New to EVERYTHING!!

[jenfromri1987]

We are headed to Orlando for the first time with our four kids and I just wanted some input.

My husband & I have 4 kids, son 16 and 3 girls, 12, 8 and 5. We are staying at a villa (Magical Memories). It received good ratings on Expedia. What my main question is.....what parks would be the best considering the ages of my kids. They have never been to any of the parks and the girls really want to go to Magic Kingdom. It seems Universal has rides more geared to older and we don't want to have to split up too much if we don't have to.

HELP!

Also, it seems to me a 4 day pass would consume us too much. We are arriving on a Sunday mid-day and leaving mid-day on Saturday. We were thinking of doing 2 or 3 parks every other day?

 

[jenfromri1987]

Also, is the Wonderworks place worth a stop with elementary age?

 

[spiceycat]

definitely the MK - also the AK might appeal to your children

don't know about wonderworks

most people who go to WDW once return - with this is mind if you can afford it go for the 10 day (no expiry).

disney has a new tickets - the 1, 2, 3 or 4 day - are not the bargin any longer. the longer one can definitely be a bargin.

problem is you must kept the tickets - no reselling or giving away - they will have part of your finger prints on it.

oh for tickets -
www.mousesavers.com
get on her email list on the 15th of each month she sends out an email with some great discounts on tickets.

 

[Local_Girl]

Hi jen...Welcome to the DIS!

In my opinion...you should stick with Disney if you're only going to be there for about a week. There is so much to do at WDW...really no sense trying squeeze in a visit to Universal, especially since this is your first trip. Ditto for Wonderworks. That said, we (Me, DH, DS 12 and DD 9) haven't even gone to Universal yet, nor have we been to Wonderworks...and we have done 3 2-week trips in the past 3 years or so. There is just so much to do at WDW!

I'm not sure what you meant when you said "doing 2 or 3 parks every other day". Assuming you mean doing 2 or 3 parks TOTAL, but only 1 per day, skipping a day in between? If so, I'd recommend doing MK for sure. You'd have to decide on which of the other 3 parks you'd like to see based on the likes/dislikes of your family. Epcot is huge, but really has a lot to offer, and I'd highly suggest at least a day there.

 

[tiff211]

Welcome to the DIS, neighbor!

Disney has a TON of things to keep all ages occupied for the week, I think they would like all the parks. This board has such great info and you can find out so much about the parks and the wonderful things there are to do. Definitely subscribe to mousesavers newsletter and also allearsnet.com.

Last I went to Wonderworks was 2001 and my kids were 10 and 11 months. They had fun but in hindsight I don't know if I would take the time to do it again when staying just a week. The upside building is great for photos though!

 

[CinRell]

I agree.. stick to Disney I hope you didn't mean 3 parks in a day though?

I really have nothing to add I just had to say Tiff, your little one is ADORABLE!!!!

 

[dgaston]

Your 16 yo will probably not enjoy the same things as your girls. I would be sure to get him to AK to ride Everest if he likes thrill rides, and perhaps let him explore Disney Quest in Downtown Disney. At MK he may like Space, Splash, and Big Thunder Mountain. If there is time for MGM he would love the new Motors, Action stunt show and probably Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller. At 16 my own son was all about Universal.

 

[tiff211]

I agree.. stick to Disney I hope you didn't mean 3 parks in a day though?

I really have nothing to add I just had to say Tiff, your little one is ADORABLE!!!!

Thank you!

 

[Robinrs]

Do your son and yourself a favor and take one day and go to the Islands of Adventure. It is AWESOME and a boy's dream! My son is 13 and it's been his favorite park since it opened in 1999. Well worth the trip!

 

[crazelion]

Best ride in Orlando is Spiderman and your 16 year old son will love it. Islands of Adventure.

I would do in this order Magic Kingdom, MGM, IOA,and Animal Kingdom or Epcot. That get mix what's Orlando is all about.

 

[MEK]

Your oldest son would definately like US/IOA the best. I'm not so sure about the rest of your kids. I think if you are only there for 5 days you should do disney. Then you only need one multiday park ticket. If your eldest has never been to US/IOA, he won't have anything for comparison. Plus there is so much to do at all 4 of the Disney parks that he will find things he will like everywhere. Your family might have to split up in the park, but you will all love Disney. I would get a 5 day park ticket (either base or hopper) because it is only a few dollars more for each extra day. Try US/IOA on your next trip.

The biggest thing you should do once you decide on which park(s) is get a good book to read about each of the rides/attractions in each park. Definately have a plan when you go for the first time. You will enjoy yourself so much more if you go with the proper background knowledge.

Have a great time!

____________________________________________

Max is my favorite cat!

 

[deide71]

We rented with Magical Memories through Expedia in August. We payed the extra $15.00 a night to book the elite series villas, and had a 3 br villa @ Emerald Isle. The location was great.

I highly reccomend paying the extra $$$ to stay @ Emerald Isle.

 

[jenfromri1987]

I didn't mean 3 parks in one day. We were originally thinking that every other day we'd do a park...ie M W F. But we don't know yet. It's just hard with the age range of my kids.

Does the section of EPCOT with countries have rides? Is it elementary friendly?

Is there much at MK that my 16 yr old son will like?

If I had to pick only 2 parks.....which ones?

I think we are leaning towards just 2 parks at this point and will do smaller activites on the other days. (Shopping, movie, I heard Downtown Disney is cool.)

HELP!!!!

 

[crazelion]

Magic Kingdom for girls and for son IOA. so why everyone has something do.

Son would love IOA/US best and Magic Kingdom for girls.


I am girl I like IOA best.

 

[Local_Girl]

I think there are great things about each of the 4 Disney parks...but there may have to be a bit of compromising in order to try to entertain your 16 yr old son and your 3 younger daughters! If your son is interested in mostly thrill rides, MK has Big Thunder Mt RR, Space Mt, and Splash Mt, though as far as thrill rides go they are very tame. Epcot (Future World) has Mission Space, Test Track, and Soarin'. The World Showcase area of Epcot has a couple of very tame water rides, but that's it. Animal Kingdom has the new Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids, and the Safari. Disney/MGM Studios has the Tower of Terror, Rock n' Rollercoaster, and the motor show he might enjoy. Each park has a variety of shows and other themed attractions that run the gamut from fun/interesting to not-so-great.

Perhaps your son and DH could venture over to Universal on their own while you take your DDs somewhere else. Another option for them might be to add the park hopping feature to their tickets and they could hop to other parks to check out the more thrilling attractions. Or maybe visit one of the water parks...there are plenty of things to do ranging from the more thrilling slides to the kiddie areas, which should appeal to all.

If you can, sit the family down and show them the options, either with a guide book, the planning DVDs, or info online so everyone has input as to what they want to do. IMHO, compromise will be the key so everyone has a chance to do something they want to do. Good luck planning...I'm sure you'll have fun whatever you decide to do!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I'd definately take Epcot out of the line-up because of the younger ones and the fact it's your first trip.

 

[jenfromri1987]

actually, my son has been very accomodating with everything. i think all my kids are just really excited to get away in general and are more relaxed about all this than i am!......my son even said, "i don't care where we go, we'll have fun anywhere." so there! I'm sure we won't leave any park and say...hm, that was boring.....

thanks for the input.......

are there any good places to get tickets in advance? cheap? we are leaving april 2.