Epcot vs. MGM

[josedefranca]

Hi Guys,

My girlfriend and I will be travelling to orlando from South Africa over December, we have limited time and were wondering whether we should go to Epcto or MGM studios in Disney World - we are both 24, any help is appreciated

Thanks,

 

[Daydreamer]

It depends on your interest. From a thrill ride perspective they are fairly close, Tower of Terror and Rock'n'Rollercoaster versus Test Track and Mission Space. Most people on the boards would give an edge to Studios but they are all good in my oppinion. Studios is more geared to the artistic type person with several very good shows. Epcot is more geared to the science minded person.

I personally think the Studios because I enjoy the shows, especially Fantasmic. Either way, you will have a great time.

 

[theflowerladee]

If you have 1 full day you could probably do both, MGM is a smaller park that could probably be done by early afternoon if you go when park opens and skip a few things that don't interest you. Epcot is usually open until 9 and then illuminations really keeps the park open later. If you fast pass the big thrill rides in both parks I think both can be done in 1 day. But if you really want to do only one, I would say Epcot is probably the better bet for a couple your age. Yes MGM has 2 good thrill rides, but they also have alot more geered toward little kids, playhouse disney, little mermaid... besides
epcot definetly has better food and is more interesting to learn about
other cultures. Good luck and I am sure you will have a magical time whichever you decide.

 

[goofy's friends]

The choice comes down to shows vs. culture, I think. I would choose Epcot because I love the culture of the WS--it feels like being in different countries and I love that aspect--not something you can get anywhere else. The food here is incredible with lots of choices. MGM has lots of shows, some of which I think are out-dated. I agree with the previous poster that you are about equal on the thrill ride issue, so I would decide based on what experience you desire--shows or culture. You could park hop, too

 

[erikthewise]

One thing you can usually do in December is to watch both the evening shows, Fantasmic in MGM and Illuminations in Epcot, on the same night.

In December Fantasmic usually takes place early enough that you have time to walk over to Epcot, and still have plenty of time to find a spot to watch Illuminations, which doesn't begin until 9:30. Even on a slow night you ought to pick out a spot by 9:00 if you want a good one.

The walk from MGM to Epcot is about 1 1/4 miles gate to gate. Since you're both 24 it will probably only take you 20 minutes. For info on how to do this, see the following two links.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40624
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40634

And WELCOME TO DIS!!

 

[cara76]

I would say do both also if you can! It's a hrd choice to choose between them b/c they are both so interesting and unique.

 

[3princesses4us]

We are in our early 30's and just went without the kids. While Epcot World Showcase is beautiful, we both said MGM was our favorite park. Two of the best rides on property (Rock N' Roller Coaster & Tower of Terror). Plus the stunt show was really cool and only here for a limited time I think. Dinner at 50's Prime Time was a mix of good food and lots of fun. And then there's Fantasmic!
Then again you're listening to 2 people who got sick on Mission:Space so Epcot went down a few notches then for us! Still if you choose Epcot, you can't go wrong there either. We did love Test Track & Soarin' and Le Cellier...

 

[henrylovespooh]

DH and I are in our late 30;s and we love Epcot. We don't spend more than three hours in MGM and I can't imagine us ever spending more than five there. It's a half-day park. There's no really great restaurant in MGM, and most of the shows we like we go to because of our 3 and 4 year old kids (Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Muppet 3D movie). I'm not a thrill ride person, so I skip Tower of Terror and Rock and Roll Roller Coaster.

At Epcot, you can check out the Future World stuff, like Living with the Land, Soarin', Test Track and Mission Space. Then you can spend leisurely time wandering through the World Pavillion. There are great dining and snack options all around. We also like the Chinese acrobats, the storytelling in the Africa section with drums, the musicians in Germany and the concerts in the UK pavillion. We usually do two loops around when we're there. It's romantic at night as well. And then you have Illuminations.

If you could only do one, I would choose Epcot. If you can swing two in a day with a hopper pass, go to MGM in the morning and then go to Epcot for the rest of the day.

 

[joyjoy]

Tough choice, but now that Epcot has Soarin', I think it edges out MGM. Have fun!

 

[Jalva22]

I'd just do Epcot. The place is enormous and has so much to soak in. But I'm not a thrill ride person. If your main thing is thrill rides, don't miss MGM. I think Epcot might disappoint on thrill rides. A coaster buff probably isn't going to see Test Track as being much of a thrill ride. Sure, you go fast, and I do love it, but it's nothing like TOT and RNR. Mission: Space, though, should get you going.

They're both Disney, though! You'll have a ball wherever you go!

 

[PKS44]

I would add a vote for Epcot--it is grand, magnificent park with so much-- some people find a World Showcase cheesy. With Soarin' Mission Space, Test Track, along with a newly opened Living Seas Pavilion (if you are coming after November 30) there will be planning just in the future world section of this park alone.

MGM always seems small to me though I would have to disagree about the restaurant thing. The Brown Derby is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants on property.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I'll put in my vote for Epcot. Although I truly love Tower of Terror and Aerosmith's RnRC, and will eat at Hollywood Brown Derby over most any restaurant at WDW, I still think there's much more to do at Epcot. I'm usually done with MGM by noon, and really don't like Fantasmic all that much, although I'd hate to miss the Osborne lights. However, in the World Showcase, there's all sorts of Christmas storytellers and decorations, and IllumiNations is quite lovely. There's much greater variety of dining experiences, and now that they've added on 2 headliner rides in Future World, much more excitement than there used to be for thrill-seekers.

 

[luvsTink]

If forced, I would vote for MGM, just because I love ToT and RnRC. However, I do agree with doing both, if ONLY to see illuminations.

Anne

 

[poohangel]

We enjoy Epcot more than the studios. I could do 2 days in Epcot.

 

[Luv4Disney]

It's hard to pick! I love them both! Both has so many different things to offer.