What would be a good choice in parks?

[MudQueen22]

We plan to go in March of 2015. It will be my dh, dd (5), and me in one room. My parents in another. We will likely stay in either POR or POFQ.

We will stay six nights and plan to have five full days in the parks. I would like to make an ADR for 1900 Park Fare for the evening of our arrival, and breakfast at Chef Mickey on departure morning. We would also like to reserve meals (likely lunches or dinners) at CRT, BOG, and Akershus. If we do Animal Kingdom, I would like to reserve a meal at Tusker House.

My parents are going to keep DD one night so that we can go to dinner ourselves, but otherwise this trip is for DD.

She likes all things princess and loves dressing up. (We plan to take her to BBB.) she likes princess movies more than anything, but also likes TinkerBell and the Fairies, pirates (like Jake), and Transformers. (I know they don't have Transformers there, but that tells you a bit about her.)

We aren't the people that get to go every year. In fact, dh is the only one of us that has ever been to WDW.

Here is our dilemma:
We don't want to buy the park hopper because we think traveling between parks would be a waste of time for us, and we don't see it as being worth the money. (We don't mind spending the whole day in the same park.)
I plan to make ADRs 180 days out, and Fast Passes 60 days out. This means we will need to know 180 days prior which parks we will be in, and to follow the itinerary.

My plan was to spend 3 days at MK, 1 day at Epcot, and one day at Animal Kingdom.
Dh says we should skip AK and do 4 days at MK instead.

Not sure if dd would like AK enough to miss a day at MK. (We visit Houston Zoo often enough, if that makes a difference.)

What are your thoughts?

Again, we won't be able to return for quite awhile once we leave WDW, so I want it to be worth it for her. There are many things we do locally that she enjoys, but Disney is a lot of money for us, and a very special treat.

 

[RoosMama]

4 days in MK is a lot, IMO. I think you would be really tired of it by the fourth day. I would either stick with 3 days at MK, or maybe even doing 2 days at Epcot if you think that is something y'all might enjoy.

 

[teachmedis]

Hi! I'm a newbie too! It will be our first time ever in the parks April 2015. We also have five days to spend and our ds will be just under five at the time of the trip. From the research I've done we are going to do two days mk, one day dhs, one day ak, and one day at the resort and dtd. We are skipping Epcot, we plan to go when our kiddos are older. Hollywood Studios is, from what I understand,the place to catch all things Disney Junior, my guy loves doc and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so that's our reasoning.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Don't think of AK as a zoo. It's so much more than that. I would definitely not skip it. And is there a reason you plan to skip DHS? If this is a once in at least a long time trip, I would say 1 day in each of Epcot, DHS, and AK, 2 days at MK. I agree you don't need park hoppers, as there's plenty to see in each park. And if you do happen to finish early, there's hanging out at your resort pool, DTD, mini golf, etc. to keep more than busy.

 

[MudQueen22]

Don't think of AK as a zoo. It's so much more than that. I would definitely not skip it. And is there a reason you plan to skip DHS? If this is a once in at least a long time trip, I would say 1 day in each of Epcot, DHS, and AK, 2 days at MK. I agree you don't need park hoppers, as there's plenty to see in each park. And if you do happen to finish early, there's hanging out at your resort pool, DTD, mini golf, etc. to keep more than busy.

I've heard that DHS didn't have many rides--mostly shows. Has it changed so that it is geared more toward small children?
I'm certainly open to taking a day for DHS if she would enjoy it. She likes Jake, Sophia, and Doc.

 

[kiramay]

I'd also suggest 2 MK, and 1 each HS, AK, and Epcot. There's so much to do and see at each park!

 

[jillmc40]

If your dd is a princess fan then I would plan two days at Epcot. They have some of the best princess hunting! When our dd was in mega princess mode we went 4 days! She loved it! We don't hop either. We have ap's so we could if we want but we are happy in one park per day.
Most people with small kids discount Epcot but if you have a princess fan (even if u don't )it is a great park!!

 

[kmv]

I wouldn't skip Hollywood Studios or AK. I would do 2 park days at MK, 1 at each of the others. AK is not really an all day/all night resort. But you could do your Chef Mickey's or 1900 Park Fare dinner that night....and then head off to DTD or something.

 

[gonnago]

I agree that you should go to DHS there is alot for your dd to see/do there especially if she likes the Disney Junior characters.You could get an ADR for Hollywood and Vine lunch as it has the Dis JR. characters there,Jake,Doc Mcstuffins,Sofia and Handy Mandy it has great interactions with the characters that do a dance along with the children as well as coming to your table individually for pics and autographs.Also there is TSMM as well as BATB show and other character meet and greets like Buzz and Woody,Mike and Sully and others.

We just went last month and did 5 parks days and went to MK 2 days and 1 day at each of the other parks. If I were going to skip a park I would of skipped Epcot cause there was not much for DGS(3) to do to keep him interested but for adults it is a must do I love the park but not enough for young kids to do to keep their interest IMHO

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I've heard that DHS didn't have many rides--mostly shows. Has it changed so that it is geared more toward small children?
I'm certainly open to taking a day for DHS if she would enjoy it. She likes Jake, Sophia, and Doc.

As someone else mentioned, there's H&V where she can meet those characters. Toy Story Mania is great! There's the Honey We Shrunk the Kids play area. Both Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast shows. Some of the Pixar characters to meet. The Muppets 3D show is one of our favorites. And the Fantasmic night time show is amazing!