Which park to skip?

[MamaCrystal]

Hi again all We're taking our kids (will be 8,6,4,4) for their first trip in October. We have 5 full days there. We were planning 2 days in MK, 1 in HS, 1 in EPCOT, (and MNSSHP) and were debating whether to skip AK or squeeze in a half day on what is planned to be a rest day.

Given our kids' ages, would you recommend skipping EPCOT instead and replacing that day with AK?

Hubby and I are also considering having the kids hang out in Cub's Den and we could go to EPCOT one evening just the two of us.

WDYT? Thanks in advance!

 

[smitch425]

Hi again all We're taking our kids (will be 8,6,4,4) for their first trip in October. We have 5 full days there. We were planning 2 days in MK, 1 in HS, 1 in EPCOT, (and MNSSHP) and were debating whether to skip AK or squeeze in a half day on what is planned to be a rest day.

Given our kids' ages, would you recommend skipping EPCOT instead and replacing that day with AK?

Hubby and I are also considering having the kids hang out in Cub's Den and we could go to EPCOT one evening just the two of us.

WDYT? Thanks in advance!

If we skip a park, it is always AK. There just isn't enough there to make it worth it for us. My kids are not big animal people, and we have better animal interaction at our zoo. That coupled with the lack of rides and same old shows, doesn't make it necessary for us to go every year. Since it is your first trip, though, I would definitely do a half day there, especially since it is so inexpensive to add an extra park day. We could never skip EPCOT. It is our kids' second favorite park (after MK). Last year, we did 8 park days. Our breakdown was as follows...

EPCOT: 2 and 1/2 days (1/2 day was arrival day)
DHS: 1 and 1/2 days ((1/2 day was approx. 4 hours the morning of our MNSSHP day)
MK: 3 days + MNSSHP

This year we have 9 park days, so we will probably go to AK, but we have not committed to it.

 

[ktlm]

EPCOT has been my DD's ( 8 ) absolute favorite other than MK since she was 2. We would not skip it. In fact, we usually spend 2 days there. There are lots of princesses and other characters to meet and greet, bands, jugglers, balancing acts, acrobats, drummers, the boat ride inside mexico, the nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, the aquarium area, Living with the Land, Soarin, Test Track, the Phieas and Ferb Agent P adventures throughout World Showcase; The Kidcot stations etc. If we absolutely had to skip a park, it would be AK.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Although I loooove epcot, looking at the ages of your kids, I would recommend going to AK instead.

 

[TheWeasel]

I would definitely squeeze in half a day. Likes/dislikes of Parks is totally subjective, so you will never know if the kids will like it unless you experience it. If you get there at rope drop you can experience a great deal of the park by 1:00 pm. The little things at AK are what my kids really enjoyed...the bird show, Nemo show, the animal walking trails.

 

[MamaCrystal]

EPCOT has been my DD's ( 8 ) absolute favorite other than MK since she was 2. We would not skip it. In fact, we usually spend 2 days there. There are lots of princesses and other characters to meet and greet, bands, jugglers, balancing acts, acrobats, drummers, the boat ride inside mexico, the nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, the aquarium area, Living with the Land, Soarin, Test Track, the Phieas and Ferb Agent P adventures throughout World Showcase; The Kidcot stations etc. If we absolutely had to skip a park, it would be AK.

That all does sound fun! The only time I've been to WDW was when I was 12 and I really don't remember much from EPCOT.

Thanks for the help, everyone!

 

[mickeynut1]

Whenever we don't do all of the parks, AK is the one we skip; however, I do agree with the pp that since it's your first trip, I'd do at least a half day at AK. As far as Epcot, our first trip was when our DSs were 6 & 8 and they loved Epcot. Everyone told us we would be there an hour or two (if that) as there's not much for kids to do, but our boys loved it and we not only spent a whole day there, but they couldn't wait to go back.

 

[smitch425]

Whenever we don't do all of the parks, AK is the one we skip; however, I do agree with the pp that since it's your first trip, I'd do at least a half day at AK. As far as Epcot, our first trip was when our DSs were 6 & 8 and they loved Epcot. Everyone told us we would be there an hour or two (if that) as there's not much for kids to do, but our boys loved it and we not only spent a whole day there, but they couldn't wait to go back.

Every time someone posts that there is not much for kids to do at EPCOT, I wonder if there is a different EPCOT somewhere that I don't know about. They couldn't possibly be talking about the one at Disney World.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

I would definitely squeeze in half a day. Likes/dislikes of Parks is totally subjective, so you will never know if the kids will like it unless you experience it. If you get there at rope drop you can experience a great deal of the park by 1:00 pm. The little things at AK are what my kids really enjoyed...the bird show, Nemo show, the animal walking trails.

I agree. Especially if this is your first trip. My 2 daughter's were always split on which park is their favorite after MK. One daughter loves HS and could skip AK. My other daughter loves AK and could skip HS. They have felt this way most of their lives. AK is a beautiful park to be in. I would go for at least half a day and decide for yourself. I think we all have our rankings of which park is or favorites. I put them in this order personally. MK, Epcot, AK, HS but my one daughter's would be MK, HS, Epcot, and a far distant AK and my other daughter would reverse HS and AK.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would squeeze in a half day for AK too if it is your first trip. Even just to see the theming in Animal Kingdom is worth it, such a beautiful park

 

[Son of Gadsden]

I do not recommend skipping a park.

If there is a park you aren't too excited about, I recommend a park hopper day, leaving the park when you've had enough and going on to another.

We often hop on an AK day. AK, whether it keeps us occupied all day or not, closes way earlier than we are ready to go back to the room.

DHS often isn't a full day either. Epcot/DHS seems to be a good combination for us.

A lot of persuasion goes on, especially on message boards, but you really need to see each park for yourself. One person's least favorite park is someone else's favorite. All four just are so different, you should see each one at least once. Epcot/DHS tend to be more adult parks, however. I found that I hated them as a kid, but once I hit age 15, they quickly became more interesting.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I wouldn't skip AK with kiddos that size. The safari ride, Lion King show, it's a bug & more are so much fun!

I especially like the bird show, flights of wonder.
We usually call AK our slow down day. We get there at rope drop & ride the safari & then wander around seeing shows, walking the trails & catching the rides we like.

We usually leave after the parade & go to our resort or DTD.

We also love Epcot. turtle talk with crush, living with the land, the aquarium area, soaring... The World area & all. Epcot is lots of fun!

Of course, MK is awesome.

I guess if I skipped a park it would be HS. We never stay there very long. We do TSM & T of T & we like Beauty & the Beast. We usually get there at rope drop & leave before lunch.

 

[smitch425]

OP, in case you do not already know, the AK parade will not be running in October. It will be ending this summer due to the Avatarland construction. Unfortunately, that is one of the few things we liked, and part of the reason we have not committed to visiting AK this year.

 

[TinkerElsasMom]

I guess if I skipped a park it would be HS. We never stay there very long. We do TSM & T of T & we like Beauty & the Beast. We usually get there at rope drop & leave before lunch.

I would have to agree. AK is a full day. Lots of things to do and see. HS is great is you have some extra time but overall, at least IMO, there is more "magic" at AK. Safari is awesome, lion King, Nemo, bugs Life, boneyard, DINoSAUR. Huge list of things.

 

[MamaCrystal]

Lots of helpful info here. Thanks everyone! So now I'm thinking we definitely need to see AK for at least half a day.

Question - Is it possible to arrive at the resort (WL villas) and drop off luggage before the room is ready? Wondering if maybe we could squeeze in AK on the day we arrive. I know it closes early though.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Lots of helpful info here. Thanks everyone! So now I'm thinking we definitely need to see AK for at least half a day.

Question - Is it possible to arrive at the resort (WL villas) and drop off luggage before the room is ready? Wondering if maybe we could squeeze in AK on the day we arrive. I know it closes early though.

YES. We do this all the time. Just leave it with concierge/luggage services.

 

[smitch425]

Lots of helpful info here. Thanks everyone! So now I'm thinking we definitely need to see AK for at least half a day.

Question - Is it possible to arrive at the resort (WL villas) and drop off luggage before the room is ready? Wondering if maybe we could squeeze in AK on the day we arrive. I know it closes early though.

You can leave it with bell services, but your best bet is to hit AK first thing in the morning. The animals are more active at that time, especially for the safari ride. If you want to hit a park on arrival day, I suggest MK (unless it is a MNSSHP night).

 

[rapunzels]

Lots of helpful info here. Thanks everyone! So now I'm thinking we definitely need to see AK for at least half a day.

Question - Is it possible to arrive at the resort (WL villas) and drop off luggage before the room is ready? Wondering if maybe we could squeeze in AK on the day we arrive. I know it closes early though.

Yes you can go to the park while waiting for luggage and room... if you only end up with a couple hours at AK, you will miss a lot though since they do close earlier than the other parks.

 

[hakepb]

AK closes about 6pm in the fall.
Id probably do 1 full day at MK, 1 full day at EPCOT (with an entertaining ADR such as Teppan Edo), do AK before MNSSHP (still a lot of MK time) and if you can hit MK a little on "rest day" if they want.

If the 4's are boys, then DHS is definitely a full day park, with girls, it might not be.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

Lots of helpful info here. Thanks everyone! So now I'm thinking we definitely need to see AK for at least half a day.

Question - Is it possible to arrive at the resort (WL villas) and drop off luggage before the room is ready? Wondering if maybe we could squeeze in AK on the day we arrive. I know it closes early though.

Keep in mind you may even be able to check in at that point. We arrived early at all three of our split stay resorts on our last trip and got in our rooms right away. We checked in as early as 9am at one.