Six adults, one day, MK VS Epcot.... Go

[jwwi]

Six adults, one day, MK VS Epcot.... Go
4 20y/o, 2 50y/o
I go often, but if someone asked you, MK vs Epcot? What would you recommend? Marathon weekend, staying off site, one day tickets. Tour Friday or Saturday. I'll let you know my thoughts after I hear some replies

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Are those in your party big Disney fans? Would they really appreciate the parades, fireworks, and rides at MK that are heavy on Disney characters? For true Disney fans, MK is a must of you only have one day, no matter what age. But if not, then maybe for an older group they would appreciate eating, drinking, and shopping around the world at Epcot.

 

[Nancyg56]

With the limited information that you shared, I would say Epcot. As the PP pointed out, it really depends on teh mindset of the folks you are with. If thyy are Disney fans and like the traditional attractions, MK woudl be the way to go, but if not, Epcot with all of its sights and foods would be the choice.

 

[Disneylover99]

Based on your days, I'd say Epcot.
Friday, is an EMH at MK and Saturday is never recommended at MK.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'd park hop. Morning in MK through lunch time, afternoon EP, closing out the night in WS. I would pre-schedule FP+ in MK as you can do single rider on TT (Soarin' will be closed).

If that's not an option, I would personally do EP, but that's only because I prefer EP over MK. If this is someone's first visit, I would do MK. If this is a "ride-centric" group, I would do MK.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Our general rule is no MK on Saturday ever, too. Too crowded. It would be a shame to get there and have it be super busy. (We find ways to do MK when it's least crowded.) I think I'd choose Epcot, instead. Choose your FPs for early morning or later in the evening. Get to World Showcase at opening and spend the better part of the day there, then enjoy Illuminations at the end. If you want, and if your feet are stil holding up , you can even walk out through the International Gateway later and hit to the Boardwalk area, taking a cab back to your resort.

I would do a search here for "Favorite foods at WS" or "Best things to do at WS" - there are a LOT of things to see, do and eat that people may not realize when they're breezing through there. See all the movies and shows, stop and get a bite to eat or a drink in each country, hit the bakery, etc. (It might be more fun if they were 21 but it's ok, they'll stil have fun.) If these people aren't used to going to Epcot, I'm sure they'll enjoy it. I work with a girl who went with her sister to do this for the first time, and she came back raving about how much fun they had and how she never would've thought of doing that! (At least to that degree!) So that's what I'd do.

 

[jwwi]

Sorry about the limited info. The four are 21y/o +, so all can drink. I don't always watch the shows in the WS, due to my multiple trips. I just feel that there are more rides at MK, but that equals more lines too. I know Saturday's at the MK are crowded. The other day of their touring will be Universal to see Harry Potter, if that plays into any of the recommendations.

 

[acbshada]

I honestly think it depends on the mindset of your group. I go to Florida with a set of 4-5 friends in the winter, age range of 28-42. Harry Potter at Universal is always on our list, and I think our group prefers Magic Kingdom to Epcot if you only get to pick one park.

If you have a group that prefers doing drinks and food snacks around the world, I'd pick Epcot.

If your group likes to "play" or just run around be generally goofy for a day, I'd pick Magic Kingdom.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Is this for this year? I would also throw in the idea of an evening at HS with Osbourne Lights.

 

[TI double-GUH ER]

Totally depends on your group members. DH and I are both 21+ and I would not be happy going to Disney if I didn't set foot in MK. I must see that castle. However, DH is a huge Epcot fan, and given one day, one park would opt to go there so he could stroll world showcase all day.
I sort of feel like the different Disney parks are kind of like potato chips - you can't have just one!
Good luck with your decision I hope you have a fantastic trip!

 

[subtchr]

Is this for this year? I would also throw in the idea of an evening at HS with Osbourne Lights.

It's for Marathon weekend, so early January. No Osborne Lights.

 

[goodeats]

I would not choose MK on a Saturday unless that was your only chance to see MSEP or another show you were interested in.

Epcot FW is really looking long in the tooth. Besides SPE, Test Track, Soarin, and Livin with the Land there is not much there. I did enjoy seeing the manatees at the Seas though. World Showcase is amazing, but not many attractions, so you're spending money to get in to spend money eating, drinking, and shopping.

Parkhopping is the answer here, but $$$.

 

[mshanson3121]

It all depends. If you want something a little more grown up, relaxing, less focused on rides, I'd probably do EP for the sake of being able to leisurely stroll through the World Showcase, watch the shows/live entertainment there, window shopping, eating, drinking etc...

If you wanted something more ride, kid-at-heart focused, I'd do MK. More rides etc...

But honestly? If it were myself, and a group of our friends, we'd do AK. IMO, it blends the best of both worlds - leisure and fun. The atmosphere and themeing there is stunning, so many details to wander around leisurely to look at, to say nothing of seeing the animals. Some nice live entertainment to watch, the musicals, Flights of Wonder, and of course then you have your rides like the Safari, EE, Kali, Whirl, Dinosaur etc... Plus, there's some nice shopping options, and great dining as well.

 

[jwwi]

AK, interesting, it definitely has a wide variety of activities and shows. My second favorite park is DHS, but there is not a lot to do there now, but I do plan a part of two days there for my December trip. Hands down I would encourage Osborne lights, I will be sad when that is over. I will not be on this trip, my best friend and her family will be going. I think I should be a tour guide...but have to work