Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

whatusername

Blink_Eden wrote: »

Mike, give us a few more details of what you didn't like - always good to get other people's perspectives.

We were lucky, we went on a fairly quiet day. It struck me as like Animal Kingdom with the animals, but the park felt better laid out, with better scenery/foliage, and we spent a lot of time looking at the animals. (My biggest disappointment was that the water section wasn't working on the Rhino Rally). If we go back and I would definitely rather go to Busch Gardens (and then spend a few days in Clearwater), as opposed to going to any of the Disney Parks.

Didn't do Universal this time - not enough time.

Blink i've did BG twice, first time was a bit whistle stop, just a few hours but second time was 9am till 8.30pm and saw pretty much the lot. I thought the park was excellent and it's probably my favourite, the water section on the Rhino Rally is fun i have to say. What i like about it is it's range of different activities etc but keeping within the Safari theme, it's very under rated.

markelock

dinglebert wrote: »

We've just done all the disney and universal parks with a 11,9 and 5 year old. First ride was space mountain (thought we should go before it shuts). Its so different from the Paris one which I didn't comprehend until too late. It meant that the first ride on a coaster for the 5 year old was a dark ride on his own! I couldn't concentrate as all I was thinking about was what he was thinking about. Thank goodness he took to it.

Overall I thought Animal Kingdom was the best park. The new Simpsons ride was great, but both Epcot and Disney studios were very disappointing. Epcot looking and feeling very dated and the attractions overall at the studios were just imho rubbish. In particular disliked the adverts you have to endure at Epcot and found the self advertising from Disney at the studios too much to bear.

Home tomorrow.

is space mountain closing for refurb or for good?

pinkzebra

disney_cjd wrote: »

ah yes Cypress Gardens, RIP

THey had the cheek to offer me a renewal on my annual pass - i declined

Its not the same anymore

C

We never went to the 'original' Cypress Gardens, but we love this park! Cheap (last time we got 2 days for $39.99), good selection of rides (although no really scary ones, apart from the 'tower drop' ride). I was disappointed with the ski show though - I have seen old photos of the original show, and there was loads of ladies in pyramids etc, but when we went, there was a guy doing basic barefoot skiing, and a couple of men doing a flip over the jump.

The kids loved the water section of the park, although it is tiny, and not nicely landscaped like Disney, but it was nice to be able to cool off for a couple of hours. We have been 3 times, and never queued for anything - which makes a nice change.

We haven't been to the concerts, but there have been good bands in the past.

chocaholic110

FloFlo wrote: »

Can I ask which hotel? Have you stayed at Universal before?

We loved it at Hard Rock, we took the boat over in the mornings and it didn't matter how busy the parks were because of the FOTL. The shop inside Hard Rock sells cereal in the bowls and cartons of milk so we ate cereal in our rooms for breakfast.
Beware of the minibar prices are :eek: we never took the tag off ours:rotfl:

We're staying at the Royal Pacific Resort but we haven't stayed on before. Very much looking forward to making myself utterly sick on the hulk and duelling dragons with very little queuing! Wish Disney did the same thing though as we're staying there for most of our holiday.

chocaholic110

Blink_Eden wrote: »

Mike, give us a few more details of what you didn't like - always good to get other people's perspectives.

We didn't care for Busch Gardens greatly when we went in 2005 but it was really hot, busy, we queued for ages and the rides broke down quite a lot (including Sheikra breaking down three times, each time just as we were nearing the front of the queue).

Having said that we're returning there for DS's birthday this year but I'm going to buy quickqueue tickets. Sssh...don't tell DS though!

dazzer68

space mountain is down for a long refurb, i think its opening again nov/dec 2009.

KarenG

disney_cjd wrote: »

BTW, and FYI, I had dinner with a executive VP of Disney yesterday and he was telling me that Disney have similar plans for Disney hotels and additional benefits beyond the magic hours. He would not be be drawn on the FOTL passes option but I told him it would be a bad idea for Disney to do that.

Thank you Craig - that is very interesting! I'll await those developments with interest.

You said TTA is closing - say it ain't so :eek: but that's it is just refurb (tied into Space Mountain?), as this is one of my favourite rides in MK. I do love thrill rides too but nothing beats the TTA on a hot day.

Atro, hope you are having a lovely time and I agree 100% with everything you and Craig say about the experience / magic as well as the thrills:)

KarenG

bobby9205 wrote: »

I had a look at this and the cheapest room at Hard rock was $293 for a night! So it would be cheaper to buy the express passes even though they only give you one go per ride.

That said, if I was doing a night at the city walk I would book a room here and tie it in to doing Universal and Islands, then it would be worth it

I have got the HRH before for $189 per night, and that included a week's park admission for two of us (I think the promotion was called something like Stay for Four, Play for Free). The RPR was slightly cheaper.

I seem to remember recently there was some error with a booking system which allowed people to book Universal hotels for literally peanuts, but I wasn't quick enough to take advantage!

disney_cjd

KarenG wrote: »

Thank you Craig - that is very interesting! I'll await those developments with interest.

You said TTA is closing - say it ain't so :eek: but that's it is just refurb (tied into Space Mountain?), as this is one of my favourite rides in MK. I do love thrill rides too but nothing beats the TTA on a hot day.

Atro, hope you are having a lovely time and I agree 100% with everything you and Craig say about the experience / magic as well as the thrills:)

Sorry , no I meant the TTA is going into referb but it will be back up in August so a good two to three months before SM returns

disney_cjd

KarenG wrote: »

I have got the HRH before for $189 per night, and that included a week's park admission for two of us (I think the promotion was called something like Stay for Four, Play for Free). The RPR was slightly cheaper.

I seem to remember recently there was some error with a booking system which allowed people to book Universal hotels for literally peanuts, but I wasn't quick enough to take advantage!

I was lucky enough to win a 7 day pass for one in the Superbowl sweepstake. The kids have never been to Universal as they are still too young in my mind at 7 and 4, but I will maybe take them in October or December and will have to spring for the tickets for mrs cjd and the kids. Dont get me wrong I am not anti Universal, I like it very much, but I prefer Disney for sure

Just booked the Polyneasian for our 10th wedding anniversay, dinner at Califona Grill and then fireworks. Also booekd a carriage ride (and secret glass slipper)

Cheers