Toddler; Prince Charming Regal Carrousel; Magic Kingdom
  • On Jan 20, 2024
    Diann from CO Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Traveling with toddlers, have 2 days to visit parks. Staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge. On the first day, it will be 2 hours earlier their time, so which of the two parks, Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom, is better for starting a little later than Rope Drop?

    Hiya DiAnn!

    Welcome to planDisney! Traveling with little ones is my area of expertise! I have enjoyed the Parks since my kids were babies and continue to love making magical memories with them. 

    I spent some time contemplating your question and have come to a conclusion that I hope will work for you. Did you know that Magic Kingdom Park has the most rides with no height restrictions? That means approximately 33 attractions for your little ones to enjoy plus the amazing Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade makes this Park worthy of spending a full day of your 2-day vacation.  I may be biased as I consider Magic Kingdom Park to be my favorite. I love that this Park captures the simple magic of childhood with all of the well-themed lands, colors, music, and even smells. This is the park I think of when I picture Walt Disney World with its beautiful centerpiece of Cinderella Castle. 

    Now, while Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is considered the largest of the four main theme parks in terms of square footage it does not have as many rides.  This park has 46 things to do for any height but the majority of them are visits to see all the amazing animals throughout the Park from African birds to Zebras. This Park is intended to be roamed and explored and is perfect for guests who don't have a full day to enjoy it. That's my humble opinion and I may have other panelists who will fight me on this but after exploring the animals and enjoying Na'vi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris our day was perfectly filled to the brim with memorable moments. If your kids love petting zoos then make sure to take the Wildlife Express Train to the Affection Section. The Affection Section does close at 5 pm usually and some of the trails like Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail close at 4:45 pm. Be mindful of these early closing hours for these attractions and that the Park will probably close at 6 pm as well.

    Toddlers, as you may know, are not always the most cooperative so try to enjoy the day in small bites. Take frequent breaks and be ready with snacks and cool drinks as often as possible. One of my favorite places for kids to just relax is the Hub grass right in front of Cinderella Castle. It's just a green oasis situated right in the middle of the magic. I have many sweet memories here. Also, if your kids are having a sensory overload head to the Baby Care Centers. I love these spaces for kids and families. 

    I hope this helps and let me know directly if you have any more questions!

    Happy Planning!
    -Nimmy
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Meet the Panelist: Nimmy, New York

Hey, it's Nimmy from New York! Just like my guy Jiminy Cricket I am your wisecracking and helpful guide to making the best decisions for your Disney vacation! My husband and I work very hard to journey to our favorite place on Earth, Walt Disney World Resort, as much as we can. We have traveled as just adults, with babies, kids, teenagers, and senior citizens. We have seen so many characters, eaten at amazing places, and consumed a ton of Dole Whips. So "give a little whistle" and let me be your guide! Learn More About Nimmy

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