skipping a park in Dec

[margot31]

Which park would you skip if you only had 4 days?

We will have a grandma (my mother in law) who has never been to Disney World and 2 kids (3 &1). We know we won't get to everything but also Christmas at Disney is a whole show in itself. I am tossed between Animal and Hollywood.

 

[usfbull]

Personal preference (which is what this really comes down to) would be to skip Animal Kingdom. It's my least favorite of the parks, but I have more of a reason too: it's the least decorated for the holidays.

MK, HS, and Epcot will all be pretty well decorated and you won't want to miss that, plus Disney Springs is neat with the Christmas tree trail (if they continue it, which they likely will). With one of your group members never having been to WDW, AK may be missed, but just hit it up on a later trip when you have more time (and maybe skip HS/Epcot that time).

Alternatively, you could also likely skip HS and not miss much. Great Movie Ride will be closed, half of the park is under construction still, and without the Osborne lights it's a close next-to-last for the "most decorated" title. Unless you really like some of the rides/features there.

I definitely would *not* skip MK or Epcot. MK has plenty of decorations and Very Merry if you do the party or not, and Epcot has decorations around the world showcase and the Santas from around the world making appearances that are great to see.

Hope this helps.

 

[margot31]

Personal preference (which is what this really comes down to) would be to skip Animal Kingdom. It's my least favorite of the parks, but I have more of a reason too: it's the least decorated for the holidays.

MK, HS, and Epcot will all be pretty well decorated and you won't want to miss that, plus Disney Springs is neat with the Christmas tree trail (if they continue it, which they likely will). With one of your group members never having been to WDW, AK may be missed, but just hit it up on a later trip when you have more time (and maybe skip HS/Epcot that time).

Alternatively, you could also likely skip HS and not miss much. Great Movie Ride will be closed, half of the park is under construction still, and without the Osborne lights it's a close next-to-last for the "most decorated" title. Unless you really like some of the rides/features there.

I definitely would *not* skip MK or Epcot. MK has plenty of decorations and Very Merry if you do the party or not, and Epcot has decorations around the world showcase and the Santas from around the world making appearances that are great to see.

Hope this helps.

What is the christmas tree trail? My husband and I went in Dec 2015 but I don't remember seeing that.

 

[usfbull]

What is the christmas tree trail? My husband and I went in Dec 2015 but I don't remember seeing that.

I think it might have been new last year.

Basically it's a pathway lined up with Christmas trees decorated for different movies/Disney things, lots of fun theming and they have photopass photographers out to take your picture. This isn't the best picture, but it gives an idea of one of the movies (101 Dalmations).

Spoiler

 

[Three cats]

Normally I'd skip Animal Kingdom if it came down to it. That said, with the little left open at HS, I'd skip that one this time around.

 

[abnihon]

I'm skipping HS in December.
We just got back and skipped AK because it's notoriously hot in the summer.
So I feel like we have to do it in Dec especially since we're staying at AKL.
We actually have 5 days, but I still think we'll skip HS for a resort day or another Epcot day.

 

[vallygirl0221]

I can't speak to decorations as this year will be our first December trip but from a ride/activities front I would say to skip HS and do Animal Kingdom, that will have the most rides and activities for kids the ages listed above. If you are less concerned with rides for the kids than HS might be a better fit as there RnR and ToT for the adults and there is still the Disney Jr stuff for the kids.

 

[MrsDuck]

DHS is skippable for us right now.

 

[CarolMN]

With two small children and their grandmother, I'd skip DHS and go to AK. I'd not worry too much about about rides (get FP+ for the ones you think everyone would enjoy) & spend a leisurely day looking at the animals and enjoying some entertainment and the shows - Lion King & Finding Nemo are both great. If you only spend half a day there, you can spend the other half visiting some of the resorts to see their Holiday decorations. Going commando with two little kids and their Grandma is not advised. You may need a "slower" day after a full day at MK and/or EPCOT YMMV.

 

[jkh36619]

Skip HS. Grandma would enjoy strolling through AK as there is much to see there.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I, too, would skip DHS. AK is such a great park for little ones and to stroll around. Consider picking up a Wilderness Explorers book. EP is so nice over the holidays - beautiful decorations, lovely storytellers and yummy food booths!

 

[TJA]

Between AK and HS, I agree the grandmother and little ones in your group would most likely prefer AK park over HS, especially given all of the construction going on at HS. We will be in Disney at the end of November for only 5 days and are tossing around the idea of skipping HS or just going at night if they have a special fireworks show.

 

[KittyKitty]

My vote is 2 day MK, 1 day Epcot, 1 day AK. I would miss Studios, even tho my favorite ride is Toy Story.

 

[margot31]

My vote is 2 day MK, 1 day Epcot, 1 day AK. I would miss Studios, even tho my favorite ride is Toy Story.

I think that is what we are going to do. She will enjoy the shows at AK vs hollywood.