Question for Disneyland Vets...which Parks at DW?

[mama2goldens]

I have an AP for Disneyland and go about 3 times a year. I will be doing my 1st Disney Cruise this coming Feb. After we will be staying 2 days and I want to visit 2 parks (no park hopping...so only 2 parks).

I have been to DW 3 separate times but each of those times was for short visits. Epcot will for sure be one of the parks we visit. I am going with a group of 7 (most of which have never been to DW) and I really want them to experience Epcot. I am having a hard time picking between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The only reason I am having such a hard time is because Animal Kingdom is the only park I haven't been too, but can I really skip Magic Kingdom?

So looking for others' opinion and thoughts.

 

[chitwnnole]

I have an AP for Disneyland and go about 3 times a year. I will be doing my 1st Disney Cruise this coming Feb. After we will be staying 2 days and I want to visit 2 parks (no park hopping...so only 2 parks).

I have been to DW 3 separate times but each of those times was for short visits. Epcot will for sure be one of the parks we visit. I am going with a group of 7 (most of which have never been to DW) and I really want them to experience Epcot. I am having a hard time picking between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The only reason I am having such a hard time is because Animal Kingdom is the only park I haven't been too, but can I really skip Magic Kingdom?

So looking for others' opinion and thoughts.

I have not been to DL so I can't compare the two. Epcot for sure ! AK to most is not a full day park at this point and their overall hours reflect that. If only going to one park a day I would do the second park as MK. However if you do AK you could use the extra time to visit the different resorts or downtown disney / disney springs

 

[SplashMo]

Tough choice. I would choose MK.. Or if you have park hoppers you could start at MK and then switch to AK. Or if you had a three day ticket. You could do AK from open to NOON or 1PM on the day you leave and hit much of the park...

 

[Suvadoo]

Is everyone in your group a DLR veteran? If so, I might choose the Animal Kingdom because this park does not contain anything that's at DLR. But as I'm writing this, another consideration would be the construction walls that I hear are everywhere AK.
I would also factor in the time of year for your trip. AK is the hottest park I've ever visited and IMO should be avoided on warmer days.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

 

[Albytaps]

I've taken 1 trip to DLR for 5 park days, it was awesome. I would say even though Disneyland trumps MK, I would still go to the MK if you've never been there. It'll be fun to compare the differences between the 2. There is plenty to do there all day and not experience everything.

Also, as others have said, AK is not a park to fill a whole day and with all the construction I would avoid it until they have it finished.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

Yup.

You go to Disneyland all the time. Animal Kingdom will be something completely different. Yes...there is a lot of construction going on at AK at the moment...but still.

If I only had one park to choose from DLR it would be California Adventure for the same reason.

 

[ZoZo]

Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

I agree. I'd go for parks that are completely different experiences than DLR - definitely Epcot and AK. I'm not as much of a fan of DHS, but am not really into the shows there.

And don't believe folks that say AK isn't a full-day park. It's a two-day (or even three-day) park for me! Plenty to do, and my favorite park!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Since you go to DL frequently and have never been to Animal Kingdom, I would go there. It's a full day park for us. We take multiple rides on Everest and try to do the Safari twice. Between the rides, the shows, and the trails, you can spend a whole day.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Another vote for Epcot and AK.

We could spend days at AK. I really don't get the "half-day" park thing. Since AK does close earlier than the other parks, you could either hop to MK (my preference), or enjoy dinner at Boma or Sanaa. Comparing MK to DL would be fun, but with only 2 days in the parks, I'd put a premium on seeing attractions that aren't available at DLR.

 

[Asnell]

Another vote for Animal Kingdom! MK has so much in common with DL...you will love seeing how completely different, and well-done, AK is. Enjoy the experience and don't believe the "half-day" sayers. There is so much to see and do if you take the time to see the animals and the shows. There's great food at the nearby AK Lodge, so plan for dinner there at Sanaa or Boma or Jikko after AK closes. You can also go to the nighttime animal viewing area at AKL after your meal and look for animals in the savanah with the night-vision goggles they provide.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I would choose AK and Epcot too. Magic Kingdom is quite different to Disneyland however not different enough that I would skip AK

I have an AP for Disneyland and go about 3 times a year. I will be doing my 1st Disney Cruise this coming Feb. After we will be staying 2 days and I want to visit 2 parks (no park hopping...so only 2 parks).

I have been to DW 3 separate times but each of those times was for short visits. Epcot will for sure be one of the parks we visit. I am going with a group of 7 (most of which have never been to DW) and I really want them to experience Epcot. I am having a hard time picking between Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. The only reason I am having such a hard time is because Animal Kingdom is the only park I haven't been too, but can I really skip Magic Kingdom?

So looking for others' opinion and thoughts.

 

[CAmommy]

I'd pick Animal Kingdom. Everest is worth the price of admission. There's nothing like the first time when you ride it.

 

[AndyR]

If you've not seen the new Fantasyland........

I'd do Rope Drop at AK, ride Everest and then head over to MK....... and EPCOT.

If you've already seen new Fantasyland, then I'd do AK + EPCOT and try to get all the shows in AK.

 

[kmedina]

Go to Disneyland often (our annual passes just expired last month and we are taking a break from renewing). Went 9 times within the past year.

If I had never been to DisneyWorld and only had 2 park days, I would choose Epcot and Animal Kingdom. They are the most different than the Disneyland parks. While the parks are all technically different, MK is the most like Disneyland and DHS is the most like California Adventure.

That said, we have seen all WDW parks multiple times. We only have 2 days following our cruise on the 13th of December and are choosing to spend both at MK. Here's why! My kids are 3 and almost 8 (he turns 8 on the cruise). The Fantasyland expansion was beautiful, and they enjoyed it. The Seven Dwarfs Mine train was not completed, so we wanted to go back and see it. Granted we could have chosen a second park for the second park day, but neither day will be full with other items on the agenda. Thus, I would rather have two 3/4 days, so they can enjoy everything in MK they want to hit.

I love the events at Epcot and Hollywood Studios this time of year, so I will be sad to miss them. Epcot has so may festivities as well as the Candlelight Processional. Hollywood Studios has the Osbourne lights and the new Frozen attraction. It aches me to miss these things, but with a February trip, you'd be missing them anyway.

 

[disneyquilter]

Disneyland vet here (once a week on average since '94) and 4 (going on 5) trip to the World.

Hands down, EPCOT and AK are a must.

MK and DHS I can do without since DL and MK and DCA and DHS are so similar sans the castles and a few of the attractions.

 

[hakepb]

Is everyone in your group a DLR veteran? If so, I might choose the Animal Kingdom because this park does not contain anything that's at DLR. But as I'm writing this, another consideration would be the construction walls that I hear are everywhere AK.
I would also factor in the time of year for your trip. AK is the hottest park I've ever visited and IMO should be avoided on warmer days.

At DL they have ITTBAB, GRR is a better tubular water ride than Kali, Indy is a better use of that ride vehicle than Dinosaur, primeval Whirl spins so it's better version of the Goofy's Sky School track. Matterhorn doesn't have a broken Yeti (but EE is a better modern coaster)

DL could never, ever have a Safari attraction... And it's my favorite attraction...but I think I would go with MK if I didnt have hoppers. (At least until AK starts their Rivers of America show to be a more complete daytime experience.