Orlando Walt Disney Theme Park Recommendations?

[zhuzhu]

Hey All!

I am going to Disney Orlando for a conference in April, and will have 2 days to have some personal time.

What theme parks do you recommend I visit? Are there theme parks in Orlando that are unique and different from the CA Disney?

Also, could you please recommend web sites/places where I can find discount entry tickets for the parks?

Thank you so much!!

Zhuzhu

 

[zhuzhu]

Oh forgot to add that we are going as 2 adults - no kids!

 

[vc10um]

Disney World in Orlando, unlike Disneyland in California, has 4 separate parks. Disneyland has only one park which has "worlds" (Tomorrowland, etc.) and California Adventure, which is more an amusement park than theme park.

Disney World has the Magic Kingdom (which, in itself is comparable to Disneyland, as it also has worlds like "Tomorrowland"), EPCOT, MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

For Adults, I'd focus on EPCOT, which is broken into two separate areas: The World Showcase and Future World. My favorite portion of ANY of the Disney parks is the World Showcase, which is made up of individual Pavilions that have shops, restaurants, and rides that highlight 11 different countries including Mexico, China, Germany, France, and the USA. In the same day, you can have French Pastries, German Beer, and Mexican Food! In Future World, there's also a lot to do, though it's more kid-focused than World Showcase.

I have never been to Animal Kingdom, but I've heard rave reviews, so, even sight unseen, I'd recommend it!

 

[Squirrly]

Date: 2/23/2010 8:33:22 AM
Author: vc10um
Disney World in Orlando, unlike Disneyland in California, has 4 separate parks. Disneyland has only one park which has ''worlds'' (Tomorrowland, etc.) and California Adventure, which is more an amusement park than theme park.

Disney World has the Magic Kingdom (which, in itself is comparable to Disneyland, as it also has worlds like ''Tomorrowland''), EPCOT, MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

For Adults, I''d focus on EPCOT, which is broken into two separate areas: The World Showcase and Future World. My favorite portion of ANY of the Disney parks is the World Showcase, which is made up of individual Pavilions that have shops, restaurants, and rides that highlight 11 different countries including Mexico, China, Germany, France, and the USA. In the same day, you can have French Pastries, German Beer, and Mexican Food! In Future World, there''s also a lot to do, though it''s more kid-focused than World Showcase.

I have never been to Animal Kingdom, but I''ve heard rave reviews, so, even sight unseen, I''d recommend it!

definitely go to epcot! i''ve been wanting to go there with friends to enjoy it as an adult (though going through it as a kid was fun, but now i''ll eat more than chicken strips)

 

[meresal]

If DH and I were going alone, which we have, and only had 2 days, we would go to Epcot or MGM and then Magic Kingdom.

Also, DH and I are kids at heart so we light up like 5 y/o on Christmas morning when we walk onto Main Street at MK! Re: Choosing Epcot or MGM, I would just do some reading and see which one you are intersted in.


Don't worry about Animal Kingdom... total letdown. VERY very juvenile. DH and I were there for a total of about 2 hours, and the rides were well below my expectations. Don't worry about either of the water parks.

You all have a Universal Studios in California, right? There is one of those in Orlando as well, if you are interested in doing something outside of Disney World.

 

[geckodani]

If you want an experience that''s different from the CA park, hit Epcot and MGM. The Magic Kingdom is pretty much like Disneyland.

Have fun!

 

[dragonfly411]

I definitely recommend Epcot.. it''s a one of a kind place. If you love animals, then go to Animal Kingdom... it''s beautiful. If not, then Magic Kingdom really is a must... it is so much fun there, and they have really fun things to do. I''ve never been a fan of MGM personally.

Also you might try to head to downtown Disney. It is separate from the theme parks, mostly shopping and some great restaurants...great for night life.

 

[dragonfly411]

also if you have a free evening... Arabian Knights is soooo much fun, and close to Disney.

 

[meresal]

Date: 2/23/2010 10:07:35 AM
Author: dragonfly411
I definitely recommend Epcot.. it's a one of a kind place. If you love animals, then go to Animal Kingdom... it's beautiful. If not, then Magic Kingdom really is a must... it is so much fun there, and they have really fun things to do. I've never been a fan of MGM personally.

Also you might try to head to downtown Disney. It is separate from the theme parks, mostly shopping and some great restaurants...great for night life.

Huge DITTO! DH and I had a BLAST here the night we went out. We had the most fun at this bar that played 80's music the entire night and had a huge screen on the wall that played the music videos while the song was playing! A total trip! It was like we were living a VH1 "I love the 80's" Episode!

 

[ladypirate]

I definitely recommend Animal Kingdom--it was really awesome. That and Epcot are probably my favorites. If you''re not tied to Disney, Universal Studios is also a lot of fun and they have the new Harry Potter world.

 

[BeachRunner]

I too, recommend EPCOT; the only place to buy beer in Disney, I think, anyways.

I also enjoyed MGM.

Have fun

 

[Haven]

Date: 2/23/2010 12:10:29 PM
Author: ladypirate
I definitely recommend Animal Kingdom--it was really awesome. That and Epcot are probably my favorites. If you''re not tied to Disney, Universal Studios is also a lot of fun and they have the new Harry Potter world.

I can''t wait for this to open! I''m not sure it''s open yet, though.
I just read the entire series for the first time in January, and my sister and I are already planning to go to Orlando to visit Harry Potter.

I''m not generally a fan of theme parks, but I would go to Animal Kingdom and Epcot center.

 

[Smurfysmiles]

Date: 2/23/2010 12:48:22 PM
Author: Haven

Date: 2/23/2010 12:10:29 PM

Author: ladypirate

I definitely recommend Animal Kingdom--it was really awesome. That and Epcot are probably my favorites. If you''re not tied to Disney, Universal Studios is also a lot of fun and they have the new Harry Potter world.

I can''t wait for this to open! I''m not sure it''s open yet, though.

I just read the entire series for the first time in January, and my sister and I are already planning to go to Orlando to visit Harry Potter.


I''m not generally a fan of theme parks, but I would go to Animal Kingdom and Epcot center.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be opening on June 30, 2010 or EARLIER. You can read up on it here
http://mugglenet.com/app/category/show/76

This is the main reason DH and I wanted to go on a honeymoon to Orlando as soon as we did, i am a harry potter NUT. I was so hoping to be there when it first opened but what can ya do!

 

[Haven]

Thanks, Smurfy!

I am so upset that I didn''t read HP as the books came out because I missed out on all the fun and mania surrounding them. I did take my sister to midnight book releases and movie screenings, but I was a spectator to the whole thing. Now that I''ve read the books I''m just heartbroken that I missed out on all that mania. The first one came out at a bad time for me, I was 18 and a freshman English major in college who thought she was too cool to read some YA book. Oh, the regret.

I just rented The Tales of Beedle the Bard from the library. Can''t wait to read them!

Sorry for the threadjack, all.

 

[Smurfysmiles]

Date: 2/23/2010 1:17:53 PM
Author: Haven
Thanks, Smurfy!


I am so upset that I didn''t read HP as the books came out because I missed out on all the fun and mania surrounding them. I did take my sister to midnight book releases and movie screenings, but I was a spectator to the whole thing. Now that I''ve read the books I''m just heartbroken that I missed out on all that mania. The first one came out at a bad time for me, I was 18 and a freshman English major in college who thought she was too cool to read some YA book. Oh, the regret.


I just rented The Tales of Beedle the Bard from the library. Can''t wait to read them!


Sorry for the threadjack, all.

in response to your threadjack, i was at every midnight book signing, and saw all the movies on opening night (from ages 15 to 25/present), dh gave me beetle the bard for christmas

threadjacking over

 

[zhuzhu]

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas! Are there discount ticket places that I should buy our passes before arriving? Thanks!