Sara_b1286
New Member
Visiting disney world for the first time and we have 4 day tickets. Would you suggest we spend 1 day at each park or 2 at Magic kingdom and skip EPCOT... We have 2 girls ages 4 and 2.
thanks!
thanks!
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What parks to choose
- Thread starter Sara_b1286
- Start date
AndyS2992
Well-Known Member
Day 1: Magic Kingdom all day
Day 2: Animal Kingdom then hop to Hollywood Studios mid afternoon.
Day 3: Hollywood Studios or Downtown Disney in the morning then Epcot for rest of the day
Day 4: Magic Kingdom all day
Why do you want to skip Epcot? I'm sure they will like Imagination, Spaceship Earth and Nemo as well as the Character Circle and you could also book a Princess Breakfast there. If they like fireworks Illuminations is the best Firework show in Florida.
Day 2: Animal Kingdom then hop to Hollywood Studios mid afternoon.
Day 3: Hollywood Studios or Downtown Disney in the morning then Epcot for rest of the day
Day 4: Magic Kingdom all day
Why do you want to skip Epcot? I'm sure they will like Imagination, Spaceship Earth and Nemo as well as the Character Circle and you could also book a Princess Breakfast there. If they like fireworks Illuminations is the best Firework show in Florida.
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HRHPrincessAriel
Well-Known Member
So far with the 3 year old we've found all parks to be a two day minimum. AK maybe 1.5.
This was also largely to much needed/planned mid day breaks at resort.
She's loved EPCOT and MK the best.
This was also largely to much needed/planned mid day breaks at resort.
She's loved EPCOT and MK the best.
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Thanks everyone. I just wasn't sure if we could really make it to more than one park per day with my youngest one... Trying to avoid meltdowns! And at the same time I keep reading that Magic kingdom will take more than one day.
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unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
Just so that you are aware, there is too much to do in the four parks for a first time visit. You will not be able to do everything so you need to set some priorities.
Decide what is the most important then go from there. Do your research. I suggest you pick up a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW if you haven't already. It's a pretty unbiased view of the parks and will open your eyes to the shear size of the resort.
Decide what is the most important then go from there. Do your research. I suggest you pick up a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW if you haven't already. It's a pretty unbiased view of the parks and will open your eyes to the shear size of the resort.
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cw1982
Well-Known Member
MK is definitely a more-than-one-day park at that age. What time of year are you going? You may want to look at park hours for your dates, but given their current hours, here's what I would recommend, given your four day itinerary:
Day 1: MK all day. Be there at opening, stay until lunch (or a little while after), go back to the hotel to rest up for a few hours, and go back for the evening. Make sure to stay for Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes.
Day 2: AK in the morning and through lunch, maybe a little later. Go back to the hotel to rest up for a few hours, and then head to HS. For kids their age, most of the attractions at HS won't have much of a wait to them, so you should be able to do everything that interests them in half a day.
Day 3: Epcot (take a mid-day break, but that's fine, since they are open 9 am-9 pm most days.
Day 4: either Epcot or AK in the morning (depeding on whether or not there's anything at either park that you all didn't get to before), nap mid-day, then MK that evening to finish out the trip.
Will you be staying onsite? If so, you'll have access to Extra Magic Hours, which will allow more time in the parks early in the day when the kids are in their best moods too
ETA: I definitely agree with @unkadug about setting some priorities! The resource he mentioned is a good one, and you can also use websites like Touring Plans to get more information as well.
Day 1: MK all day. Be there at opening, stay until lunch (or a little while after), go back to the hotel to rest up for a few hours, and go back for the evening. Make sure to stay for Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes.
Day 2: AK in the morning and through lunch, maybe a little later. Go back to the hotel to rest up for a few hours, and then head to HS. For kids their age, most of the attractions at HS won't have much of a wait to them, so you should be able to do everything that interests them in half a day.
Day 3: Epcot (take a mid-day break, but that's fine, since they are open 9 am-9 pm most days.
Day 4: either Epcot or AK in the morning (depeding on whether or not there's anything at either park that you all didn't get to before), nap mid-day, then MK that evening to finish out the trip.
Will you be staying onsite? If so, you'll have access to Extra Magic Hours, which will allow more time in the parks early in the day when the kids are in their best moods too
ETA: I definitely agree with @unkadug about setting some priorities! The resource he mentioned is a good one, and you can also use websites like Touring Plans to get more information as well.
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Yes, we will be staying at Art of Animation. Thanks for all the advice!
I'm thinking Animal kingdom and Hollywood studios in one day might be possible. We are definitely not trying to see every single attraction.
I'm thinking Animal kingdom and Hollywood studios in one day might be possible. We are definitely not trying to see every single attraction.
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gooftroop5
Well-Known Member
I have to agree with a lot of what PP's said. My kids' favorites are MK and Epcot. Do some research and pick out your must-dos at AK and HS. I would say MK 1.5 days, Epcot 1 day, and AK/HS 1.5 days. HS has a few good things, but it is the smallest park. Find what you want to do and make a plan. Then be ready to be flexible. 
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cw1982
Well-Known Member
Then I would definitely use morning EMH to your advantage, especially at AK and MK. I have a hunch those are going to be the two favorite parks for your family... but Epcot would be a close tie for that 2nd place spot. HS has some cute stuff, but like I said (and others too) a half day would probably do that one because it is smaller.
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MDactor1980
Well-Known Member
Can I first applaud you for recognizing and planning around the needs of your children!? Every time we go, as a child-free (for now) couple, we're surprised at families with a fussy child, and everyone in their group is ed, when it seems obvious to us that the kid probably just needs a nap, or at least a little time to relax after so much over-stimulation and excitement. (Hope that doesn't sound judge-y to the parents!!)
That said, I would recommend planning one park for each morning. Go until break time (Siesta? Nap Time?). Then after that, play it by ear to see if you want to go back to the morning's park, or check out a different one. I didn't see when you are going, but I don't recommend making Downtown Disney a priority. It's all Disney gift shops (same things in all the parks) and a bunch of restaurants. Probably boring for the kids, and a possible retail trap.
Happy travels!
That said, I would recommend planning one park for each morning. Go until break time (Siesta? Nap Time?). Then after that, play it by ear to see if you want to go back to the morning's park, or check out a different one. I didn't see when you are going, but I don't recommend making Downtown Disney a priority. It's all Disney gift shops (same things in all the parks) and a bunch of restaurants. Probably boring for the kids, and a possible retail trap.
Happy travels!
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PrincessNelly_NJ
Well-Known Member
I would do Magic Kingdom & Epcot... atleast... do check out the rides at Animal Kingdom & Hollywood studios and pick which one has more for your child to do.
Animal Kingdom is easily a half day park.
Animal Kingdom is easily a half day park.
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HRHPrincessAriel
Well-Known Member
My child turned into that kid today when we were on our way out. I wanted to die of mortification and couldn't run out with our stroller fast enough. She'd been so good these 8 days. It was so hot and crowded today I think she just hit her wall. Still mortified!!!!
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RScottyL
Well-Known Member
When we went, we spent a total of 6 days in the parks:
1 day each at the four parks, then the last two days, we duplicated MK and EPCOT!
If you are going during busy times, you might not have a lot of time to enjoy everything, so 4 days is really not recommended! I say you need at least a week!
If budget only allows you 4 days, then do 1 park a day! You don't want to miss anything!
Hopefully if your budget only allows that, I would choose to go during the slowest times of the year!
1 day each at the four parks, then the last two days, we duplicated MK and EPCOT!
If you are going during busy times, you might not have a lot of time to enjoy everything, so 4 days is really not recommended! I say you need at least a week!
If budget only allows you 4 days, then do 1 park a day! You don't want to miss anything!
Hopefully if your budget only allows that, I would choose to go during the slowest times of the year!
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We are planning on going the last week in February. We are buying the Disney military tickets and they are only 4 day tickets. We will be staying an extra night at the resort while my husband goes deep sea fishing. I plan on going to downtown disney that day and just relaxing at the resort.
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harryk
Well-Known Member
Make use of the fastpass+, it makes budgeting your time a little easier and advance reservations for sit-down meals (table service) if you want to relax during a meal. Counter-service can be a little daunting at meal times. - this all depends on your personal budget.
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LAM378
Well-Known Member
With kids that age, definitely get to the parks for rope drop and take advantage of morning EMH. Kids wake up so full of energy (especially in WDW!), and you can get a LOT done in the mornings when other guests are sleeping in and your girls are at their perkiest.
Afternoon breaks are a must. If you can't get back to your resort for naps, find a shady spot and let them rest in strollers. Your days will be more productive and happy overall if you take that break.
HS can easily be done in a half day, especially if you get there at rope drop. There's not a ton there for little kids.
At Epcot, I'd suggest knocking out the kid-friendly stuff (Imagination, SE, Nemo and Turtle Talk), then spending whatever time you have left wandering World Showcase. They'll love it (and so will you). WS feels less like a theme park, and that's a good thing--gives you all a chance to recharge while still "touring."
The hardest thing is tearing little ones away from something that's captured their attention because you have to keep it moving, so be ready to linger and slow down and throw plans out the window sometimes. Like previous posters said, prioritize. Pick 4 or 5 things you definitely want to do each day (or in each park, if you're hopping). You'll almost certainly accomplish more than that, but it'll feel like a bonus.
And lastly, familiarize yourself with the maps of the parks before you go. It'll take a little while to get your bearings no matter what, but it's helpful and a time-saver to have a general idea of where attractions are.
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HRHPrincessAriel
Well-Known Member
I kinda disagree on DHS. We could have easily done 2 days. We only planned on one because I thought the exact same. We ended up PH one night for EMH and I'm glad we did! We still missed Beauty and the Beast show and never had a chance to see Muppet 3D of all things!
My kiddo loved the shows Disney Junior and Indiana. Was enthralled with Backlot, the little mermaid show and Great Movie Ride.
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LAM378
Well-Known Member
You're right, HRHPrincessAriel--I take that back. We did 2 trips to HS, about 6 hours total minus time for sit down dining, and saw all the kid-friendly stuff at least once...but crowds were ridiculously low. I didn't think about that when I responded before. My son loved the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground and would have happily gone there every day. There's a lot there that captivates little kids, and it's definitely worth their time!
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HRHPrincessAriel
Well-Known Member
thats another we didn't touch!! I found out There are so many thing *I* glide over as an adult that totally captivated her!
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