Short Trip - which parks?

[Sherky]

I booked a decently last minute trip with my mother and 4.5 year old daughter. Long story but none of us have ever been, we were supposed to go before but my mom got sick. Then we were going to go in the fall and my brother booked his wedding so we were worried if we didn’t go now we might never get to go.
We will have 2 days at the parks. My daughter is princess obsessed. Debating if we should do both days at MK or one day at MK and one at AK. Or...any other recommendations???

 

[chimoe]

Is it 2 full days or is some of the time arrival and departure during those days?

I would do at least 1 day at MK, thought you can easily do 2 days there. You may consider a park hopper and do 1.5 days at MK and 1/2 day at AK.

 

[Sherky]

Is it 2 full days or is some of the time arrival and departure during those days?

I would do at least 1 day at MK, thought you can easily do 2 days there. You may consider a park hopper and do 1.5 days at MK and 1/2 day at AK.

Two full days

We arrive on Monday mid-day, going to BBB at Disney Springs that afternoon, we have all day Tuesday at a park. Wednesday booked the princess tea (day off at the park, my mom can’t handle two in a row) and then all day Thursday at the Park. We leave Friday morning.

Any suggestions on where to do dinner post BBB? Her appointment is at 2:45...

 

[Mome Rath]

Normally I would say pick 2 different parks, but in your specific circumstances I think I would stick to MK. The only other suggestion is if you do a full day at MK and then feel like going somewhere else your last day, then do that, or add on a park hopper and go check out another park, and return to MK later in the day.

 

[Nancyg56]

WIth this schedule I think I would just stick with MK. On your off day, sometime after the tea, I would head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge and check out the Savannah there. You could have an early dinner either at Boma if there is an opening, or at the Mara quick service restaurant.

 

[Sherky]

WIth this schedule I think I would just stick with MK. On your off day, sometime after the tea, I would head over to Animal Kingdom Lodge and check out the Savannah there. You could have an early dinner either at Boma if there is an opening, or at the Mara quick service restaurant.

We have dinner at Sanaa on the Thursday night. Should I move that to a different day?

 

[Nancyg56]

We have dinner at Sanaa on the Thursday night. Should I move that to a different day?

You know your family's stamina, but if I was planning dinner on a MK day, I would either eat in the park or on the monorail line.

I have never dined at Sanaa, however it is a favorite of several of my family members. I will only say that AKL is gorgeous, and if you arrive before dark the Savannah is beautiful.
I cannot speak to Kidani VIllage and how the savannahs are situated, so I prefer to leave this to those who know the layout of both better.

 

[jhoannam]

2 days at MK.

 

[JoannaA]

For dinner after BBB appointment, I would suggest either 1900 Park Fare at GF or Storybook Dining at WL since it's a non-park day for you. These are fun meals and would allow for some great pictures of your daughter with either Cinderella (1900) or Snow White (Storybook).

 

[Wild4Walt]

I'd do the 2 days at Magic Kingdom this time around. That way you can take your time and not feel rushed. If it's your first time you want to savor the magic.

 

[aimes0105]

I think it depends on how many of the rides your daughter will enjoy. At 4.5 MK was not a two day park for my daughter because she didn't do any of the mountains, haunted Mansion, pirates. She LOVED Fantasyland, Buzz and the people mover and meeting princesses which we did easily in one day. This might be an unpopular opinion but my vote would be the second day as an Epcot/HS split if you can do the hopper or just Epcot. No trip to WDW would have been complete without Frozen both ride and characters, daughter loved the sea Pavilion and Soarin at that age and the performers around world showcase. Then HS has Disney Jr, Frozen sing along and toy story mania which was a favorite at that age, and now toy story land. I personally love animal kingdom but there are a decent number of thrill rides she still won't do at age 7. If you plan to visit AKL for a dinner and can see the animals there that might be enough for her though I wouldn't go there all the way from a different park but perhaps arrival or off day? Just another thought to add to your consideration.

 

[Smrtalec33]

I would do a day at MK and a day at Epcot. I went with my 4 1/2-year-old daughter last year, and she had a lot of princess-related fun at Epcot. Did breakfast at Akershus, met Anna & Elsa, Frozen Ever After ride, met Belle in France, met Jasmine in Morocco.

MK was definitely her favorite park at 4 1/2, but Epcot was 2nd. We did those 2 and HS - she has not been to AK yet (we'll be there in 20 days!)

 

[Sherky]

Interesting thoughts!! I was always told that Epcot is better for older kids and adults. Didn’t realize they had so much princess stuff there! Thanks for the input. I was told Epcot is under construction. Is that true!?

 

[KenHutch]

It really does take 2 full days to do the Magic Kingdom decently but if your little one is princess bound another vote for Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Epcot is the only place (very rare) that we have ever met the genie from Alladin . As for only trip be warned. In 2006 I took my then 5 year old daughter to her one and done trip. I am now planning her 6th trip for 2021 and her 1st trip to Disneyland in 2023. The place grows on you.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Our most recent visit was quick 2 park day trip in January. My daughter was a day away from turning 4, my son was 2.5.

We did MK and Epcot. Epcot is great for a princess fan with the Frozen Ever After ride and all the princess meets around World Showcase (Anna & Elsa in Norway, Belle in her blue dress/white apron in France, Mulan in China, Jasmine in Morocco, Snow White in Germany.)

The princess meal at Akershus is also great (we always do a late breakfast).

My kids love Epcot. If your daughter is 40” tall, she’d be tall enough for Soarin’ and Test Track. For attractions without a height restriction, my kids love Imagination, the Seas with Nemo and Friends, Gran Fiesta Tour, Frozen Ever After, Turtle Talk, Spaceship Earth and the Land. We love AK but can spend much more time with the kids in Epcot than at AK. There’s a ton of stuff to do. They get a kick out of the jumping fountains and love playing in the area after Journey into Imagination.

When I was a kid, my parents used to give me a little money to spend as we walked around World Showcase. The shops in China and Japan are so fun. We’re going to start doing this with our kids next year. I collected so many cool things from the different countries as I was growing up.

The kids also low exploring the countries - the garden maze in the UK, trains in Germany, waterfall in Canada ... just so much to see!

My vote is definitely MK and Epcot!

 

[rg35]

I agree with 2 parks. Since your daughter is 4.5 that means you won't be able to hit all of what MK has to offer.
As already mentioned, Epcot does have many princess meet and greets in the World Showcase.

If it's in your budget, you might want to consider Akershus for lunch or dinner, which is a princess meal. Alternatively, if you're tired of princesses by that point, Garden Grill is a fun family style character meal with Mickey, Chip n Dale and Pluto.

I was told Epcot is under construction. Is that true!?

Something, somewhere is almost always under construction at WDW. What might be happening depends strongly on when you'll be there. For example, Spaceship Earth is closing next year for a massive, two year renovation. They are currently building a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster in the old Energy building. There is construction going on for the new gondola system. And so on and so forth.

 

[FirstTimeDisneyVisit]

I would do MK for both days with a possibility of park hop to Epcot. Enjoy !!!!

 

[vetrik]

We're doing a quick trip next week - we'll have 2 full park days with our almost 4 year old and almost 10 year old. I can see the argument for 2 Magic Kingdom days for a first trip, but my kids love the other parks also. We're doing 1 full Magic Kingdom day, and a split Epcot/Hollywood Studios day. Does your daughter like Toy Story? We would probably have just done MK 1 day and Epcot 1 day since my whole family loves Epcot and always loves more time there , but Toy Story Land wasn't open when we were there last year. My son loves Toy Story and we all wanted to see the new area so we added hoppers to do a half day at Hollywood Studios also.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

There is a princess breakfast on the Boardwalk at Trattoria al Forno if you want to go on you non-park day.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Epcot has always been a favorite for my kids. There are tons of character meets with princesses all throughout the World Showcase as well as many kid-friendly rides (Nemo Seas, Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth, Imagination with Figment, Pixar shorts, Donald's boat ride in Mexico). It has been my daughter's favorite park since she was two, and though her preferences within the park have changed, it is still her first request!