Would you skip Animal Kingdom

[VioletSparkles]

This will be our first trip to Disney world. My party includes myself, my husband, and my almost 3 year old. We are arriving on a Sunday and leaving on a Friday. Due to work commitments there is no wiggle room in our length of stay (IE we can't add any days.
My original plan was to fly in Sunday afternoon and have a nice relaxing day at the hotel enjoying the pools and the resort. A monkey wrench was thrown in my plans when I went to book our airfare last week and see that there are only 2 non-stop flights to Orlando on the Sunday we are set to arrive. One arrives in Orlando at noon (this would be ideal) and one arrives into Orlando at 8pm). The price difference is ASTRONOMICAL. The 2pm arriving flight is $257 a person. The 8pm flight is $103 a person. A $462 difference.

So now I'm thinking we will take the 8pm flight but I know realstically that means I won't be getting to my hotel until at least 10pm which means none of us (especailly my little one) will want to be up early. Monday is supposed to be our Animal Kingdom day. I am thinking of ditching it all together and instead sleeping in and then either just hanging out at the resort (Port Orleans Riverside) and using the pool or going to blizzard beach as my daughter LOVES to swim.

Is this a park that I really shouldn't miss? We do plan to come back to Disney World every other year, so I dont think it's a once in a lifetime shot, but I just wonder if that is a good park for little ones? Any opinions?

 

[Robo]

DAK is our second-favoite WDW park (after MK.)

 

[jhaig]

You can still sleep in and hit AK mid-late morning and, as long as you have FP+ for Everest, Kali, and/or Kilimajaro Safari, You should still be able to see the majority of the park with plenty of time left to spare. AK is usually a half-day park for us.

 

[ErinCat]

If it is not going to make a big difference in the price of the vacation (ie. you have a package and adding one more park day is no big deal) then I would say get afternoon FP+ and enjoy AK for a half day. Get up when is comfortable and head over there. The Safari and Boneyard were highlights for my four year old. When my daughter was two we also went and although she does not remember it, her face at seeing the animals was great. The Lion King show is very cool and fun. However, no matter what you decide your three year old will have a good time.

If I had four days and a three year old I would do two MK, AK, and Epcot/Resort Swimming.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

I'd skip Hollywood studios before I'd skip AK, particularly with a small child. As the PP said, if you make FP's for the afternoon, you can make it work. I feel like AK is more leisure than the other parks, fewer rides, more walking exhibits and things to see that don't require a line. It's a gorgeous park.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

That's crazy talk. GO! First trip to Disney, at least four full days. There's no discussion. Now if you only had three full days I'd say get hopper and hit AK in the am and HS in the pm one day.

 

[godders]

Animal Kingdom is definitely doable with a late morning! I'd schedule a FP+ for the last hour of Kilimanjaro Safari and just take your time. If your little one likes animals I would say it was not to be missed

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

I'd skip Hollywood studios before I'd skip AK, particularly with a small child. As the PP said, if you make FP's for the afternoon, you can make it work. I feel like AK is more leisure than the other parks, fewer rides, more walking exhibits and things to see that don't require a line. It's a gorgeous park.

Completely agree with that age. We're going this route for our trip in Dec - skipping HS in favor of AK.

 

[BobC]

I love AK! I'd skip DHS.

Too many fun things to do at AK!!

 

[CAS239]

Yea, if you have to skip a park, skip HS for now.

 

[Kathryn777]

I can't sleep in at Disney! We'd be so ready to get going the morning after we got there

 

[danceintherain]

AK is totally doable as a late afternoon/evening park. Most people leave by 3 or 4, so the last few hours are actually an excellent time to tour, especially since you can get FP in advance now.
Also, don't underestimate you kid's propensity for waking at the crack of dawn on the first day of vacation.
Now...if waking up late is the plan, because of your husband....

 

[jlwhitney]

I wouldn't skip AK, but I would also probably break down and pay for the earlier flight. Getting in that late is just no fun at all, and if there are any delays could even be later.

 

[JZCubed]

This will be our first trip to Disney world. My party includes myself, my husband, and my almost 3 year old. We are arriving on a Sunday and leaving on a Friday. Due to work commitments there is no wiggle room in our length of stay (IE we can't add any days.
My original plan was to fly in Sunday afternoon and have a nice relaxing day at the hotel enjoying the pools and the resort. A monkey wrench was thrown in my plans when I went to book our airfare last week and see that there are only 2 non-stop flights to Orlando on the Sunday we are set to arrive. One arrives in Orlando at noon (this would be ideal) and one arrives into Orlando at 8pm). The price difference is ASTRONOMICAL. The 2pm arriving flight is $257 a person. The 8pm flight is $103 a person. A $462 difference.

So now I'm thinking we will take the 8pm flight but I know realstically that means I won't be getting to my hotel until at least 10pm which means none of us (especailly my little one) will want to be up early. Monday is supposed to be our Animal Kingdom day. I am thinking of ditching it all together and instead sleeping in and then either just hanging out at the resort (Port Orleans Riverside) and using the pool or going to blizzard beach as my daughter LOVES to swim.

Is this a park that I really shouldn't miss? We do plan to come back to Disney World every other year, so I dont think it's a once in a lifetime shot, but I just wonder if that is a good park for little ones? Any opinions?

No, I'd skip Epcot or Hollywood Studios before AK.....and we do.

No question in my mind that AK has the best theming.

Safari, Everest & Dinosaur.....Birds of Flight, Nemo, & Lion King....best 3-D movie in It's Tough to be a Bug.

 

[DekrRini]

I'd skip Hollywood studios before I'd skip AK, particularly with a small child. As the PP said, if you make FP's for the afternoon, you can make it work. I feel like AK is more leisure than the other parks, fewer rides, more walking exhibits and things to see that don't require a line. It's a gorgeous park.

I couldn't have said this any better. Even though I still love DHS even with all the closures, I think AK would be more enjoyable for a little one. So if I had to give up one park, I'd miss DHS and go to AK for sure.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

A couple of things to keep in mind that I haven't seen mentioned -- heat and height.

1 - Heat -- There aren't many places with AC where you can escape the heat. If you're going during a cooler time of year this is much less likely to be an issue. If you're going when it's hot, a covered stroller, misting bottles, fans or other cooling strategies will be very helpful. There are threads devoted to this if you do a search.

2 - Height -- Four of the seven rides in the park have a height requirement (38 inches or more). For those you don't get FP+ for you can use Rider Swap, allowing you and your husband to take turns riding with a short wait in between.

 

[SA-TX]

Don't skip AK. Both AK and DHS are half days for us and scheduled specifically after late nights (late flights or after MK). Your little one will love it, maybe even more than DHS.

 

[DizDaD7]

This will be our first trip to Disney world. My party includes myself, my husband, and my almost 3 year old. We are arriving on a Sunday and leaving on a Friday. Due to work commitments there is no wiggle room in our length of stay (IE we can't add any days.
My original plan was to fly in Sunday afternoon and have a nice relaxing day at the hotel enjoying the pools and the resort. A monkey wrench was thrown in my plans when I went to book our airfare last week and see that there are only 2 non-stop flights to Orlando on the Sunday we are set to arrive. One arrives in Orlando at noon (this would be ideal) and one arrives into Orlando at 8pm). The price difference is ASTRONOMICAL. The 2pm arriving flight is $257 a person. The 8pm flight is $103 a person. A $462 difference.

So now I'm thinking we will take the 8pm flight but I know realstically that means I won't be getting to my hotel until at least 10pm which means none of us (especailly my little one) will want to be up early. Monday is supposed to be our Animal Kingdom day. I am thinking of ditching it all together and instead sleeping in and then either just hanging out at the resort (Port Orleans Riverside) and using the pool or going to blizzard beach as my daughter LOVES to swim.

Is this a park that I really shouldn't miss? We do plan to come back to Disney World every other year, so I dont think it's a once in a lifetime shot, but I just wonder if that is a good park for little ones? Any opinions?

Nope...I wouldn't Miss it..So much is overseen here.....You have to look beyond just rides & attractions, here at this park...

 

[Fizban]

I have been admonished for saying that HS is a park no longer worthy of visiting but AK is in the top 2 with Epcot being #1. But there it is.

 

[Katethatgirl]

I went to WDW last year with an almost 3yr old and 5 yr old. I would pick DAK over DHS hands down - DAK is our fave park after MK.
My only caveat is does your child wants to see Disney Jr. Characters (mine were nuts about Jake and Sofia) or Lightning McQueen who are at DHS? Then it's a judgement call over whether it's worth missing characters in favour of an overall better park/ride experience at DAK. Festival of the Lion King and Kilimanjaro Safari were both big hits with my 3yr old. In DHS the only thing he really liked (aside from characters) was the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground.