We have a short trip (4 days) to Orlando coming up. Of the 4 Disney parks which one is the must see?? We are traveling with 3 kids, ages 10, 8 and 6? We will not have time to visit them all - - but would like to see maybe 1 or 2 and need suggestions!

Thanks!

The Magic Kingdom is a must do because it is what everyone thinks of as Disney.

Also, I'd suggest Epcot. It has some really fun 3-D rides, like "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids".

For your ages, I think Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom would be good. Epcot was our least favorite.

MY

Is Animal Kingdom not worth it?? The Kilimanjaro Safari sounds really cool?

We were actually disappointed at Animal Kingdom, where we loved Epcot. Personal choice, I guess.

We enjoyed the Safari, raging waters, and the Everest roller coaster. Plenty for all ages. You may also want to put a day aside for one of the Disney water parks.

We also liked the Disney/MGM studio and Epcot, but AK ranked a little higher for us. Just depends on your interests and ages of kids.

MY

With the ages given for your kids, I'd get park hopper passes and go to all of them.

They all have something for everyone and the fireworks at Epcot are my favorites.

I love all things Orlando, and have been around the parks a time or two.
If you are a roller coaster and thrill seeking family, make sure you visit Universal Studios, and not just Disney parks. The Universal Islands of Adventures have the best roller coasters!
Magic Kingdom has great rides and is very "disney." This is where you will see princesses and other characters. (You'll see them at other parks too, but Magic Kingdom is more Disneyish.)
Epcot is more learning and "awe" inspiring. It has fewer rides. If you like to discover things, you'll enjoy Epcot the most.
MGM Studios is a look at how movies are made. You walk through backlots, and everything revolves around movies. This is my personal favorite one.
Animal Kingdom is exactly what it sounds like. It's a zoo on steroids with a few rides thrown in.
Don't forget Orlando is also only minutes from Cape Canaveral.
And SeaWorld Orlando is right there too. Big fish!

The problem with Animal Kingdom is that the animals operate on their own hours - not yours. So you need to find out when you need to be there to see what.

Magic Kingdom is THE basic for kids.

Epcot is more like a world's fair - some of it is fine for kids - much of it is better appreciated by adults and teens. (To me, Epcot is really the only interesting part of Disney for adults.)

I agree with the Magic Kingdom -- absolutely a must-do.

Something you might want to consider if you are thinking about it, is whether your children wish to attend any of the character dining experiences so you can plan your park visits around them. We enjoyed the Crystal Palace/Pooh & Friends at the MK and the Akershus/Princesses at Epcot. Generally good food for the parks.

Epcot Future World interactive activities tend to be the greater favorite for kids in our family, although they also enjoy a few world showcase exhibits.

Animal Kingdom is pretty neat also, but if you don't have the time to devote an entire day to the AK, perhaps consider going to the AK Lodge for dinner and viewing the animals out back. It's not the same as the park, but makes for a pleasant topper of the day.

I'm not a ginormous fan of MGM with Universal Studios around the corner, but the Rock N Roller coaster is outstanding for any of your older children if they enjoy fast-paced rides.

Without kids I would say Epcot and Animal Kingdom. With kids that age, substitute Magic Kingdom for Epcot

We live in Tampa and although we enjoyed Animal Kingdom, I am used to Busch Gardens in Tampa and much preferred that experience. Magic Kingdom is by far our favorite...my children are 6 and 9 and if I had to choose one park I would definitely say Magic Kingdom.

Definitely Magic Kingdom.
#2 could be any other, including Sea World or one of the Universal parks.
I'd probably go with Sea World because I like the smaller parks with little ones. Oh, and because I love the Shamu show.
I totally agree with jen about Busch Gardens in Tampa. A smaller park, less hectic but the kids just loved it. A little bit of everything there.

Since you asked specifically about Disney parks and not other Orlando area parks, I'll stick to Disney. With children at those ages, definitely Magic Kingdom. #2 choice would be Animal Kingdom. As nytraveler pointed out, some times are better for seeing animals - if you do the safari ride first thing in the morning you'll usually see lots of animals, in mid-afternoon the animals will be hiding in the shade. There are some fun rides there: the river rapids ride (you'll get wet), the Everest rollercoaster are that come to mind. There are also some very good shows: It's Tough to be a Bug and The Festival of the Lion King.

At least it sounds as if everyone agrees with one point. Put Disney's Hollywood Studios at the bottom of the list.

But I agree with those who think with the ages of the kids and it being the first trip -- Magic Kingdom should be number one.

Animal Kingdom closes early. So do the morning there (get your fastpass for the safari ride asap) and then go over to Epcot for dinner. Make your reservation for dinner several days in advance.

Then spend one entire day at Magic Kingdom. If you buy your park tickets from AAA they will give you a parking pass that makes park hopping ten times easier. You basically get to park in handicapped parking and therefore don't have to take a tram from the parking lots.

What Go Travel said,the park hopper is the way to go. If I had a shorter time at Disney I would never go with the single park ticket.

Animal Kingdom is fabulous for your kids' ages but it's really, if done as Fodor's Disney guide suggests- not just the timing- but also IMHO, it's the only park that could really be "a half a day" park. NOT midday. Hit the safari very, very early or just at close- if you want to see more animals. To my little grandkids the Tree of Life and "It's Tough to Be a Bug" where absolutely highlights. And that is also a personal opinion shared by 9 people- 5 grandkids too- so far. Others disagree.

Magic Kingdom is essential for the younger ages. My Grandsons age 9 and 8 LOVED Hollywood Studios (called MGM in the past)more than Magic Kingdom, what can I tell you! They liked the rides much better, but they are tall and could get on nearly everything but the Rock and Roll coaster.

It truly depends what your own kids like and don't like. If they are mild and cautious and could be traumatized by danger or scary stuff or wild gyrations or what. It really does.

So I would read a good guide, like Fodors, and search on this exact site's Disney too. Information is on this very webpage. The Guide has immense and particular knowledge about each ride or feature or show in detail. Also what is worth skipping or what is best accessed when etc.

My favorite is EPCOT, by far. Your kids might like a water park like Blizzard Beach better than any of the others. You would know that more than we would.

EPCOT features more in depth information about Land, Sea, Spaceship Earth and has older more detailed interactive, but my one kid has liked EPCOT by far the most of all the parks ever since he was 7 and we went there the first time.