Which park is better for late arrival?

[mshanson3121]

Trying to figure out which park to do on our first day, Thursday, June 25th. We do not want to be in park until at least noon, largely because we will be driving 3 days to get there and just want to sleep in, and my in-laws flight doesn't get in until around 10:30 the night before, so it'll be a very late night for them by the time they get to the house.

So I'm curious which park would be the best to do that day, Epcot or Animal Kingdom. EasyWDW recommends both for this day, Touring Plans lists EP as a 9 that day and AK as an 8.

At AK, we want to do all the trails, the safari, Dinosaur, Kali, the Flights of Wonder show, the train station/Affection Section/veterinary place, and if there's time the Lion King. We have an 8 year old boy that LOVES animals.

At EP, we have two days planned (were hoping to keep them to 4-5 hours each day). So we were thinking of doing half of the WS and some rides each day. I really don't know how long to plan on spending in WS, we don't really want to do much shopping, mostly just strolling, browsing, meeting a character or two, probably grab a snack to eat while we browse, if there's shows I imagine we'll stop and watch for a few minutes. I'm guessing 30 minutes per country? The kids want to do the KidCot stations, I know they'll love the acrobats in China, the trains in Germany, we want to do Pick a Pearl in Japan, and of course the ride in Mexico. We'll probably skip Canada/US, just because we're more interested in seeing the pavillions of places we're not familiar with. For rides, we plan on Soaring, Test Track (we'll cut out the post-ride stuff to make this shorter), Living with the Land, Nemo/Seas, Spaceship Earth and Figment.

Keeping bedtimes normal is pretty important to us as the children don't handle late nights well. So... what do you think is better - to do AK on the first day, or Epcot? What times would you plan on going to both?

 

[chocolatemint]

Which is the recommended park for that day? If there's a big difference between the two, that would make the decision simple. Another factor to consider is the weather -- you would be hitting AK at the hottest point of the day.

Crowd factors being equal, I'd pick Epcot. You have more flexibility and I think it will be a more low-key and enjoyable day after all of that driving.

If AK is a favorite I'd want to optimize my time there by hitting RD another day.

 

[eyehartdisney]

I would make your first day a pure WS day, because it doesn't open until later anyway... you could forseeably arrive before it even opens. Or do a mostly WS day, and fastpass either test track or soarin, and then fastpass the other the other day.

 

[mshanson3121]

Would it be better to go in from say 12-5, or wait until later and maybe go from 3-8?

 

[jrt1176]

Epcot is always our arrival/half day kind of park.

It's big and relaxed. Ride some rides, walk around WS and eat!

 

[BalooPA]

I would suggest Epcot World Showcase, due to the later opening time. A nice lunch and a leisurely stroll around the lake would be a great way to ease into your trip!

 

[dprincessmom]

We love AK on a late arrival day. Plan your FP+ for 12, 1 and 2 and then do all the other things to fill time. The park empties later in the day and your will be able to re-ride favorites the later in the day.

 

[Alesia]

I would pick Epcot because I don't think you've allotted nearly enough time for it. We typically spend around 20 hours there each trip and still have to skip some things.

Also, if you really want to visit Rafiki's planet watch in AK, you'll definitely want to go early in the morning. They only do veterinary procedures early in the mornings. If you go late, you're basically taking an hour or so from your park day to pet some pygmy goats.

 

[rwdavis2]

If you make the FP+ reservations for the afternoon at any of the parks that takes some of the stress of which park.

 

[mshanson3121]

I would pick Epcot because I don't think you've allotted nearly enough time for it. We typically spend around 20 hours there each trip and still have to skip some things.

Also, if you really want to visit Rafiki's planet watch in AK, you'll definitely want to go early in the morning. They only do veterinary procedures early in the mornings. If you go late, you're basically taking an hour or so from your park day to pet some pygmy goats.

Good to know as yes, we definitely want to see some procedures.

 

[mshanson3121]

I would pick Epcot because I don't think you've allotted nearly enough time for it. We typically spend around 20 hours there each trip and still have to skip some things.

Also, if you really want to visit Rafiki's planet watch in AK, you'll definitely want to go early in the morning. They only do veterinary procedures early in the mornings. If you go late, you're basically taking an hour or so from your park day to pet some pygmy goats.

We don't have the time for 20 hours If we get 10 hours or so in we'll be happy. No one in our group is really capable of doing 7,8,9 hour days. With our kids we basically need to limit it to 5-6 hours tops. We know we won't see it all, but it is what it is. When it boils down to it, I think our priority for Epcot is the World Showcase, honestly. I mean yes, there's tonnes of rides that the kids would enjoy, but... they'll get lots of rides at MK, heck, they can get them at any little theme park we go to... But the World Showcase is just something so unique.

 

[tink9702]

I would make your first day a pure WS day, because it doesn't open until later anyway... you could forseeably arrive before it even opens. Or do a mostly WS day, and fastpass either test track or soarin, and then fastpass the other the other day.

THIS! For a kid that loves animals you want an entire day at Animal Kingdom. We spend a ton of time watching the gorillas, the tigers, the monkeys etc. We're planning on going from RD until close and worried we won't have enough time!

Epcot is perfect for a late arrival if you are going another day as well. FP+ Test Track, Mission Space & one other and do the majority of the countries. Then on your other Epcot day FP+ Soarin', & two others and concentrate move on Future world, but finish up the countries you missed too.

 

[lovndisney12]

Is this your first trip? If it is - just a caution on underestimating the rides. WDW rides are not like normal theme park rides - they tend to take in all your senses - there is even quite a bit to see waiting in line (Haunted Mansion for example). Sure there are some rides that are similar to those at your local theme park - but most are quite different.

 

[ParrotBill]

EPCOT would be my choice in that situation, and wait until 3 or 4 then stay later.

 

[Colleen27]

That time of year I'd vote Epcot. You can do the World Showcase and whatever rides you get FP+ for, and the late start won't hurt a bit. WS doesn't even open until 11 and the attractions in that part of the park don't build up significant wait times. I'd try to get FP+ for the left side of Future World - Test Track, Mission Space, and one other (Spaceship Earth would work nicely) - so on your second Epcot day you can concentrate on the other side (Soarin', the time-consuming Seas pavilion, etc.) rather than zig-zagging back and forth.

AK isn't bad for a late arrival because so many people consider it a half-day or short-day park that the crowd levels drop in the afternoon, but it feels hotter than the other parks during the summer months because of all the vegetation. Besides, if you want to see vet procedures you'll want to be there first thing.

 

[Hudson Hornet]

Epcot is always open later than Animal Kingdom, 9:00pm as opposed to 6:00pm. Animal Kingdom day is an early day and a short day.

 

[maxiesmom]

Animal Kingdom is a great park for late in the day touring. Most people go early, and leave fairly early. I would say around 2ish the park starts to think out. The last couple of hours you can walk on almost all of the rides.