Which park closer to airport?

[RKB]

We are flying in on 1-2-04 in anticipation of our 1-3-04 Western Cruise. We will arrive in Orlando at about 2:30. We plan on staying overnight in Orlando then taking the bus to the ship in the am. We don't want to waste an afternoon and evening in Orlando. What is closer to get to from the Orlando airport? One fo the Disney Parks or Universal Studios. It has been suggested to us just to go to Downtown Disney. Not sure what to do. I know that most places have shorter hours during this time of the year as well....

 

[Michelle]

The Universal parks are technically closer to the airport but not by much. I would go to whichever park interests you the most; there isn't that much of a distance issue between any of them.

Of the Disney parks, Epcot is always open the latest, until 9:00 pm.

 

[RKB]

Thanks so much for the info!

 

[DancingBear]

Personally, I wouldn't spend the money for just a few hours in Epcot. Instead, you might try:

---Dinner at Chef Mickey's (character meal) or California Grill at Contemporary, boat over to Wilderness Lodge and back, monorail to the Poly to watch the Electrical Water Pageant (if MK has fireworks that night, even better!

--Dinner in the Boardwalk area, combined with Boardwalk activities, boat ride to MGM/Epcot and the other resorts, and seeing some of the higher fireworks from Illuminations at Epcot.

--Dinner at Downtown Disney, boat ride to Key West or Port Orleans, wandering around Downtown Disney. Variation: Cirque de Soleil (a pricey option), or a movie, or Pleasure Island.

--Dinner at Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge, with visits to the animal viewing areas and around the lodge, perhaps storytelling by the fire.