We Have Only 4 Days: Which Park to Eliminate?

[sheldnw]

We're taking our 5 and 8 year olds on our first family trip in January!! We definitely want 2 days in the MK, so we'll need to eliminate Epcot, AK, or HS. Only one of our kids rides scary rides. Any advice? Thanks very much in advance! Wendy

 

[Sophie_2003]

if they like animals and things like princesses, playhouse Disney and Toy story, I would skip Epcot this time around. If not into animals, skip AK. Or make a half day at DHS/AK so you can visit all parks.

Again, depends what they like. DHS for us is a half day (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the beast, Toy Story and walk around - she doesn't like playhouse disney); AK as well, we only do the safari, lion king show and spend a bit of time in Dinoland.

We like to walk around Epcot because there are a lot of characters and we relax a bit more (look at the flowers and outdoor displays, etc), and DD likes Soarin.

 

[LadyShea]

We also had to eliminate a park for this trip, with 8 of us going. I asked for everyone's input (except the 3 year old), and though each had different reasons, eliminating Epcot was unanimous-which quite surprised me. Have you asked your family their thoughts?

 

[Nie0214]

In January it might not be that crowded, so if you are getting park-hopping, you could probably do them all. In September during free dining, crowds were so scarce that we were finished with Animal Kingdom by noon (and we went on Exped. Everest 4 times).

I wouldn't skip EPCOT, but that's my favorite. I think your kids are great ages to enjoy going to the KidCot stations around EPCOT.

eliminating Epcot was unanimous-which quite surprised me.

It doesn't surprise me, many people have misconceptions on what EPCOT has/is/does, and until they go and experience it, they just don't understand it.

 

[jenb1023]

I would do 2 days at MK, 1 at Epcot and if you have parkhoppers a split day between DHS/AK.

If you don't have parkhoppers then it would depend on your family's interests. . .to me DHS has more boy things than the other parks but also has a lot of "scary" rides which would lead one to AK but some of its major attractions are shows and it also has a few "scary" rides so if your kids don't like shows it wouldn't leave a lot to do. Good luck deciding!

 

[puffkin]

Also keep in mind that AK closes earlier than the other parks in January and there is no night time show.

 

[Skyw]

There are some great things to do with kids at all parks. I would eliminate the "world" section of Epcot, and have a good plan for all of the parks. We only hit the stuff we really want to do and that are a proving a good choice for kids. We have gone twice with my son and he hasn't gone on half the rides. And he doesn't know that he has missed them either.

 

[irene_dsc]

Tough decision - I'd probably read up more on the parks, and figure out if there are any Musts at any of the other parks. DHS was a must for us due to Star Tours & the Jedi Training Academy, plus Little Einstein character meeting opportunities (tho dd was scared of them, alas). AK was great - in January, it is nice and cool, and lots of animals were out. And since we prepped, we had a blast on Kali River Rapids, with no lines. Epcot - I think our favorites were Living with the Land (seeing all the funky hydroponic veggies - but I like gardening) and Soarin'.

 

[crisi]

I'd get hoppers and fit in some of Epcot in the evenings. Each person has a different favorite park and you could easily be steered wrong - I'd hate for someone to tell me to waste a whole day at DHS (which we do not like as a park) - then go back years later and discovered I'd missed spending a wonderful day at AK or Epcot (both which we love). Someone else would hate to miss DHS and feel like a day at AKL is wasted.

 

[LadyShea]

It doesn't surprise me, many people have misconceptions on what EPCOT has/is/does, and until they go and experience it, they just don't understand it.

Most in the group have experienced Epcot, that's why I was surprised. Half of the group though, have never been to DHS and that was the main reason for choosing it over Epcot.

I was also surprised that AK was my parents favorite park, behind MK of course. I had fully expected it would be the one eliminated.

 

[oldbay]

I asked my DS7 and he said animal kingdom. He said it was more fun when going to animal kingdom than thinking about it --like it is better when you get there than you thought it would be, he also said it has too many animals and is sort of on the small side.

He also mentioned he would be sad to not get to go to all four. He did say 2 days at magic kingdom was a good idea since it was so big.

Have fun on your trip.

 

[emmababy]

I have to do epcot for my sanity! Walking around the world and having a few drinks makes for a happy mama!

 

[Shleedogg]

If you're planning on getting hoppers, I think you could do AK and Epcot in the same day provided Epcot is open late enough. AK closes early, so after 4 you would still have a few hours to go walk around the world showcase and do the few rides that Epcot has.

 

[czycropper]

My girls absolutely love to go to Epcot - they love doing the Passport & the mask and see all the characters. The first time we went I wasn't sure that they would like it since they were 4 & 6 BUT they did and now ask that we don't cut it out. They also love Soarin' and the Living Seas,, oh and how can I forget Figment (my favorite )

At DHS, they only like the Rock'nRollercoaster so we usually make that one a half day or actually more like a 3-hr park and then do more MK or Epcot. AK for us is a whole day experience because we like the shows and the rides - we rode Everest 3x in June, Dinosaur 2x and Kali 2x.

Have fun at whatever you decide - you'll be at WDW!