[Duchess]

I have a friend who is down in Florida right now and is trying to plan a quick trip to WDW for herself and her 6 year old, 3 year old and one month old sons. She has some questions I thought maybe you guys could help her with:

1. They are definitely spending one day at MK. But for the second day should they go to AK or MGM? Where will they get more bang for the buck? Should she try to do both in the same day? AK in the morning and MGM in the afternoon?

2. She doesn't know if she should buy a Park Hopper ticket. Do they even offer two day Park Hoppers? I thought you could only buy 4 & 5 day park hopper tix.

Thanks for your expertise!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MickeyMac]

AK, and with young kids, tell her to relax and take it at their own pace. There's a lot of interaction for the little kids at AK - the Boneyard playground, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Pocahontas, Festival of the Lion King, heck, they might even like the Tarzan Rocks xtremesports/rock and roll show.

I don't think of MGM as very friendly for littler kids. The pace is definately more frenetic there, and outside of Little Mermaid, Shrunk Playground, and Playhouse Disney, and MAYbe Muppets 3D (my six year old DD won't do 3D movies), there doesn't seem to be as much to do. It seems more for the older kids and teens.

Just my opinion... I'm sure you'll hear loads others!

[Willbegone]

I second MickeyMac definetly AK. I wouldn't recommend park hopping with that many small kids. I know she will have a great time but again she needs to relax and realize she won't be able to do it all! (It took me 2 days to realize that!)

[Cinderellafifi]

Yes, the kids will enjoy AK much more. MGM really isn't geared toward the very young, although there are a couple of attractions for them like Voyage of the LIttle Mermaid and Muppets 3D.

I am pretty sure there are no two-day Park Hopper. Three days is the shortest length, I think. :)

[dab]

Duchess you are correct about the park hoppers. 4 days is the shortest hopper available.

Have they been to WDW before? I would say do MK both days. I think it takes 2 days anyway. We have been 4 times within 15 months since my daughter was almost 3. It never fails, every time we go to a park other than MK my DD asks "When are we going back to Magic Kingdom?"

If your friend really has her heart set on seeing another park, I agree with the others. AK would be better suited for young children. MGM is usually a half day for us ( I have a 4yr old DD). The only down side of going to AK is that it closes at 5 PM and you don't get a lot of "bang for your buck"... especially if the little ones need an afternoon nap!

One last tip: If she goes to 2 different parks, definately save MK for last.

[Duchess]

Sounds like a consensus! Thanks for your input.

[CaribBeachNut]

I think your friend should do both. There is a lot at AK you don't really need to see your first trip. But there are some things worth seeing. Ditto for Disney (MGM) Studios.
I would spend one half day at both.

[Sniff Snow Dog]

I agree with CBN: You should start at AK since it closes in the late afternoon and then go on over to MGM to finish up the day!

[dab]

The only problem with doing a half day at MGM & AK is that she probably won't be able to get a park hopper pass unless she is willing to buy a 4 day and save her unused days for a future trip. Unused days never expire.

I think Duchess question here is if she could only pick two of the parks which two... no hopping involved. :hmmm I still say don't do two parks. Just allow 2 days at Magic Kingdom. 6 yr old, 3 yr old and 1 month old boys will wear poor mom out running around 2 parks in 2 days. I say take it easy and do it all at MK and then do the favorites again!

[Sniff Snow Dog]

If the above be true, then I recommend going to MGM on the second day as during the day there's enough shows and entertainment for the kids (i.e., Muppets in 3D, Indiana Jones Stunt Show, The Little Mermaid Show, etc.) plus seeing "Fantasmic" in the evening would be a great finish to the trip!

[skwak]

Hi Duchess,

I recommend you check out Mousesavers.com. Mary W. who runs the sight has some excellent information regarding short stays. The link for this particular spot is : http://www.mousesavers.com/tickets.html#shorttrip.

She offers some great advice. If you still can't do both, everyone is right (as usual), pick AK.

Hope this helps.:)

[mattomouseman]

Originally posted by MickeyMac
AK, and with young kids, tell her to relax and take it at their own pace. There's a lot of interaction for the little kids at AK - the Boneyard playground, Rafiki's Planet Watch, Pocahontas, Festival of the Lion King, heck, they might even like the Tarzan Rocks xtremesports/rock and roll show.

I don't think of MGM as very friendly for littler kids. The pace is definately more frenetic there, and outside of Little Mermaid, Shrunk Playground, and Playhouse Disney, and MAYbe Muppets 3D (my six year old DD won't do 3D movies), there doesn't seem to be as much to do. It seems more for the older kids and teens.

Just my opinion... I'm sure you'll hear loads others!

As always I defer to MickeyMAc's greatness:whistle:. She hit the proverbial nail on the head with her advise! AK is much better for the little ones!:)

[Rosieglow1]

One thing we have encountered when going to AK, is that it is never a full day park for us. I do not think, even with our young son, that we could spend a full day there. By 2:00 or so, we are usually more than ready to move on. Especially during the summer, because it gets really hot at AK. It is an amazing park though! Wouldn't miss it!

[mickaholic4077]

Another chorus of Animal Kingdom here!!!!:D :D :D