Which parks to visit?

[momtoprincesses]

Hi, all. I am planning my family's second trip to WDW for October 21-27. It will be me (36), DH(39), DD1(8), DD2(6), and DD3(2-first visit!). My mom will also be joining us for three days. We are staying at the Poly and will spend five days in the parks without hoppers. Our last visit was in 2014. We loved MK (although one day was not enough time) and AK (we were here from park open to park close). We didn't like DHS at all and we will not be returning. We didn't visit Epcot.

I am trying to decide how many days to spend in each park and would love your input. My instinct is one day at AK, 2 at MK, and 2 at Epcot. But I don't know if my girls will like Epcot so I am worried two days might be one day too many. They do not like thrill rides so Test Track and Soarin are out. I think they will like FEA, Nemo, and enjoy exploring World Showcase. But I don't know if that is enough to fill two days? Should we do 3 MK, 1 Epcot, and 1 AK days? 2 MK, 2 AK, 1 Epcot? Is there anything I am not considering when planning out our days? Thanks for your input!

 

[ErinsMommy]

Maybe 3 days at MK but make one of them half a day or a couple of days half days and enjoy the resort/pool? Soarin isn't a thrill ride, it just really lifts you up in the air, I dont think it even moves. =)

 

[CynBeth]

I would do 1 day at AK and 2 days each at MK and Epcot. At Epcot in FW there is Spaceship Earth, The Living Seas (Dolphins, Nemo ride, Manatees, Turtle Talk), Imagination Pavilion, Ellen's Energy Adventure if still there, and Living with the Land (Living with the Land ride and Soarin' which everyone should be fine with). There is also the dancing fountain, Character Spot, and Club Cool where you taste soda from other countries. In WS there are character meets and some of the countries have movies or performances and it is fun to walk around the different countries and find hidden gems like the maze in UK and go in the shops. Also snacking. Illuminations at night is amazing!

 

[TGM]

You have to go to EPCOT! Your girls will like FEA, Nemo, and exploring World Showcase, yes. But, there is also Journey into Imagination with Figment, Living With the Land, The Circle of Life, and the numerous Perry the Platypus missions in World Showcase. They could also do the Kidcot stations, meet the Fab Five characters in Future World, ride the Three Caballeros, explore what's left of Innoventions.

You also have to see Illuminations! The fireworks and special effects are truly something only Disney could do. See if you can get a reservation (ADR) at Tokyo Dining, Spice Road Table, or somewhere else near the water at 8:30, so you can see Illuminations and have dinner at the same time.

But, as for Soarin', it might be OK for DD1, but depends on her reactions to other attractions. I was OK with it when I was 8, even though I cried on HM! Is she OK with most of the MK attractions (minus Space Mountain and the Mine Train)? If so, Soarin' should be OK.

 

[momtoprincesses]

Thank you so much! These responses are so helpful! Having never been to Epcot myself, it is hard to figure out if we could spend two full days there. Thanks for showing me all there is to do! I still don't think my girls would like Soarin', but maybe they will surprise me!

 

[MommaBerd]

Have you read this thread about Epcot? It will give you lots of ideas!

http://www.disboards.com/threads/wh...e-world-showcase-or-epcot-in-general.3571826/

 

[TGM]

I must warn you about Ellen's Energy Adventure. I love it, but it is very long (45 minutes I believe), with loud sounds.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

Thank you so much! These responses are so helpful! Having never been to Epcot myself, it is hard to figure out if we could spend two full days there. Thanks for showing me all there is to do! I still don't think my girls would like Soarin', but maybe they will surprise me!

I would do a day and a half at Epcot. Park hopping from Magic Kingdom there is easy!

 

[mrzrich]

Soarin is not a thrill ride at all. Kids 6 & 8 should have no issue with it. It is my 83 year old mother's favorite ride

 

[TwoMisfits]

Why make a firm decision? If it were me, I'd book FPs for my 1st 4 days that I plan to keep (2 MK, 1 EPCOT, 1 AK), and then I'd book the 5th day after I visited both MK and EPCOT once. By then, you'll know which park you want to be in more and will have no regrets deciding. And it seems there are some good last minute FP availability in parks, so by waiting, you shouldn't miss out on Day 5 (if you feel like you HAVE to book early, do MK b/c with EPCOT tiers, you'll be able to get a Tier 1 attraction last minute)...