Would you skip AK?

[Mintycake]

So we're going to WDW in Dec for 6 days (no park hoppers). My daughter is 6 and likes to be involved in planning. We were talking about AK and she's not really into zoos, dinosaurs or roller-coasters, but the Star Wars stuff and Princesses are big deals for her. So she said to me "Mom, what if we just skip AK and do an extra day at MK instead?" We've never been to AK as this is her and DH's first Disney trip and I went so long ago AK hadn't been built yet.

I'm totally fine with it because the only thing I wanted to do at AK was eat at Tusker House but that's not a deal-breaker. Do you think it's better to take the AK day and make it a MK day instead? We were planning 2 days each at MK and Epcot (for princess meets and Frozen stuff etc), 1 day at HS (for star wars stuff) and 1 day at AK. But if the animals are of no interest (and I personally have issues with zoos anyway) I think it makes more sense to allot that day for MK. We're planning to rope drop all parks so 3 days in MK might give us a more leisurely pace. What do you think?

 

[alliecat523]

We are not fans of AK so I would definitely skip it. For first time trip for kids an extra day at MK is definitely worth it.

 

[jvattes]

I personally would never skip AK as it's one of my favorite places. There are plenty of animals to be seen and learned about, but it is far from being a zoo.

That said, three days at MK is DIVINE.

If I was going to skip anything it would be HS.

 

[TeamSy]

I would go and try it, but that's just me. I hate to write things off before I've actually given it a shot, because you never know. Worse comes to worse you'll know for the future it's not for you and spend the rest of the day at your resorts pool. Best case it turns out to be a wonderful day and a new favorite.

 

[Chelley00]

We were talking about AK and she's not really into zoos, dinosaurs or roller-coasters, but the Star Wars stuff and Princesses are big deals for her. So she said to me "Mom, what if we just skip AK and do an extra day at MK instead?" We've never been to AK as this is her and DH's first Disney trip and I went so long ago AK hadn't been built yet.

AK is so not a zoo. It's a whole experience. Sure there are animals, but there are animal experts who actually talk to you about them. You don't just stare at animals in cages. The Lion King and Nemo shows are amazing and honestly even if you just go do those and use the rest of the day for the pool it's worth it. The vibe, music, food are all different from any other park.

 

[ArwenMarie]

It's always ok to skip a park. Sometimes it's better to rule one out. I think your plan sounds good.

 

[MrsDuck]

We love AK but we also love MK. If your kiddo wants an extra day there and you are happy to do whatever, I'd plan an extra day at MK!

 

[Pemeberly]

In your situation, I would, especially if you have a good zoo locally.

Honestly, the only reason I go to AK is for Expedition Everest, but I think 6 is too young to enjoy that thrill ride. Last year we rode EE, Kali River Rapids and then didn't even use our FP on the Safari. We go to the Bronx Zoo once a year for our animal fix, and honestly everything else is stuff we can experience similarly at other parks.

But it's a must-do for some people, and I can totally understand that.

 

[loves to dive]

As a PP said, AK is not a zoo, there are animals there, none of which are in cages. They have a decent educational program for little ones and a whole land with rides for little ones. Yes, it's called Dinoland but really doesn't have a lot to do with dinosaurs. From what I understand of the back story it was meant to be like an old 50s roadside attraction. Tree of Life with Bugs Life is cute, the two shows are great and just the look and feel of the place is different. By December, the new time time show - Rivers of Light - will be up and running and that promises to be pretty special as well. Maybe think of it as your half day park, go in the morning and if you get done with all you want to see by mid-day, do a resort pool relaxing day. Trust me, with 6 days there if you are going, going, going, every day, you are most likely going to need a down day.

Of course, only you can decide what you want to do, you might even play it by ear ( I know that is a sin), plan on doing MK for 3 days but if after 2 you are ready for something else, plan an AK day, you should not have any problems getting FP a day or two before.

 

[bridgetmck]

We LOVE AK and MK they are the 2 favorites in our house. While my kids LOVE Star Wars, they were unimpressed with the last time we went to HS. Once the reno is done, completely different story.
Anyway, my point is, everyone has a preference. For our trip in 10 days we have 2 MK days and 2 AK days with only 1 Epcot day and skipping HS this trip. You do what's right for you and your family. There is no right or wrong.

 

[Pkltm]

We would never skip AK, it is not a zoo, the atmosphere is amazing. My DH is not a big zoo fan, but finds the safari like being transported, plus with the new night show that is coming, it may be the thing to see.

 

[amy1115]

I was not looking forward to AK at all on our first trip. I also thought it would be just another zoo. I was so wrong. It is now our whole family's favorite park other than MK. It is so much more than a zoo. If you can't make it on this trip, I would definitely suggest you try to make it next time. It's well worth it.

 

[megs1313]

100% yes. Skip it. JMO!

We actually decided to go ahead and do it this time because we had a long trip and though Tusker House was delightful and the safari was good as usual, the only other thing we enjoyed was festival of the lion king. We won't go to AK again unless we have park hoppers.

 

[willowsnn3]

They have animals at AK? Lol.
If you skip the safari you might not even see an animal unless you go looking for them.
AK is my least favorite park but I do love the Lion King show. It is amazing.

 

[myers2170]

So we're going to WDW in Dec for 6 days (no park hoppers). My daughter is 6 and likes to be involved in planning. We were talking about AK and she's not really into zoos, dinosaurs or roller-coasters, but the Star Wars stuff and Princesses are big deals for her. So she said to me "Mom, what if we just skip AK and do an extra day at MK instead?" We've never been to AK as this is her and DH's first Disney trip and I went so long ago AK hadn't been built yet.

I'm totally fine with it because the only thing I wanted to do at AK was eat at Tusker House but that's not a deal-breaker. Do you think it's better to take the AK day and make it a MK day instead? We were planning 2 days each at MK and Epcot (for princess meets and Frozen stuff etc), 1 day at HS (for star wars stuff) and 1 day at AK. But if the animals are of no interest (and I personally have issues with zoos anyway) I think it makes more sense to allot that day for MK. We're planning to rope drop all parks so 3 days in MK might give us a more leisurely pace. What do you think?

I wouldnt dare miss AK unless you just didn't have time for the other parks!! You have plenty of time in the other parks so go and have a blast. It's a great park!!

 

[ktlm]

If you do not have hoppers, with your DD's opinion, I would skip AK. My DD (10) has never been a big AK fan. Like your DD, she prefers Princesses and Star Wars- and AK pretty much doesn't have either, and other than Safari doesn't have any rides she cares about either. After a few hours at AK, she is almost always ready to go back to MK or EPCOT. One trip, a few years ago, we had some friends in the area and at the last minute decided to meet them at EPCOT on our AK day, and DD actually cheered because that meant that I wouldn't make her stay at AK that long.

The only time AK held her interest for more than a few hours, was when the large Wilderness Explorer book was new- you have tasks all over the park and you get a sticker badge to put in the book as you complete each task. It took DD 2 trips to fully complete the book, and after that, she was back to wanting to leave AK after about 2 hours. Your DD might enjoy the Wilderness Explorer book tasks at age 6, and if she does, she could spend the day on that. I think there are 32 different badges you can earn.

My DD likes riding Safari, Eating at Tusker House, watching the Lion King show and meeting a couple of characters, and then she is done. Last year, for the first time, at age 9, she actually liked EE (at age 8, she rode it and hated it). She will grudgingly walk the trails with me to look at the animals, but she is always trying to rush me along. Your DD sounds like she is pretty strong willed like mine. She has voiced her opinion that she would prefer to skip AK, and if she is like my DD, if she gets to AK and doesn't like it that much, then you are going to probably hear about that all day. I never like to skip a park, but DD would happily skip AK, and has requested to do so, more than once (and I always deny her request). In your situation, without hoppers, I would probably skip it--- although I deny DD's requests to skip AK, we almost always hop to a different park later that day. I would say if your DD doesn't like it, you could make it a swim day- but you are going in December and in our experience the weather doesn't always cooperate for swimming that time of year --- we have done DTD (Springs now) in December and it is usually a Christmas shopping crowded madhouse, so I couldn't really recommend that either. You could try planning the AK day towards the end of your trip after you have already done MK and EPCOT and go ahead and make a Tusker House ADR, and then if she changes her mind and does want to go to AK, you would have things set up to do so. I would show her videos and photos of AK online, and if she still doesn't change her mind, I would probably skip it.

 

[CAS239]

You're already doing 3 full days at MK..I would definitely do 1 day at AK. Especially being in December so the rivers of light and nighttime safari will be opened. If anything, you should skip Hollywood Studios. You'll enjoy the Star Wars stuff, but that won't last more than a couple hours for you. Without park hoppers and with a 6 yr old who won't do Rockin Rollercoaster or tower of terror, and with already limited rides at HS..you'll be struggling to make a full day.

 

[im4pacers1]

We would never consider skipping AK. But as others have said, it's personal preference. If it weren't for Soarin, I would seriously consider skipping EP. You will have fun no matter what you do, but if it were me, and I were going for the first time with 2 days already planned for MK, I would go to AK. It really is something to see. It is a place all its own and unlike anything else at WDW.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We never made AK a full day but we are AP holders so we would go to MK after AK. We would skip AK especially if our kids weren't into animals or roller coasters.

 

[mindeola]

Sounds like your plan will work for your family.

I can't imagine skipping AK though . It is so serene and beautiful. It is much more than animals and even rides. What about giving it a shot and doing a half day?