Should we visit Animal Kingdom or MGM?

[katiesmom2]

We have a DD3 and a DS1. We've never been to AK. When we went to MGM on our last visit, there wasn't a whole lot for DD1 to do. I do remember her liking the Playhouse Disney show.

Which park would you recommend we visit, when we are at DW in 2 weeks? Is there more for kids at AK?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Tough call but I would say AK. I think there is more to do.

At MGM they have VOTLM (little mermaid), playhouse disney, and then the honey I shrunk the kids play area (probably a bit old for you little ones--kids get lost ALOT!).

At AK--they have the play area in the dinosaur area--a little easier for the tikes to play on plus the excavation area which I love for a nice break! They have a ride similar to dumbo--but with dinosaurs and all the shows. Plus the hours are shorter--it will be closed by 5...so you can wrap up your day earlier and get on to dinner and then on to bed.

At MGM there are NO rides for little ones--well the Great Movie Ride-but it isn't kid oriented and it is long. The back stage tour is okay--but again not really a kid ride.

I would pick AK--but that's just me .

 

[1of6]

I just asked DD2 (she turned 2 the beginning of Jan.) which one... she came running yelling AK, AK, AK!!!

Out of the mouths of babes.

 

[Disbug]

Another vote for Animal Kingdom! Can you Park Hop?

The following are fun things at MGM for young kids...

1) Beauty and the Beast (Broadway type musical)
2) Ariel
3) Muppetvision 4-D
4) PlayHouse Disney
5) Characters are in front of the Sorcerer's Hat for photos and autographs
6) Woodys Toy Barn (photo/autograph opportunity with Toy Story characters)
7) Honey I shrunk the Kids playground
8) Stars and motorcars parade

AT AK:
1) Dinoland has a Dumbo like ride called Triceratop spin
2) Dinoland also has a "cheesy" carnival area with fun games where kids can win a stuffed animal. (BTW, it is meant to be cheesy! and fun! lol)
3) Pocohantas has a cute show with animals.
4) Wonders of Asia Bird show
5) Kilamanjaro Safaris
6) Festival of the Lion King
7) The BoneYard playground
8) It's Tough to be a Bug can be scary for young children. Every show at least one parent is seen doing a quick exit stage left!
9) Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade (This is GREAT! Shades of Epcot's old Tapestry of Nations!)

Have a great time!

 

[HappyLawyer]

well i would have to say ak, normally we go to mgm and do tot and RRC but i promised to give other things a try on next visit, but ak has my vote for now

 

[Kath2003]

Small children will appreciate AK far more than MGM - bright colors, animals etc. It's all good.

 

[rt2dz]

AK is my kids favorite park. I prefer AK over MGM also.

What I would suggest though is to split the day between the two parks. Start in the morning at AK and end the day at MGM, especially if you are on site and it is an extra hours night at MGM. The Unofficial Guide has a tour plan that does just that for you, to give you an idea of how you might want to organize the day.

 

[eeyoregon]

The Lion King and Tarzan shows are kid favorites. The train ride to the petting zoo is great fun. Kilimanjaro Safari ride is a pleaser for all ages. My kids loved digging in the dinosaur "Boneyard" and playing in the climber area. Triceratop Spin is the dinosaur version of Dumbo. DO AVOID 3D Tough to be Bug show. My boys were 6 and 9 and they still are mad at me for taking them on it and they are 10 and 13 now!

 

[nickelsfamily]

WE HAVE NEVER BEEN TO AK EITHER. SO WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS -- AK IN THE MORNING AND THEN GO TO MGM IN THE EVENING....YOU COULD WORK SOMETHING OUT LIKE THAT IF YOU HAVE THE HOPPER OPTION!

 

[katiesmom2]

Thanks everyone!

No, we aren't going to do park hoppers. We have found in the past that it is just too much travelling with two little ones. We are doing 2 days at EPCOT, 1 at Magic Kingdom and - based on the advice here - 1 at Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom sounds much better for our kids than MGM.

I posted this on the restaurant board but have no replies yet. Is it possible to make dinner ADRs at the Rainforest Cafe in AK for 5 pm (when the park is closing) or does the restaurant close at park closing? Does anyone know?

Thanks for all of the info. AK is definitely the way to go I think!

 

[missymagic]

My girls are 8 and 5 and still pick AK over MGM. It is what you make of it their is so much to do if you are patient and make it fun even though they are learning.

 

[rt2dz]

Thanks everyone!

No, we aren't going to do park hoppers. We have found in the past that it is just too much travelling with two little ones. We are doing 2 days at EPCOT, 1 at Magic Kingdom and - based on the advice here - 1 at Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom sounds much better for our kids than MGM.

I posted this on the restaurant board but have no replies yet. Is it possible to make dinner ADRs at the Rainforest Cafe in AK for 5 pm (when the park is closing) or does the restaurant close at park closing? Does anyone know?

Thanks for all of the info. AK is definitely the way to go I think!

More than possible to make 5pm ADRs at RC in AK

 

[Kahana-ri]

I believe AK is so much more child friendly. There is the bone yard playground, rides for young child, wild animals for the children to watch and see in their habitat, and the shows are great too. My DS enjoy even watching the live entertainment bands through out the park. Animal Kingdom was so much easier to take pictures with the characters too. We walked right into pictures with Pooh & Friends and waited in a short line, maybe three people ahead in the Camp Mickey area for pictures. AK is NOW my favorite park. It really had everything to offer the whole family.
MGM was good for DH & I to do the rides. DS did see playhouse Disney twice, but that is really all he could participate in.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Our visit was awhile ago, but at the time our kids were 2 and 5 and completely bored by MGM. Scared!?!? at Little Mermaid, and nothing else interested them at all except the Playhouse Disney show, which they did like, but was a 45 minute wait in the sun. They liked AK much better.

 

[lynninpa]

We have a DD3 and a DS1. We've never been to AK. When we went to MGM on our last visit, there wasn't a whole lot for DD1 to do. I do remember her liking the Playhouse Disney show.

Which park would you recommend we visit, when we are at DW in 2 weeks? Is there more for kids at AK?

Thanks in advance.

We are planning a half day at AK and a half day at MGM, give or take. Might this work for you? There are cool things at both parks so I could never say do one or the other!