AK or DHS? Need help choosing

AuntyPerdita

AuntyPerdita

New Member
Original Poster
I'm taking my nephew for his 13th birthday and a 15 year old family member. We have a two day (non-hopper) tickets and will be at the WDW on Sunday and Monday October 2 and 3. We will do MK on Monday.

I keep going back and forth about which park to go to on Sunday. AK or DHS? Any suggestions? I think they would love either, that's the problem. I did spring for the PhotoPass/Memory Maker so we want to get as many photos taken as possible in our two days.

And of course I've been living under a rock and didn't realize I should have been planning this like a month ago. What should be my FastPass Goal for MK at this late time? And what should be my FastPass goal either AK or DHS? It has been like 18 years since I've been to WDW. I have just downloaded MDE on my phone (hopefully I'm using all these acronyms correctly).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and helping this auntie out!
 
I

imperius

Well-Known Member
Well really depends what he likes. Does he enjoy thrill rides like Rock n Roller coaster and Tower of Terror? Would he enjoy the zoo aspect of AK? Also, DHS is currently really only "5" rides: Star Tours, Toy Story, TT, RnR Coaster, and GMR.
 
AuntyPerdita

AuntyPerdita

New Member
Original Poster
imperius said:
Well really depends what he likes. Does he enjoy thrill rides like Rock n Roller coaster and Tower of Terror? Would he enjoy the zoo aspect of AK? Also, DHS is currently really only "5" rides: Star Tours, Toy Story, TT, RnR Coaster, and GMR.
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Thanks for the input. I appreciate it. I'm quite sure he would enjoy both parks, which is why it is making it hard. :)
 
DisneyPrincess5

DisneyPrincess5

Well-Known Member
As others have mentioned, it's important to look at what each park offers, including attractions, food, shopping, and whatever else is important to you guys to see which they (and you too!) would enjoy most.

If I personally had to chose, it would be AK without a doubt! I feel that at this point in time, it has much better value. Lots of fun attractions that two teenagers would likely enjoy.
 
AllStarMovies

AllStarMovies

Member
Personally, I would recommend Animal Kingdom for the time being.

Both parks are currently undergoing upgrades, but there is much more fun to be had at AK at the moment. MGM is under much heavier renovation between the Star Wars and Toy Story land expansions. It truly feels like half the park is closed. We struggled to make even a half day out of the park last visit.. This is purely based upon personal experiences, but I would go so far as to say that The studios aren't quite worth the price of a day ticket in their current state..

However the park does still offer a magical addition to the vacation as a whole if you have a park hopper or annual pass. The shows are still amazing, the food is still great, and the rides are still thrilling! I just believe that Animal Kingdom offers more bang for your buck.

Hope this helped!!
 
AuntyPerdita

AuntyPerdita

New Member
Original Poster
Awesome, thank you to everyone for your input. I didn't know about DHS being under so much construction. I will keep that in mind when making the final decision. Thanks again all!! So helpful!
 
Heffalump333

Heffalump333

Active Member
Animal Kingdom. Trust me that is a way better option. DHS is under a lot of construction and there is not much to do when you think about it. There are not many rides. It is just mostly shows for Star Wars. And at AK you have many attractions that don't have long waits. And at AK you have so much to do that you won't get bored of. Trust me AK is a better choice!
 
AuntyPerdita

AuntyPerdita

New Member
Original Poster
Heffalump333 said:
Animal Kingdom. Trust me that is a way better option. DHS is under a lot of construction and there is not much to do when you think about it. There are not many rides. It is just mostly shows for Star Wars. And at AK you have many attractions that don't have long waits. And at AK you have so much to do that you won't get bored of. Trust me AK is a better choice!
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Thank you so much! It looks like we will for sure do AK instead. I so appreciate the help. I'm glad I asked because I was leaning towards DHS. We'll have to get to that one next visit when construction is done. Thanks again!
 
21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
AuntyPerdita said:
Thank you so much! It looks like we will for sure do AK instead. I so appreciate the help. I'm glad I asked because I was leaning towards DHS. We'll have to get to that one next visit when construction is done. Thanks again!
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People can talk about construction and closed attractions, but really..

It depends on your family!

For us, we are skipping AK this time. There is just too much that is important to us at HS..mainly Star Wars!!!! Plus- Minnie's Holiday Dine. :)

If your kids aren't Star Wars fans, then yeah, I'd agree with AK. But even then I don't know.. Fantasmic is amazing, and the rides in HS are great.. Answer-- Do both ;). I've been struggling to find a way to do it..don't think it's possible for us though.

Bottom line, everyone has different wants.
Look at the website and what each park offers, decide which one your kids would like better based on that. If it's AK then great! But don't choose it because some people on a website said it's what they prefer.. Including my own preference. ;)
 
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AuntyPerdita

AuntyPerdita

New Member
Original Poster
21stamps said:
People can talk about construction and closed attractions, but really..

It depends on your family!

For us, we are skipping AK this time. There is just too much that is important to us at HS..mainly Star Wars!!!! Plus- Minnie's Holiday Dine. :)

If your kids aren't Star Wars fans, then yeah, I'd agree with AK. But even then I don't know.. Fantasmic is amazing, and the rides in HS are great.. Answer-- Do both ;). I've been struggling to find a way to do it..don't think it's possible for us though.

Bottom line, everyone has different wants.
Look at the website and what each park offers, decide which one your kids would like better based on that. If it's AK then great! But don't choose it because some people on a website said it's what they prefer.. Including my own preference. ;)
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Absolutely! Thank you. I did look at the website first and some googling. Then came here for opinions. It helped me see things from a different perspective - there is so much to learn about all that is WDW. We would totally do both parks (would be ideal!), but we don't have park hopper tickets. I totally appreciate your input!
 
21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
AuntyPerdita said:
Absolutely! Thank you. I did look at the website first and some googling. Then came here for opinions. It helped me see things from a different perspective - there is so much to learn about all that is WDW. We would totally do both parks (would be ideal!), but we don't have park hopper tickets. I totally appreciate your input!
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I have about 637 threads asking for opinions.. So I get it! I just get shocked at the amount of people who say HS is a shell of a park..would hate to see someone skip it based on those opinions.. It's not that way at all for us!

You have 2 great choices. We love AK too.. So you really can't go wrong. :)
 
parkhopper1213

parkhopper1213

Active Member
1/2 of Hollywood Studios is torn up and it will be years before the Star Wars/Toy Story Land are up and running. Yet, Disney is still charging full price.

To the person who started the thread- I agree it depends on what the kids like, and I would add it will also depend on the weather. There is a lot less to do at Hollywood Studios now that the Osborne Lights are gone, and they started construction on the back lot. But the teens may like the Rocking Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours, Muppetvision and Indiana Jones show. Fantasmic is also a great evening show.
 
21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
parkhopper1213 said:
1/2 of Hollywood Studios is torn up and it will be years before the Star Wars/Toy Story Land are up and running. Yet, Disney is still charging full price.

To the person who started the thread- I agree it depends on what the kids like, and I would add it will also depend on the weather. There is a lot less to do at Hollywood Studios now that the Osborne Lights are gone, and they started construction on the back lot. But the teens may like the Rocking Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours, Muppetvision and Indiana Jones show. Fantasmic is also a great evening show.
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Do you wonder though, if you polled kids, ages 5-15, and showed them photos of the streets of America, and then showed them photos of-
Stormtroopers marching down the street.
Trading with a Jawa.
Getting a photo and meeting Kylo Ren.
Getting a photo with and meeting Chewbacca.
Exploring Launch Bay.
Riding the rides that you mentioned.
Seeing the shows that you mentioned.
Star Wars projection show and fireworks.
Star Wars Desert Party

And for the under 12 kids-
Minnie's Holiday Dine
Becoming a Jedi and fighting Darth Vader.

Would the poll results have the kids choose DHS now, or then?

Doing all or even most of those things is a full day.
 
21stamps

21stamps

Well-Known Member
wdwbaw said:
I agree, I wouldn't skip DHS either, but the OP does not have the Park Hopper so it is one or the other. :)
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We have hoppers and aren't hopping :(.

I have tried to figure out a way..gone over our schedule soooo many times. The problem for me with going to AK for a few hours - enough time for the rides and nighttime show..is that the travel time just adds too much. I have to figure in an hour for travel to/from. Maybe I will find a way. I would like to see the tree at night!

For me the decision was more AK vs Universal.
 

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