Epcot or AK?

[EddieK76]

We are heading to Disney in April and we have kids 14, 13 and 10. We are going to do a 3 day pass with no park hopper (trying to cut costs). Our plan is to do MK (the day there is extra hours), Hollywood Studios and trying to decide between Epcot or AK for the 3rd day.

Thoughts? We haven't been to Disney in 10 years so lots have changed for sure.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

We are heading to Disney in April and we have kids 14, 13 and 10. We are going to do a 3 day pass with no park hopper (trying to cut costs). Our plan is to do MK (the day there is extra hours), Hollywood Studios and trying to decide between Epcot or AK for the 3rd day.

Thoughts? We haven't been to Disney in 10 years so lots have changed for sure.

If I were you, I'd dump DHS and go to both EPCOT and AK. DHS is a waste at this point.

 

[epcotisbest]

As the good captain said, no way would I pick DHS over any other option. Epcot and AK are so much better choices right now, especially AK. Some people compare it to a zoo, but it is so much more.

 

[EddieK76]

The reason why we want to do DHS is all my kids want to ride Rockin Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror and Star Tours.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

I'd recommend AK under the circumstances but I think it's really more a personal preference of mine than anything else.

 

[Herdman]

As I have before I totally disagree with people who say DHS is a waste. It has some of my daughter's favorite rides in all of WDW, and we love many of the shows. We ride the big 3 attractions twice, see the shows and always fill out a complete day. I would do AK and DHS and eliminate Epcot based on your kids ages, unless you think they would be excited to tour the World Showcase.

 

[EddieK76]

As I have before I totally disagree with people who say DHS is a waste. It has some of my daughter's favorite rides in all of WDW, and we love many of the shows. We ride the big 3 attractions twice, see the shows and always fill out a complete day. I would do AK and DHS and eliminate Epcot based on your kids ages, unless you think they would be excited to tour the World Showcase.

That's our concern is the World Showcase. We just aren't sure the kids would enjoy that. Me personally I love AK but my wife is not a big fan of it.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Hmmm... this is kinda tough. DHS, even though it has lost some of its goodness (and there's a bunch of construction going on like crazy), it has gained Star Wars. If you and your kids are into Star Wars, then I'd say go for DHS, Magic Kingdom and (going against my own preferences here) AK. Although it does have Frozen, Test Track, and Mission Space, I think Epcot in it's current state, might slightly bore the younger generation.

 

[Owl X]

I recommend Animal Kingdom over Epcot for your kids.

A few rides they might enjoy:

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Expedition Everest
• DINOSAUR
• Kali River Rapids
• Kilimanjaro Safaris

Shows in air conditioned theaters:

• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo – The Musical
• It's Tough to Be a Bug!

 

[EagleScout610]

Go for AK. Epcot is long and there's really no enjoyment for kids (depending on the kid), outside of Future World.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I think with the ages of your kids, they might enjoy EE, Dino, FoP, Safari and all the rest offered at AK than the things found at EP. But....If your DW isnt a fan of AK, how miserable will she be if you go there for the day? Would you dare suggest she go on her own to EP while you all do AK? Sometimes DW and I separate for a day or a part of a day so we each get to enjoy things we would rather do. Would she find enough to enjoy herself at AK to make her ticket to the park worthwhile using?

 

[Damon7777]

3 days
3 parks

And yet Disney Studios is an automatic "yes" at the opportunity cost of EPCOT or Animal Kingdom?

I'm not sure we can help you at this point.

Ok, serious now.....given the children made unanimous votes for those Studios rides then have at it. As for the 3rd park Pandora is the current super headlining feature on property whereas EPCOT, more or less, is the same as it was 10 years ago. Go for Animal Kingdom.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Animal Kingdom

 

[BoarderPhreak]

MK and AK, then opt for a Park Hopper upgrade on the last day. Do HS in the morning and EC the rest of the day.

 

[jimbojones]

MK and AK, then opt for a Park Hopper upgrade on the last day. Do HS in the morning and EC the rest of the day.

this is the perfect compromise but as others have said if you really only want to do three parks there is no way it is worth dumping any other park for DHS. I am not saying I don't like DHS its just not worth giving up a full day at one of the other three just to go to what is a half day park at best

 

[Demeter Tess]

If you haven't seen Pandora yet, I'd opt for AK. Otherwise Epcot.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

this is the perfect compromise but as others have said if you really only want to do three parks there is no way it is worth dumping any other park for DHS. I am not saying I don't like DHS its just not worth giving up a full day at one of the other three just to go to what is a half day park at best

Oh, absolutely... Preaching to the choir. I wouldn't have listed it at all (instead suggesting the OP not bother) if it were not the existing interest and the kids. It does have some thrill rides they'd like, but admittedly - not much else.

 

[EddieK76]

Thanks for everyones thoughts. We actually didn't even know you could upgrade just one day for Park Hopper. Do we do that when we arrive to the resort? I think this would make the most sense for all of us!

 

[21stamps]

Tough choice... I definitely wouldn’t cut out Hollywood Studios.. my only advice is to let the kids look at the Epcot and Animal Kingdom pages on the website, and let them choose.

 

[21stamps]

Thanks for everyones thoughts. We actually didn't even know you could upgrade just one day for Park Hopper. Do we do that when we arrive to the resort? I think this would make the most sense for all of us!

You can’t do it unless you buy a 2 day and then a separate 1 day hopper. That is an option.