Post by jdmcowan on Aug 15, 2008 15:34:11 GMT -6
Just got back from a big family trip to Orlando and thought I'd send in a little summary.
Disney: My favorte park was Epcot - especially the world showcase. And the kids even enjoyed it much more than I expcted. Of course, getting their Disney passport stamped at each of the "countries" was a big part of thier enthusiasm. The best ride, too, was at Epcot. Mission to Mars puts you in a small capsule which they then spin on a large circle to get you the Gs needed to feel like you are really taking off. My son's favorite was Test Track where your car gets up to something like 60mph (but it feels faster because of how it's set up).
The newest thing at the Magic Kingdom is the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique which is basically a salon for 5 year olds. For $50 they will paint your daughters tiny nails and give her an up-do with glitter sprayed in it. For an extra $100 or more they'll even put her in her choice of princess dress t take home. We just walked in and took a quick look around, it will either have you grinning at how precious they all are or rolling your eyes at how rediculous it all is, or most ikely both. They've updated the Tiki-tiki room and Pirates of the Carribean; both for the worse if you ask me, but they aren't too bad.
MGM is now Hollywood Studios and is very poorly laid out. All the rides have really long lines and you can only have one fast pass at a time so there is no way you can do the whole park in one day. Nothing was spectacular, but with the Aerosmith Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, they finally have a ride with decent music in line and on the ride.
Universal Studios costs just as much, but they only have two parks and each is a little smaller than each of the Disney Parks. However, it's a more adult atmosphere and I didn't feel as rushed or as crowded - over all I enjoyed Universal more. We also discovered some fun ways to save money at Universal.
First, officially their Express Pass can only be used once each ride, but they almost never scan, so we even rode some rides multiple times in a row. Also, since you get to keep the pass, they don't always bother to even count them. I would just pull out a stack of stuff from my pocket including two passes on top and rush 4 other people in with me. I even had a couple of staff stop to count my passes, but since the 4 with me had already run up the ramp, they still just waved me through.
The second trick we used was with the Meal Deals. For about $30 one person gets unlimited food (with limited selections at select restaurants). But if you don't mind waiting in line a few times, you can feed the whole family on one bracelet.
And we saved the best of Orlando for last. At the end of the week, the rest of the family headed home early so we sent our son with them and checked in to Cypress Cove nudist resort for the weekend. Of course, it wasn't quite as much fun as Hedo, but it was a great way to wind down after the crazy week. We even participated in their Trivia contest and won free dinners.
I just wish it had all been in the winter when the temps are a little milder in Florida and much worse in Chicago. But with a kid in school and a wife that's a teacher, you don't get much flexibility in your family vacations.
Jeremy
Disney: My favorte park was Epcot - especially the world showcase. And the kids even enjoyed it much more than I expcted. Of course, getting their Disney passport stamped at each of the "countries" was a big part of thier enthusiasm. The best ride, too, was at Epcot. Mission to Mars puts you in a small capsule which they then spin on a large circle to get you the Gs needed to feel like you are really taking off. My son's favorite was Test Track where your car gets up to something like 60mph (but it feels faster because of how it's set up).
The newest thing at the Magic Kingdom is the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique which is basically a salon for 5 year olds. For $50 they will paint your daughters tiny nails and give her an up-do with glitter sprayed in it. For an extra $100 or more they'll even put her in her choice of princess dress t take home. We just walked in and took a quick look around, it will either have you grinning at how precious they all are or rolling your eyes at how rediculous it all is, or most ikely both. They've updated the Tiki-tiki room and Pirates of the Carribean; both for the worse if you ask me, but they aren't too bad.
MGM is now Hollywood Studios and is very poorly laid out. All the rides have really long lines and you can only have one fast pass at a time so there is no way you can do the whole park in one day. Nothing was spectacular, but with the Aerosmith Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, they finally have a ride with decent music in line and on the ride.
Universal Studios costs just as much, but they only have two parks and each is a little smaller than each of the Disney Parks. However, it's a more adult atmosphere and I didn't feel as rushed or as crowded - over all I enjoyed Universal more. We also discovered some fun ways to save money at Universal.
First, officially their Express Pass can only be used once each ride, but they almost never scan, so we even rode some rides multiple times in a row. Also, since you get to keep the pass, they don't always bother to even count them. I would just pull out a stack of stuff from my pocket including two passes on top and rush 4 other people in with me. I even had a couple of staff stop to count my passes, but since the 4 with me had already run up the ramp, they still just waved me through.
The second trick we used was with the Meal Deals. For about $30 one person gets unlimited food (with limited selections at select restaurants). But if you don't mind waiting in line a few times, you can feed the whole family on one bracelet.
And we saved the best of Orlando for last. At the end of the week, the rest of the family headed home early so we sent our son with them and checked in to Cypress Cove nudist resort for the weekend. Of course, it wasn't quite as much fun as Hedo, but it was a great way to wind down after the crazy week. We even participated in their Trivia contest and won free dinners.
I just wish it had all been in the winter when the temps are a little milder in Florida and much worse in Chicago. But with a kid in school and a wife that's a teacher, you don't get much flexibility in your family vacations.
Jeremy