy.

 

[estnh]

Our preferences, in order, are:

Epcot
MK
MGM
AK

But honestly AK isn't that bad! Our first time there, which was one day after opening day, I had the same reaction. But, having gone back at least once every year since then, the more time you spend there, the more you grow to love it. I think the walking trail in Asia is one of the most beautiful areas at WDW, and arguably the Festival of the Lion King is the best show that Disney offers.

Give it another chance!

 

[daisylove]

Me:
1. EPCOT/MK
2. MGM
3. DAK

DD 5
1. MK
1 1/2 EPCOT
3. Animal Kingdom Lodge
4. MGM
5. DAK

 

[Turner5]

We love them all! Can't wait to go back! If I had to pick an order, I guess I would have to say
1. MGM
2. Epcot
3. MK
4. AK

My older kids would probably agree with the order (12, 10) while my youngest would definitely put MK at the top of the list (7).

I wouldn't want to miss any of the parks though!

 

[JennyMominRI]

Interesting about DL's MK. Growing up in Florida I sometimes forget that it exists! What's it like? How is it different? Do they have extracurricular theme parks like Epcot, MGM, AK?

Lets see.. MK at disneyland has the Matterhorn,a great coaster.It also has the Indiana Jones ride which is amazing.. Fantasyland has a few more rides at DL ,Pirates is far superior at DL(although I think the hanted Mansion at WDW is superior to DL).. DL also has New Orleans Square which is my favorite part of the whole park...It's just beautiful.. Also Star Tours is in the MK at DL
There is now Liberty Square area at DL.
DL has one other park California Adventure... IT's got nothin on the other parks at WDW,especially now that Epcot is getting Soaring Over California ,which is California Adventures best ride.. I haven't been to Ca Adventure since they finished the TOT however
DL has a much smaller DTD.
WDW is a totally different experience from WDW..I think most everything at WDW is superior...All except for the MK