Parks & Tickets
Buy your tickets before you go using an online agency or from any Disney or Universal store. Only buy actual tickets NOT vouchers. The best you will ever get is a couple of dollars off the regular "walk up" price. Anyone offering cheap tickets or "Sea World 2 for $25" etc is usually a timeshare outfit. If you want a timeshare then go for it, but if not then keep well away. Everyone is selling tickets in Orlando, and the majority are timeshare or selling unused tickets bought from previous guests. Most Disney and Universal tickets are "guest specific" so if you buy a cheap ticket from a booth you may just find its no good when you get to the gates. Buy only from licenced agents or from the Parks themselves, you will save very little anywhere else regardless of what people offer you. You have been warned!
All of the parks are great fun but with different themes;
Disney is split into numerous different parks, attractions and shows but the main ones are;
Magic Kingdom - the most popular theme park in the world. This is a children's, of all ages, paradise with a myriad of rides, shows, attractions and characters that will amaze and amuse the whole family. A real "must visit" on any trip to Florida. The fireworks, set off every night, are the best on earth and the parades are a real treat.
MGM Studios - This is a movie themed park with interactive rides and shows for all the family. Go behind the scenes of all your favorite movies and see how it was all done. There are some great shows including the brand new Lights, Motors, Action™ and the thrilling Twilight Zone Tower™ of Terror 4.
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Again, this is a Disney paradise showcasing animals in their natural habitat with fabulous shows and displays. This is an easier day than the other Disney Parks and a good 'relaxing' day out. Wonder at the Tree of Life and ride the exhilarating new ride Expedition Everest coming early 2006. Not all the animals are the small fluffy ones, some say they have even seen a 6 foot mouse!
Epcot - Visit this innovative and interesting park which allows all the family to interact with wonders old and new. travel through the World Showcase and experience the delights, cultures and flavours of different countries such as Spain, Japan, Canada, Mexico, China and more... Travel, interactively, into space on Mission Space or test your nerve on Test Track. Either way you will be kept wondering right through to the spectacular firework display each evening.
Best value ticket for Disney is the 7 Day Premium which allows unlimited access to all the parks. You can use the ticket on any 7 days in 14 and includes most of the Disney Parks and Attractions. Tip - use it on the 1st day you are in Florida as it will then expire 14 days later when you are due to leave.
Universal Studio's is situated at the top of International Drive and consists of 3 major attractions. Universal Studios, Universal's Island of Adventure and CityWalk. All these attractions are well worth a visit.
Universal Studio's - This is the ultimate 'Ride the Movies' park. Loads of great thrill rides, simulators and shows for all the family. Save the Earth on the interactive M.I.B (Men in Black), Sing and dance with Barney, take the Amity "pleasure" boat ride, if you dare!, and see how all your favorite movies were made. The 3D Terminator 2 is awesome!
Universal's Island of Adventure - This is the park for the thrill seeker. Everything starts off calmly enough as you pass through Part of Entry but are then met by the magnificent, Hulk coaster. The choice at this point is yours. Do you take the right-hand route and go through Suess Landing, a childrens interactive playground of adventure and colour, or take the left route and ride the Hulk before taking on the twin tower, 200ft high DrDoom or the coaster come 3D come interactive come mega thrill ride that is Spiderman. Either way you will continue round the island to experience some of the best, fastest and all out special rides and shows that Central Florida can offer. Journey through Toon Lagoon where you can lunch with all your favourite cartoon characters and then get very, very wet. Take your choices of Fire or Ice and ride the Dueling Dragon's coaster, brave the depths of Jurassic Park and on to witness the power of Poseidon's Fury. At the end of the day you will have been thrilled, scared, soaked, amused and thoroughly shaken about, but you will have a big smile on your face!
City Walk - This is a plethora of restaurants, shops, nightclubs and bars all set between the two Universal Parks. There is usually numerous live acts every night and the fun and music goes on, if you can take it, into the small hours. The fun starts early, including multiplex cinemas showing all the new releases at a time you want to see it, and goes on late. This is really a night owls haunt.
Dinner Shows - we recommend the following shows;
http://www.dixiestampede.com
http://www.arabian-nights.com
http://www.medievaltimes.com
http://www.piratesdinneradventure.com
http://www.seaworld.com/seaworld/fla/sp_aloha_polynesian_luau.aspx
Seaworld - This is definitely the park for everyone from the very young to the not so young. You have the choice of a riding the mighty sea creature that is Kraken (a white knuckle coaster) or just marvel at the wonders of the oceans sea creatures including the stunning Shamu show which showcases killer whales.
Seaworld is without doubt the most beautiful of all the parks with acres of lush landscaping, wild roaming animals and stunning exhibitions of some of the worlds rarest or most endangered animals. These include the mighty killer whales, penguins, polar bears, manatee, numerous birds, stingray and the enchanting dolphins. Hand feeding a dolphin is something everyone should do in their lifetime as it is clearly humbling.
If you decide to pick and choose your parks during your stay, please ensure that Seaworld is at the top of your list. I promise you will not regret it (I have an annual ticket so you can see how much I love it)
Tip of the day : Ssssshhhhhh!! Huge tip but don't tell anyone! Major shortcut to Disney. No traffic queues and right to the heart of all the attractions. Go out of Emerald Island, turn right onto Funie Steed Rd, follow to 4 way. Turn left onto Formosa Gardens. Follow up to Highway 192 and turn right. Go to 1st lights and turn left onto Sherberth Rd. Follow this road (don't worry if you are going back on yourself) for about 1/2 mile and turn right onto Osceola Parkway. Hey Presto! You are now on Disney property and right next to Animal Kingdom, just follow the signs to where you want to go. Remember the speed limit in Disney is 25mph for a reason. Also the exit bends are very sharp! Take your time and marvel at all the magic around you. *You will believe*
