<p>DisneyWorld Florida-
My kids have never been. Due to circumstances we will find ourselves in the Orlando area with 2 days to spare.
What parks do you recommend?
They have been to Disneyland.
two college age, one young teen</p>
<p>Check out mousesavers.com. They have lots of good information.</p>
<p>I know Disneyland well, but haven’t made it to Disneyworld, yet.</p>
<p>Go to Universal Studios instead. Only 20 minutes away from Mickey Land. And the rides are more geared to older kids (and parents)</p>
<p>Of course, if your kids are young at heart (they want to relive their single digit years), go to Walt’s place.</p>
<p>The older two have been to Universal Studios in Ca.</p>
<p>Disney’s Hollywood Studios (I didn’t realize that it’s not MGM Studios) can be fun, and also the older kids tend to like the water parks. Also, Downtown Disney offers both day and evening activities, including Cirque du Soleil.</p>
<p>I go EVERY YEAR. I mean, I’m about their age and love it. You just have to have a sense of humor. Half the time, my cousins and I start playing the “Ask out the random person” game. But, I absolutely STILL love Epcot. I loved it when I was young and I still do. It’s fun for all ages. But in terms of rides, MGM Studio (including the Tower of Terror and the Aerosmith ride) is nice but there’s nothing else there. If they’re looking for roller coasters, not the complete experience, go to Busch Gardens. But, for the whole Orlando experience, definitely go to Disney.</p>
<p>I second Bullet and Pima. Universal Studios in FL is way better than the CA one (sorry, CA folks). We (even H who hates this type of vacations) had a blast!</p>
<p>universal studios and magic kingdom</p>
<p>I would do a day at Universal (pick one park of the two) and a day at Disney/MGM or what ever they are calling it now. Plan for nightlife at either Universal City Walk or Downtown Disney – or just hit the hotel restaurant and the pool!</p>
<p>If you are going now, don’t go to a water park (if it is open), you will freeze. Bring a winter coat instead! If you are going in the spring, summer, or fall, then I recommend Typhoon Lagoon. If you and your kids don’t mind hiking up a lot of hills, then many teens like Blizzard Beach.</p>
<p>If I could pick one Disney Park for adults and teens, it would be Epcot. After that I would pick MGM, with Animal Kingdom coming in third.</p>
<p>^^ Agree with northeastmom about the water parks. In the summer, they can’t be beat! </p>
<p>And the Cirque du Soleil show is amazing. If you’ve never been to one, I highly recommend the one at Downtown Disney. All ages will love it.</p>
<p>We spent 3 days there over Christmas. Did Epcot first day, Magic Kingdom second, and MGM third. MGM was by far my favorite, but my kids (ages 24, 22, and 18) liked Epcot best. We did Magic Kingdom because it felt like we were supposed to, but, as my middle son said, “These songs are too happy!” (I had fun, though. Watching the castle turn into “ice” was “magical.”)</p>
<p>At MGM, my kids loved the car stunt show. We also saw a 30 minute version of Beauty and the Beast which was great, as was the big show - can’t remember what it was called. High School Musical was pretty much as waste of time - geared for younger kids. </p>
<p>The fireworks at Epcot was fabulous. We picked out a spot on the landing off the walkway between the front of Epcot and the “countries”. (Make sure you pay attention to which way the wind is blowing.)</p>
<p>We did Universal Studios when the kids were younger, and enjoyed it, too.</p>
<p>I live nearby and have been to all those theme parks too many times to count. Universal Studios Islands of Adventure is the park for those seeking more of a roller coaster experience. Universal’s Movie park is tamer- sort of like Disney’s MGM studios (both celebrate movies and TV- no roller coasters). Universal’s Islands is my kids’ overall favorite. </p>
<p>Out of Disney parks, I’d say Magic Kingdom is still their favorite, although juvenile, just because of the nostalgia thing- and they still love Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Heck, they like riding the elephants and all those silly rides- good for a chuckle. (Except for “Small World” :() </p>
<p>Epcot is sort of a World’s Fair set up. Different countries with a little show in each country (usually a movie), restaurants, shops; and the other half of the park consists of technology-based pavilions. Animal Kingdom is HUGE, obviously animal themed, the landscaping is gorgeous- if you go there don’t miss the 3D interactive movie in the big tree.</p>
<p>If you’re doing two days, I’d recommend Universal’s Islands if your kids like thrill rides, and the other day- ??? You really can’t go wrong with any of them- it depends on what they are in the “mood” for.</p>
<p>If you do two theme parks in two days, you will probably be to tired to try to get to anything else (at night). But I have heard that La Nouba is the best, and they have a 9 PM show.</p>
<p>The water parks are just your ordinary water parks, themed up. They’re good for long summer vacations, to cool off and break up an otherwise marathon of theme parks.</p>
<p>I have never visited a water park in the US like Disney’s. They are something special if you like that type of thing. I just wanted to highlight that Epcot has more to offer than the countries, and it offers pavillions as doubleplay mentioned. Some guests particularly like Mission Space, Soarin (one feels like they are flying), and Test Trac (auto ride, where one feels like they end up on a race track). I agree with Binx about the fireworks at Epcot. I also have really enjoyed the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, BTW. The fireworks, at all of the parks are very nice.</p>
<p>You can do both Universal parks in one day at this time of the year, if you are an early riser, ready to go when the gates open - you will be tired, but it can be done, and still have a nice dinner. Unless you are there on President’s day weekend.</p>
<p>I would recommend Epcot and Universal for your group, or if you think that is just too much because both are big, big parks, then Epcot and MGM or epcot and Animal Kingdom. Those combinations have the least overlap with Disneyland. I’ve never been to Universal in California, but Universal Florida is the best for teens/young adults, much better rides than Disney.</p>
<p>We go to DW every few years and have been to Disneyland a few times as well. Kids also go there on school band trips a lot. We took our four teenagers (ages 14-19) in June for about a week. Their favorite is definitely MGM Studios (nothing beats Tower of Terror), but they like Epcot (agree best fireworks) and Islands of Adventure too. We didn’t even bother with Animal Kingdom this time. We were very disappointed in Universal Studios and were done and bored after a few hours. One or two scary indoor roller coasters for the kids, but they actually liked the Jaws boat ride best. </p>
<p>I’m not sure if they issue park hopper passes for just two days, but if so, it’s worth the extra cost for the flexibility. Since you’ve been to DL, I wouldn’t do Magic Kingdom as it’s mostly just a larger version.</p>
<p>Tickets on Disney’s and Universal’s website are cheaper than at the gate, too.</p>
<p>Oh, and DO NOT MISS the Fantasmic show in the evening at MGM. They call it a light show, but it is so much more than that, like nothing we had ever seen. They combine laser lights, water and live actors and it is an experience. You need to get there early, but they sell food right in the ampitheater. Our show was delayed for over an hour, but it was still worth the wait!</p>
<p>Islands of Adventure for the thrill seekers…it is <em>nothing</em> like Universal Studios in either California or Orlando but a dedicated roller coaster place with some of the best developed ‘theme lands’ anywhere. If I could visit only one park, it would be that one. Go to Mythos for a sit down dinner or lunch, it is consistently named ‘Best Food’ in surveys of amusement parks. </p>
<p>If you do a Disney park, choose either MK or Epcot as they are the pinnacle of the Disney experience. Don’t choose both Universal Studios (which is diff from IoA) <em>and</em> Disney/MGM as they are quite similar. As our daughter is older, we tend to gravitate toward Epcot now. They have increased the Disney feel quite a bit as before it wasn’t such a warm place the first few times we went.</p>
<p>One thing about the Orlando parks, they are constantly evolving so if you haven’t been in a while…you haven’t been!</p>
<p>My favorites are Epcot and Animal Kingdom. We had so much fun there with our Scholars Bowl team last year. The great thing was we could let the kids do their own thing (with a buddy) or stay at the resort if they were “Disney’ed out” and swim at a pool or whatever.</p>
<p>Thank you all. So much information. My first choice is Epcot. I have never been to Disneyworld either.
I am going to print out all the feedback here and let the kids try to decide on the 2nd park.
We aren’t going Presidents but the weekend later. We should have Friday evening, Sat day and Sunday.
What about places to stay. Younger D would love to stay at a themed hotel. I am not against that since it is probably going to be our only visit to Orlando. Don’t know how husband will feel. I am thinking since our visit with family will be at a inexpensive hotel in another part of the state we should splurge.
Also as far as hotel’s go we are going to be 5 people. Hoping to just get one room. Doable? Can just see the fight now over who gets stuck with the rollaway.</p>
<p>The Disney Villas have always been a huge hit with my family.</p>