Splindid China... anyone been there?

[Bevv]

looking at Kelly Monaghan's "The Other Orlando".. there is a great review of Splindid China, a Minature china. It has scale models of Chinese attractions, and several chinise shows.

Has anyone been there?
Was it worth your time?

 

[Disney845]

I went to Splendid China once quite a few years ago (maybe 7-8) so can offer no more recent experience than that. That being said, I would never waste the time or money again to go there (except perhaps for the evening show, which you can get separate admission to). It seemed cheesy and fairly run down even at that time. It was also like a ghost town. Never had I been to some place of this nature where you could actually walk around for 15 minutes without seeing another human. The miniature replicas are slightly interesting perhaps if you are into either mini replicas or really interested in China. There was a so-so acrobatics show (not the big nighttime show), as well as a very run down children's play area. The best thing however (and this was really quite good) was the nightime show in the Peacock Theater. This was actually quite spectacular (at least it was at the time).

 

[daannzzz]

I went 3 1/2 months ago. The place is somewhat run down and the landscapeing is drying up. There were not may people there but the miniatures are amazing even in the state they are in. Mostr of them have been kept up with some of the porcelin people missing. There are many, many miniatures. I ended up spendin 3 hours out in the park and then went to the mid day show in the theater which was 45 minutes and was very good, though some of the dancer were a bit off in the coreography. If you can get a discount ticket you may find it to be itneresting. It is really sad that no one goes here and they can not afford the upkeep.

 

[Bete]

and we were able to get in free. With Cypress Gardens closed a special deal was offered to that parks annual passholders to try Splendid Garden free for the duration of their Cypress Garden's annual passholder card. I felt we had nothing to lose under those circumstances. I've been to Orlando many times; so, I felt we could spare the time to take a look for free.

The park is showing wear; there's no doubt about it. It seems they get bus load tours; we saw a few. I think that's how they are surviving right now. I believe they have school buses come, too.

I think if you were planning a trip to China this would be a great overview especially if you never have been to China.

I walked the park and it is quite isolated at times. There is a feel for the history of China; so, it can be a little educational. There are not many shows or entertainment along the way. It's pretty much miniature after miniature display. There were vending machines along the route but not a single one was operating that I could see. You could only get drink and food at the front entrance area as I found out later. You can take a train around the place if you don't want to walk. If you truly want to get a feel for the place I don't recommend that way.

There'a an outside show that demonstrates Chinese musical instruments and the live performance is very good. The theater acrobats show is average but it let's you sit down for a while and relax.

I absolutely would not eat there. There's suppose to be a special show in the evening that I believe features white tigers. We did not see that show.

For free I enjoyed it for a one time look. We were never there when it first open; so, it's hard for me to compare then and now.

If you are bored with the regular theme parks then it's worth a 1/2 day look. If I had a limited stay I would not give up a day at SeaWorld, Disney or Universal for this park. I rather repeat those parks (We've been over a dozen times) then go to this park.

If I was Chinese this park may have had more appeal to me. It's not a bad place and it's very tranquil in a run down way. I just wouldn't pay for it.

 

[SimonV]

I was there last week and have visited just about every year since it opened. It is certainly showing signs of wear and tear (unfortunately, much of the 'tear' is due to 'guests' helping themselves to unpaid-for souvenirs from various models ), but there is a new landscaping company at work there trying to repair some of the damage. It is uncomfortably hot in the summer but still makes a great and highly educational visit in cooler months. The evening show (6pm - the 90-minute Mysterious Kingdom of the Orient) is quite stunning and almost worth the park admission on its own, while the other shows (just 2, I think) are fairly so-so. It will not hold the attention of kids for long (and the rather inadequate kids' 'playground' is now closed) but those who enjoy the China pavilion at Epcot will probably get a lot out of a visit here. Talk to the park staff about the exhibits (if you bump into one of the managers, Al Riley, he is a former US diplomat to China and one of the most knowledgeable men on that country in the whole of the US) and you will gain quite an insight into this formidable country. It is not everyone's cup of tea, but those with enquiring minds will probably find a lot to fascinate and entertain them. It is also very quiet, which makes a nice change from the other parks, while the full-service Suzhou Pearl restaurant offers some great food (not so keen on the Seven Flavors buffet alternative, tho).