Best Coasters??

[foxxxy83]

I'm an adrenaline junkie and my mum has just said that she's more than happy to keep my autistic son entertained so I can do a few of the coasters while we in Florida (it's just the three of us going). As you can imagine, I'm WELL EXCITED! Just wondered which coasters people would say are the best and should DEFINITELY not be missed?? We have a day at Seaworld planned (my mum's booked me onto the Beluga Whale Interaction for being a FAB mum to my son despite all the difficulties I've faced so any ideas for something I could do for her in return would also be welcome!) so am going to do Manta which is possibly the one thing I'm MOST excited about but can all you regular Disney fans, please give me some advice on the best ones at the Disney parks please?? We've decided not to do Universal or I would've been all for doing Hulk (my only disappointment is I won't be able to do that)... we're only going to Florida for 7 nts though so want a day chill out time at the hotel. Thanks in advance!

 

[wilma-bride]

I absolutely love Manta and Kraken at Sea World. It is well worth the wait for front row of Kraken too.

Other than that, with the exception of Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, there are no other real thrill rides if you're not planning to visit the Universal parks.

 

[Elise79]

Well you've got Rock n Roller-coaster and Expedition Everest as the biggest coasters at Disney.

Other than those 2 you have:
Space Mountain
Thunder Mountain
The new 7 dwarfs mine train
Splash mountain (thrill ride rather than coaster)
Tower of Terror (again thrill ride rather than coaster)

 

[grantforrest]

Just a pity you are not going to Busch Gardens as there are some great coasters there

 

[wilma-bride]

Just a pity you are not going to Busch Gardens as there are some great coasters there

Agreed. I didn't mention it since the OP states they are only staying a week and I got the impression they were staying pretty much within the confines of Disney (other than the visit to Sea World). Also, they are not driving I believe and I can't imagine Busch would be much fun for her DS or Mum.

 

[Pegasus928]

As true adrenalin junkies ourselves my DD and I always make sure Skycoaster, Skyventure and Slingshot are on our list. These are outside of the parks (Skycoaster is Old Town, the other 2 I-Drive ) but you didn't specify that they had to be in the parks.
If you do go again try to squeeze in Universal. Their thrill rides have the edge over Disney and will keep you going back for more

 

[bex7583]

i went on both manta and kraken, i love coasters and they were both really good but i found manta left me feeling rather sickly , was happy to go on kraken a few times but couldnt face manta a 2nd time

 

[pad406]

Manta is really cool, DD and I did it about 6 times in a row
Kracken good too

In Disney
Rock N Roller - fast and has a loop
Space Mountain - dark ride, can be a bit rough but fun. Has 2 tracks also so try and do both, they are slightly different
Expedition Everest, really like this especially the backward part
Big Thunder, fairly gentle coaster, was our first ever Disney ride

Others to consider (I love all these), none are coasters but fun
Test Track
Star Tours
Soarin
Tower of Terror

 

[foxxxy83]

Thanks for all your input guys! I'm thinking I might try and encourage my mum to spend 1 day at Universal and enthuse about Seuss Land coz she is a MASSIVE Dr Seuss fan and I know my DS is CRAZY about the Cat In The Hat ride.. my DS and I weren't too blown away by DHS so might suggest Universal as an option instead of day at DHS which would make our trip: a day at MK with more time there for MNSSHP, a day at Epcot, a day at AK, a day at Seaworld, a day at Universal and a day to chill at hotel. We're planning to do Downtown Disney first day we there as we arrive early afternoon. Does this sound a good itinerary to cater for all of us do you think?? I figure so long as we get a bit of the "magical" Disney feel mixed with chilled out feel of AK and Epcot and a bit of adrenaline-junkie for me, it'll be perfect

 

[2Tiggies]

Putting MNSSHP at the end of your chill day would work ok. It would give you the whole day at the resort so you'd be rested for the party in the evening.

Just a thought and probably too late if you've booked a package, but you may have done better to get 3 day MYW base tickets and a party ticket each instead of the UK tickets for your trip.

I'd definitely want more than one day at MK, if not one full day, depending on what you want to do there, but the party may very well take care of that.

AK can be done in a full day if you aren't doing everything and Epcot is a 2 day minimum park for us, but if your son is not interested in the World Showcase then you should be fine unless you want to to rides plus all the countries. You want at least the better part of several hours just to stroll through the WS, even if you aren't spending time there.

 

[foxxxy83]

We got 7 day Disney passes as part of our package (7 nt Club Level at GF, DDP and 7 day Disney passes through Disney site and booked PE flights with Thomson separate coz me and DS had AMAZING time flying with them last time!) My DS only liked Figment and Finding Nemo rides at Epcot so we going to just let him have a go of each of those and spend rest of time doing WS there. We're planning on doing rope drop until we practically drop at each park then have the "chillout" day to recharge our batteries. I am planning on booking a fireworks cruise for our last night there though so am hoping that will give my mum that extra bit of "Disney magic". Talking to her yesterday, I think she's in the thought process like I was originally when we first went that it was just going to be one massive theme park after another... seriously hoping she falls in love with the place as much as I have! She has friends who are retired and rave about the place though so fingers crossed and all that! Thanks to ALL the folks who have offered their advice! It's ALL useful!

 

[2Tiggies]

Sounds great!

I found that DD's interests have evolved over our trips, especially the earlier ones when she was younger. Perhaps when you go in July you can get a better idea of his interests and use that to help plan your activities for October. As there are only a few months between the trips, there will be less change, if any, in what he likes and dislikes in general.

 

[foxxxy83]

Yeah, I'm going to do that. You know what kids are like though, guaranteed mine will be the one that decides the night before we go that he actually wants to do all COMPLETELY different things! Lol! Am sure we'll all have a great time anyway but thanks again for all your input!

 

[torsie24]

If I was only going for 7 nights I wouldn't do US. Especially as your Mum and Son won't get loads out of it.

When we stayed GF CL we spent a lot of time at the resort and went to MK lots. When you're sleeping in the same building as the monorail it's a requirement I think.

Although I'm confused as I'm sure I read your partner and both your parents are going on this trip? So maybe if that's the case you could split up for a day. Even let your DS have a day with grandparents in the MK and then you and your DH go on a thrill ride hunt?

 

[tinks_1989]

I agree I wouldn't do US as well as Seaworld and Disney in one week. Unless you do take a day away with your DH and go on your own.

Kraken used to be my favourite rollercoaster EVER but I haven't been to seaworld in years and don't ever plan to return.

Journey to Atlantis used to be a good ride as well.

I don't think I could stay at GF club level and not go to MK every day

 

[torsie24]

Oh wow I didn't see you were doing SW too (sorry I should've read more before posting)

Just seems a shame to stay in the (IMHO) best part of WDW and then keep rushing away from it.

For less money you'd be better to stay standard and stay for longer. We always said when we go back to RPC (years away yet!) we'd spend even more time there as we still missed some of the CL offerings and they were great.

You certainly don't need DDP while there. Also fireworks cruise is a nice idea but you'll likely have a great view from your room or somewhere close to your room anyhow.

You could maybe book your Mum into the spa?

 

[foxxxy83]

Unfortunately, my DH can't make the trip anymore due to work commitments and my dad's had problems with his health so he and DH have opted to stay at home and spend time doing blokey things around my DH's work hrs and me, my mum and DS are taking the trip. Me, DH and DS are doing 14 nts at Disney's YC in July though so DH isn't completely missing out. When I've really thought about it though, it would be £300+ for 3 tickets for us to visit Universal for 1 day and, as much as I would LURVE to do the coasters at Universal (esp Hulk), it does seem like an extravagance we don't really need. There are Pirate Cruises for kids that leave from GF at 9.30am I thought DS may be interested in that only take a couple of hrs. I thought that maybe the money we saved on Universal tickets could be used in spa at GF if we could get appointment to coincide with pirates cruise. Think I was being bit optimistic with the whole Universal idea anyway tbh! Lol!

 

[torsie24]

Would he be OK cruising on his own? 6 seems rather young to leave. And isn't he autistic?

 

[2Tiggies]

Just a thought, but with the new FP+ system now in full effect your days at the Disney parks are going to be a lot more structured. This will either work for you or against you, but you are going to deal with it on both trips so time will likely not be as flexible as it was on your last trip. July is also going to be very hot and very busy, but as you have longer, it would make more sense to try and do your offsite visits on that trip, where you have more time to play with and you aren't paying such a premium for the location.

Would your partner not enjoy Universal? I haven't been so not sure if they do any form of rider swap or equivalent as that might help.

 

[torsie24]

Just a thought, but with the new FP+ system now in full effect your days at the Disney parks are going to be a lot more structured. This will either work for you or against you, but you are going to deal with it on both trips so time will likely not be as flexible as it was on your last trip. July is also going to be very hot and very busy, but as you have longer, it would make more sense to try and do your offsite visits on that trip, where you have more time to play with and you aren't paying such a premium for the location. Would your partner not enjoy Universal? I haven't been so not sure if they do any form of rider swap or equivalent as that might help.

Yes great idea! Definitely go to US on your big trip. Your DH and son can do some boys things (my DH would ride Spider-Man all day) while you ride the coasters.