Question about MGM - Really need advice!

[melbiel]

Hello,
I am so happy I discovered this website because I am driving myself nuts trying to plan our trip to Disney in April. I am wondering if someone can tell me if it's worth it to go to MGM. We have three daughters - ages 5, 3, and 8 months. My older two LOVE the princesses and anything Disney, so we are going to Magic Kingdom for two days. We were thinking of buying a three day pass and going to MGM one of the days, but I am not sure if it's worth it or not. It's expensive, so I want to make sure that there are attractions for little ones at MGM, aside from Fantasmic, which I know they will like. If anyone could give me their opinion, it would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Melissa

 

[raysnkaysmom]

MGM is OUR fave park (me and DDs 7 and 11)... but with your kids being that small... they will love MK best and they may really enjoy AK too with the animals....

 

[Janet Hill]

I'm sure they would like the Beauty and the Beast show and the Little Mermaid Show. Then there's the Muppets and Playhouse Disney.

There's probably enough for a day.

Have fun

 

[melbiel]

I am so surprised to receive a reply so quickly! Thanks so much. We were thinking about buying a Park Hopper pass and doing Animal Kingdom in the morning and the MGN in the afternoon to stay and see Fantasmic. I just want to be sure that if we do buy a full ticket for MGM, that it will be worth it. Are there any rides for little ones? From what I can see, it's mostly shows, which I am sure they will like as well. Thanks once again!
Melissa

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

MGM is mostly shows. The rides there would not be appropriate for children the ages of your children. You might want to split the day between 2 parks. Just try to find out the times of the different shows because they only run at set times and if you get there too late you might miss them.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

IMO, MGM would be a waste for you. There isnt really much to do there except for the thrill rides.. It's our least favorite park. I think if you choose a third day, you would be much happier at Epcot or AK.

 

[PrincessPoohsMom]

First off, to the DIS!

There are definitely things at Disney Hollywood Studios (the new name for MGM) for little ones your children's ages. They'll likely all love Voyage of the Little Mermaid and the Playhouse Disney show. The older two will probably enjoy the Beauty & the Beast stage show, although the little one might not be able to sit through it (I believe it's close to 30 minutes). Muppets 3D will again probably be a hit with the older two (the little one likely won't be able to keep the 3D glasses on). There are plenty of opportunities for character meet & greets throughout the park, you'd have to check the daily schedule upon arrival for specifics. When are you traveling? If you'll be there later in the summer you might be able to enjoy the newest ride, Toy Story Mania. It will be an interactive ride-through game, rather like Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom. Disney hasn't released specific opening information yet beyond Summer 2008. (Watch the Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies board, those folks usually have the latest "buzz".) I will offer a caution about Fantasmic, it can be loud and rather intense, and I've seen plenty of parents beating a hasty retreat with terrified children. That being said, you of course know your kids best. I'd just make sure they know what to expect (you can usually find footage of WDW shows & attractions on YouTube).

DHS/MGM is a great park, but all that blacktop can be hot, so be sure to drink lots of water, slather on the sunscreen, and try to take a break inside for lunch. There are a few table service restaurants, including the Sci-Fi Dine-In, which is usually a bit hit with kids.

Have a great trip!

 

[melbiel]

Thanks again for the quick and helpful replies. As you can probably see, I haven't been to Disney since I was about 10 years old! We were also wondering about Epcot and if this would be age appropriate for our girls. I know even less about Epcot! If we were to split between two parks for one of the days, I was wondering if people could recommend which two. (Not including Magic Kingdom.) Also, can anyone tell me where I can find the showtimes for the attractions at MGM? Thanks again. I am breathing a huge sigh of relief that this website exists. Trying to do this on my own without any advice is stressing me out beyone belief!

Melissa

 

[DVCLiz]

IMO, MGM would be a waste for you. There isnt really much to do there except for the thrill rides.. It's our least favorite park. I think if you choose a third day, you would be much happier at Epcot or AK.

I can easily spend almost two full days at MGM and I never go on a thrill ride. I think there's plenty to do - although if the children are all small that does limit the attractions they would be interested in.

Still, with Playhouse Disney, Mermaid, Muppets, and Beauty and the Beast, I could easily fill a half day with little ones. Not to mention character greetings and the afternoon parade!!

 

[melbiel]

Thanks once again. Maybe we will check it out - my girls adore The Little Mermaid, so they will go crazy for that attraction alone! Does anyone know if the times for the shows (Little Mermaid, Disney Playhouse, etc...) as well as the parade, are shown online? I'd like to try and plan our day as much as possible. What a great site this is - I wasn't even expecting a response, and I received so many! THANK YOU!
Melissa

 

[karajeboo]

Don't forget - most of the Disney channel meet and greets are here!

 

[Beehn]

As far as the showtimes...the Little Mermaid just runs constant, I think. (someone correct me if I'm wrong) That means the wait time will just be as long as the show ahead of you...assuming there isn't a big line. The Beauty and the Beast has specific times...I'm thinking it runs about every hour and a half or so. I know we had several options of times when we were there. I tried to look on the park daily schedule and didn't see it listed, so you can run by the theater when you get there in the morning and see what the times are.
My DD was 3 the last time we were there. She loved Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid...This year she is 5 and I know she will want to see the High School Musical parade/show.
I don't really have advise on which park to skip. We like different parts of all of them.
Happy Planning

 

[npmommie]

We love MGM/Hollywood studios! my 4 yo rode tower of terror twice! ( my 7 yo did it 10 times!)
the shows are great, the character meets are great, overall it was one of our favorites.

 

[brymolmom]

Caution for OP - if your younger 2 (or even all 3) scare easily - I would sit near an exit at Fantasmic....my daughter was terrified of it at 3, and my son, 4 at the time - sat thru it but was scared. We haven't been back since - we'll likely wait a couple years until they're older.

Just don't want you heading there for that one show and ending up having to leave cuz your littler ones don't like it.

On the other hand - we love Hollywood Studios - my kids FAVORITE is Playhouse Disney Live on Stage - so we usually go to this twice while there. We also do the Muppets and the older one does Star Tours. Mine love the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground and they LOVE The Beauty and the Beast show - this is a must do for us. They like (but don't love) the little mermaid show, and last time we were there they had a High School Musical pep rally with singing and such - which the kids loved even tho they've never seen the movie. And, of course, dh and I child swap for Tower of Terror because this is MY all time favorite ride. If you want to make it a whole day experience and your kids like Jojo show and Little Einsteins - I recommend the Play and DIne at Hollywood and Vine character breakfast - lots of singing and dancing and good food.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[melbiel]

and particularly about Fantasmic. My 3 year old is a chicken, and I'd have to say so is my 5 year old, so we will definitely sit close to an exit. Sometimes they aren't scared when I think they will be, so you never know! But it is good to have a head's up with this. I didn't even think that it might be too scary. Thanks again. I think we will try out MGM and see how it goes. They love The LIttle Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Disney Playhouse, as well as Little Einsteins and Jo Jo's Circus, so it should be great for them. Thank you for the quick and helpful responses!
Melissa

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

What time of yr are you going? We loved it at Christmas with the Osborne lights. Fantasmic is loud and can be scary for little ones (my dd 2 was freaked out by it) but dd 7 loved it when she was 3. So it varies per child. Also lights motor action (i think that is the name) is VERY loud for small children. But there are plenty of shows the little ones will like. And Dinner at Hollywood and vine is great with the characters, Jojo, little einsteins.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ollywoodAndVineCafeofStarsCharacterDiningPage

 

[mom2alix]

With your kids ages, I would recommend splitting a day with AK in the AM and Epcot in the evening. Epcot is MY favorite park, but no so much for my kids. It's also open later and has fabulous dinner options so it's a great afternoon/evening park.

MGM has a lot of great things for kids. Getting their early and starting with Playhouse Disney is the way to go. It is a don't miss with young kids. My kids could play for hours in the "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playground.

Your princesses might not be nterested, but my little pirate LOVED the new Motorcars show and DD enjoyed it too.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we have a 5 yr old who has been to disney ten times already. She loves princess' but prefers MGM park overall, Be certain to see Beauty and the Beast. Your kids will be ENTHRALLED!! Its spectacular, worth the price of admission alone! Mermaid is darling and the shows do run continuously (they may end at 5pm,so check) get fastpass for mermaid and see Beauty/Beast as this show only runs 3 or 4 times a day(daylight hours only)U do not want to miss it. Theyll love the parade as well.
my opinion....Enter park, then immediately get Mermaid fastpasses, then go see
Beauty/Beast show, then playhouse disney, make lunch ressies for sci fi theater(like a drive in ) or Hollywood and Vine lunch with Jojo & Lil Einstiens buffet, then see some characters for autographs, then view the cute parade,,,,,lots for your kids there! This park is not just rides,perfect for your kids.