HS vs. AK vs. Epcot About This Page:

[sixkristy6]

We are going to WDW from 10/14-10/20. This is our first trip and includes me, DH and DD (age 4).

We plan to do MK at least 2 or 3x as I know it will be my daughter's favorite park.

That means we have a couple of days left. A friend of mine told me not to take DD to Epcot because there's not as much for a 4 year old there. I went 6 years ago for the day with friends, but I don't remember much. I had planned ADR (which I made this morning) for one day at HS so we could do the character breakfast and get the Fantasmic dinner package at Mama Melrose. However, it seems like too much food in a short time. (breakfast buffet at 8:15 then dinner at 3:50 which is the latest dinner time I could get even with calling directly). (ETA: The only reason I booked Mama Melrose was for the reserved seating for Fantasmic, otherwise we would not eat there as it's just too much food for us)

So, if I had to pick between 3 parks (AK, Epcot, HS), which 2 would you pick for a 4 year old? We are not park hopping. The only reason I even planned to go to HS, was for the character breakfast and Fantasmic. However, Epcot has the princess breakfast, which I think she might like more anyway.

I made a bunch of ADR at this point just so I could get good times. I think I would prefer Epcot to HS, but I want to know what others think. TY!

[HiddenMickey]

I think you should definitely do AK one day (it was our DD's favorite when DD was 4....even more than MK), and then it's really a toss-up for the other two, if you're only going to have one other day. I've already given you a lot that she'll likely enjoy at HS in another thread.

Personally, I would have a day at each park and then use your 'extra' days to do MK again. There is something for everyone at every park and you shouldn't look at the trip as being all about your DD, it's your trip too. You should find things to do that you'll enjoy as well. You'll never know what those things are unless you try each park.

[Katara81]

I agree with HiddenMickey, that if you have extra days, try every park first, then use any extra days for MK. While your DD will definitely love MK, you might be missing out on some great experiences with her by skipping a whole park.

For the fall, we are planning a much shorter trip than we usually take - only 4.5 days. We plan to skip HS this time and do MK 2 days. My DD is 4 as well, and she has always loved AK and Epcot - in her opinion, AK actually rivals MK! HS, she can take or leave, and DH and I agree with her on that. So if you have a limited number of days and MUST skip a park, I would vote HS as the easiest to miss.

[sixkristy6]

I am thinking HS will be the one we skip. The first day we are there an entire day, MK is open 9am-12am. We plan to wake up (staying at AoA), eat, then either go to MK or hang around the resort and swim (depending on the weather) then go to MK later on (we are getting the preferred seating for fireworks through AAA). I don't want to do too much too quickly, seeing it's our first full day there.

I am wondering if the noise on some of the rides will be too much for DD at HS. I think Epcot is tamer (as far as rides for "all heights") if I remember correctly. She will be happy no matter what, but I think she might like Epcot more.

[JoanneS]

I think she would enjoy both DHS and EP. DHS has Toy Story Mania, The Little Mermaid, Disney Playhouse, the Muppets, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasmic that I'm sure she would enjoy. Star Wars, American Idol, Backlot Tour, Animation Academy and Lights Motor Action can be fun, too. Epcot has fewer "rides" but it's fun to stroll around the World Showcase and catch some of the shows there.

I agree that you should try to hit all the parks for at least one day and if you have more days left in your vacation, you can hit your favorites again.

[sixkristy6]

OK, here's a question. Would Epcot be a lot more crowded due to the Food & Wine Festival? I know we'd still go but I was just wondering.

[Carousel96]

I'd do all three other parks before I did 3 days in MK.
Even when DD was little, it only held her attention for so long.

There's lots to do in the other parks. Epcot is great for kids -- my daughter loved it at 2. There are fish (Nemo and the Seas pavilion and the Coral Reef if you're so inclined), characters, lots of fun street performers. And the best nighttime show at WDW if you ask me.

[Butterbunkins]

If you think your daughter will most enjoy MK, then you may want to consider visiting that park last. If you hit that park first she may be disappointed with the other parks and that could put a damper on everyone's enjoyment. Plus it would make MK all the more special for her.

Yes, the Food and Wine Fest will be crowded. That's why we have stopped going in early November and started going between the F&WF and Thanksgiving. Do your research on the most and least crowded days so you can pick the one that's best for you.

Also an FYI, the parks that have the Extra Magic Hours will be the most crowded parks that day. I know you mentioned that you are not park hoping but we always do as we think it is a great investment for our vacation. If we want to take advantage of the EMHs then we go to that park only for those times and spend the rest of the day in another park where it will be less crowded. So if you want to use the EMHs and not park hop, just keep that in mind.

[sixkristy6]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

Personally, I would have a day at each park and then use your 'extra' days to do MK again. There is something for everyone at every park and you shouldn't look at the trip as being all about your DD, it's your trip too. You should find things to do that you'll enjoy as well. You'll never know what those things are unless you try each park.

I think it would be hard to do MK for 3 days at the very end because of how I am trying to plan things. For example, the TA put in for reserved "seating" for Wishes at MK. We can only do it on certain nights so it does not conflict with MNSSHP, and Monday 10/15 will work perfectly. Plus, I'm not sure how DD will do with getting tired, so because MK is open 9am-12am the first full day we're there, it will give us an opportunity to take things slow. Then, I was going to do AK on Tuesday, MK on Wed. & Thursday (for various reasons, such as the park being open 8am-7pm one day and it being less crowded during the day) and Epcot for our final day. However, we would do AK early in the week. I know we can always change things when we get there and I am fine with that.

I am just a huge planner (DH used to call me Camp Mom when we camped and Cruise Mom when I planned our honeymoon and this was before we had DD). Now, I am Disney Mom. I know I can only plan so much and the unexpected can happen due to weather, illness, etc... but I try as best I can.

If I switch any days, I would do Epcot on Tues. and AK on Fri.

[Sue M.]

There is so much for young kids to to at HS- why would you skip it? I agree with doing each park- then on your extra day go back to MK.
I'd pick up a copy of the Passporter book, and do some research. They give ride by ride descriptions of evey ride and attraction at each park.
Since you have a very short trip. and won't be able to do or see it all- I wouldn't waste my first day hanging around the resort.
I don't think you have an understanding of how huge WDW is- I know we sure didn't our first trip!
If you can get 7 touring days and extend your vacay a bit it would be good. For a first visit many recommend
2 days MK
2 days Epcot
1 day AK
1 day HS
Because of the size and layout 2 days are easier for MK & EP. But I wouldn't ditch HS for EP if you only have 1 day. No way. And no- you won't have a noise prob. at HS.

[sixkristy6]

Wow this is so hard to plan! There's just so much to consider and you are correct, I don't realize how big it is at WDW.

I think maybe our first full day, if we do MK, then we will go in the morning, see how it goes, and leave and come back later if necessary. It's DH who wants to take it slow, but I already told him this is not a relaxing vacation since we've never been there and have DD with us.

[HiddenMickey]

I would never suggest doing three days in a row at the same park. What I said was to do all four parks and use the extra days to do MK. You can work them in any way you want in your schedule. You already mentioned you had MK for your first day in another post. A lot depends on what park hours are like, whether you plan to use EMH hours, etc.

[notjustamom]

Would Epcot be a lot more crowded due to the Food & Wine Festival?

On a weekend definitely and when the sun goes down. Last trip was our first time during F&WF and I was amazed at the amount of intoxicated people stumbling around once the sun went down

[sixkristy6]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

I would never suggest doing three days in a row at the same park. What I said was to do all four parks and use the extra days to do MK. You can work them in any way you want in your schedule. You already mentioned you had MK for your first day in another post. A lot depends on what park hours are like, whether you plan to use EMH hours, etc.

My apologies, I am kind of woozy from cold meds (home sick today). I have ADRs set up, and will figure out what to do closer to the time we get there. I appreciate everyone's help!

We can't stay an extra day (though it would be nice!) due to some things going with family the day after we get back.

[jimmymac]

With a 4 year-old, I'd skip Epcot (and it's our favorite park).