short trip-what to skip with littles ones?

[sharonb]

We are planning our first family trip to Disney with our 2 boys next december (probably 8-13). Boys will be 5 1/2 and almost 3 then. Hubby and I went for a few days together in 2000, so we know a little, but not lots about the parks. I am worried if we try to 'do it all" it will be a disaster-both of boys are kindof "whiners' and get easily overwhelmed. My thought was to concentrate on MK and AK and maybe go one evening to Epcot and skip MGM-at this point I doubt they would sit through shows etc. Would they be really missing out if we did this?

 

[sdamico71]

I would hit MGM, even for 1/2 day if possible. They might enjoy the Playhouse Disney and LittleMermaid shows. Also Beauty and the Beast might interest them (I know you said they were boys, but we saw lots of little boys at these shows). You can also get real close to the parade here, so they might enjoy seeing that also. This is the only place we were able to find Toy Story characters. Plus with being at Disney in December, you will be able to see alot more than if you were there during peak times.
As for Epcot, not really sure they would enjoy it. I still have yet to find anything that interests my kids at Epcot. Although I find it interesting!

 

[hockey mom]

I would skip Epcot. At MGM there is also the honey I shrunk the audience backyard scene to play in that they would love.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I agree with the previous posters here.. I would definitely skip Epcot with little ones.......and concentrate on Magic Kingdom first, Animal Kingdom and then MGM.. even if it is 1/2 a day.. the Beauty and the Beast show is beautiful along with the Little Mermaid show.. and they will love the animals in AK...

This was hard for me to say as Epcot is my favorite of all the parks....but we have adult children and my husband and I so we concentrate there.....

 

[kbkids]

This is the same age my kids are, and I would definitely skip Epcot. My DD (the oldest) does like Test Track, but that is the absolute only thing in the park that she likes. We usually go to Epcot on the evening of the day that we do Animal Kingdom (since it closes at 5:00), just simply so she can ride test track. MGM they love though!! She loves Tower of Terror, and the kids have a ball at Playhouse Disney. My DD likes the Little Mermaid show, and my son loves the Toy Story section. They also have a great time playing in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play section.

We went a few weeks ago for a quick trip, and when given a choice between AK and MGM, she picked MGM without thinking about it. We like AK, but it's definitely our 3rd choice park. We have done AK and MGM on the same day - but we really pushed it that day, but it is possible if you pick and choose what you do. Our kids love Fantasmic in the evenings at MGM also.

 

[shelleyz]

I also say skip Epcot. My DS2 and DS4 were not too thrilled with Epcot. They did like spaceship earth and the living seas but that was it. We didn't even go into World Showcase with them. They enjoyed the shows at MGM. We saw The Little Mermaid, Playhouse Disney, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Great Movie ride, Muppet Vision 3D and DS4 and DH did the Indiana Jones show. We also watched the parade. They did really good. They actually suprised me with how good they were during the shows. DS2 is a whiner too, he also slept through a few. If you can do MGM I think they will enjoy it.

 

[jaysue]

So here is one for diversity - I say skip MGM and concentrate on AK and Epcot and then MK 3rd

Our DS#1 (4yrs old last trip) loves Epcot and AK (his favourites) - these are extracts from our trip report:

Tied for #1 favourite park (at least on this trip) - he loved dancing in the fountains between WS and FW this time and playing with DW in Future World danicng on the lights in the concrete - he likes SSE, Living Seas, Test Track, Eating in World Showcase, Boat Rides at Mexico and Norway and the fountain in FW

DS asked to go back to AK - he wanted to ride Safaris and see the Tree of Life again and requested them by name. He was quite happy all the time at AK and loved seeing the animals. He also asked and we did go to Conservation Station to brush the goats. He loved going on KRR with his mom.

thanks
jaysue