There is no such thing as a half-day park

[chapie1968]

Animal Kingdom is a 3 hour Park for us.

We spend the first 3 hours at AK and the rest of the day at HS and see everything we want at both of those parks(and that's with a mid day break back at the house for lunch/shower/nap

 

[itchin2go]

The point that you, and others, are missing is that it takes more than a half day to do all that's offered, and if the person is unfamiliar with what is offered, they need more than a half day to form their OWN opinion.

... in your humble opinion ...

What if THEY think they've figured out their opinion before that?

How about this? How many days do you think it would take to do all MK has to offer ... or all Epcot has to offer? Are people duty bound to do ALL those parks have to offer before they can decide what to skip? I've been on at least 6 multi-day (5-7 day) Disney trips in the past 10 years. I've visited Epcot multiple days on every one of those trips. I know for a fact that I haven't done everything Epcot has to offer yet. Have I earned the right to have an opinion ... and skip, or visit as I wish?

That's not the way it works. People don't necessarily have to experience everything to earn the right to skip things. I can read reviews of something and have a pretty good idea of whether I'm going to be interested. Will I know for sure? No, but I can venture a pretty good guess.

Given the time I've allotted for our vacation, I'm going to pick the things that look the most appealing to me. If that means I skip some things, that's ok with me. Is that opinion not valid?

 

[SandiR]

Everyone in enjoys Disney in different ways. I have a friend who goes every year and mostly just hangs out in the resort. The only park she's been to is Magic Kingdom. I don't really get it, but that's what her family prefers.

I think there's at least a full day of fun at all the parks, but that's me. Not everyone is going to agree with me.

But I do think there's a lot of negativity here about Epcot, HS, and AK - especially considering this is mostly a place for Disney fanatics,

 

[DCWarrior]

Similarly, I think Universal is LESS than a half day park for us with a three year old (both parks). I wouldn't waste time and money to go over there now at all. It depends on the group and their interests is what I'm getting at. Also, I think that's what is great about Disney parks, there is plenty to do and experience for all ages and interests at all four parks!!!

 

[Delirium]

... in your humble opinion ...

What if THEY think they've figured out their opinion before that?

How about this? How many days do you think it would take to do all MK has to offer ... or all Epcot has to offer? Are people duty bound to do ALL those parks have to offer before they can decide what to skip? I've been on at least 6 multi-day (5-7 day) Disney trips in the past 10 years. I've visited Epcot multiple days on every one of those trips. I know for a fact that I haven't done everything Epcot has to offer yet. Have I earned the right to have an opinion ... and skip, or visit as I wish?

That's not the way it works. People don't necessarily have to experience everything to earn the right to skip things. I can read reviews of something and have a pretty good idea of whether I'm going to be interested. Will I know for sure? No, but I can venture a pretty good guess.

Given the time I've allotted for our vacation, I'm going to pick the things that look the most appealing to me. If that means I skip some things, that's ok with me. Is that opinion not valid?

Couple of points in response to your argument.

First, as you've stated, you've been multiple times. You have a much clearer picture of what to do than someone visiting for the first time. Plus, I'm not sure your example of visiting Epcot multiple times each trip is even a valid comparison to the point of half-day parks (multiple days versus half-days is quite different).

Second point is I never said it was wrong to skip things. That's the furthest from the truth. But, you never really know for certain about an attraction until you do it. Until last year, we had never done Tom Sawyer Island because the wife and I had no desire. But, we did it last year and the kids loved it and we'll probably do it next time as well. Another example is American Idol. I have never watched one single minute of the TV show. Not one. Have no desire to. We did the show at HS last year for the first time and we all loved it. It was new and different for us (and air-conditioned). By contrast, we did Jack Sparrow for the first time and disliked it to the point where we may not ever do it again.

It's not about doing everything. Skipping attractions is not wrong. We've had our fill of some. We went for 10 days last year and did not do LMA at HS.

The whole point of the thread is that telling someone that you think a park is half-day without giving an explanation is misleading. Families that don't visit characters will tour much more quickly than families that don't. Novice visitors may not understand that.

Bottom line is that a park isn't half day in and of itself. Not even close. But, people may choose it to be that way, and that's okay.

 

[DebbieB]

AK has always been a half day for me. Safari, Trails, EE, Dinosaur. Maybe Conservation Station and FOLK now that it's back.

DHS is a half day too but I typically do it twice on a trip (have AP so I can park hop).

Most of my time is MK and Epcot.

 

[kittyninja]

I have to agree with the OP, just saying that "______ is a 1/2 day park for us!" offers no substance here. We are on a discussion board for theme park attraction planning and strategies! What makes you think that more information wouldn't be helpful to anyone? Also, saying that your opinion is "also valid" is silly, that's kind of what the OP wants. Just explain why you think a certain park is a half day, two day, or no day!

I do give credit to first timers but the fact is is that when they come on here asking these types of questions, they probably want more than just "Oh that's a half day!"

For me and my family, AK has become more than a half day due to the walking trails! We "discovered" them a few trips ago and loved it and haven't even done them all! We love characters and shows too though so AK offers a lot. Epcot on the other hand is usually a half day because we can knock out the headliners, Nemo and Crush, and the characters in a half. MK is usually a two day or more! HS is just our scene cause we love movies and the characters and Fantasmic! We give at least 1.5 days to HS.

I don't think more discussion on a discussion board is too much to ask!

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Society in general is just impatient. Everything is go, go, go. Entertain me now.....and make it quick. That's my take on why most people think its a half day park.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

There are no half-day parks. Of course, there are no full-day parks either. Two days are required at the very least. And then some partial days on top of that.

While everyone is going to have their own opinion, there should also be an objective view of each park to communicate to others. I am someone has recorded the minimum time to do everything in a park. It would be interesting to see what this is for each park.

In reality, a park is measured by what amount of time the typical visitor spends there. And it is clear that most people don't stay all day at AK. So it is a half-day park from Disney's perspective, while it is a full day park to the OP and a two-day park to me. My favorite park, btw. Beautiful. It is a _____-day park to you. We are all correct.

 

[itchin2go]

Couple of points in response to your argument.

First, as you've stated, you've been multiple times. You have a much clearer picture of what to do than someone visiting for the first time. Plus, I'm not sure your example of visiting Epcot multiple times each trip is even a valid comparison to the point of half-day parks (multiple days versus half-days is quite different).

Second point is I never said it was wrong to skip things. That's the furthest from the truth. But, you never really know for certain about an attraction until you do it. Until last year, we had never done Tom Sawyer Island because the wife and I had no desire. But, we did it last year and the kids loved it and we'll probably do it next time as well. Another example is American Idol. I have never watched one single minute of the TV show. Not one. Have no desire to. We did the show at HS last year for the first time and we all loved it. It was new and different for us (and air-conditioned). By contrast, we did Jack Sparrow for the first time and disliked it to the point where we may not ever do it again.

It's not about doing everything. Skipping attractions is not wrong. We've had our fill of some. We went for 10 days last year and did not do LMA at HS.

The whole point of the thread is that telling someone that you think a park is half-day without giving an explanation is misleading. Families that don't visit characters will tour much more quickly than families that don't. Novice visitors may not understand that.

Bottom line is that a park isn't half day in and of itself. Not even close. But, people may choose it to be that way, and that's okay.

Well said. I agree with (what I think is) your central tenet, which is that some statements such as "it's a 1/2 day park" are "throwaway statements" and don't have any substance ... and aren't helpful, really, to anyone.

Where I lost track was where (I thought) you were saying that you can't really decide if something is only worth 1/2 a day unless you've experienced all attractions/experiences in that park. I totally disagree with that, and my point was: All of Epcot can't be experienced even in multiple days, so can people decide to sell that park short before they've experienced all of it?

That's all.

And on that side point, I've certainly done attractions I thought I'd enjoy and didn't, and vice versa. However, if I'm not having fun and I decide to cut our losses and get the heck out of dodge, I think that's a valid decision. I'm not required to keep going when I can see the writing on the wall. And I think my opinions on that park are still valid. Of course, you can take into consideration that I only spent a couple of hours there. You should also take into consideration that I left because I was bored out of my mind (slight exaggeration ).

** and I swear, I WANT to like AK and DHS, I really do, but despite multiple attempts, they're just not my bag. Epcot is our fave and it pains me to hear when other people don't feel the same, but I know everyone is different, and to each their own. **

 

[Ilovemyprincesses]

AK is a half day park for us too. There isn't enough there to keep us there all day. No one hits every single thing at any park so that is not it. No one is going to be interested in every single thing the park has. It seems that even Disney knows it's a half day park since they close at 5 and seriously lacks restaurants to keep you in the park.

We leave and go to DTD for dinner and shopping.

 

[Mikie]

Society in general is just impatient. Everything is go, go, go. Entertain me now.....and make it quick. That's my take on why most people think its a half day park.

when an acquaintance asks my opinion on WDW parks, I am careful about suggesting AK, because I love it and easily fill a day there - BUT if I know they are "go-go-go, entertain me know, make it quick, would like to live my life as a video game", I know to be careful about recommending AK

 

[Planogirl]

Well said. I agree with (what I think is) your central tenet, which is that some statements such as "it's a 1/2 day park" are "throwaway statements" and don't have any substance ... and aren't helpful, really, to anyone.

Where I lost track was where (I thought) you were saying that you can't really decide if something is only worth 1/2 a day unless you've experienced all attractions/experiences in that park. I totally disagree with that, and my point was: All of Epcot can't be experienced even in multiple days, so can people decide to sell that park short before they've experienced all of it?

That's all.

And on that side point, I've certainly done attractions I thought I'd enjoy and didn't, and vice versa. However, if I'm not having fun and I decide to cut our losses and get the heck out of dodge, I think that's a valid decision. I'm not required to keep going when I can see the writing on the wall. And I think my opinions on that park are still valid. Of course, you can take into consideration that I only spent a couple of hours there. You should also take into consideration that I left because I was bored out of my mind (slight exaggeration ).

** and I swear, I WANT to like AK and DHS, I really do, but despite multiple attempts, they're just not my bag. Epcot is our fave and it pains me to hear when other people don't feel the same, but I know everyone is different, and to each their own. **

I'm puzzled by your comment that Epcot can't be fully experienced in several days. Are you including all restaurants in that? Characters? Taking your time shopping? Entertainment in World Showcase?

We easily get through Future World in just over half a day and then enjoy World Showcase late in the day. We don't do characters and eating at two restaurants is enough. We also don't linger when shopping. Maybe this makes the difference. I can easily go back to World Showcase day after day but that's not because there is more to do. I just love to hang out there.

I agree with others that this is all subjective. No one is wrong and no one should hesitate to give their opinions whatever they are.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Sorry a bit OT, but I've heard this before and really had quite the opposite experience in how hot AK felt compared to other parks. The only park that feels hotter to me is Epcot. Especially in the afternoon, it seems that the sun/heat is reflecting off all of the concrete everywhere. AK with all of its foliage actually seems a little cooler to me. A little hard to judge as the temp varies from day to day and can skew someone's perception.

Anyone else not find AK to be hotter?

Epcot is hot, yes. But for some reason, Epcot doesnt drain every ounce of energy from me like AK does. I dont know what it is, but im done for the rest of the day after a few hours at AK. Ya'll can disagree all you like, but it wont change things. I'll still be a useless vegetable after a few hours at AK.

 

[Kellykins1218]

DHS is a half day park for me because I don't really enjoy it there, so I do what I like and then go back to EPCOT.

lol We are exactly the opposite. We do the 4 or 5 things we actually like at Epcot then leave to spend the rest of the day at DHS.

 

[MichelleVW]

After a million trips there isn't one park that we can stay in more than 6 hours...and by hour 5 we need a break lol. Thankfully we get to go a lot so we are no longer commando go all day long.....if we miss something we just go next time.

 

[itchin2go]

I'm puzzled by your comment that Epcot can't be fully experienced in several days. Are you including all restaurants in that? Characters? Taking your time shopping? Entertainment in World Showcase?

We easily get through Future World in just over half a day and then enjoy World Showcase late in the day. We don't do characters and eating at two restaurants is enough. We also don't linger when shopping. Maybe this makes the difference. I can easily go back to World Showcase day after day but that's not because there is more to do. I just love to hang out there.

I agree with others that this is all subjective. No one is wrong and no one should hesitate to give their opinions whatever they are.

I guess I was responding to PP who said to experience everything in AK, it would take a whole day. By contrast, I think to experience EVERYTHING in Epcot, it would take multiple days.

Yes, we generally rope drop and we are done with what we WANT to do in FW before WS ever opens. We usually kill some time in The Seas.

But if you were to experience EVERYTHING in FW, and then EVERYTHING in WS, I think it would take several days. In multiple (6+) trips, I'm pretty sure we haven't seen everything in Epcot. That was my point.

I don't think it's necessary (or even advisable) to see it ALL in any park. That wouldn't be a good use of my vacation time.

 

[Planogirl]

I guess I was responding to PP who said to experience everything in AK, it would take a whole day. By contrast, I think to experience EVERYTHING in Epcot, it would take multiple days.

Yes, we generally rope drop and we are done with what we WANT to do in FW before WS ever opens. We usually kill some time in The Seas.

But if you were to experience EVERYTHING in FW, and then EVERYTHING in WS, I think it would take several days. In multiple (6+) trips, I'm pretty sure we haven't seen everything in Epcot. That was my point.

I don't think it's necessary (or even advisable) to see it ALL in any park. That wouldn't be a good use of my vacation time.

I understand your point. I was just wondering what you saw as possibly taking several days. I don't think that people should try to see everything either.

 

[Amirah95]

I can't remember if I read that Epcot is a 1/2 a day park in this thread, but I can't see how anyway. How can one not get sucked into WS...the snacking, beverages, shopping, music and the charaters...I will never understand.

I'm a parade watcher so I'm in the parks over a 1/2 a day at AK because I get so much attention from the characters in that one...well from most of the characters at that park period, but that's another story. Can't miss it.

If it were not for the parade AK would be a 1/2 a day for us. Once we spent the entire day at AK because we went to Rafiki's Planet Watch and Conservatory...petting zoo. We found it to be a 3 hr waste of train ride and touring time because we can duplicate that experience at the Bronx Zoo back home. Other than that we don't do Kali Rapids because I don't want to get my sneakers and socks wet no matter how hot it is. We used to park commando every hot attraction and catch only one show (not both Nemo & Lion King), but now we just have a must see/do list going on since we've been a ton of times.

I can bet that once the whole Avatar attraction (land) is finished AK will become a whole day park for everyone.

 

[Luvchefmic]

AK is a half day park for us too. There isn't enough there to keep us there all day. No one hits every single thing at any park so that is not it. No one is going to be interested in every single thing the park has. It seems that even Disney knows it's a half day park since they close at 5 and seriously lacks restaurants to keep you in the park.

We leave and go to DTD for dinner and shopping.

Well everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinion and I agree with your first 2 sentences which gives yours

For me I could spend several days in AK So much for me to see and do It's my favorite park Lots of photography opportunities whether it's the animals, the plants, or the detailing in it all I could spend several hours between walking the trails and speaking to CMs from other countries

As far as closing early, AK does what it has to do for the sake of the animals and their needs ( feeding schedules etc ) Of course all this will change once Avatarland opens and it will have later hours