THEME PARK Tips

[Mr Orlando]

Just a few tips to help you get around the parks


Plan your day at Universal Studios Florida

During busy seasons, USF often opens Shrek 4-D early. So arrive before park opening and try to see that popular show first. Then walk up the street to Revenge of the Mummy and work your way from there around the lagoon, clockwise.

If you have small children, check the day's show schedule for the first Barney show. You also might like the Animal Planet show next to Barney, as well as the other play areas in the KidZone.


Plan your day at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Older Kids Ages 9 and Up: Should start left through Super Hero Island, followed by Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, etc.

Younger kids ages 8 and under should start right to Seuss Landing, followed by the Flying Unicorn and a rumble through Camp Jurassic.

Plan your day at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

If you are travelling with toddlers, you'll want to visit Fantasyland first thing in the morning, as several popular kids' rides in that area, especially Dumbo and Peter Pan, have low capacities and build long waits early in the day. If not, head west to Frontierland when the park opens, visiting Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, then doubling back to the Jungle Cruise. Save Tomorrowland's Space Mountain for later in the evening when the crowds thin, if the park's busy.

Plan your day at Epcot

Few Epcot attractions attract long lines, even on busy days. Those that do include Mission: Space and Test Track, both in Future World. Hit those first in the morning, then work you way through Ellen's Energy Adventure and the Living Seas while waiting for World Showcase to open.

Plan your day at Disney's Animal Kingdom

This park is the best for Disney's Fastpass. A good idea is to get fastpasses early in the day for the Safaris and do everything else. Most things at the park do not have long lines. Your other option is to use the fastpasses for Kali River Rapids. Also, if you do not want to use fastpasses, a good time to go on the safaris is in the morning or around a cloudy/rainy time beause that is the time that most animals are active. Finally one should not miss Festival of the Lion King, hailed as one of the best shows in Disney World!

Plan your day at Disney-MGM Studios

Head down Hollywood Boulevard for the park's two most popular attractions, the Rockin' Roller Coaster, Starring Aerosmith and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Grab a Fastpass (ride reservation) for one then ride the other.

You'll also want to see Fantasmic, the park's night-time show, at the end of the day. Several park restaurants offer a package that includes a dinner reservation and reserved seats to the show. If you don't take that option, arrive 60-120 minutes early, depending on how busy the park is, to get a seat.

Plan your day at SeaWorld Orlando

Sea World isn't complicated at all. You can easily start in either direction you want. If you to quickly start the thrills you can head back left to Kraken and Journey to Atlantis , followed throught by Keywest, Clyde&Seymore, Odyessea and finishing off by Shamu Show, Shamu's Happy Harbor and Chilling a finally with Wild Artic. If you want to lazy back and relax start opposite and finish your trip with a thrill. Seasonally like now Sea World offers Fusion and Mistify Fireworks. Don't miss classics like Manatee the Last Generation, Penquin Encounter and Terrors of the Deep.

Plan your day at Busch Gardens Tampa

If you want to see animals, they tend to be more active in the morning. If you're there for rides, the lines for the major coasters and water rides get longer as the day goes on. If you want to see it all, check the show schedules online before you arrive (buschgardens.com), arrive early and start at the back of the park, working your way to the front.

[danny68]

Further tip for Sea World.

Dolphin feeding closes at 10:00. So get there early

[Mr Orlando]

cool cheers Danny - where you been?

[Mickey Mouse]

a tip for adventure island and any other parks, if you are going to visit them more than once on the first visit go clockwise and on the second go anticlockwise around the park, that way you defently get to see and do everything! ;) works especaillay well for adventure island for rides like hulk and spiderman going clockwise and dueling dragons red and blue and jurrasic park going anti clockwise :D

[Mr Orlando]

A good idea there rob


or the second time head to the rides you loved the first time

[snowwhite]

if anyone is going to disney i would tell them to stay at a disney hotel ;)

[Mr Orlando]

if anyone is going to disney i would tell them to stay at a disney hotel ;)


can i ask why??

They are very expensive!!

[Susan Veness]

I can tell you why. :)

They're absolutely delightful! The theming at Disney resorts is second to none (though Universal have beautifully themed resorts as well), which adds to the 'magical' feeling you get when you visit. It's like being in the magic all the time.

Plus, you get some excellent perks available only to resort guests. Extra Magic Hours, if used wisely, can make all the difference, especially if you are staying for 2-3 weeks. Regardless of whether or not you have youngsters (but ESPECIALLY if you have youngsters!) it can be a real bonus to have a short ride back to your resort for a mid-day break, knowing you can return to the park after the crowds thin, for Extra Magic evening. Taking time out of the parks is almost essential in mid-summer, and sometimes it's just nice to head back to the resort pool (when the kids start whinging about 'when can we go swimming?'), then return to the parks refreshed.

Extra Magic morning is a real boon at the beginning of your holiday, since everyone will be wide awake at the crack of dawn due to the time change. Being among the first into the parks, before off-site guests can get in, allows you to get the park's 'biggies' under your belt without the 2-3 hour waits you often see in summer.

Part of the joy of visiting Orlando, for many guests, is that feeling of 'being away from it all'. Disney resorts KEEP you in the magic, allowing you to forget about the outside world for a while.

Now, don't get me wrong; villas and offsite resorts are excellent options. They may or may not be less expensive, depending on where you stay, so that really isn't the issue. But I would never rule out a Disney resort because they are 'expensive'. The perks of staying onsite (including the option NOT to hire a car!) are worth something, too.

If you can travel during non-peak season, the benefits are multiplied. With the current exchange rate and a good resort discount, you'd be amazed at how 'inexpensive' a Disney resort really can be! :)

[Catlady]

I can see what you're saying about Disney hotels especially if you have young children but we have always stayed in a villa and absolutely loved it. Perhaps I'm antisocial but I like the idea of coming home to some peace and quiet after the hubbub of the parks and to have my own pool to laze around in. :D

[Simon Veness]

That's a fair comment, Catlady. Disney hotels can be a bit too much of the hustle-bustle at times (especially in the likes of Pop Century and All Stars Resorts), and it's hard to get the privacy which a villa affords (unless you go to the really upscale Disney resorts). It really is a matter of checking out the pros and cons of each type and finding what you are most comfortable with. Susan and I would happily stay in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge any time (with or without kids!) for the chance to be surrounded by their magnificent animal savannahs (plus the great restaurant choice) but it wouldn't be everyone's choice (or holiday budget).

[gloryboy]

another tip.
pay the extra for priority parking at universal/IOA, but don't bother with it at seaworld.
parking at disney i found epcot car park was quietest.

[Mr Orlando]

another tip.
pay the extra for priority parking at universal/IOA, but don't bother with it at seaworld.
parking at disney i found epcot car park was quietest.


i always go for prefered parking at Universal - so much easier

[Catlady]

We do Valet parking at Universal $16 I think but you leave your car at the entrance by the cinema and they take it off you. Really great at the end of a long hot day as they bring your car back to you. Its already been started and the air conditioning is going... bliss! We think its worth every penny. :D :D

[Mr Orlando]

ill have to try valet parking next time, sounds good