We skip AK. For DS it feel a lot like a zoo (We love zoos, etc., are members of our highly rated zoo at home, and have done lots of behind the scenes programs there, etc. too, but that's not what we are in Orlando for). We aren't fans of Avatar. And my son still hates it that Avatar broke the movie record over Titanic, his all time favorite move, and for that probably a silly reason is not at all enthused about seeing anything related to Pandora. Works for me. I love the Festival of the Lion King at the AK too (my favorite Disney show in all the parks actually), but again that doesn't make AK a must do park for me.
Totally your choice. For me going down is more having some fun at a few parks and an overall vibe. I mostly like Main Street USA at the MK and getting my Mickey Bar and seeing the Orcas at SeaWorld. Those are my two favorite Orlando things to do, but I'd be OK replacing those with something else too. All and all, Orlando for me really is just a backdrop for having some frivolous fun chill time with my son (It's not really for me, what park, what attractions). It's more for me a place to be a kid and have fun with family. I like you, though, too would be really excited to do Epcot if Flower and Garden were on. We on our next trip are skipping HS as we aren't into Star Wars also. A few years back we went to Universal/IOA to see the HP areas that are well done and do the other stuff there, but going back there isn't a must do for us either and will be another thing we will skip on the next trip.
If you're big on not wanting to miss anything that is new, hot, enjoyed by many, the new Pandora attractions at AK are getting a big thumbs up and have upped attendance at that park (would be must dos). Your original post talks about wanting to be sure not to miss anything?? If that's the case, they are new "IT" items, and the one ride is one of the hottest fastpasses. If you don't care, and fitting these in just sounds like a pain in the butt that will make your trip more hectic, skip it. Unfortunately only you can decide. I'd have a hectic/long/expensive Orlando trip if I did everyone else's favorites. I can have a short, relaxed, budget Orlando trip just doing what my son and I want to do.
It's whatever you're into. I know even on our MK touring plan we are skipping 7DMT and Peter Pan (two perfectly fine enjoyable attractions that are must dos for many people) that are just too popular and not worth it to us to bother with. 7DMT is one that is too tough to get a fast pass for, not worth it to us wasting rope drop on, and for us not worth a later in the day long stand by line (we stay offsite meaning fastpasses just at the 30 day mark). And we are amazed at the long lines for Peter Pan that we would never do. And to us, although you can get a fastpass for it, it isn't worth wasting a fastpass on in our humble opinion. Just by skipping those, we will be able to get everything in we want to do at the MK in just one day without being rushed and that includes the parade and end of day fireworks too.
Anyway, good luck deciding. As you can see by my post, I personally don't think anything is a must do.
Totally your choice. For me going down is more having some fun at a few parks and an overall vibe. I mostly like Main Street USA at the MK and getting my Mickey Bar and seeing the Orcas at SeaWorld. Those are my two favorite Orlando things to do, but I'd be OK replacing those with something else too. All and all, Orlando for me really is just a backdrop for having some frivolous fun chill time with my son (It's not really for me, what park, what attractions). It's more for me a place to be a kid and have fun with family. I like you, though, too would be really excited to do Epcot if Flower and Garden were on. We on our next trip are skipping HS as we aren't into Star Wars also. A few years back we went to Universal/IOA to see the HP areas that are well done and do the other stuff there, but going back there isn't a must do for us either and will be another thing we will skip on the next trip.
If you're big on not wanting to miss anything that is new, hot, enjoyed by many, the new Pandora attractions at AK are getting a big thumbs up and have upped attendance at that park (would be must dos). Your original post talks about wanting to be sure not to miss anything?? If that's the case, they are new "IT" items, and the one ride is one of the hottest fastpasses. If you don't care, and fitting these in just sounds like a pain in the butt that will make your trip more hectic, skip it. Unfortunately only you can decide. I'd have a hectic/long/expensive Orlando trip if I did everyone else's favorites. I can have a short, relaxed, budget Orlando trip just doing what my son and I want to do.
It's whatever you're into. I know even on our MK touring plan we are skipping 7DMT and Peter Pan (two perfectly fine enjoyable attractions that are must dos for many people) that are just too popular and not worth it to us to bother with. 7DMT is one that is too tough to get a fast pass for, not worth it to us wasting rope drop on, and for us not worth a later in the day long stand by line (we stay offsite meaning fastpasses just at the 30 day mark). And we are amazed at the long lines for Peter Pan that we would never do. And to us, although you can get a fastpass for it, it isn't worth wasting a fastpass on in our humble opinion. Just by skipping those, we will be able to get everything in we want to do at the MK in just one day without being rushed and that includes the parade and end of day fireworks too.
Anyway, good luck deciding. As you can see by my post, I personally don't think anything is a must do.
