If you had only 1 day, which theme park would you choose?

[BerylP]

I will be in Orlando thee week after July 4 with my three sons: 17, 15, 11. If you had one day to spend at a theme park, which would you choose? Leaning toward Blizzard Beach or the Universal parks. Only my oldest likes extreme thrills. Looking for somewhere that won't be SUPER crowded and open to water park or not. Just looking for a fun day with them.

 

[GAN]

If they're into Harry Potter then Universal would be the best choice -especially if crowds are a concern. Have your sons been to Disney or Universal before?

 

[BerylP]

If they're into Harry Potter then Universal would be the best choice -especially if crowds are a concern. Have your sons been to Disney or Universal before?

We have been to the Disney parks before except the water parks. We've never been to the Universal parks.

 

[mom2rtk]

Teenagers usually have strong opinions. What do the kids say?

I'd like to say DHS but there's no guarantee you'd get on the premiere attraction. And there's just not enough else to do there.

Magic Kingdom has the most, but some teens aren't as into it as others.

Epcot is a mess lately and low on rides. And hasn't been opening until 11.

Universal with a park to park pas would be pretty appealing if they're into Harry Potter and the park to park passes are in the budget. But that's not a great option for the ones not into thrill rides.

Animal Kingdom would be a good option.

 

[yorkieteacher]

I adore Disney, but with boys that age I'd do a two park pass at Universal. They have lots of rides in a closer proximity to the four spread out Disney parks. I have heard Volcano Bay at Universal is also a great water park as you can get comeback times assigned for any attractions with big waits. My 8 year old grandson LOVED Universal last summer. His favorite park in Disney is Hollywood Studios, but honestly one Disney park doesn't have as much to do as the two Universal, which both can be done in a (very long!) day.

 

[rjbenz12]

Out of any parks in Orlando definitely magic kingdom! It is the only one that I feel deserves an entire day dedicated to get everything done!

 

[BerylP]

Just to clarify, I am not interested in doing any of the Disney parks except the waterpark, Blizzard Beach.

 

[FutureMrs.Incredible]

I am going to agree with others and say a park-to-park ticket for Universal. You can get a lot done in one day with the park-to-park ticket. I think its better for teenagers, especially since they've never been (going somewhere new is always fun). There are some big thrills for your oldest and some milder ones for two younger sons. Plus if any of them are into Harry Potter, Wizarding World is just amazing.

 

[MomOTwins]

I would definitely do universal. Blizzard beach was nice but not meantingfully different from out water parks at home. We don’t have a fire breathing dragon and a castle at home!

 

[KittyKitty]

I don't ride thrill rides, but also agree to Universal for your boys. If you can, buy the Express pass. Doesn't work for the new rides, but save lots of time on the others.

 

[loves to dive]

First have you asked the boys? That might solve the whole issue unless you get 3 different opinions, which is entirely possible with boys that age (I have 5 older brothers and a son so boys I know). I'm not a huge water park fan but I can see the attraction but, not knowing your kids, I'd say Universal 2 park pass is probably your best bet. Unless, you are considering Sea World, which is where my son would have wanted to go at that age.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I will be in Orlando thee week after July 4 with my three sons: 17, 15, 11. If you had one day to spend at a theme park, which would you choose? Leaning toward Blizzard Beach or the Universal parks. Only my oldest likes extreme thrills. Looking for somewhere that won't be SUPER crowded and open to water park or not. Just looking for a fun day with them.

For more thrill coasters def Universal if you're picking for your boys only. If I am picking for my enjoyment too, then I am picking MK or Epcot but for someone who loves thrill coasters, that's not where it's at.

Don't count on low crowds, pretty sure there are no parks right now in the Orlando area without crowds. It really just depends on the day but there's no rhyme or reason to when the parks are more crowded than other days.

 

[BerylP]

I would definitely do universal. Blizzard beach was nice but not meantingfully different from out water parks at home. We don’t have a fire breathing dragon and a castle at home!

That's what I wondered...is Blizzard Beach qualitatively better/more themed than the average waterpark (that costs much less!)?

 

[BerylP]

First have you asked the boys? That might solve the whole issue unless you get 3 different opinions, which is entirely possible with boys that age (I have 5 older brothers and a son so boys I know). I'm not a huge water park fan but I can see the attraction but, not knowing your kids, I'd say Universal 2 park pass is probably your best bet. Unless, you are considering Sea World, which is where my son would have wanted to go at that age.

They really don't have a preference and even if they did, it would likely be split

 

[Bullseye]

If you want to make a really full day of it I'd do the two-park pass at US/IOA. Blizzard beach is great fun, I highly recommend it. But, the only downside is if it ends up storming most of that day you'll be bumming because everything will be closed.

 

[MomOTwins]

That's what I wondered...is Blizzard Beach qualitatively better/more themed than the average waterpark (that costs much less!)?

The ski resort theme is cute, but to be honest it didn't really wow me the way disney theme parks do--it just felt like a cute little theme rather than feeling like I was transported to an actual ski village--after all, it was 90 degrees, there was lots of lush Florida greenery around (pretty, but not the pine trees you'd expect in the mountains) and you have all the blue plastic water slides and bright yellow tubes breaking the illusion. Not the same as, say, Asia in Animal Kingdom where everything looks more "real."

Dining is also more typical water/theme park fare than some the other disney parks. Burgers, hot dogs and a few other pretty basic QS things--no TS restaurants or really creative/themed QS (missed opportunity if you ask me--they could have done an alpine themed fondue place or something, but nope, just typical american theme park food).

And while the slides were fun, there was nothing that blew my mind as different from an ordinary water park. Lazy river, wave pool, body slides, tube slides, big family tube slide--all pretty standard. Your teens would probably enjoy Summit Plummet (my kids loved it) which is definitely a "thrill" slide, but a lot of the others are pretty tame.

It made for a nice break/change of pace as part of a week-long parks trip, but I wouldn't go there just for one day when there are so many better theme parks in the area, including universal.

 

[Pyxie]

I'd say Universal in this scenario, but if you are throwing water parks into the mix, have you considered Volcano Bay? It's arguably better than Blizzard Beach (thought it may even further complicate things for you lol).

 

[gharter]

At that age, I would see where they want to go. My guess would be Universal.
It really depends if they have been to any of them before or how often.

They really don't have a preference and even if they did, it would likely be split

17 and 15 y.o. boys always have an opinion.

 

[helenm29]

It'd be Epcot for sure! I love the theming of all of the countries represented there and the food is SO yummy! you can't beat the view (accept for the Star Gate now in the middle of the lagoon) I also love Animal Kingdom but I have this attraction to EVERY BLEEPING MOSQUITO in the park!!! I can never go there without getting eaten alive!

 

[GoingSince1990]

I don't ride thrill rides, but also agree to Universal for your boys. If you can, buy the Express pass. Doesn't work for the new rides, but save lots of time on the others.

Universal two-park pass with Express would be the absolute dream ticket.