PARKS HELP..... Please RANK these!

[MinnieMommy07]

Just wondering of all of Florida's main attractions, which are people's favorites and why? I listed them below and was wondering if everyone could rank them from best to um... not the best.

I mean if we did it all, our tickets would cost over $1000 and we'd need to pack it into a weeks stay!

If it helps, it's me, (the mom), my hubby, (the dad), and our little girl who'll either be five or six depending when we go. We'll probably be staying in a Disney Resort and have a rental car!

OK... stuff I've looked at and considered...........

MAGIC KINGDOM
EPCOT
ANIMAL KINGDOM
MGM
UNIVERSAL/ IOA
SEA WORLD
A DAY AT ONE OF FLORIDA's MANY BEACHES

What do you think of each park and are any worth just skipping altogether or visiting more than once?

Thanks so much everyone!

 

[spiceycat]

mk and Epcot - at least 2 days a piece. (they are my favorite ones)

AK and studio - at least 1 day (maybe less for AK)


mgm is gone. now it is called disney's hollywood studios

seaworld

US/IOA

would get a 7 day pass for WDW.

 

[Brian Noble]

How long are you there? One week?

For one week, I would *either* do WDW, *or* do "everything else". The ticket prices are sort of set up that way, and it's hard to fit in all four of WDW's parks in just a week's visit, let alone anything else. I think the same would be true if we just took a week to visit IOA, USO, SWO plus maybe BGT or an area water park.

With a five or six year old daughter, I'd do a week at WDW. It's a bit of a better fit for that age group. Save the other parks (and the extra money) for some other trip. As she gets older, you probably are going to start preferring a week of "everything else". We spent a day post-cruise at Sea World last February with my 9 and 11 year olds, and had a ball---it would be hard to say it was any less fun than any of the days we spend at Disney. And, if given the choice, my 11 year old might spend an entire week just riding Manta, she liked it that much. But, the 9 year old wouldn't touch it.

 

[Corinne]

For one week, I would *either* do WDW, *or* do "everything else".

ITA, trying to do too much will be overwhelming. Even trying to 'do it all' while at WDW will be overwhelming.

I think you need at least 2 or 3 days at the MK. If you are going to stay on property (which I HIGHLY recommend) you will be able to go back to your resort and swim, nap and recharge very easily. Have fun planning!

 

[Purseval]

With a 6-year old I would do the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom if (and only if) she really liked animals. Leave Epcot, DHS and Universal/IOA until she's old enough to appreciate them. She would probably also love a day at the beach but if you're spending big $$$ to stay onsite I would take advantage of that time. You could stay with the child at your resort while the adults go to another park. Bear in mind that they have done surveys of young children visiting Orlando and concluded that the #1 favorite part of their vacation was the hotel swimming pool. They even have a section (or used to, it's been a while since I needed to look at the Unofficial Guide) called Whose Vacation Is It Anyway that went into this phenomenom in detail.

All of the parks have a few things that are good, maybe even really really good, for small children. Very few have enough good things to keep them occupied for an entire day. MK is perfect for that.

 

[Planogirl]

You can't really rank best to worst because that is different for everyone. Go to those parks that seem the best for your family and relax! All of those parks are super in their own way.

At that age, you might want to concentrate most heavily on MK. Our son adored Epcot when he was that age but some kids don't seem to as much. Sea World is fabulous if she likes sea animals and water play. AK is nice for the animal theme but it does get hot. DHS has quite a few good attractions for young kids but then so do the Universal parks (can't beat the Dr Seuss area).

You truly can't go wrong, just don't overdo it.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Can I just add...half day park...Gatorland to the mix...Nothing says Florida like a pit full of Gators....A very good half day park...well worth it

 

[Aristocath]

I, too, would stick with WDW for a week with a five or six year old. We are going to IOA this trip to see Harry Potter but our previous experience with Universal was Universal Hollywood and we felt our kids (then aged 9,8, and 4) were too young for it. Although I know they have a Dr.Seuss area in Florida. Sea World is fun but personally, I'd rather take another day at the MK.

 

[Brian Noble]

If you are going to stay on property (which I HIGHLY recommend) you will be able to go back to your resort and swim, nap and recharge very easily.

While being on property has a lot going for it, a well-located off-property resort is not that much more difficult for a mid-day break.

 

[Detailor]

I agree with those who suggest that you not try to do "too much." Your daughter will have a much better time if you take it easy on her (IMO, there's not a lot to be gained by parents or children when they try to do everything at Disney. So I suggest that you take your time, go at your own pace and have a great time. Let the other parents deal with the fussy off-spring.).

I'd go for...
Magic Kingdom - a day plus at least a part of another depending on what has taken her fancy.
Animal Kingdom - there are lot's of character opportunities at AK (but that's only good if she likes the big characters, difficult for you to know until she sees the size of them) and the pace can be a lot slower than at other parks.
Universal/Islands of Adventure - if you buy the two park tickets you'll find a variety of types of attractions including a few in each that are targeted at younger children (if going to only one you should check out the attractions, you might find that Islands' Suess Land fits the bill).
Sea World - talk about a different pace from the other Orlando parks! SeaWorld is a great park even with or without the thrill rides. Nice shows and interesting exhibits.
Epcot - I think a world of difference, ha ha, from the pace at SeaWorld. I find this park exhausting sometimes and I suspect that a 5/6 year old might be overwhelmed. Planning ahead for what you want to do here is very important with a little one.
Hollywood Studios - I always think of this one as a half day park but then your experience may be quite different.
A beach day is always fun but you might have just as much fun at the pool at your resort.
We like the different pace of a Florida State Park. If you go to Orlando during the winter months I'd suggest Blue Spring State Park north of Orlando in Orange City. An easy drive to "old Florida" and the manatees in the spring run.

Dick Taylor

 

[MinnieMommy07]

I'm really thankful for the responses...

I think we'll stick with Disney and Sea World this time! I really can't justify paying almost $300 for my family to "walk around" Universal and sit at Suess Landing for an hour.... . Disney parks seem to fit the bill and we'll have park hoppers so if we don't like the park we can turn around and get outta there!

This really helps make it a little more manageable to plan! Thanks!

 

[standleyent1]

I would have to agree with most of the posters on here. I would stick to WDW for the entire week and soak it all in letting you DD decide what she wants to do that way she has some say and won't likely have a melt down. In other words do it at her pace so the time you spend is quality and the memories are unforgettable. My DD and I have been 30 times since 2000 and we always find something new to do (I always make it a point to find something we haven't done or seen) and it makes the trip a new adventure each time.
Just remember to have fun!

 

[jerseygal]

Been to Hollywood Studios(then MGM) a couple years back...

Really fun, but never been to Animal Kingdom....

1 Day...For 2 boys, 15 years old and 23 years old who are "thrill seekers" with attractions, what do you think....We're doing the 1 Day with Fun Option...We'll have 2 trips to Water Parks which we all LOVE!

Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios?

Mom and Dad don't have a preference..We're EASY!!!.......We're just "along for the ride, footing the bill!!!"

Thanks for any input!

 

[Purseval]

Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios?

Hollywood Studios would be much better for thrill seekers. Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure would be even better still.

 

[jerseygal]

Thinking outloud, Hollywood Studios is probably the better bet!

Tower of Terror is fun! My younger son, 15 hasn't done Tower since he was too young last time around!

Guess we'll do AK another time! Water parks should be fun in August! Hopefully, not too crowded!!!! 2 summers ago, the water parks were crowded same time of yr...In August, people love to cool down with some fun water slides!

Can't wait!!!!