My husband and I have been looking at going to FL so he can meet my mom's family there, and we want to go to one of the theme parks while we're there. We were hoping for the new Harry Potter park to be open, but it seems like it probably won't be by the time we go. :( *pout* So I've been looking at the other options to see which one sounds like the most fun... I've been to most of them when I was younger, but as an adult with no kids I'm not sure which would be the best.
Anyway, it got me wondering - what are people's favorite theme parks, and why? You don't have to limit yourself to Orlando-area parks - just thought it'd be an interesting topic of discussion. :)
Universal Studios for sure is my favorite in the Orlando area!!! I was there about 10 years ago and would love to go back!!!
I loved the movie set aspect of the whole park, and the "rides" that were based around the different movies.. Twister, Back to the Future, Terminator, etc.. They also had a really fun Irish Pub that you can enjoy a frosty adult beverage at!! Right outside the pub the Blue's Brother's showed up in their police car and put on a little show!! Fun times!!!!
As a almost 20year florida resident I actually feel like I can answer this as I love theme parks and have been to them all ;D
which park youd have more fun at depends on your personality and what you like to do.
For example, I have a hard time with the really intense roller coasters- to me its like my brain detaches from my skull and my skull detaches from my spine so I dont quite particularly enjoy the more intense roller coasters.
If you like really intense roller coasters I would recommend Bush Gardens and Islands of Adventure.
If you want to indulge in some animal sight seeing then I would say Sea World or Animal Kingdom.
For just overall great fun with some great (not very intense) rides go for the Disney Parks. Epcot and MGM do have some more thrilling rides but its only one of two per park.
From my personal experience, at the Universal parks after you ride the coasters theres not a whole lot to do, unless you want to keep riding the coasters over and over.
You can easily do Universal, Islands of Adventure and Sea World in a day and not miss anything.
Disney Magic Kingdom and Epcot, even if you don't lollygag theres no way you can see everything in one day. There is just soo much to see.
The Harry Potter park is opening in Islands of adventure. It took over the whole area where Dueling Dragons used to be, it definitely wont be open before the end of next year I don't think. They are still knee deep building all the structures.
Having never been to Orlando, I can't speak for there, but my three favorite amusement parks are Disneyland (because it's just about perfect), Busch Gardens Williamsburg (really awesome roller coasters and good shows), and The Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz (it's just a classic - it has one of the oldest carousels and one of the oldest roller coasters in the country).
Having lived in Florida for most of my life, I recommend Epcot.
Especially World Showcase. Kind of a cheap way to go to Europe. ;)
And it is great after dark.
For dinner, hop on the monorail and go to the buffet at the Polynesian Hotel.
The food is unbelievable!
I come from a family of Disney people, so we do the the Disney Resort (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, and Animal Kingdom) as a seperate trip and don't leave the resort. Each park can take a day in of itself. As for my favorite, I have to say Epcot because 1)I'm a bit of geek and love science stuff and 2)I love World Showcase and all the different countries.
For non-Orlando parks I've alway loved Cedar Point--its a great coaster park.
When will you be in Florida Charlotte? If you're here in October, Universal has a killer Halloween Horror nights as well. Some serious good scares and themed houses.
Right!! And if you can make the ride down to Tampa, the Howl-O-Scream event at Busch Gardens is well worth the trip. The park is a great side trip from Orlando, anyway....and we have better food in Tampa. Naturally, Howl-O-Scream is staffed with off season BARF cast....
And don't miss Ybor City! It's kind of a theme park for Goths.... ;D
We've never been to the Animal Kingdom because we moved from Florida before it was opened. But we love animals and have always enjoyed Busch Gardens in Tampa, especially the tram ride over the African veld where the animals roam free.
We also like Epcot a lot, and I agree with Welsh Wench about the food at the Polynesian Hotel. We had a resident's pass to Disney parks when we lived in Florida, and went to one of them just about every Sunday. We always ate dinner in the Polynesian. The family restaurant, not the fancy expensive one, and not the luau. It was always delicious and so inexpensive, especially for Disney.
Animal Kingdom has some great animal exibits. If you like bats, Animal Kingdom has the coolest exhibit ever. :)
Not knocking Bush Gardens at all though, if for no other reason than they have some awesome coasters. If you attend Howl-o-scream the coasters will be running as well.
If you only plan one day to "theme park" you might consider a "park hopper" add on to your disney ticket. It'll add around $50 to the $80 single park price, but you could then sample a little from all the parks if you want.
Universal also has a smaller add on price so you can visit both of their theme parks on one day. Probably the most thrills for the buck option. Be sure to ride Spiderman if you go. :)
If you are coming in sooner, like during the hot months, don't forget we have some awesome water parks too!
Dinning: I've not eaten at the Polynesian, except for the luau, many years ago...which was just ..bizarre. I've been for drinks though. That was fun. :)
I can't speak for Florida parks, but my family loves Hersheypark in PA, and my kids absolutely love Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. The kids say the 'coasters at Busch Gardens are awesome. I of course love "The Old Country" theme. It almost makes me feel like I'm walking around faire-they even have turkey legs! The smell of them wafting on the breeze makes me long for faire.
I can't believe I just read the one day Disney pass is $80. :o I know it was about 14 years since we moved, but we used to get a Four Season Resident's pass for $92 for adults and half price for children. It allowed a total of 180 days unlimited admission throughout the 12 months. That's why we went almost every Sunday.
I guess I'm stuck "back in the day." Well, our kids are grown up, no grandchildren, so I think Disney/theme parks are not going to be on our agenda. I'd rather spend the money at faire!
Well, it's not in Florida, and it's now a Shopping Mall - but my favorite Theme Park was Opryland USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opryland_USA) in Nashville, TN. I always considered it more of an Entertainment Park rather than an Amusement Park, due to the emphasis on live shows instead of thrill rides.
One of these years, I'm going to make a trip to the Disney parks in Florida. I've seen the shows about them on the Travel Channel, and it looks like I'd probably want to stay a week to see all of the interesting parts.
Take Care,
David Baldock