Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

We did not buy Park Hopper passes.

We are going to Disney in less than 2 weeks, still figuring out which parks we are going to which days. We are debating over Epcot or doing 2 days in Magic Kingdom. We have two boys, 3 years and 1.5 years and 8 adults going.

Everyone just wants to the kids to have a good time. I feel like there is more for the kids in MK, but do we think it's too much. The one day we do have a character lunch booked, so I feel like we may not have enough time to do everything in one day. We are not staying on Disney property, so no extra hours, and MK is only open 9am-7pm those days.

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

As much as my then 12 month and almost 3 yr old loved EPCOT if I only had 2 days and no hopper I would stick to the MK. There is so much to do and with characters and the fact your DC will want to do some rides more than once as well as the parades and fireworks. You will have plenty to do.

Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Epcot is awesome but with kiddies ur kids ages I would stick to MK. There's not a ton of stuff for them to do in epcot, but there certainly is in MK! Especially since the new fantasyland areavis officially opening dec 6 butbi think they r having "soft openings" of certain parts of it (if not all of it) starting around now! So I vote for 2 days at MK... That way u won't feel as stressed or rushed to get everything done in one day at MK. Do some stuff day 1, the rest on day 2.

Also r u going to mickeys very merry Christmas party in MK? (requires an extra ticket) if nit, you should!!!! It's sooooo worth it!!!! If u wanna do thatcyou could do MK on a reg ticket one day, epcot another day & then the christmasnparty another day. The party doesn't actually start until 7 or 7:30 but I think the will let u into the park starting at around 5. This mightbbe a great way to hit some stuff u missed ur first visit to MK. There r special parades, fireworks & character greetings at the party.(Santa is there too!) There are also free cookies & hot chocolate stations set up throughout the park and, my fave part- it SNOWS on main street!!!!!!! Def don't miss this party!!! We've gone about 4-5 times & love it!!! Can't wait to take DD in a few weeks too!

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Here's a link with info about the party from disneys website:

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party


& this website is VERY helpful when planning a Disney vacation (u can also find info on the Christmas party here!):


All Ears

GL!

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Definitely get tickets for MVMCP. We did the halloween one and loved it. They have cookies and hot chocolate, special parade and fireworks, dance parties with the characters. If you go to disboards I saw a clip of the party and it looks great.

Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

I would do two days in MK. We went in Sept with DS (almost 3) and did 4 half days in MK. We did it slowly to avoid as many meltdowns as possible. We also did half days at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios and were able to cover everything there that DS would be interested in during that amount of time.

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

2 days at MK for sure.

I love EPCOT, but there is so much to do and see at MK for everyone in the family.

Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

I would do 2 days MK and do the Very Merry Christmas Prty...we just got back and the kids had a blast!!! We were able to enter that park at 4pm that nite...

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Hated Epcot myself and my DD (3) did not care for it either. I would not go to Epcot until my DD was older after this trip.

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Thanks for the feedback everyone! DH and I have been to Epcot before and as much as we enjoyed it, I do feel like the kids will be bored.

I have heard great things about Mickey's Christmas Party. We are already spending a lot for the tickets (we are going 4 days, plus a day in Seaworld) and I just can't see spending the extra. I figure maybe it's something we can go back for someday. Especially since this is kinda big trip for our families to be taking already (both sets of grandparents, and both our brothers are going). We got our hotel and flights free with airline and credit card points, but it's still expensive. Plus I think the kids will probably fall asleep, both are usually in bed by 8pm.

I am pretty sold on MK for two days, now to convince DH.

Message edited 11/19/2012 8:40:32 PM.

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

I don't think EPCOT will be boring for the kids at all. They've done a lot over the years to make ti more kid-friendly. I just think with LOs you always need 2 days.

Have you looked at touring plans yet? I think if you show DH how much there is to do, he'll agree.

Don't forget that in addition to the character lunch, I'm sure you'll also want to see the parade and at night see the Main Street Electrical parade and Wishes. That's taking a LOT of hours out of your day.

Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

I just got back and we did the Mickey Christmas party. My DS is 10.5 months and he loved MK. I am sure he won't remember but the look on his face was worth it for me.

We thought about other parks but decided against it since they isn't much he would be able to go on.

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

We are going next week with a 4 yo and a 1.5 yo, but we have 5 days at the parks so a little different... but I agree that MK is better for the kids for the most part. But Epcot is hands down my favorite park so if I only had 2 days I would make the kids "suffer" and go to Epcot too. There actually is a lot for that age. They have the character meet and greet where you can see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto & Goofy all in one spot. They have the Nemo ride, the Imagination ride, plus a few other low key rides good for the younger kids. There is a lot to see for the little guys! Then all the adults can enjoy the world showcase too, which is the best. We are not doing the Christmas party, with the kids being so young and having a normal bedtime of 6:30 or 7 I just can't imagine keeping them up so late for that especially with how much it costs!

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Re: Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by JenniferEver

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by TripletMom

I would do 2 days MK and do the Very Merry Christmas Prty...we just got back and the kids had a blast!!! We were able to enter that park at 4pm that nite...

Did you find the party to be really crowded? Specifically during the parades and special character meet and greets? We are going in a couple of weeks, and I'm undecided on the party.

Crowds depend greatly on the day of the week and how close you are to Christmas.


The party really comes down to the parade and fireworks, which are both awesome.

If you're a character hunter, it's one of the few times to see all 7 dwarfs and the princesses with their princes.

There's also the snow on Main St

I enjoy it, but it's really about those few elements. They'll probably enjoy it more when they're a bit older and can stay the whole time.

I'm usually able to get a GREAT spot for the fireworks and the 2nd parade about an hour before on Tuesdays, but that requires commitment to sit there.

If you want to see the really popular characters like the Princesses and their Princes or the Seven Dwarfs, you should prepare to wait for an hour+. In fact, the best strategy is to get to the party early and line up for the character you want most by 5:30, so you can see them when the party starts and not waste party time on line.

Thanks, I think we are going to skip it. My kids won't last until midnight anyway, then I would be peeved that I didn't get my money's worth

Magic Kingdom vs. Epcot - 3 and 1.5 year old

We went for two days with our almost 3 yo in September and did one day in Epcot and one in Magic Kingdom. I have to be honest I think she liked Epcot better - it was less overwhelming, she could run around each country and it was contained and she got to meet the princesses in Norway at breakfast. MK was definitely cool and she love meeting all of the characters but she was scared to go on a lot of the rides. It was also really hot, humid, and sunny whih made it a bit uncomfortable. Overall it was a great time but I'm really glad we went to Epcot.