OP Here - Again we've already purchased the tickets and do NOT have the hopper option. Very busy over Thanksgiving week so we don't think it's worth it to try to move between parks and would prefer to just stay at one for the day.

Sounds like the best plan is MK, HS and Epcot.

I'd plan 2 days at MK at that age, with one day at either Epcot, or AK. I'd be torn. Do you think your kids would like countries or animals best? If the weather's warm, I'd probably do 2 days MK, and 1 day waterpark, but it's usually not that hot at that time of the year.

As far as park hoppers, I'd play it by ear. It costs the same amount to add it at the park as it does in advance, so if you get to midday at AK, and feel like you've seen the park and still have energy, then buy the parkhoppers then and go to Epcot (or vice versa). I wouldn't buy it now thinking that you'll definitely want to go. I'd also keep in mind that Downtown Disney is a lot of fun. Many 13 year olds would tell you that Disney Quest is their very favorite thing, so maybe be open to splitting up. Do 1 day MK together, 1 day something else together, and then 1 day split up. Or do mornings together, and then let the teenager peel off with/without an adult according to your level of comfort, while the little ones do slower paced things like watching parades or playing on the playground, or napping in the stroller.

Anonymous wrote:Went with 5 and 7 and did 2 days MK and 1 AK. MK was the bigger hit.

Went with 4 and 7 year olds and did 2 days MK and 1 HS, but my boys love Star Wars and Disney Jr. If you really didn't want 2 days at MK (which I personally think is completely worth it even as an adult), I guess I'd do MK, HS, and Epcot. My kids haven't loved AK either time we've been.

FWIW my family prefers Epcot to AK hands down (including the preschool/elementary age kids).

They love the Nemo ride, Turtle Talk with Crush, the Donald Duck boat ride in Mexico, Agent P scavenger hunt, Soarin', Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth. We love that they will happily watch the trains in Germany or sit and color at the KidCot stations in all of the countries while we can sit and relax for a bit.

Get park hopper passes so you can jump between Animal Kingdom in the am and then maybe Epcot in the afternoon. And also that way you can bounce between HS and MK. I think that unless you are staying for Illuminations at HS then you could do:

1: MK
2: HS (am to 3 or 4) then do MK until you drop
3: AK (am) then Epcot (pm)

It will be busy and you'll be tired but you will see most of the parks, esp. if you plan ahead for rides and times and meals and parades/shows.

OP Here - Yeah I think they're crazy, but they live near DisneyLand, so I get the feeling they think it's "old news". I've only been to DisneyWorld once (my sister and I went a few years ago), and this will be DD's first time, so we're absolutely going to stay in the parks as long as she holds up (and she's a trooper for this sort of stuff, have done Sesame Place a few times).

Still sounds like a toss up between AK and Epcot... Since DH and I were told to plan our dinners for just us 3, I scored a reservation for us at Cinderella's Royal Table. Since we'll see the princesses there, would we be better off at AK? Although I think DD would rather see them multiple times... and she is in love with Nemo... Maybe I'll lay out the choices to the family and let everyone decide. We'll do Epcot and if other's want to join great, if not we'll greatly enjoy our day!

Went with 5 and 7 and did 2 days MK and 1 AK. MK was the bigger hit.

If they only want to spend 4-5 hours in the park, I would choose Animal Kingdom over Epcot (I'm the PP at 22:40)

In Epcot, the future world opens at 9 am, but the International Gateway (all the countries) does not open till 11 am. If you are only staying a few hours, and had planned on much of your time exploring the International Gateway, you would only have 2 or 3 hours.

By limiting themselves to morning hours only, they really going to be missing out on some of the best parts of the parks---parades, fireworks, the evening shows, etc.

If you go to Animal Kingdom, go early in the morning and do safari ride first thing. The animals are more active early in day after they feed them. Expedition Everest is really the only decent ride at AK unless you like getting soaked on Kali river Rapids ride.

OP Here - we're staying off property (again, not my vote).

We have some younger kids BIG into Disney Jr, so Hollywood studios is going to be a must (plus the 13 y/o has been chatting non-stop about the tower of terror).

Probably Magic Kingdom for one day, but it's the last day that's a bit of a toss up. I think the kids would rather see the animals but the adults would rather Epcot. On the other side I know there's a lot of princesses in Epcot and all children are girls (the younger two are princess obsessed).

The park hours if a moot point, as the 6 other members (we're a family of 3) have already decided they only want to be at the parks for about 4-5 hours in the morning then go home. DH, DD and I will be staying all day.

Anonymous wrote:2 days Magic Kingdom and animal kingdom. Epcot and Hollywood are dull.

EPCOT has the Food and Wine Festival in the fall (double check on dates) but it definitely is not dull! Two of most popular rides Soarin' and Test Track are at EPCOT. Plus the nighttime show Illuminations is cool.

Magic Kingdom
Epcot
Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom's hours are more limited.


Where are you staying?

2 days Magic Kingdom and animal kingdom. Epcot and Hollywood are dull.

Definitely Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Toss up between Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom... If adults like thrill rides, then Hollywood Studios is better. Aerosmith Rock and Roller coaster is awesome! In November Animal Kingdom usually closes early so you won't get as much value. EPCOT great for kids and adults. Around the countries there are stops for Kidcot where kids can do fun activities. Lots of character spots too.

Over Thanksgiving (not our choice time wise). 6 adults, 3 kids ages 3.5, 6 and 13. Which 3 parks? Didn't get a hopper due to the time of year.