Would you skip Animal Kingdom

[epcotty]

I'd say so, historically we typically have skipped AK, we really don't feel the magic there as much

 

[MmmSuite]

I regretted only seeing AK one day during my trip. It was soooo much better than I expected! It is so beautiful. Amazing theming and just overall fun! I plan a day and a half now. If you go for a half day catch the Nemo and Lion King show! FP the Safari.

You can also go at RD and since they close early have an evening at the resort and hit the bed early. However, I wouldn't skip it.

 

[williamscm3]

Don't skip it!! I'd agree with just sleeping in and getting a few FP's for the time you may get there. We absolutely LOVE AK. The park is beautiful and festival of the lion king and the nemo show are awesome with young kids. The safari is one of my favorite things to do at Disney...it's a very unique experience that shouldn't be missed!

 

[Pats Dragon]

I think small children love AK. HS has nothing to offer except Osbourne Lights (if you go at Christmas).

 

[Frank4202]

We usually arrive in Orlando by plane and use AK as our first park. We only spend 4-6 hours there and we accomplish everything that we want to see. However, your 3yr old will love AK. I suggest to skip Hollywood Studios before AK.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

If I was going to skip a park, with the cut backs and closures at HS, That is the park I would skip. DAK is really great especially for a little one.

AKK

 

[ELSA711]

I wouldnt if this is your first trip.
I would try to split a day with AK and HS if possible
Not sure if you had hoppers or not
AK in morning until noon
Then hop to HS

 

[Malibustyle23]

I don't skip any parks on any trips. We've only swam on one trip and have never done waterpark. We can swim at home. We can not visit Animal Kingdom at home.

I would not skip it if I were you. Sleep in as late as the kids allow then go to the park.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

If you don't have hoppers, than for the time being, I personally don't think it warrants a day unless you have 4+ days of base tickets. If you have hopping, by all means its worth it to do Kilimanjaro and Everest (if you ride) and maybe a show or two and then hop along.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

What time are you leaving on Friday? Do you have time to do some park touring that day?

Honestly, with that schedule and a little one, I'd plan on 2 days MK (including the Monday where you might not get a super early start), 1 day Epcot, 1 day either HS/AK, and then whatever hours I had on Friday before the flight would be the other AK/HS park.

I also wouldn't bother with a water park. At that age, they're just as happy in the resort pool!

 

[Accident]

This will be our first trip to Disney world. My party includes myself, my husband, and my almost 3 year old. 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?

I would skip epcot since you have a 3 year old unless you have another reason to be there like food and wine festival.
If your child is into pixar, that's probably the biggest draw in hollywood studios for someone that young. There is some pixar in MK and you plan to return so hollywood is probably better if you have to skip something.
I've never heard of a child not enjoying animal kingdom, I would try to keep that in your schedule.

If you have park hoppers, I would recommend a morning in animal kingdom and evening in hollywood studios and you got everything. I would not add the expense of park hoppers to just do this, it's not worth the extra cost.

 

[dkrauss]

I'm so not a fan of sleeping in at WDW. There is just such a great vibe in the early morning at any of the parks. Depending on the season its usually cooler and the lines can be (NOTE: I said can be) more manageable. I do appreciate you having a 3 year old and what that implies but arriving at the park early and then eating lunch/sitting by the pool/napping (my favorite afternoon activity ) in the afternoon is, in my mind, a much better use of your WDW time..............but its your vacation and you know your family best.

As far as skipping a park...............with a 3 year old I wouldn't skip AK............way to much for a little one to see. The 2 best attractions would be Kilimanjaro Safari and Rafiki's Planet Watch. There's also an open air bird show that's suppose to be great (Its on our list for our December visit). HS would really only have the Muppets for your youngling. Again this is one man's opinion.

I'm also big on getting to WDW as early as I can...............HOWEVER........the price difference in price is kinda outrageous! I go on less expensive flight.........go to bed as soon as you get in your room.........then up at 7:30am and off to AK!

Doug

 

[kathy884]

Very often the favorite activity of little ones like yours is the resort swimming pool, so sure skip a park. So I guess then it's what park to skip. The one not to skip is the Magic Kingdom. And then actually for kids your kid's age, SeaWorld (offsite) is actually my favorite. Sounds like this is a Disney only trip for you guys which is fine. Maybe consider SeaWorld for another trip. // After that to me anything else is fine and anything else is also fine to skip. Have fun and definitely don't feel a need to do everything.

When my son was little AK was a better fit for him than Epcot or DHS. My nieces and nephews, though, when they were little really enjoyed them all.

 

[BalooFan]

I don't suggest skipping any park on your first visit. Bear in mind that posters who say that they skip or or only spend a half day at a particular park have probably visited WDW several times and know what they like and they don't like. Visit all of the parks and make up your own minds. Personally, I enjoy AK. It is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the parks and has the best show at WDW, Festival of the Lion King.

 

[Delirium]

Is your child into Disney Jr and/or characters like Sophia, Doc Mstuffens & Jake? If so, you can't skip Hollyood Studios as some have suggested.

I would make afternoon plans for AK on Monday, fastpassing whatever has the most interest for your family.

 

[caroline1851]

Don't skip it; it's a great park. We are RD people but the only time we were able to do AK was on our arrival day so we didn't get to the park until 10:30 or so. We were able to do Dinosaur stand by with no wait, ds did EE single rider and we had Fp+ for Safari, Kali and Dinosaur. Just make sure to get fp+ for the top attractions and you should be good.

 

[Planogirl]

If you skip any, skip DHS. So much is closed there and the park is basically a mess. AK has some mess of its own but it's a beautiful park and there is more to do IMO. Your little one could probably spend tons of time just in the Boneyard.

 

[myrheille]

Don't skip it. It's a great park for a late arrival. Check out the EasyWDW cheat sheet for a late arrival plan that'll allow you to see pretty much everything. Enjoy!

 

[Rivermonster]

As many others have mentioned, I would skip HS before I would AK. AK is such a lovely park (probably my second favorite after MK), and I feel like it has far more to appeal to a three year-old child (or anyone, for that matter) than HS does.

 

[Superchikk]

I know others are saying to skip DHS, but if your daughter likes Jake, Doc, and Sofia, that's the only place to see them. My 2 1/2 year-old daughter FLIPPED when we saw them on our last visit. They also have the Disney Junior LIVE show that both my kids loved. We had fun at AK, but she and I spent a lot of time wandering while my husband and son rode EE, Dino, and Kali.

I would do as some others have suggested - get afternoon FP+ for AK and head over there late morning.