Which park? AK or HS

[Thinking]

going first week of February. Staying at Universal but have 2 days open for other parks. One of those two days will be at Magic Kingdom. The question is where to go for the other day.

Epcot is out since kids are younger (ranging from 8 to 16).

We were last at Disney 3 years ago.

So debating whether to go to AK or HS on our open date.

One of the big swing items may be how much more Star Wars is at HS now verses 3 years ago. Is it enough to say we should head back there.

Frankly also wondering if it makes sense to do Seaworld instead and wait until next trip when Star Wars land will likely be done.

Appreciate any thoughts or opinions, especially from those who have been to both parks recently and have an opinion.

Thanks.

 

[tink9702]

depends on what the group likes to do? If everyone loves to eat, shop & wander around I'd do Epcot, animals - AK and neither of those interests then maybe HS. Personally my kids liked Epcot and my kids are a lot younger than yours so it's all about interests & what people like to do rather than age IMHO.

I'd wait for HS if you are just interested in Star Wars. It won't be finished this year.

 

[courtneybeth]

Hollywood Studios will be under construction, so I'd go to Animal Kingdom.

I'm not sure why EPCOT is out for the 8-16 year olds? Test Track is a great ride and doing some munching around the world and walking is very relaxing.

 

[Thinking]

Thanks for the response.

I guess I was wondering if they new Star Wars stuff at HS make it a worthwhile visit. The kids are all big Star Wars fans.

But tough to tell if these new features are really any good. Tried to look through the official thread but it's a mix of Star Wars topics (movie, SWW, etc) so tough to find specifics on the new stuff at HS.

We also have a Disney visa so maybe the photo op there is also a cool benefit - and now the Star Wars themed fireworks show.

I'm leaning that way, but wanted to get other views.

I do appreciate any insights from those that have been there recently.

 

[Thinking]

Tried that before at Epcot. Not that it's a bad park, it's just kids did it last time and I know they aren't that interested in the different countries. And from there perspective it was too much walking.

 

[cdnjason]

Personally, I'd do two days at MK.

 

[kohlby]

I'd recommend HS over AK in most cases. However, I'd recommend EP over both of those. My kids loved EP even at 3 years old. We didn't think it was for young kids before our first with-kids trip either - but then our eldest, who was barely 3 liked EP best - even better than MK. Also, 8-16 isn't exactly young kids either. My kids were 5, 8, and 11 during our last Disney trip and spent 3 days in Epcot. (Only half a day at AK and 1.5 days in HS. The younger two would have been fine with one day at HS, but the 11 year old wanted more time there).

 

[kohlby]

Ah, saw you typed why you aren't doing EP while I was typing too. Did they not like Future World either? We can easily spend an entire day just in Future World. I'd let them look at the attractions at HS and get their input between HS and a second day at MK if EP is completely out.

 

[1tripandIfell]

We had this same decision to make. We will be there the second week of Feb. We decided on HS only because the kids in our group (15-20) are all about rides and didn't want to miss Rocking Rollercoaster or Tower of Terror so that made up our minds.

 

[mshanson3121]

going first week of February. Staying at Universal but have 2 days open for other parks. One of those two days will be at Magic Kingdom. The question is where to go for the other day.

Epcot is out since kids are younger (ranging from 8 to 16).

We were last at Disney 3 years ago.

So debating whether to go to AK or HS on our open date.

One of the big swing items may be how much more Star Wars is at HS now verses 3 years ago. Is it enough to say we should head back there.

Frankly also wondering if it makes sense to do Seaworld instead and wait until next trip when Star Wars land will likely be done.

Appreciate any thoughts or opinions, especially from those who have been to both parks recently and have an opinion.

Thanks.

Since your kids ages range 8-16, they would be the PERFECT age for Epcot in all honesty, so I would choose EP.
Otherwise, I think I'd go AK - the shows, Kali, Everest, Safari etc...

 

[mshanson3121]

Tried that before at Epcot. Not that it's a bad park, it's just kids did it last time and I know they aren't that interested in the different countries. And from there perspective it was too much walking.

EP has so much more than just the world showcase, there's some great stuff in FutureWorld. But I agree with one of the previous posts - let the kids decide where they want to do. Let them look online at all the different attractions and choose for themselves. You could always get park hoppers too, and do a split day.

 

[Frozen2014]

My initial thought of Epcot was to dismiss it too. But then I learned from here that Epcot is not just about countries..it has great rides like Test Track, Soarin, Spaceship Earth, etc. Also, great fireworks show at night.

We ended up skipping AK as we had no interest and did HS. If you have boys, there is Star Tours and Jedi Training. If they like thrill rides there us the rollercoaster and the Terror ride. Fantasmic is fun too.

 

[Planogirl]

We did all four parks during our last trip and loved MK and AK. DHS was a mess and will get worse so we will gladly skip that one for a while. You already know about Epcot.

 

[LaurenT]

AK is my favorite park - so I have to recommend you go there. Awesome roller coaster, the dinosaur ride, the safari, the best shows in Disney, great food options and, of course, the animal trails. And you can watch veterinary procedures. I couldn't pull my 12 yr old away until they finished stitching up the colobus monkey after her hysterectomy.... She wants to grow up to be a Disney vet.

 

[jenniy122]

Currently, there are no scheduled times for the Star Works fireworks the first week of Feb (as always, things change, but as of today the last one is Jan 30th). So the only Star Wars things there are the meet and greet, Star Tours, the gift shop, and Jedi training. But for me, a trip wouldn't be complete without RnR, Tower, and Fantasmic. There's also amazing things to do at AK. Plus a number of people (NOT me!!!!) consider them both half-day parks.

The solution? DO BOTH! Park hop! For the difference in ticket price, it's worth it. At that time of year, wait times are low enough that you'll be able to hit mostly everything.

 

[Dug720]

For me, AK is a no-brainer YES PLEASE park while HS is an "only if I'm with someone who REALLY is anti-splitting up and REALLY insists that we waste time there" park for me. Granted, I can't stand Star Wars, so...

 

[soniam]

Thanks for the response.

I guess I was wondering if they new Star Wars stuff at HS make it a worthwhile visit. The kids are all big Star Wars fans.

But tough to tell if these new features are really any good. Tried to look through the official thread but it's a mix of Star Wars topics (movie, SWW, etc) so tough to find specifics on the new stuff at HS.

We also have a Disney visa so maybe the photo op there is also a cool benefit - and now the Star Wars themed fireworks show.

I'm leaning that way, but wanted to get other views.

I do appreciate any insights from those that have been there recently.

Currently, there are no scheduled times for the Star Works fireworks the first week of Feb (as always, things change, but as of today the last one is Jan 30th). So the only Star Wars things there are the meet and greet, Star Tours, the gift shop, and Jedi training. But for me, a trip wouldn't be complete without RnR, Tower, and Fantasmic. There's also amazing things to do at AK. Plus a number of people (NOT me!!!!) consider them both half-day parks.

The solution? DO BOTH! Park hop! For the difference in ticket price, it's worth it. At that time of year, wait times are low enough that you'll be able to hit mostly everything.

The Star Wars fireworks are scheduled through 3/19, because that is the last day for the dessert party, even though the fireworks are not on the schedule on the web for February or March. There should be some reviews of the dessert party tomorrow, since tonight is the first night. There is Launch Bay, which has Star Wars paraphernalia and meet and greets with Darth Vader and Chewie. Stormtroopers are roaming, and the Jawas are sometimes trading with people. Star Tours was updated with new scenes from Force Awakens. There's a movie called Path of the Jedi. They redid Jedi Training Academy. There are various Star Wars themed food, desserts, and beverages. It's not a ton of food options though. Here are some links. The first one is the best place to find out info, @yulilin3 DHS Star Wars 2016 thread. She will probably post the first review of the dessert party, since she is going tonight. There is not as much stuff as there eventually will be, but most of the Star Wars Land stuff won't be coming until 2019 or later.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/up...ny-in-the-stars-thread-sww-cancelled.3439569/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/a...r-wars/?int_cmp=INS-intWDWtoWDW-SWAttractions
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/symphony-in-the-stars/
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...tudios/star-wars-symphony-in-stars-fireworks/
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/backlot-express/menus/

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Tried that before at Epcot. Not that it's a bad park, it's just kids did it last time and I know they aren't that interested in the different countries. And from there perspective it was too much walking.

If they think Epcot is too much walking, I would think they would say the same thing about Animal Kingdom. Both AK and DHS are considered to be half day parks by numerous people. I can see why, but I really have no trouble spending a whole day at either park. Now, I am very biased here because DHS is my favorite park and has been since my first trip when I was 8, but I would recommend DHS over Animal Kingdom. I love going to the zoo, but Animal Kingdom offers nothing for me zoo/animal-wise that I can't find at our local zoo. So, it comes down to the rides. Everest is a great roller coaster, but so is Rock n Roller Coaster at DHS. Safari is good, but again, I can see animals at my local zoo anytime I want. Dinosaur is meh. Primeval Whirl is great if I want to lose my most recent meal, but not really for me. TriceraTop Spin is Dumbo in a dinosaur instead of an elephant. Compare that to Rock n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours, and Toy Story Midway Mania and I really don't think that the rides compare. DHS all the way. The shows at both parks are good and Festival of the Lion King is really great, but I can't imagine not seeing Fantasmic on a Disney trip. One place that DHS definitely has the edge over AK is dining. Sci Fi Dine In and 50's Prime Time are two of the best themed restaurants on Disney property! Plus, since they didn't like walking around Epcot, DHS being a much smaller park would probably be great for them.

 

[epcotty]

I wouldn't rule out Epcot in that case by any means, those are fine ages to go. Especially as it's not as an "adult" park as it used to be with some attractions now being more kid-friendly. But out of HS and AK, who knows what'll be closed at HS by that time and as others have said Star Wars land won't be finished, so maybe AK

 

[Aggiegrl]

I would rule out Epcot. With Soarin closed, it's a bit lacking. I love Spaceship Earth dearly, but very few kids are going to choose it over Tower of Terror or RocknRoller Coaster.

I used to dislike HS, but it's my tall 6 year old's (boy) favorite park, and his 5 year old sister likes it too.