Time to allot for Theme Parks?

[Kasmir]

Hi, DIS Friends-

I know how much time to allot for Epcot and MK, based on past experience, but how much time would you generally allot for AK and MGM?

I'm currently planning a swim day for MGM, in which we'll head over there around 3PM or so (open until 10) and include dinner at Sci-Fi.

On the AK day, I'm allotting an entire day w/ breakfast at Boma, lunch at Tusker House and dinner at the RFC. Is that too much time?

We'll be traveling w/ me (of course), DH, DS (age 13) and DD (age 17). We love animals and educational things and don't take in too many shows normally (but we want to this time)...

Thanks for the input!

PS - I should also mention that my son is Autistic and we will be using primarily entrances/exits for those with disabilities.

Sheila

 

[la79al]

Your plan sounds good. I dont know what your sons level of functioning is but MGM is a lot of shows, movies and similar, only a few cool rides. Keep in mind too that you may be pretty tired after a morning of swimming. A whole day at AK may be too much. We went last year with DD4 and DS8 and while we did not do kali river rapids and obviously expedition everest, we found that we were done just about everything in about 8 hours. Especially if you are not waiting in lines. Dinner at the RFC may take awhile though, it did for us when we did the one at DTD last year.

 

[Kasmir]

Thanks, la79al!

My DS is pretty high functioning - with lots of preparation. He will get overstimulated with crowds and noise, though, so we have to allow for that. Although we make up some time by virtue of not standing in exceptionally long lines, we also have to take many breaks.

I agree about getting tired swimming. I should amend that by saying "laying by pool, staring at book, enjoying sunshine, followed by nap in room." For whatever reason, and I understand this to be common in Autistic children, my DS is very soothed when cradled in water. He most likely won't swim too much, but will really relax.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Anna114]

Hi,
Based on your question I assume you have not been to either park, AK or MGM. IMHO the first time you go to any of the parks it's a full day park. However, no park has to be a full day. What you don't do this trip you can always do next trip. Park time is such an individual thing. EPCOT for my family is a 2 day park, AK I wasn't even going to this year except the EE will be opened by the time we go and my family wants to try is, so that's a half day park. We will pick and choose those attractions we want to attend. You seem to planning your days it to a "T" which is what I do. My dining plans were made in the beginning of Jan for the first week of May lol You do have a VERY long day planned for the water park, going back to the hotel to dress (I assume) and then moving on to MGM. That's a very full day. Water parks, at least what I have found, are not relaxing unless you just plan find a lounger and stay there most of your day. So there are my couple O' pennies, hope I helped.

Have a magical day,
Anna

 

[rlovew]

Time for parks really depends on your family and what you want to see.

AK takes my husband and I about half a day. We start out at EE, head to Dinoland, then up to Asia and a fastpass for the safari, go to planet watch while waiting for that and then head over to Aisa for Kali and the trail there. We do enjoy the Bug show and try to make it there. You can spend lots of time here just looking at the amazing artwork and arcitecture throughout the park though. We went to Lion King show once but didn't care for it and don't plan to do it again.

MGM would depend on the rides and shows you want to see. Getting to MGM means RR definately would need to be Fastpassed, I find that if you want to see all of the shows it takes a full day to get through MGM. If you only want to choose a couple of shows make sure they will be going on if you get there at that time. After 3 pm it may be hard to make both Indy and LMA but again it depends on what you want, if you only want to do the rides it would be fine but you will have a hard time fitting in more than 2 shows at that time, WWTBM and Indiana both stop shows at about 6pm most days I have been there.

MK takes a well planed and fast runners a complete day to do all the major rides, but that is knowing when to be where and knowing the park well enough you don't have to stop and look at the map. To really see most everything you need a couple of days.

Epcot also takes 2 days to leisurely see it all but again you can always choose a few things to do at each park and then a few things that you would do if you have time and don't expect to do it all in one visit.

 

[Kasmir]

Thank you for the input, Anna and rlovew-

That was very helpful!

Yes, Anna, I kind of tend to plan way in advance also. I'd rather people think that I'm silly (of course, no one on the DIS would), than have my family miss something that we really wanted to do because an ADR wasn't available, etc.

I think that we may skip the water park on the MGM day and just hang out at the pool.

Either way, I can't wait for this vacation!

 

[Karnak]

The Animal Kingdom and the Studios have one thing in common; there are several shows at each, and if you don't plan for the show times, you will loose a bunch of time, and miss a few attractions that you otherwise would have had time to do. (This is not case in the Magic Kingdom or Epcot however.)

A single day for each park is enough time to see the Animal Kingdom and the Studios; but make plans ahead of time, and know the show times before you go. (Wouldn't hurt to make dinner reservations as well.)

Enjoy.

 

[Robindianne]

Since it sounds like you enjoy the animals like we do, I'd say at least a full day at AK is good. DH and I spent 2 full days plus part of another. We spent lots of time in the Discovery area (I think that's what it's called) viewing animals and talking to CMs who know "everything" about them. Also the walk through safaris can take a long long time if you dwadle and watch for hidden animals and their behavior. Even with our 2.5 days, we missed Rafiki's and EE wasn't there yet. There's a place with hippos underwater and you can sit on the ground (don't mind the dirt and just watch their huge size and the engineering oddness that allows them to be so graceful underwater. LOL Anyway, that was so soothing and cool for us. Also the huge sleeping bats we stayed at for about 45 min just watching and talking to the CM about them. Sorry for the lengthy reply. We just love love love AK.
Have fun!

 

[dreamscometrue47]

As for your AK day, you have 3 meals planned, which will take at least a few hours out of your day. We've found AK to be one of our favorite parks now, and always need the entire day to enjoy it. This is usually our slow adventure day.

And for MGM, if you go there around 3, then have a dinner planned that will take about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, even though the park closes at 10, I don't think you'll be able to see all of the shows, etc. that you would want to. Plus, after swimming all day, you'll probably be exhausted! I would skip the water park that day, and get to MGM earlier. Hanging out by the pool at your resort might do the trick that morning!

Have a great trip!

 

[Kick Save]

My personal opinion would be to make AK the half day park and MGM more of a 3/4 day park. That's just us, though.

Also, for dinner at the Sci-Fi...the atmosphere is great, but I have yet to read a good review of the food. We're pretty regular at the 50's Prime Time, but I've read bad reviews of its food too. (I disagree with those reviews, though. )

Either way, have a great time. Hard not to when you're at Disny.

 

[Kasmir]

Thank you so much for the WONDERFUL responses! They have been so helpful!

 

[dawgsgirl]

Most of the shows at MGM are in the daytime and not at night. Make sure you check the showtimes for any of those you might want to see so you won't miss them. We LOVE AK and could stay there forever! Have a great trip!

 

[Anna114]

When we ate at the sci-fi we had a great time. The atmosphere is more what you are paying for. The food was good, was it CRT? no, but you'll get a good burger or chicken sandwhich. We're trying Prime Time this time just to be different, not because we wouldn't go back, because we would. Just me O' pennies.

Have a magical day,
Anna

My personal opinion would be to make AK the half day park and MGM more of a 3/4 day park. That's just us, though.

Also, for dinner at the Sci-Fi...the atmosphere is great, but I have yet to read a good review of the food. We're pretty regular at the 50's Prime Time, but I've read bad reviews of its food too. (I disagree with those reviews, though. )

Either way, have a great time. Hard not to when you're at Disny.

 

[jann1033]

we never spend more than a day at mgm( except we go one other emh for rnr and tot repeats. we could have spent 2 days at ak due to we really enjoyed it plus imo it needs to be savored and would lose a lot if you just ran from atttreaction to attraction. if you son enjoys animals you probably could spend hrs watching them on the trails.

 

[Anna114]

I agree with you about spending more time at AK except for the fact my dogs are aching me. I think if I just went to AK for the day and did no parks previously I would enjoy it much more.

Have a magical day,
Anna

we never spend more than a day at mgm( except we go one other emh for rnr and tot repeats. we could have spent 2 days at ak due to we really enjoyed it plus imo it needs to be savored and would lose a lot if you just ran from atttreaction to attraction. if you son enjoys animals you probably could spend hrs watching them on the trails.