So Many Parks and Not Enough Days...

[momsgoofy]

Again I ask this on behalf of my Dniece who is taking her DH, DD 6 and DD 2 on their very first trip to WDW in mid-March. I know...told her it will be crazy.
They are staying off property so will not be able to take advantage of early entry or late nights....they are only going to be in the parks for 3 maybe 4 days and are trying to figure out which parks to go to. My DSister and I have convinced Dn that the family will not be able to do it all in that short time. We've both been several times and still haven't accomplished that. So, Dn decided to focus on TWO parks one being MK so the girls can do the rides and such there that WDW is most famous for.

The question is which other park would you tell them to visit?

Dniece is thinking AK...said she's not interested in MGM and didn't think the girls would be either. I might agree with that. Then she isn't sure about Epcot...not many rides, but they do have some things for the kids. I tend to agree with her that AK should be the second park they visit.

If any of you experienced traveled with little ones has any insight I could pass along to my Dniece I would greatly appreciate it. My DS was 7 the first time he went to WDW and we visited each park since we were fortunate enough to have more days on that trip than Dniece does.

Also, as parents who've taken their kids to WDW on that memorable first trip...can anyone help me get it in Dniece's head that this trip isn't about her...it's about the magic they will experience as a family and the smiles they will see on the DD's faces. She was pretty upset when her folks decided not to go with them...now she can't ride the big rides...yeah, told her about baby swap, but she doesn't want to ride alone. Okay maybe she is the kid going on this trip...lol

Again, thanks to you all for any insight you might have!

Laura ºoº

 

[Mom to Jordan]

If they will have hopper passes for 3 days, I would do MK, AK, and spend some evening time at Epcot. If not, I would still hit one of those three parks each day. If I had four days and hopper passes I would visit all four parks but with the understanding that we will not see near everything and just enjoy what we see. I think epcot has a lot to offer. DS has always perfered it to AK or MGM.
Jordnas' mom

 

[mom2threeboys]

We went last year in Feb. with 4 day park hoppers, and three little ones (5, 2 1/2, and 11 mo. at the time). We managed to get to all the parks.

With a little planning, things worked perfectly - 2 days at MK let us do everything we wanted to with the kids, (including riding on Buzz Lightyear at least 6 times ) We chose the first and last days to kick off and end the trip.
We spent the first part of the day at AK on day 2. We saw the FoLK, rode the safari, and walked some of the trails. We weren't terribly intersted in the rides there, b/c of the ages of our kids. But we saw lots of animals and loved KS!! We went back for naps in the afternoon, and went to Epcot for a few hours at night - rode Spaceship Earth, Figment, and looked around.
Day 3 - We spent the morning at MGM. Again. a lot of the rides weren't age appropriate. (ToT, etc.) We saw VoLM, BitBBB, Muppets, and ate at PizzaPlannet. Those were the things that interested the kids there. Afterwards, we hit the WorldShowcase at Epcot while the little 2 napped in the stroller. After nap we did the Kidcot stations ate dinner and rode Figment again (that was a hit!)
Day4 was hitting all the favorites in MK again, and the few things we missed the first time.

I think we did a lot in 4 days - we were able to use EMH, but they were only in the morings then, so it wasn't that much extra time.
Here's the best advice I can give. Read the guidebooks, check out all the info on the rides. Determine what you Must see, and what you'd like to see if there's time. With kids that little, you can easily cross off a lot of the more wild rides, giving you time to focus on things they'll enjoy. I did lots of reading and planning, and had a list of what we wanted to do where - we accomplished it all, and most of the "maybe" list too!

Also, if you must pick between parks, I agree with everyone else, definitely AK over MGM for little ones.

Oh, and btw, we did plan our trip around the kids - I'd love to go on an adult only trip sometime, but this trip was all about the kids. They only have their first trip to DW once, and its magical. Just sit back and enjoy their faces when they take it in!! I don't know how to convince her, except to say its far better than any ride I've ever been on!! (Besides the kiddie rides are fun for grown-ups too! )
We had such a great time we're going back again this year!!

HTH.

 

[Okiemom]

What ride is Figment? I have not heard of that one? What kind of ride is it?

 

[poohpcgirl]

It is really cute. It is Journey Into Imagination at Epcot. It is a little purple dragon. It takes you into the imagination and takes you through the senses. Its more a learning thing, but it is really cute. And I LOVE the figment merchandise. You should check it out sometime.

 

[F1Julie]

You can do all 4 parks in 3 days easily. You won't see or ride everything, but you can do most of the kid stuff. I'd spend one day at MK, one morning in AK and then leave midday for MGM and finish the day there, and do one day at Epcot. Maybe on the Epcot day, start at MK in the morning and head to Epcot around lunch time if more MK time is needed. My other advise would be not to do MK the first day. That sets the tone for the trip and then sometimes the kids aren't as impressed by the other parks. I usually do MK on my last park day.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

My kids preferred MGM to AK. The little ones loved The Little Mermaid Show, the Muppets, Beauty and the Beast, Playhouse Disney and Indiana Jones. THe oldes one (just turned 7) loved Tower of Terror and Star Tours. We all loved the Sci-Fi for lunch and Fantastmic! I would pick MGM over AK.

 

[matdamom]

We just got back from taking our DDs on their first trip to WDW, and we did not get to see it "all" However, we did get a glimpse of all the parks and ended up spending the majority of our time in MK. My kids liked AK second. We had 4-day PH passes so we spent the 1st day at Epcot (storybook breakfast with the princesses), 2nd day at MK, part of the 3rd day at MGM and ending at MK, part of the 4th day at AK and ending at MK. We loved being able to "hop" to MK in the evening. Since my youngest is not quite tall enough to ride many of the bigger rides, we skipped them this time. I didn't miss out on a thing by not riding them - it was so much fun experiencing the magic through the eyes of my small children.

I will also second the poster who said not to go to MK on the first day. The other parks just aren't the same to small children and we were glad we started with Epcot first.

We went at the pace of our kids and had a great time. Maybe we didn't get to see everything we would have liked, but that just gives us an excuse to go back - right?

 

[LittleBoPeep]

I agree with F1Julie that you can do 4 parks in 3 days. My DS (then 9 y.o.) had a list of what he wanted to do and made one for his sister (then 2-1/2...had most of what he wanted to do ). We did most of the things on their list at all the parks, and found when we got to EPCOT, they actually wanted to spend more time in the Kidcot stations than doing some of the things on the list (they also had passports that they got stamped in each of the countries, which made a neat souvenir and for some of the countries my son learned how to say "hello" and "thank you" in that country's language).
We spent the first day in MK, getting there for the opening in the morning and until they closed at night (my DD napped in her stroller); EPCOT the 2nd day; on the 3rd day we started at AK in the morning and hopped to MGM by 3 p.m.
I would say that they should take a second look at MGM, since she has a pre-schooler who would probably LOVE the Playhouse Disney, Ariel and Beauty and the Beast like my daughter did, and the older one would probably enjoy those as well as Fantasmic!
If they get to stay for a 4th day, they can go back and do whatever they missed before. We ended up splitting the day between MGM and ended at MK with the Wishes fireworks show.

 

[mjmcca]

MY 4 y/o keeps asking to go back to the Animal Kingdom. At least once a week he makes the request.

 

[momsgoofy]

Much thanks to you all! You have given some great words of advice. I will print out the thread and give it to Dniece. I had forgotten about all the neat things MGM has for the younger kids and that Epcot can be interesting for them also. I think I will empasize to her what most of you said about not doing MK first...let it be the big finish so to speak.

Dniece keeps asking for my old guidebooks...and it's hard for me to part with them...I just might break down and buy one of the 2005 books for her...with the condition that she let me use it for our trip in December. Now I need to think of some "Going to WDW" little gifts for the girls...yeah, I spoil them when I get the chance. I was thinking about some autograph stuff, mini fanny pack or stuff...things that I've seen parents say were helpful here on the DIS.

Ah, sorry I was thinking out loud I guess...any suggestions on that would be great too!

Thanks again for the advice!
Laura ºoº

 

[2minny]

I personally don't like park hopping, I'd rather enjoy a few parks than spend time traveling to different parks in one day (I know many think that's crazy). We've been 6 times, my girls are now 6, 9 and 11. When my girls were younger, we spent two days at Magic Kingdom, great for the younger one's. We always do 5 days of parks, but if I only had one day left, I'd do animal kingdom or epcot on the other day. I think mgm is more enjoyable when you're a bit older....like my kids now. If you're going to split a park, I'd recommend splitting animal kingdom with epcot and still keeping two days of magic kingdom (with maybe a princess breakfast in the castle one day).

 

[disnutt]

I wouldn't want to park hop if I were staying offsite. Especially with 2 young children. They time wasted travelling to and from each park isn't worth it when you're hauling potentially tired, whiney kids. (I'm basing this on experience!)

Kiena

 

[Pienut]

We have been several times to disney with a variety of ages from 9months to 16 years. We have stayed off and on site. I ALWAYS loved hopping. It gave you an option when one park wasn't working for you. We got up early went to one park. Headed out back to hotel to swim rest hangout, then back later to the next park. However it depends what time of year you are going to be there. If the parks are open late thats great if not, then some will be closing at 5pm (AK) or 7pm(MK) etc etc.

Which parks. Hmmm, Epcot is our families second favorite park (MK being first). It is so big it barely seems crowded. There is plenty to do, see and experience there. Look over the information on Epcot in every place there is something for all ages even if its just looking. My 3-4-6-8 (ages at disney) daughter loved Epcot each time and always loved the land. Don't forget pin trading! It brings a shy child out of their shell and allows an outgoing child to positively shine!! Our favorites at Epcot. The food show at the Land, Spaceship earth, The Norway water ride, the boat ride in mexico, figment, The Ellen Degeneris show/ride, honey I shrunk the audience all the pavilions, the characters in Morocco and France..etc etc...I could go on. Top it all off with Illuminations and its fabulous.

Then Animal Kingdom. We love that one too! I would definately at least split a day with AK and Epcot. Animal kindgom has the lion king show...wow! The safari ride, my daughter talks about that all the time, the jungle walks...the most fabulous people there to talk to....

I guess the only park we don't absolutely love is mgm. There are some good shows but for the little ones its limited. When you go with little ones and big ones it can be a nightmare of lines and there isn't much your family will want to do together. You can share some things in Epcot and MK but try to tell a 13 year old boy he should watch the mermaid show with his little sister and it doesn't work too well...I am going back with just my daughter and we'll go to mgm once quickly and see some of the shows, then go back later for fantasmic and thats it.

 

[jtdl]

We differ from the majority in that we skip Epcot when travelling with young kids. This year we will be at WDW for 5 full days. Our first day will be MGM, next AK, 3rd day is a "rest" day and 4 and 5 are MK. If we have enough energy on the 3rd day we may go to Epcot for a few hours. We will purchase 5 day base passes. We had planned to buy hoppers and go to Epcot in the evening if we felt like it, but now it is much cheaper to buy a 5 day pass then to add the hopping feature.