Epcot vs. Animal Kingdom

[2kmom]

I need some advice. My husband and I were at WDW about 5 years ago (at that time my son was 2 years old). We are going again in about 10 days. We have pretty much everything sorted out except the family is divided between two parks (we don't really have time to do both).

When we were there last time we went to Animal Kingdom and were not overly impressed. It was (I believe) the first year it was open. Both times we have been to WDW we have missed out on Epcot and this time I really wanted to see it. However, both of my children (now 7 and 3) want to go to Animal Kingdom.

Any advice from anyone on what they think would be best? Pros and cons of both?!

Thanks.

[NoAssemblyReqd]

You could always hop between both parks in one day. (I haven't been to AK yet either!)

I highly recommend Epcot's nighttime Illuminations show. Maybe you could do AK for a few hours during the day and shuttle over to Epcot for the rest of the day into evening to catch the show. You'll only get a taste of each park, but at least you will all have gotten a little of what you want...

[Main Street Magic]

Let's see..considering the fact that the World Showcase at Epcot usually opens a few hours later than the front section, here is how I might approach it.....(and remember, with the limited crowds, you "might" be able to see parts of both parks in one day)......Do Animal Kingdom early and do the things you want there.....if everything goes smoothly you should be done by about noon or 1 pm. then go over to Epcot and enjoy as the entire park will now be open.

OK..if that's not your cup of tea, what are the good parts of each?

AK: Safari
Kali River Raft
Tought To Be A Bug
Dinosaur
Look for DeVine and Wes Palm

Epcot: Mission Space
Test Track
Off Kilter (musical entertainment)
Most anything! (sorry but the list is so long...)

I guess if I had my druthers (by the way, what do "druthers" look like?) ..... I'd do Epcot if I had to choose only one park.

[yecats]

I agree with the above post. It is possible to split these parks into one day.

This has worked for me in the past:

AK - be there when it opens at 9:00 a.m.
Ride Safari ride (can do twice if you like it)
Walk through trails to see animals
Head over to Asia and walk trials to see animals
Ride Kali River Rapids (daughter probably can not go on it yet)
Watch Flights of Wonder (really good show)
Go see It's Tough to be a Bug
Then if timing is right, take them to see the Lion King
If you have time then go over to see Dinosaur and one or two
of the children's rides

It is fairly easy to do most of the above list and be out of the park by 2:00 p.m. especially if your there in an offseason time. At this point you can either eat a late lunch at AK or eat one at Epcot after taking the bus to same. Epcot is fairly easy to do in late afternoon into night as the major rides (MS, test track and SE are open until the park closes at 9:00). The other rides at Epcot close at 7 (but you still have enough time to do them).

This way everyone in your family gets to do something they wanted to do. Hope this helps.

Take bus over to Epcot and eat a late lunch. Is is very eas

[aalexander]

Personally, I would choose EPCOT over Animal Kingdom. They both have excellent attractions including Dinosaur, It's tough to be a bug, and Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal kingdom while EPCOT boasts Test Track, World Showcase, Illuminations! (great show), and the newly added Mission: Space. Here are a few things I would consider when making my choice:

(1) What types of attractions are you most interested in seeing? (perhaps let the kids see the attractions that are at both parks to help decide).

(2) What type of pace do you want? EPCOT is always a more relaxing, laid-back park for us. Animal kingdom is more upbeat and usually seems more crowded due to the small paths and close environment.

(3) Can you divide the day? One suggestion, if you have park hopping capabilities, is to spend the morning/mid morning at Animal Kingdom and then visit EPCOT for the remainder of the day. I usually found that we could see all of the things at Animal Kingdom in a relatively short amount of time if you arrive at the park at opening (normally at 8:00AM). You could finish your evening at EPCOT and Illuminations at 9:00PM.

(4) Is the trip for you or mostly for the children? I say this in that I would hate for the kids to regret the trip if they really had their heart set on Animal kingdom.

However, both are wonderful parks and I doubt the kids would be disappointed with either choice. When I was about 10 years old, I was told to choose between Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, or MGM (no Animal Kingdom at that time), and I chose EPCOT. It has always been one of my favorite parks.

Hope you have a great trip!!

[hbquikcomjamesl]

Just how much time will you have at WDW?

If I only had three days, I'd split one day between AK and MGM, and devote one day each to MK and Epcot.

If I only had two days, I'd drop the AK/MGM day.

If I only had one day, I'd go to MK in the morning, then Epcot in the afternoon and evening.

[Grandmouse]

If I only had three days, I'd split one day between AK and MGM, and devote one day each to MK and Epcot.

I agreee, although I have not yet been to AK, MGM doesn't need a full day. Last visit, instead of going to AK for the first time, we opted to return to Epcot for a half-day after leaving MGM. We had already spent a full day at MK and another full day at Epcot.

[SouthflLady]

I'd definitely go to EPCOT over AK. Again, I agree that you can do a full day at Epcot & MK, and half days at MGM & AK.

EPCOT ROCKS! You can spend so much time there. There's so much to see that isn't necessarily an "attraction." Illuminations is a MUST SEE!

[millionairegirl]

I would spend the morning/early afternoon at AK seeing:

*The Safari
*Both walking trails
*ITTBAB
*I've hear Flights of Wonder is great, but did not do it
*Festival of the Lion King
*Dinosaur! if you have people who like thrill rides (some people don't like it, but I loved it.)
*Also the boneyard in the dino section of the park is great for the little ones
*Enjoy the oasis on the way out.

I would skip Kali River Rapids because you just get too wet for it to be fun. Unless it's a VERY hot day, I would not ride it.

Then if you have energy go to EPCOT to have a dinner in World Shocase and see illuminations. Definitely ride Spaceship Earth, Universe of Energy, (Test Track/Mission Space for the thrillseekers), and JIYI for the kids.

Honestly, I love EPCOT, but with kids that young, I think they'd enjoy AK more. As a child I remember finding EPCOT boring, but would have adored AK.

[cirquelover]

I would agree with the above post, especially ifyou want to make the children happy. My son was bored at Epcot, although he has agreed to try it again this year as long as he can do the other things he wants!!
He loved AK. I think the boneyard was his favorite part. My boy doesn't like the thrill rides at any park so AK was more his speed. We really enjoyed catching all the shows there. I hope we can catch the parade this time, it was cancelled because of heavy rain last time we went.

[efoxx]

I don't know about splitting the day. I think there is pleny to do at epcot. if you and the kids have never been there then you should give it a whole day. as for the kids there really is lots for them to do that they will like.
in future world
1. dinosaurs at ellens energy exchange
2. the living seas
3. test track
4. imagination and honey I shrunk the audiance.
5. ice statio coke

for mom and dad
1. test track
2. space ship earth
3. the land
4. wonders of life

and in world showcase
for the kids
1. maelstrom and the viking ship
2. kid stops at every nation
3. pass ports
4. the trains between italy and germany
5. Myoki- she is a treasure. in japan she makes taffy sculptures right before your eyes and gives them away FREE.
6. street shows

and for mom and dad
1. all the nations
2. Myoki
3. wonderful shopping and dining opportunities
4. shows like the american adventure and china
5. lots of street shows including acrobats and comedians. my favorite to watch is the living statue in france

actually Epcot has become our kids fav. park in fact they often insist it be the first place we go when we get to WDW

[2kmom]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their awsome suggestions regarding our trip. There are some suggestions in there I think we will use! It really was bothering me on what to do, but you all have made some great suggestions. Thanks.

[Andrew]

Honestly, if I had only one day at WDW... I'd shuffle my schedule or arrange to stay an extra day. I think the sadness I would feel at knowing how much I'm not seeing in that one day would overshadow the fun I had in that day.

If I absolutely couldn't change things and had only one day, I'd spend most of it in EPCOT. You can take half a day or more just going around the World Showcase lagoon, stopping at all the pavilions. I'd take a break at my hotel and then hit Pleasure Island (Adventurer's Club!) that night.

[mzloolue]

I would really consider park hopping. AK always closes early and much of Epcot is open late. When I first went to Epcot, I really didn't like it, but it has grown on me. There are alot of things to discover, if you have time to explore. If you're looking for good rides, Epcot doesn't have them(although I haven't done the space ride). I don't get the whole concept of Test Track, it's like going to a garage and riding in a car, big thrill! I like to get on the boat and ride to the middle of World Showcase. I love Off Kilter, but if you have young boys who like to be moving and riding, you probally need to bribe them with a snack and consider it a rest time.