Ahhh, but kenjean you hit the nail on the head - and I was hoping someone would have your exact response to my post. Epcot is no more a half day park than AK. You make very good points about Epcot that I can't disagree with. Our 3 yo DD loved Food Rocks as well. I can make equally good points about AK. I believe it is wrong for anyone to say that any of the parks are half day parks. If you take the time to really enjoy what each has to offer they will take a lot of time to tour. In reality, putting taste, likes, dislikes, etc. aside and if you experience everything, I would say that AK and MGM are 1 and a half day parks, Epcot a 2 day park, and the MK 2 and a half, all minimums.
I have read posts in this thread that people now consider EPCOT a half day park. We do not agree, and neither do our kids.
There is an important distinction in my statement about Epcot being a half day park that you have to note. Just as AV would consider AK a half day FOR HIM, I might consider Epcot a half day FOR US, and as you point out in your post, "WE" do not agree. It is all personal and it is unfair and misleading for someone to let their personal tastes lead them to make a general statement about a park - as I think you are trying to point out.
As for points about the AK, well - sometime you should go and really spend the time to look around. I would submit that there is more attention to detail in the AK than in either MGM or Epcot. The problem is that not many people slow down to realize it. People read things like 'AK is a half day park', they get there, rush from ride to ride, hit a show, get hot and annoyed by a crowded walkway, and leave - never taking the time to enjoy all the little out of the way experiences that are right under their noses. Granted, AK might not be for everyone, especially if you don't have kids, but it has a ton to offer.
The little out-of-the way experiences that a lot of time, effort, and imagination was spent on. Stumbling onto a memorable experience while exploring the park.
I don't see this as much in the studios, and it is practically non-existent in AK.
Ever go down into the seating area behind the Flame Tree BBQ. Sit in the pavillion overlooking the lake, feel the breeze, hear the birds, sit by the pond watching the ducks, RELAX (who ever takes the time to do that at AK?). While you are down there, look at the architecture of the pavillions, the animal carvings and theming. Take the time to really notice the theming throughout the entire park. If you take the time to appreciate it, it is incredible. Next, consider the attention to detail in the plantings, millions of dollars of plantings indiginous to the lands. Who takes the time to even realize these, much less appreciate them. All of the buildings throughout the AK have great architectural details. How many people walk right past the monkey island in Asia as they run to Kali River Rapids. Don't get me going on the walking trails - how many people give these the time? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I have that at my zoo. Well, no you don't. Disney still just does things better. Drums in Africa, bells in Asia, plenty of other little things I don't have the time to go on about. The Tree of Life - how often do people really spend the time to walk around it up close and explore and search instead of just glancing as you walk by. All around the Tree of Life there are more interesting things to see. The awakening, how many people even know what this is? The walkways that everyone compains about being too crowded - ever consider that maybe they were designed that way on purpose. Do they have wide boulevards that don't get crowded in Africa and Asia? Have you realized yet that I haven't even mentioned a show, ride or land yet. Just appreciating the AK could take a half a day. I could go on, but I won't.
Now, I'm not trying to win converts to the AK. On the contrary, stay away - it gives us a less crowded park. However, if you really give it a chance, AK can and will impress you.