Lots of questions needing answers please

[Duggas]

We don’t go until Jun next year but as there is so much new stuff to see and do since the last time we went to Florida I’m starting my planning and ticket booking now. However, I’m finding that the more I plan, the less I seem to know about! Please could you help me out with some answers, as my planner is just a load of empty boxes at the moment and I really want to get them filled in. So, here goes:

1. Does Universal Islands of Adventure have a nighttime show/spectacular/fireworks?

2. Does Universal Studios still have a nighttime show/spectacular/fireworks? I know they used to have the speedboat chase & explosion show in the Lagoon. Is it still going or is there something to replace it?

3. Which park has the best 4th July firework show? (Very important this one as we both love firework displays)

4. If you are staying in a Disney Hotel are you still guaranteed access to the parks even if they are technically ‘full’?

5. Is Discovery Cove an all day and night experience or just a daytime thing?

6. Has anyone done the EPCOT Divequest? Is it worth the money and can you still wear your own dive computer?

7. Can you get into the Hard Rock Café Orlando without going into the Universal complex? Is it part of Citywalk?

I think that’s it for now but I’m sure I’ll think of more as time goes on. Thanking you loads in advance.

Duggas

 

[Celestine]

Duggas

Planning is part of the fun. I can't answer everything, but this is what I can help on:

4. You are guaranteed entry to a park, but not necessarily the one you wanted!

7. You don't need to enter Universal to go Hard Rock - it is part of City Walk. Don't forget you can make PS for here on the Hardrock website (v. useful if going at a busy time of year & you seem to be)

I'm sure other Disers can help with your other questions.

 

[eyoreaud]

Hi Duggas

Discovery Cove is a daytime experience only(or at least it was last time we went, although that was a couple of years ago now).

The firework show at Seaworld was fab!, it's on a much smaller scale to EPCOT or Magic Kingdom and MGM, but we were real surprised at how good it actualy was (very patriotic!!!) So i would think it would be great on 4th July Not sure if they do anything special for then though but if you havn't caught their firework show before then i'd say it's definitly worth a look.

Hope this helps
Audrey,
xxxxxx

 

[tartangirl]

Hi Duggas,

1. Universal IoA has a fireworks display although I've never been to it.

2. The speedboat chase has gone - I think the only fireworks at Universal is in IoA

3. I would head for Magic Kindom or Epcot for the fireworks on 4th July. Seaworld is OK but viewing is a bit limited and it will be very busy on the 4th. The Magic Kingdom fireworks have probably had the biggest improvement since you were last there. I think Fantasmic is the best show but you can catch that on a different night.

 

[tiggerlady]

We have been to orlando 3 times around July 4 the Ist time we naturally went to Mk which was mega busy around 4pm we hopped on the Monorail to Epcot as we wanted to see the fireworks there, fortunatly we got to ride with the train driver who told us that the best park to visit on July4th was Epcot, much quieter and with lots going on, Character dressed in colonial and independence activities (for the kids) also they do the normal fireworks and then some more which they only do on the 4th and I believe New Years Eve they are fabulous the whole sky is lit up and very loud bangs, so the last 2 times we only went to Epcot and we have had a lovely day, nice & relaxed.

 

[Red-Snapper]

1) I am not convinced IOA has a Fireworks display - certainly not all year round anyway.

3) Magic Kingdom - although we found it unbearably crowded. The park was full by 11.00am and did not reopen that day. Lines were enormous to everything and it was a rugby scrum just to walk around. Having experinced that I would now personally find a location outside the parks and watch them all from a distance - they do seem to be co-ordinated over all 3 parks and from a distance there appeared to be linking sections between (although this may have been an illusion, I dont know)

5) Discovery Cove has been experimenting with a separate nighttime experience this summer - they may do it again next year.