We're back - highs and lows

[Dimplenose]

. I'm ashamed to say that this put us off soo much that we didnt do IoA!!! and went to Busch Gardens instead - sorry!

That's a shame. It's 4 years since we last visited but we found IOA a much better park than US. With front of line passes we found half a day was more than enough for US but spent a full day at IOA.

(A bit wary this year as Kongfrontation was my favourite ride and that had gone by our last visit - Back to the Future is DS favourite film and that ride has gone too. I just hope the Horror Make-up Show is still there in August!)

 

[kevin harrison]

We found US very (out)dated - the Twister ride was just truly awful (probably the worst 10 mins of the whole trip!!) - just as well it was a walk on ride! JAws - the same - ET was lovely (but dated). We dont do the motion rides so cant say anything about the Simpsons ride. We did do MiB /Terminator which were OK - but again glad they werewalk ons. The best thing was Shrek 4D and a wonderful lunch at Beveley Hill Boulangerie - fab sandwich!!
I must admit that City Walk didnt really do it for us either - we left around 6ish so it was quite busy - we have done Bubba Gumps / Hard Rock Cafe in New York so weren't to worried about eating there. I'm ashamed to say that this put us off soo much that we didnt do IoA!!! and went to Busch Gardens instead - sorry!


US certainly need to really think about what they are doing - my last visit was 10yrs ago and for DH around 15years - he said "its exactly the same as when I last came" - not exactly a reason to back in the next 15 years!!

You don't have to say sorry, you are entitled to your opinion..

US now has Men in Black, The Simpsons, The Mummy, Shrek - to name four off the top of my head, so it isn't really the same. I don't know if you have kids with you - but the Kids Zone is a fantastic place, we spent a whole Sunday afternoon in there.

IOA is in my opinion, the best park for rides. Busch Gardens is good, but not in the same league as IOA.

City Walk is set up as an evening venue, so leaving at 6pm is not the best way of seeing the place.

Like another poster says, you could argue that the rides at MK are outdated, when is the last time anything substantial was built in there? You say Jaws is outdated - but whilst I love the log flume at MK - it hasn't changed in 10 years...Crikey - they are only just getting around to renovating Space Mountain.

 

[UKDEB]

We have many friends who are Orlando fans, most of whom we met here , and we've holidayed there with a surprising number of them (you know who you are ). What always strikes me is just how much the experience differs depending on which friends we're with. Even though we all undeniably love the place, we very much have our own ideas of what constitutes a great trip.

I can see entirely why others might loathe Universal whilst loving it myself; why many rave about Discovery Cove whilst having absolutely no desire to do it myself; why some might see WDW as an exercise in parting me from my money whereas I consider it possibly the best value for money entertainment I've ever experienced.

Over the years (we've been going since 1992) our own preferences have changed hugely, too. We've been through the experience with our daughters as very young children, teenagers and adults. Our tastes in accommodation and what we can afford have moved on immensely, too. Now, travelling without our adult daughters, we still love the parks (both WDW and UO), but these days we're just happy to be there, soaking it all up and taking it slowly. Other than a few favourites and anything new, we hardly bother with rides. Such a departure from our first trip when we criss-crossed the parks, ticking off all the attractions.

Our most recent trip in November was just the two of us and, with no-one else to consider, we took chillaxing to the next level! (I will get around to finishing those trippies. ) For most people, it wouldn't be their idea of an Orlando holiday, but it works for us. What I'm trying to say, is don't write anything off. You could well see things in a completely different light on another occasion with a different party dynamic.

Welcome home, btw!

 

[wicket2005]

Very surprised at some of your comments but glad you have enjoyed some of your holiday.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Wow - what didn't you enjoy?. I have never heard Universal described as crap??

Did you do IOA and Universal?

Disney wise - I love the place for my kids and wife, but it certainly all about the Benjamins. MK is beautiful - but one big shopping area, I feel like driving up and throwing my wallet over the gate - would be cheaper in the long run.

I last went in 2007 and was disgusted to see a baby orangutan being dressed up and doing tricks in front of an audience encouraged to stamp their feet when the baby was on the swing. These are endangered species who live with their mother until they are about 8 and clothes are not good for their skin!

 

[Lizzybear]

Welcome back I agree with you about US.. I've visited both the Orlando and Hollywood parks and found both parks only OK, though the Backlot Tour in Hollywood is amazing and worth the admission alone I would recommend IOA for your next visit though, it's so different to US and in my opinion a lot better.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

1st time we all did the dolphin swim, pics they took were not great so 2nd time as I prefer rest of park and not bothered about the dolphin interaction I decided to take pics. Not sure if its easy in every pool but I could go on the rocks between the pools and get great shots with a 200mm lens, better than anything they took on our 1st visit.

Good idea I know - but someone did this on our swim who was with another family & on all our pictures you could see her legs above our heads! Safe to say we didn't buy the package - but chose a couple & my DH had to photoshop them! It was a shame really.

 

[gemmybear83]

Welcome back - I'm a fraid I agree with you about US, on our last trip last Jan - most of the rides werent open until 11am - at one point all the rides broke down at IOA and I noticed a lot of the rides werent working properly (Jurassic Park was really bad for this a lot of the dinosaurs were broken down). IOA seemed tired and dirty, plus to top it off we went for table service lunch and the customer service was awful the staff were sooo rude