Before or after DisneyWorld, what to do in Orlando?

[85percent]

Hi we are visiting Disney World this week but we have an extra day after. What are some really fun things to do in the area? (No kids)

 

[glocon]

Universal!
Or if you don’t want to go to the UO parks, tour the resorts and have your meals there, each meal at a different resort!

 

[85percent]

Universal!
Or if you don’t want to go to the UO parks, tour the resorts and have your meals there, each meal at a different resort!

Thanks! Is Universal Orlando worth it? And how do we tour the resorts? Are there tours offered at the UO resorts?

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

Seaworld is very good also ( but probably choose Universal over Seaworld if only having an extra day
Also the crazy golf ( Fantasia gardens) can be fun

I did like Ripley's belive it or not on I-Drive ( Building from the outside looks like it is at an angle) with Pirates cove adventure golf close by

 

[DLRExpert]

Discovery Cove. Easily my favorite thing in Orlando.

 

[Frederic Civish]

More and more we are spending time at Universal, usually BEFORE Disney..

Disney really missed the boat by not picking up Harry Potter World. REALLY.

The Universal water park, Volcano Bay is truly world class.

AND most of the Loews Universal Studio hotels are usually better than ALL the Disney hotels, and at a better price. If you want to see how Disney FAILED with Riviera, just go look at Portafino Bay.

 

[CarolynFH]

Disney really missed the boat by not picking up Harry Potter World.

I thought Universal owned Harry Potter movies? Or did you mean Disney missed by not buying the movie rights to the books?

 

[glocon]

Thanks! Is Universal Orlando worth it? And how do we tour the resorts? Are there tours offered at the UO resorts?

You just walk around the resorts like you do at the WDW resorts and look around. Check out online what each resort has to offer and choose that way… there are so many to choose from. HRH has lots of rock and roll memorabilia, CB has a bowling alley, PBR has an opera singer at night and great Italian food… so much to explore! They are all unique and have different vibes and food offerings so check out menus. And some pretty good lounges too!

 

[snowwite]

Thanks! Is Universal Orlando worth it? And how do we tour the resorts? Are there tours offered at the UO resorts?

I am unable to go on a lot of the coasters at UO but it was still a lot of fun. if you like Harry Potter it is amazing.

 

[jimmymc]

Universal has lots of great rides, the Harry Potter areas, and a few thrill rides.

Seaworld has 3 huge coasters, a few family rides, and all the animal exhibits.

Discovery Cove is a smaller park where you get more interaction with the animals.

Kennedy Space Center is about an hour away and has a visitor center plus bus tours.

Icon Park has a few attractions and other things to do.

Gatorland is just south of Orlando and has lots of animals to see.

Adventures in Florida has a few tours where they will take you to nature reserves around central Florida and you can see manatees in their natural habitats.

 

[Frederic Civish]

I thought Universal owned Harry Potter movies? Or did you mean Disney missed by not buying the movie rights to the books?

I have heard many times that Disney was first offered the rights to a Harry Potter World, Hogsmeade, and Diagonal Alley, but turned down because the owners of the rights specified that certain things had to be done in certain ways, and Disney insisted on total creative control. So they lost out on a lot, besides allowing a competitor to grow and expand. When they saw how much they lost, they picked up Avatar Land instead. And Avatar made no sense at all for Disney, but, oh well.

The result is that Disney spent a ton of money, and got two whole rides. Meanwhile, people flock to Universal just for Harry Potter World and thousands of them everyday walk around wearing Hogwarts robes. Disney could only wish that Star Wars / Jedi robes were so popular.

 

[jimmymc]

I have heard many times that Disney was first offered the rights to a Harry Potter World, Hogsmeade, and Diagonal Alley, but turned down because the owners of the rights specified that certain things had to be done in certain ways, and Disney insisted on total creative control. So they lost out on a lot, besides allowing a competitor to grow and expand. When they saw how much they lost, they picked up Avatar Land instead. And Avatar made no sense at all for Disney, but, oh well.

The result is that Disney spent a ton of money, and got two whole rides. Meanwhile, people flock to Universal just for Harry Potter World and thousands of them everyday walk around wearing Hogwarts robes. Disney could only wish that Star Wars / Jedi robes were so popular.

This is correct. JK Rowling originally went to Disney with the idea of a Harry Potter world in Magic Kingdom, but she wanted to keep most of the creative control. They couldn't agree on terms, so she went to Universal and they allowed her complete control over the theming.

Pandora was a quick response and an effort to get people to go to Animal Kingdom (since I think a lot of families were skipping it on shorter trips). But Galaxy's Edge was supposed to be the real answer, with completely themed shops, restaurants, cast members, and entertainment. And I love both of them, but Diagon Alley is the single most immersive land ever created. Even the way you enter it is amazing.