Two day trip - MK + what other park???

[JME727]

Hi! I'm new here, so forgive my lack of abbreviations!

Our family of 4 with 7 and 5 year old children will be visiting WDW for the first time in early 2017. We have tickets for two days and are staying off site. My question is what park should we do in addition to Magic Kingdom? Our 5 year old is a huge Star Wars fan and I had originally planned on Hollywood Studios, but it looks like many attractions will be down on our planned visit date of February 2nd. Should we do Epcot instead? Some friends with kids of similar age have told me they appreciated the more laid-back and spread out vibe at Epcot after a day in Magic Kingdom. We're also open to the idea of just doing Magic Kingdom for two days if that's what the kids really want.

Thanks so much for your advice!

 

[broncobill]

If this is your first visit to WDW, you will need more then 1 day at MK. If you are only there for 2 days, go to MK both days. The place is huge and there is a lot to do and see. But, if you are not interested in shows, parades and fireworks, you may get by with 1 day there. Personally, I would do both days there.

 

[Klayfish]

First, welcome!!!

Wow, that's a tough choice. What's scheduled to be closed at Hollywood Studios? Sorry, I'm not up to speed on current closures, as my next trip isn't until June.

You could definitely do Magic Kingdom both days, which will really let you explore the park. I'd be tempted to do that. I could also make arguments for any of the other 3 parks too. Besides Star Wars, what do your kids like? I'd base my 2nd park on that. Do they like thrill rides? Characters? Animals?

 

[Mama Lo]

This is a really difficult decision. Do you think that you will be going back any time soon? If no, I'd go to a different park instead of MK (Magic Kingdom) twice.

I wouldn't discount HS (Hollywood Studios). It depends on how tall and thrill willing you kids are. There is Star Tours, Toy Story Midway Mania, Tower of Terror, Rock n Roller Coaster, Muppets, Indiana Jones show, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid and more. The night time Star Wars show is awesome especially for a kid who's into Star Wars.

My kids love EP (Epcot) and have since they were your kids age. There is plenty to do there to fill a day and plenty of yummy things to eat.

Wherever you decide to go, I'd say avoid the park with EMH (Extra Magic Hours) since you will be staying off site. Make FPs (Fastpass) at exactly 30 days out. Arrive at the park 30 minutes prior to the posted opening time. This will all help you see the most you can in the time that you have.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Two days at MK

 

[Lynzer4]

I would do a day at MK and a day at Epcot.

While I do agree that you will need more then one day to see everything at MK to get a better overall feel of Disney you should visit a second park and Epcot will fill your day. My kids love to see/tour the counties and see what "living" in Germany or France is like and trying their foods. There are a lot of character interactions available and some great rides. Plus some really cool activities at Epcot.

My second choice would be Animal Kingdom thought I have never been able to do a full day there. I do go doing the "low season" so that allows you to experience the park quicker but they have amazing rides and shows that I think your kids would enjoy.

It really just depends on what your family will want to do. If you are going in early 2017 then I take it you are going in Jan/Feb which historically has a lower crowd (lower meaning still a lot of people just not as packed at summer or holidays) which will hopefully provide you the chance to see/experience more at the parks.

 

[Mickeymouseisking]

Like everyone else has said, it really depends on your family preferences.

Two days at MK will allow you to take it easier, split the park up and get to do more.

I think I would go to two different parks. My family's favorite park is AK, because we love the three stage shows (Festival of Lion King, Finding Nemo and Flights of Wonder) and we just think it's the most beautiful park with wonderful landscaping and walking trails for animal viewing. We also love the rides, but you need to check the hight restrictions...and there aren't that many rides at this park.

Epcot is awesome and has a different more laid back feel from the MK. There are lots of rides your kids can go on there, great live entertainment all over the place and lots of arts and crafts stations if your kids are into that.

DHS is kind of like half a park at the moment. I absolutely love the things that are there - Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, The Great Movie Ride, Muppet Vision 3D and Fantasmic are some of my most favorite things at WDW - but I personally would not choose this park if I only had one day. When Star Wars land and Toy Story land open it will be a full park again. That being said, is Star Wars is a big deal for your family maybe just getting to meet Chubaka would be a highlight, and people LOVE the Star Wars fireworks, so again it all depends on what you like.

Whatever you do, I second the advice to try to avoid going to a park with morning extra magic hours,so that you can get in when the park opens and not after its already packed.

Most importantly, whatever you choose, just have a good time, take it easy and enjoy!! Don't try to do everything, because you can't. When I went to Tokyo Disneyland for a short trip I was so stressed to do everything our first day that I got the worst migraine...it was actually for the best because it forced me to slow down, get a big cup of cold Diet Coke, sit down on a bench with my friend and then truly enjoy the rest of my day moral of the story - have fun and don't freak out about making it perfect.

 

[Nancyg56]

My first response would be two days in the MK, but if you do not think that you want to do that, I lean more towards Animal Kingdom, given the ages of the kids. There are shows and animals, and activities that I believe youngsters would enjoy a lot, along with plenty of Meet and Greet opportunities.

 

[ELSA711]

My first visit with kids was in 2000, I took my niece (14) and nephew (7). We did one day at MK and one day at AK.
It was a fabulous trip!!

 

[kellyjeanie]

If your 5-year-old is into Star Wars, I'd highly recommend doing Hollywood Studios. By then the nighttime show should be back and I hear it's amazing. There's Jedi Training, Star Tours, meet and greets, the parade - so much Star Wars. Plus the Toy Story ride is really fun for that age. Otherwise MK for a second day is also a great idea. I really enjoy Epcot and you probably would too but with only 2 days and your kids being so little, MK or HS might be a better use of your time. Of course you can't really go wrong whatever you choose, all the parks are great!

 

[JME727]

I am so appreciating all of the input everyone, keep it coming!

Our kids are not huge on animals and as I had heard AK was more of a half-day park, I haven't really seriously considered it. Maybe it's an option to do AK for half of our second day, then go back to MK...hmmm...

Great advice about magic hours! Maybe that's why Monday 1/30 is expected to be a higher traffic day at MK than Wednesday, 2/2 (our two park days) when I look at crowd predictors. I will look into magic hours.

I am a huge fan of stage shows and that is what I personally am most looking forward to during our visit, but I'm not sure how the kids will feel about them. I am trying very hard not to over plan, but need to look into stage shows a bit more and remember to weigh these in making my decision.

I really think the magic of MK is why we're visiting with the kids at this age and don't know what they'll think of the rides and characters after the first few hours. It helps so very much to hear all of your advice - thanks again!

 

[Nancyg56]

I am so appreciating all of the input everyone, keep it coming!

Our kids are not huge on animals and as I had heard AK was more of a half-day park, I haven't really seriously considered it. Maybe it's an option to do AK for half of our second day, then go back to MK...hmmm...

Great advice about magic hours! Maybe that's why Monday 1/30 is expected to be a higher traffic day at MK than Wednesday, 2/2 (our two park days) when I look at crowd predictors. I will look into magic hours.

I am a huge fan of stage shows and that is what I personally am most looking forward to during our visit, but I'm not sure how the kids will feel about them. I am trying very hard not to over plan, but need to look into stage shows a bit more and remember to weigh these in making my decision.

I really think the magic of MK is why we're visiting with the kids at this age and don't know what they'll think of the rides and characters after the first few hours. It helps so very much to hear all of your advice - thanks again!

Animal Kingdom is not a zoo, so the animals that they encounter will not be behind bars. There is the Safari, and the animal trails that allow for viewing them in their habitats.

Lion King is a spectacular show, but my personal favorite is Finding Nemo, and I love Flights of Wonder.

I think that for first time visits if you only have the two days, I would really consider staying in the Magic Kingdom. There are so many attractions that the children would enjoy, and they all take time. Add the Parade, shows, and taking time t take it all in, and two days can be gone fast.

 

[ELSA711]

I will say being huge Star Wars fans, we have a new appreciation for Hollywood Studios. The stage shows and meet/greet with Chewy and Kylo Ren were great! Same with Launch Bay.
If your kids are not animal lovers than maybe 1.5 days at MK and half day at Hollywood Studios. Although I will say, we wished we had more time at Hollywood Studios.
I wanted to do Great Movie Ride before it went away so we missed Muppets. My DH and I had to wait for GMR separately as my son bailed on it, so that took some time. He was afraid of scary images.

 

[megs1313]

MK and MK. AK and DHS would be total skips for me, and I'd only do EPCOT if you have hoppers.

 

[cassie58]

What a great age for a first trip - mine were 5 and 8, and it was great seeing their eyes light up with all the sights and experiences! I agree with two different parks, to get more of a feel for the WDW experience. As PP mentioned, you will want to try and be early to the parks, and have your fast passes set up so you can do as much as possible with less waiting. On MK day, you will want to make fast passes for late morning/early afternoon, after your first few hours when there are shorter lines. When you have used the three you can get a 4th, and then a fifth, etc. Peter Pan and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train you want to do first thing or get fast pass. We love Philharmagic, which is a cute 3D movie, with classic characters and music, which doesn't usually have a wait. You want to plan what to do based on areas of the park, so you are not crisscrossing the park all day, to save your feet and your time! Make sure to see the projection show on the castle "Once Upon a Time", and of course Wishes, the fireworks show- both very magical! We like to get spots in front of the castle around the hub early, and grab snacks from Sleepy Hollow nearby while we wait. Don't try to leave right after, as it is a mob scene - feel free to grab a Mickey ice cream bar, sit on a bench, and watch the castle change colors till crowds thin out.

With a Star Wars fan, HS would probably be a good choice for second day. There is Jedi training where he can fight a villain he coud sign up to do(need to do 1st thing - arrive at park early), then head to Launch Bay to do meet with Chewy(he's a hugger!) and Kylo Ren(can be intimidating- just an FYI!) There is also memorabilia to check out. Then, a few times a day, the Stormtroopers march, and there is a stage show with the SW characters. And of course the Star Tours ride(3D movie with motion simulator so you feel like in a movie scene). There may be Star Wars fireworks at the end of the day as well. If not, Fantasmic, the regular night show is awesome. Here is a thread to check out about the Star Wars offerings:. http://www.disboards.com/threads/of...ireworks-dessert-party-launch-bay-jt.3439569/

You will want to try and get a FP for Toy Story which is fun for everyone, and then depending on what your kids are into, the Indiana Jones Stunt Show and Beauty & Beast show are good, if your kids are daredevils there is Tower of Terror and RockNRoll Coaster, and Muppets 3D movie and Little Mermaid. There is also a fun restaurant called Sci-Fi, where you eat in a car in a drive-in theaters set-up, but you will need a reservation (which you can go on and make now if you decide you wanted it).

We love AK as well, but since you have SW fan, I would save AK for next trip. If you have two days of park tickets, but are staying longer than that, I would put a break day in between, as it is ideal to be there before park opening, and both have great night shows, so it is nice not to do two full days in a row.

 

[disneyholic family]

I am so appreciating all of the input everyone, keep it coming!

Our kids are not huge on animals and as I had heard AK was more of a half-day park, I haven't really seriously considered it. Maybe it's an option to do AK for half of our second day, then go back to MK...hmmm...

Great advice about magic hours! Maybe that's why Monday 1/30 is expected to be a higher traffic day at MK than Wednesday, 2/2 (our two park days) when I look at crowd predictors. I will look into magic hours.

I am a huge fan of stage shows and that is what I personally am most looking forward to during our visit, but I'm not sure how the kids will feel about them. I am trying very hard not to over plan, but need to look into stage shows a bit more and remember to weigh these in making my decision.

I really think the magic of MK is why we're visiting with the kids at this age and don't know what they'll think of the rides and characters after the first few hours. It helps so very much to hear all of your advice - thanks again!

AK has two super fantastic stage shows: Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo, the musical...
those two shows are worth the price of admission...
and then add to it the charming flights of wonder and you really don't need to do anything else at AK...but there's so much more to do..

I have never met anyone, child or adult, who didn't love Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo (the version that's at AK)..

Actually, at WDW, those two shows together with Wishes are probably my only true 'must dos'....

yeah, we're fans of AK ..