Which would you skip?

[itchin2go]

On our first trip, we intended to do all 4 parks. (BTW - our daughter was 5 then). We had so much fun at Epcot on our first day, we decided to go back there a 2nd day. 3rd day, we went to MK. We had so much fun there, we decided to go back a 2nd day. Our 5th day was a non-park (GF Sleeping Beauty Tea/pool) day.

As much as we didn't accomplish all that we intended, that trip was SO magical.
Next trip, we added DHS. Next trip, we added AK.

Our most skippable park is AK. We tried it - we just didn't find much to do there.

We would NEVER skip EP or MK. All these trips later (our daughter will be 13 on our next trip), and our plan for the next trip is EP and MK mostly, with one night at DHS (really just to see Osborne lights - first time).

Everyone is different, but I would take a good hard look at DHS and AK, and see which one offers the least. Lots of people say skip Epcot with little ones, but for us, it was our daughter's fave at age 5, and it is still her favorite. I will also say this - ride-wise, it is easily tackle-able. I was SO nervous on our first trip, and after conquering Epcot on the first day, my confidence built. I just loosened up and had great time after that.

Bottom line, don't feel as though you need to see/do it all on your first trip. Even with the best of intentions, you couldn't possibly see/do it all. I am about to go on our 6th trip and I have not seen or done it all. Conversely, there is no way your trip won't be chock-full of fun no matter how much or how little you do.

If I had a 4 day trip, I would do only Epcot and MK - for what it's worth.

 

[ariane37]

I think you should plan on 1 day at each park and maybe do MK your first day. Figure out before you leave for vacation which park you'd give up IF you do decide, after one day at MK, that you really want another day there.

As a few PP's said it's really hard to tell someone which park to skip. My vote would also be for AK but that's based on my family, and it's not that I think anyone should miss it! It's just our least favorite of the 4 (except for DS8, his least fave is HS). I do have to say though, our first family trip our boys were 5.5 and 1. Older DS absolutely loved EPCOT on that trip and has ever since, he's now 12. Younger DS has also loved EPCOT since he could comprehend the KidCot stations - maybe at 3 yrs? There aren't as many rides but there is still a ton for kids to do, you just have to either look harder, ask, or know I will also second what someone else said: if you do skip a park, your children won't know the difference and will still enjoy wherever you do spend your 4 days. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[itchin2go]

I forgot to add - it is really hard to do MK in just one day. I am going to venture a guess that with FP+, it is even harder than it used to be. There are just SO many more rides than in the other parks. I would, for sure, dedicate 2 days to MK, especially with little ones.

 

[mrsmomo]

We'd skip Epcot in a heartbeat.

I vote this....

If your going to skip something! My suggestion for those who have not yet been is to skip nothing. You won't know what your family will like until you try it.

 

[nighttowll]

I could never choose a park to skip. I don't know how I would decide. It seems like each trip, we end up with a different one as our favorite.

First trip, Epcot was our favorite. We even extended our trip by a day to fit a 3rd day of Epcot in. Another time it was AK. This park is always a day or more park for us, and we still leave with a list of attractions we just couldn't fit in. I never understand when people say there is nothing to do at AK. And, last trip, we liked HS so much that we decided to plan a trip back a few months later just to go there again.

HS and AK both take on average about a day or more each to see everything. Epcot and MK take about 2 days each to see everything on average.

The question you should be asking isn't which to skip, but How important is it to you that you see everything in MK? Would you rather see a little of all the parks or all of one park?

As people have pointed out, if you want to really see all of MK this trip, you will need to either skip one of the other parks or add a day.

If you decide to see all of MK, I wouldn't base which park I skipped on other people's opinions, I'd look through a guide book or online at the descriptions of the attractions both major and minor for each park, and then decide which parks you feel have the most attractions that will interest your family, your kids. Because the answer to that is different for every family. Know what is available in each park for your kids ages, abilities, and interests.

Each park is unique and offers a variety of different things to see and do. Even very young kids can have fun at non MK parks if you know where to look to entertain them. The question is Do you want to spend your money on things like play grounds and hands on activities or on major attractions?

For instance, you'll have a much better day at say Epcot if you know where all the playgrounds, interactive age appropriate exhibits, games, kidcot stations, and age appropriate shows and activities can be found. People who just show up and wander around often miss all the little nooks and crannies where their kids might have the most fun. For instance, some of the Epcot attractions have indoor play areas and hands on games and exhibits at the exits. These make great places for younger kids to hang out while older kids ride or just to play even if no one rides. People who skip over attractions like Mission Space completely because the kids are too young or too short to ride miss out on an area many find very popular with younger kids. Also, there are many interesting shows like the Japanese Candy maker or the Chinese acrobats to see in World showcase, but you must time these right or you miss them. Many people also do scavenger hunts or collect things from the lands like ornaments, candy, food, or small toys. Some kids really enjoy these hunts. Some kids also really love the living creatures like the coral or Divine, the jumping fountains, the topiaries (in spring), the butterfly house, the characters, and the Coca-cola tasting area. These are just a few examples of stuff for kids to do in Epcot that are not even attractions. The trick is you have to know about all your options and which appeal to your family to take advantage of all this stuff. If you show up to Epcot and do only a few main attractions, then circle the countries once and leave, of course you and your kids won't have much fun. Figure out what appeals to you. Then you will have a better idea how much time you need to allot.

Also, think about how much stimulus your kids can handle. Many a kid has had a full melt down from MK overload during a trip. Doing low key activities like the ones I mentioned in Epcot: play grounds / interactive games / activities, can give kids a much needed unstructured break from the fast paced over stimulating world of MK. Only you can know though if your kids will need or like that type of break or if they would be bored by it.

Another thing to consider is that most people think, "Let's do MK first because that is quintessentially Disney to them." But, as stated above, it can be an overload for kids. All big fancy attractions, rides, and shows. It can be a lot for a kid to process. It can also make the more simple pleasures of the other parks like games, activities, play grounds, and smaller attractions not seem like as much fun. Kind of like going to Disney before ever going to the fair. Fairs are great, until you start comparing them to Disney. For little kids, the other parks can be this way too. They get use to seeing characters and big over stimulating attractions everywhere at MK, and then that makes the other parks seem a little less interesting. It can be a bit of a let down for kids. It just depends. It doesn't always work this way. But I know a few people who prefer to build up to MK, not start with it. Their families are able to better enjoy the other parks first this way. It's just something to think about. Again, will depend on your family. Some could never wait to see MK. The kids would have a fit. Some parents too.

If you decide to do only some of each park, I'd make a list of your must see attractions for each park. Plan on just hitting those. Then if you have any extra time, you can add in a few others. If you come back again in the future, you will have at least a starting point with all the rides you liked this time and can sub in a few new attractions in place of any you don't like this time or ones that are no longer age appropriate. After a few trips of repeating this process, you will eventually cover most of everything there is to see.

Good luck deciding - know whatever you choose, you'll have fun.

 

[LisaTC]

There are pros and cons for dropping any of the other 3 parks. You'll get 1,000 different answers which really won't help much...

This in a nutshell. My DD was this age when she started going and the first trip we ended skipping (I'm sure I'll be throttled...) DHS. What they don't know, they won't miss. Her 2nd trip we added it in, but I think the attraction to her was Osborne lights (Christmas) and a couple of other things. She's not a big Disney Jr fan, at all, either. She absolutely loves Animal Kingdom. It gets panned a lot on the Dis, but next to MK, it is her favorite.

Her first trip was during F&W festival and she loves Epcot. She really enjoys World Showcase, but not all kids are like that. We always hit MK & Epcot twice each trip (we stay a week) For four days, if you wanted 2 MK days, I'd get the park hoppers and split one of the other parks you think may be less interesting to them. You could definitely do MK for a really long day, then go to AK on the day after your long MK day, as they will be tired or head to MK after your Epcot, DHS, AK days for a bit with your hoppers. I think hoppers work well for shorter trips.

 

[Delirium]

So many people answer what they would do and don't focus on what is best for the original poster.

Bottom line is that everyone's tastes are diiferent, so it's hard to tell you what to do with 100% accuracy.

That said, Magic Kingdom would likely be a proproity for most families with children aged 4 to 7. As a result, it might warrant two days. Plus, it's virtually impossible to get everything done in one day.

From a kid frienndly perspective, I would rank the parks as follows (yes, I know this won't be a perfect ranking for all children):

1. Magic Kingdom
2. Hollywood Studios
3. Animal Kingdom
4. Epcot

Hollywood Studios is an easy park to skip for some because they've been there before. There is a lot of neat stuff there for first timers, but I understand those who think it gets stale over time. Animal Kingdom can be easy to skip for those that aren't animal lovers. But, they both have more to do for most young children than Epcot. On the flip side, Epcot would likely appeal more to most adults.

Given all of the variables, I would probably skip Animal Kingdom if forced to. It would be a relatively easy decision for me if it wasn't for the safari. That is one thing at AK that would be very hard for me to skip. I would definitely plan on two MK days on a 4 day trip though.

Use of Park Hoppers and Extra Magic hours can help out in a situation like this as well.

 

[Melissy]

Another vote to skip AK. Especially if you have the Wild Animal Park and the world famous San Diego Zoo in your hometown.

 

[DYOBL0305]

We ended up adding a day for this same reason. Almost everywhere I checked suggested doing MK in AT LEAST 2 days, and considering my girls will be between 1-6 years of age I knew trying to get through all the attractions, shows, and meet and greets was NOT going to happen in one day. We didn't want to have to skip on any of the other parks either and park hopper was just something we didn't feel we needed just to be able to go back to one park (MK would be the only one we'd want/need to repeat). As some of the other posters suggested, if adding an extra day is an option I say you do that. If it's not I think it'd be between AK or EP, they are two completely different parks, it really depends on what you think your family would be most interested in seeing.

 

[abmitch01]

with kids that young, I would skip the nations at Epcot

 

[itchin2go]

Another thing to consider is that most people think, "Let's do MK first because that is quintessentially Disney to them." But, as stated above, it can be an overload for kids. All big fancy attractions, rides, and shows. It can be a lot for a kid to process. It can also make the more simple pleasures of the other parks like games, activities, play grounds, and smaller attractions not seem like as much fun. Kind of like going to Disney before ever going to the fair. Fairs are great, until you start comparing them to Disney. For little kids, the other parks can be this way too. They get use to seeing characters and big over stimulating attractions everywhere at MK, and then that makes the other parks seem a little less interesting. It can be a bit of a let down for kids. It just depends. It doesn't always work this way. But I know a few people who prefer to build up to MK, not start with it. Their families are able to better enjoy the other parks first this way. It's just something to think about.

ITA. I read this in a guide book before our first trip, and I think it's really good advice. That's why we did Epcot first. Worked out great for us.

 

[OfTheWind]

Well it sounds as if you've made your decision but I would skip AK. Other than Kilimanjaro, Festival of the Lion King and Nemo's musical, there isn't much for children that age. Heck there isn't much for most people which is why it's almost always a 1/2 day park. Epcot is such a nice, peaceful change from MK with its crowded walkways and constant stimulation. Epcot is wide open, fun and educational.

 

[johde]

If you could swing it, I'm going to agree with others and go with the park hopper approach. That being said, I'd consider structuring the days a little differently than others here have.

1 day Strictly MK
1 day Hopping between AK and EPCOT
1 day Hopping between DHS and EPCOT
1 day MK possibly hopping if a different park needs more time.

For me, even as an adult, Epcot is best enjoyed in smaller doses. That way you're also not necessarily limiting yourself to 1/2 a day at AK and DHS. If you're enjoying yourself, you can stay a little longer and split the day more 2/3, 1/3. If you're bored with a park, duck out a little earlier. With the ages of your kids, especially if you're staying onsite, I'd consider heading back to the room for a break between parks.

 

[mummabear]

I think your family would get more out of a 2nd day at MK then any of the other parks.
For us Epcot is our least favourite by a mile

 

[mummabear]

How long are you in Orlando for? Could you add a 5th day?

 

[J and R's mom]

If you could swing it, I'm going to agree with others and go with the park hopper approach. That being said, I'd consider structuring the days a little differently than others here have.

1 day Strictly MK
1 day Hopping between AK and EPCOT
1 day Hopping between DHS and EPCOT
1 day MK possibly hopping if a different park needs more time.

For me, even as an adult, Epcot is best enjoyed in smaller doses. That way you're also not necessarily limiting yourself to 1/2 a day at AK and DHS. If you're enjoying yourself, you can stay a little longer and split the day more 2/3, 1/3. If you're bored with a park, duck out a little earlier. With the ages of your kids, especially if you're staying onsite, I'd consider heading back to the room for a break between parks.

I agree! Park Hoppers give you more options and flexibility of not being tied to one park each day.

But if Park Hoppers aren't an option and you choose two days at MK, my vote is to skip AK.

 

[maryj11]

Skip HS , it doesnt have that many rides and is usually crowded. I love the AK you have the Safaris, the trails where you see hippo's gorilla's , tigers ect. Nemo the musical is awesome, Its Tough to be a Bug show, TriceraTop Spin, Wildlife Train, and Affection Section. The only thing at HS that would be for younger kids is the Muppet Show and maybe Beauty and the Beast show.

 

[ExcitedDisneyNewbie]

Thank you all so much for your opinions ! You all gave wonderful advice and I'm going to try and work things out so we can go to all 4.

 

[ExcitedDisneyNewbie]

Quick question if we did Hollywood studios in the morning / early afternoon then went to DTD for some shopping - would we be able to go back to the park later on for fantasmic? (Without park hopper)

 

[lisski76]

Quick question if we did Hollywood studios in the morning / early afternoon then went to DTD for some shopping - would we be able to go back to the park later on for fantasmic? (Without park hopper)

Yes.