Ditching AK

[ask!]

We are leaving in 5 days....I 've spent the last month carefully making a touring plan to balance relaxation with touring. Last week, I realized that even with my best plans, there is too much to see and do...I am secretly already planning next years trip!

So if I knew that I was going again next year (this is our first time since 1996), I would concentrate on MK, EPCOT and MGM and skip AK....save it for next year.

The problem is that life holds no guarantees and I can't say we will be back next year until at least this vacation is over...I want to maximize my enjoyment......do you think it alright to skip AK ?(DD17 and DS 16~love roller coaster, like animals but we live very near the animal safari at Six Flags, NJ.....I know it's Disney, but isn't an elephant an elephant compared to the attractions that are so unique to WDW).

I realize that I didn't schedule enough time (my fault!) but I do not want to feel like I need a vacation after this vacation...help! Any and all advice appreciated!

Andrea

 

[Eyorefan]

This is a hard one for me. If you are going to be there 4 days or even 3. I would say go to AK. There really is nothing in MGM that would keep you there for an entire day. Follow the advice of one of the other posters and try to do AK in the morning and MGM at night, that way you can see both parks and catch Fantasmic.

However, we are planning a last minute trip arriving Sept.29 and leaving OCT.2 We don't have time to do all 4 parks with only 2 full days for touring. We are skipping AK. I know, I know. We are going to MGM the afternoon we arrive because one of my 8 year olds favoriate rides (ST) is there. Also, I know i can spend less than half a day in MGM and leave feeling satified. With AK, I think it's more than a half day park if you want to see any of the shows and still ride the rides.

Hope that helps.

 

[ThinkTink721]

We are leaving in 5 days....I 've spent the last month carefully making a touring plan to balance relaxation with touring. Last week, I realized that even with my best plans, there is too much to see and do...I am secretly already planning next years trip!

So if I knew that I was going again next year (this is our first time since 1996), I would concentrate on MK, EPCOT and MGM and skip AK....save it for next year.

The problem is that life holds no guarantees and I can't say we will be back next year until at least this vacation is over...I want to maximize my enjoyment......do you think it alright to skip AK ?(DD17 and DS 16~love roller coaster, like animals but we live very near the animal safari at Six Flags, NJ.....I know it's Disney, but isn't an elephant an elephant compared to the attractions that are so unique to WDW).

I realize that I didn't schedule enough time (my fault!) but I do not want to feel like I need a vacation after this vacation...help! Any and all advice appreciated!

Andrea

How many days do you plan to spend at WDW?
Do you have the park hopper option?
:veryconfu :wave:

 

[lilclerk]

I guess the key here is Do you have park hoppers? :lol:
I gotta admit, I'm not the biggest fan of AK, but as long as I have park hoppers I wouldn't skip it. Especially since Everest and the Nemo musical are there.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Let me jump on the bandwagon too. If I had to skip one park today, it would probably be MGM. I love ToT and RnRC, the two shows, Indy and Lights, Motor are fun if you haven't seen them. Restaurants in MGM are better than AK, but that can be addressed in an afternoon.

I also am very familiar with Six Flags in Jackson....no comparison.

 

[ask!]

Thank you all for your responses...it is an overwhelming majority and I shall heed your advice!

We are going for 6 days with an early departure of the last day.... so only time for a character breakfast and checking out....I did have a day planned for AK non-EMH 9am-2pm and then to Blizzard Beach until close
.....my alternative idea was to have one day to sleep in a little since the night before we were going to do the EMH at EPCOT, including a late night monorail ride to see the 7 Seas Lagoon hotels lit up and maybe be lucky enough to see Wishes or the Electrical Parade during the monorail ride.

But your enthusiasm has convinced me that we can sleep back home ....or at least catch a nap on a beach chair at Blizzard Beach, and failing that, a short doze in Cross Country Creek.:snore:


Thanks again for all you know!:wave:
Andrea

 

[1DisneyDad]

Can't wait to hear what you think. My wife and kids rank it 2nd after MK. It's a great place! Have fun!

 

[santa's surpriz]

Here is my opinion...I was in a similar boat and decided to skip AK. Here's my thought process...Disney has alot to offer. AK is the biggest park by square mileage. After visiting three parks, I decided not to overwhelm myself or my daughter with theme parks. I envision us being very exhausted after MK and the MVMCP. We will be there in December and have a 6-day park hopper on an 8 day trip. I kept my options open so if we feel up to it, we can still go. When making plans I kept a 2 days to wing it. My replacement is planning a dinner at BOMA's and enjoying what the resort may have to offer.

I am a Griswold at heart when it comes to planning vacations. I keep reminding myself that years ago when planning a Disney trip I would book a resort and park hopper. We would decide when and where to go when we got there. With the dinning as it is so many feel it is necessary to plan the entire weeks itinery. Best advice is to check the website so you know when any special events are happening and see how your trip goes. If it happens great, if not you still have a great time!

 

[Testtrack321]

?(DD17 and DS 16~love roller coaster, like animals but we live very near the animal safari at Six Flags, NJ.....I know it's Disney, but isn't an elephant an elephant compared to the attractions that are so unique to WDW).

Andrea

I'm 20 minutes away from Six Flags Great Adventure, and I'll tell you those two experiences are 100% different. One is a drive through zoo, the other is a full fledged african safari. Guess which is which.

Best rollercoaster on property. Dinosaur is amazing. Finding Nemo is a must see.

There's a lot of great things at AK. If they add a few more rides I can see it topping Epcot as my all time favorite park.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

Thank you all for your responses...it is an overwhelming majority and I shall heed your advice!

We are going for 6 days with an early departure of the last day.... so only time for a character breakfast and checking out....I did have a day planned for AK non-EMH 9am-2pm and then to Blizzard Beach until close
.....my alternative idea was to have one day to sleep in a little since the night before we were going to do the EMH at EPCOT, including a late night monorail ride to see the 7 Seas Lagoon hotels lit up and maybe be lucky enough to see Wishes or the Electrical Parade during the monorail ride.

But your enthusiasm has convinced me that we can sleep back home ....or at least catch a nap on a beach chair at Blizzard Beach, and failing that, a short doze in Cross Country Creek.:snore:


Thanks again for all you know!:wave:
Andrea

Just be careful of that nap at Blizzard Beach....I've seen some real crispy critters at the end of the day...especially Blizzard)

We'll be anxious for a trip report when you get back to let us know what YOU thought.

 

[paul436]

Thank you all for your responses...it is an overwhelming majority and I shall heed your advice!

I think that would be a good idea. If you've never been there before and skipped it, you wouldn't know what you were missing. But after going there you will understand all the positive feedback you've gotten here. I've been to WDW 8 times but haven't been since 2004 and can't wait to see the new editions of EE and Nemo. I'm also looking forward to seeing the "old" favorites of Kilimanjaro Safari and Bug's Life.