We (my friend, I, and our two 5-yr olds) are getting into Disney on Wednesday, May 28th at around noon. I figure that by the time we have found the hotel (off site) etc, we can't get to a park until around 3:00ish.

Which Disney park is the best to tour for a half-day (from about 3-8pm)? We bought passes for our entire stay because it was only a few bucks more for 7 days (as opposed to 6).

Thanks!

If I were you, I would look at the official shedules for each park and find which night-time entertainment might fit within your time limit . . . that way you can see the parade/fireworks/show that night and then on the day you spend a whole long day at the park, you can maybe skip the entertainment and go back the the hotel early.

For instance, we arrive on a Sunday and won't be able to enjoy the parks until later in the day. If possible, we might try to see Spectromagic that night at the Magic Kingdom since the day we plan on going to the Magic Kingdom, it isn't running.

go to the disneyworld.com website and take a peek at the calendars.

In my professional AP opinion, And also per Disneyland.com, if you like the Parade of Dreams, that starts at 7pm with a pre parade of Prince Caspian at 640pm. DCA is open till 8pm and Disneyland is open till 10pm.If I were you , I would go to DL. Its great after dark and its open later, if you like that. While the parade is going on, I would go try and ride, Pirates, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, some of the other larger rides people will not be on because they will be watching the parade.Also grab a bite to eat. Hungry Bear is always a good one. And the Tomorrowland Terrace has two sides, one with Burgers and fries and another with more health choices, grilled chicken sandwiches, turkey, ham sandwiches on fresh bread with fruit and chips. That about sums up what would be best, I think, for only a half day.HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!:D

So - are you going to Disney World? (Confused by above post)?! I took a 5 year old to DW last year and would personally want to hit MK at rope drop to enjoy Fantasyland with short lines. However, if you can get there for the parade you could do this and some slower afternoon rides. As I've said in a similar thread; steer clear of Fantasyland for an afternoon half day visit unless you want to be swallowed in the lines - it would be a shame for children this age. IMHO they'll get much more out of a rope drop start at Fantasyland. How long is your flight/journey? This would influence what I would do with 2 very excited little ones for half a day. Personally I would probably stay at the hotel, chill, swim and save my energies for the rest of the stay. If choosing a park I would chose MGM and do this; get a Little Mermiad fast pass if available, see the parade, work in the Beauty and the Beast stage show, play in the Honey I Shrunk the kids playground, hunt down some of the MGM characters then use my LM fast pass. Enjoy!

we did half a day at MK and got a lot of rides done, saw spectromagic and wishes. The park wasn't crowded ( it was a Thursday). I know Sundays are crowded at MK, so I would say Hollywood Studios (MGM) for the evening. Defiantly not Epcot, too much walking for the first day!!!

I'm getting in earlier than you, but also with a 5 y/o. We were going to do MK, but have decided to do HS instead. Their parade is at 3. We have decided to go straight to the park from the airport since it will be too early to check in (off-site). And, if you guys can stick it out, you can hit Fantasmic! at 9 (I think). Then save MK for yourst full day, that's my plan:)

We only have a 2 hour flight. We are going to leave "going to a park" to the kids. If they are tired and need to settle in, we will stay at the hotel. If they are ready to GO, then we will go to a park for a few hours. I heard that AK is good to go to in the afternoon because people leave early... I am worried that they will not want to anywhere else if we go to MK first.

I felt like going to MK first would make everything else seem boring or something too. My flight is also only 2 hours. Keep in mink AK doesn't stay open as late as the other parks.

Just a quick comment about AK being less crowded in the afternoons- from what I have heard and seen, the afternoons are much more crowded than the mornings. The last times I was there, there was a virtually empty park at rope drop, and the crowds got thicker and thicker as the day went on. Just my experience though!!!