If you could visit only one Disney park and other tips?
Walt Disney World: I only have enough time to visit one of Disney's four theme parks, so which one would you recommend? Other comments welcome
I am using a chunk of the money I accumulated while I was over in the desert to take my family to Orlando next week for five nights. There will be 7 adults and 2 children in our group and our ages will range from 3 months to 59 years old. We are going to most of the major theme parks (Busch Gardens, Universal and Islands of Adventure), Kennedy Space Center, hitting a casino since my family loves to gamble though not in excess, and catching a dinner show - we love variety. I would also like to take them to Disneyworld but will only have time to take in one park so which one should it be? Even though the Magic Kingdom would seem like the obvious choice right now I am leaning toward Disney-MGM because of all the rave comments I have heard about Fantasmic and because we all love shows and movies.
Wow! Sounds like a fun trip!
It depends on what you want of your Disney World trip. Magic Kingdom has the classics so that one would seem like a no brainer. You would be suprised on how nostalgic rides like Haunted Mansion and Dumbo feel. Its like being a kid again. If you want that kind of experience and ride the classic Disney rides, look no further than Magic Kingdom. Also, Magic Kingdom tends to stay open the latest out of any of those. Of course the kids would enjoy it as well. MGM is great too and is a better mix of adult and kid themes. MGM has lots of older stuff to do while giving the kids something to do. Its a small park, but Fantasmic is great! If you haven't been to Disney World and do not plan on going back anytime soon, I would say Magic Kingdom because its the one everybody associates with the Disney name. MGM is cool too so you basically should have a good tome in both places!
I would reccomend Magic Kingdom,because like Anthony said it's a place were eveybody can become a kid,and it's the most popular theme park in disneyworld,but if you want to you can choose Epcot,MgM,or Animal Kingdom.Even though MgM is a tiny park there are fun thing to do Tower of Terror,Rockin Roller Coaster,Fantasmic,and Lights motor Action.If youre also staying on property you can stay there 3 hours in the evening after the park closes.
I have an annual pass to Disney. I've been to Epcot and Magic Kingdom already. I have a hotel room booked Saturday night and am going to MGM and Animal Kingdom this weekend. Does it make any difference which day I go to which park? I was leaning towards AK Saturday and MGM Sunday.
No, that sounds good, but check to see if any of those two parks is open late. Since you are staying in a resort (I think), you are able to go early or stay late in a park! That might change your days, but I dont think there is Magical Hours on those two days. You can always see!
Also, make sure to go to AK Early! It gets crowded and the animals are out for the safari!
Thanks. I think AK is open later Saturday. I am staying in Orlando (Radisson) but not on Disney as all but the $700 rooms were booked. I'll go to AK first. I'll go and get my Everest passes first as I've never been on it. I hope to be at the gate by 9.
okay hope you enjoy youre trip
From Scott Seal
Posted December 14, 2006 at 3:02 PM
The answer is probably MGM Studios. Going to the Magic Kingdom IS going to Disney World (a lot of people actually don't know that the Magic Kingdom isn't the whole Disney World park), but if you've got seven adults, and you're not saps, it's not going to be very much fun.
Magic Kingdom is like Santa Claus. If you're the kind of adult who still gets psyched about watching those old claymation Christmas specials on TV, still enjoys waking up early on Christmas morning even though you know the deal about Santa Claus and all that, and still get a tingle and that sensation of excited anxiety when you hear Christmas carols, then Magic Kingdom will strike the right chord with you. It's a magical place for those who can still find magic in Christmas lights and the mall Santa.
IF, on the other hand, you are more like a normal adult, who may like Christmas, but doesn't flip out like a kid over it, and needs something a little more exciting than waking up at 5:30 in the morning to open a few boxes, and after an hour or so of Bing Crosby has had their fill of the Christmas songs, you'll be much better off at MGM Studios. There's plenty of stuff for the kids there, but alot more for the adults to enjoy. There are REAL thrill rides there, great shows and some fun places to eat (make reservations for the Sci-Fi dine-in...a really unique experience, with ribs, chicken, burgers, etc. Trust me on this one).
Plus, the nighttime show, Fantasmic!, is off the charts. Hands down the best show at Disney, if not everywhere else.
Hope this helped.
Thanks for all the suggestions, folks! Tough choice but I guess MGM will still be the park I'll be leaning towards.
From Erik Yates
Posted December 17, 2006 at 5:33 AM
I say (and you knew it was coming) go to Universal instead of disney. Much more for you to do.
But...personally, Epcot is my favorite disney park. A mix of everything.
Okay, I've been to both Universal parks and the main four Disney theme parks in the last two months (rode Everest for the first time today). Note that I am ranking them on how I LIKE them and not in order of which ones are the best.
1. Universal
2. Epcot
3. Islands of Adventure
4. Magic Kingdom
5. MGM
6. Animal Kingdom.
From Scott Seal
Posted December 17, 2006 at 7:18 PM
How come nobody likes MGM Studios? It's my second favorite. Magic Kingdom, MGM, Epcot, Animal Kingdom. I wonder why nobody likes it...
I like it, but as much as I like Aerosmith's roller coaster, it is misplaced. And that's the best ride there. MGM is supposed to be a movie-based theme park. I do like it substantially better than Animal Kingdom though. And as an apples to apples comparison I compare MGM to Universal (the original) and Universal has it beat to me by a wide margin.
One thing I don't understand. Since MGM has the rights to the James Bond films, why not have the Aerosmith one be a Bond one? (Both have cars as the main feature).
From Erik Yates
Posted December 17, 2006 at 8:48 PM
Disney doesnt have the right to MGM films...just the name MGM, which as I understand it, they dont have anymore.
It is not really a movie park. It started out that way, and really feels, at least to me, like a bunch of leftover stuff that they didnt want to put anywhere else. I love Indy, Star Wars, TOT and RRC, but thats where it ends. The whole park just feels wrong to me.
I think MGM is now supposed to be more of a Hollywood park (hence Eisner's speech at the park's dedication) than a movie park. With a Hollywood theme, Tower of Terror and Rock n' Rollercoaster fit in fine.
From Scott Seal
Posted December 18, 2006 at 6:28 AM
I always saw it as a studios park...like it says. People like movies and stage shows, and TV and stuff, so here's a them park where you have rides and shows themed to suit, in a BEAUTIFUL Hollywood setting. It's a place where your favorite television, film, and stage figures can be interacted with.
It seems like that, to me. And while I can't speak on Universal Studios in Orlando, it's better than the one in Hollywood, for sure.
Also, I think that MGM is set up kinda different from the other three parks which are in the classic "hub shape" (As so is IOA). I think indirectly, it makes you like a park more (since most of the good praise of Universal goes with IOA). Just an idea. Comparivly, I think that MGM has had the most successes with attractions lately. I am suprised there is no love for AK still! It might be that I love zoos, but it has gotten better. Oh well, Its everybody's opinions against each other I guess!
Just because I ranked AK 6th, doesn't mean I didn't like it. It's just that for an adult, I went to Dinoland for Dinosaur, to Asia for the Water rapids and Everest and the walk through expedition. Then to Africa for the Safari and that walk through expedition. The rest was more shows and more for kids.
I actually really love Animal Kingdom as well. With the exception of Dinoland (shutter), I think it's a really beautful and unique park.
From Scott Seal
Posted December 19, 2006 at 6:35 AM
I love Animal Kingdom, as well. It's just my least favorite Disney park.
Disneyquest of course!
No, I'am actually serious, there going to take it down in January, it's your last chance to visit somewhere that is origanal(sp?) and not cloned around the world!
No, what I am saying is that Animal Kingdom is always last on people's lists. There is nothing wrong with that since it is your opinion, but it gave me an idea.......
So which is better? AK or DCA. These seem to be the two parks that Disney has messed up on when they opened it. Believe me, AK should have stayed closed for another few months. I know there is alot of DCR hate. So is AK doing better now?
Please dont go to disneyquest,it isn't an theme park.I call won of the most popular game-room buildings ever,but go to an real theme park were there are parades,rollercoasters,fireworks,and shows.By you going to one of those you will say we need to come back here.If you have time,try to go to disneyquest,but theres only games.
I'm more of a Universal guy, than a Disney guy. However, 2 years ago (pre Soarin' and Everest) when 3 adults went to the Disney parks for 2 days, we did 1 day at Magic Kingdom and the 2nd day we did a couple of attractions each at Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Disney-MGM. If you like thrill rides then definitely go to MGM. Tower of Terror is the best drop tower ride in the world and the biggest Disney thrill by a mile. It is more like a Universal ride than a Disney ride ;) Rock'n'roller coaster is like Space Mountain on steroids. If some of the adults are more on the timid side ride wise then Magic Kingdom is a good bet with the most ride quantity and variety from mild to mild-wild with all the classics (Pirates of the Carribean, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Teacups, etc). This park is, in my opinion, the best theming wise and for photo ops, especially ones with Disney characters, also it has the big castle. Epcot is worth a visit for the food alone. The international area around the lake offers some good eats. This park contains mostly educational and indoor type attractions which are most attractive to adults and older kids and are a good way to beat the heat. If everyone is in good health then Mission Space is an attraction worth checking out and test track offers some thrills. The fireworks show is good as well, so we hit this park in the evening. Animal Kingdom seems a little lacking compared to the rest of the Disney parks. They have the Safari, some rides and the Lion King show is pretty good.
Jaivion
"If you have time,try to go to disneyquest,but theres only games."
Umm...no there isn't.
It's just an expression,Disneyquest isn't a true themepark okay,it's an indoor interactive themepark,don't get me wrong,but I really don't care for disneyquest when i'm done with the real parks,and decide if I want to go there or not.
I tagged it "DisneyVomit" during my last visit, because it gave me a terrible case of motion sickness that lasted throughout the rest of my time at the parks.
I wouldn't make that mistake again.
Wow,did it give you an headache
To be fair, it started with Mission: Space. I'd ridden it two years prior, with no problems...but this time? I was dizzy for two hours.
The next day, I went to Disney Quest, where five minutes on the Aladdin thing had me sick all over again.
So, it could have been a residual thing from Mission: Space.
I can't believe they are taking disneyquest for ESPN zone,there's already one in the Boardwalk
It will be different!
We have one in Chicago and it is quite sucessful. It has a game area along with a resturant. Think of it as a Chuck e Cheese for adults! It is really fun and I think Disney World should get one, but not at the expense of Disneyquest!
My birthday is coming up soon is ESPN Dave 'n' Busters because I don't know which one to go to.
I looved AK. I know there were'nt too many attractions and there is plenty room to add more in the future, but I loved the theming. Everywhere I looked there was something cool to see. The Lion King was amazing. And Everest is awesome!
AK is a big park,i'm sure thet they will make more ideas for future attractions.
Is it true they are getting rid of DisneyQuest for ESPN? I love DIsney Quest, it may not be a full day attraction but I love the Pirates thingy, we went on it 4 times so we could get our highest score! I hope they dont get rid of that! I love Animal Kingdom too! The themeing is great and the tiger area is really great, i got some fantastic pictures last time i went.
From Erik Yates
Posted January 15, 2007 at 10:41 AM
It is very much true. DisneyQuest will allegedly be gone at the end of Jan. ESPN will open soon after.
For anyone going to Epcot and have a problem with motion or G Force pressure, take the green ticket line.
are you talking about Mission Space
Yes, Mission Space. I rode both last time (the first time I was there) and I can understand someone who rides the orange one not caring for it (if they have motion sickness issues).
From Scott Seal
Posted January 17, 2007 at 7:57 AM
See, I rode Orange before there was a Green, and it was fine. That was in 2004. In 2006, however, it screwed my head up for months. Seriously, my State Fair came to town in late September, and I still couldn't really ride anything. I went to Disney in late July.
It kind of messed up the whole Disney trip, because EPCOT was day 2 of 6.
From Karin S
Posted January 17, 2007 at 8:04 AM
I take Dramamine (the type that won't make you sleepy) before I go on Mission Space and fast roller coasters and it really takes care of the motion sickness. While I think the less intense Mission Space is okay, I the G-force really adds to the ride.
I agree the G-Force does add to it, but there are some that don't like it so for them the green would work better.
I was fine riding the intense one I really don't get motion sickness,,becauce right after that I rode Test Track.
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