Walt Disney World & Universal Orlando!

We visited Islands of Adventure for a day and absolutely loved it. This is the only theme park I have ever visited that I consider on par with Disney parks. The themes in the park are well done, the rides are more intense and thrilling than Disney rides, and the crowds and waits in line are much less than at the Disney counterparts. If you visit Orlando, be sure to include trips to both Disney World parks and this park. If you have enough time, visit Universal Studios too. However, if you don't and must choose this park is a much better choice than Universal Studios.

Similar to the Magic Kingdom, this park has a hub and spoke set up with the different themed areas radiating around in a circle. You enter through the Port of Entry. First hit Marvel Super Hero Island. Ride the absolutely amazing Incredible Hulk Coaster. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman is also an excellent attraction that should be visited in the morning before lines get long. Be sure to avoid Dr. Doom's Fearfall. This attraction is poorly done. It is a life and drop tower, but it drops and bounces slowly and is absolute rubbish in comparison to the outstanding Tower of Terror at MGM.

Next is Toon Lagoon, a land that brings the Sunday Comics to life. This land has two great water rides that absolutely soak you, often to the point of extreme discomfort. My group wore ponchos on the ride and even wrapped our feet in grocery bags so our socks and shoes wouldn't be soaked for the rest of the day. Dudley Do Right's Ripsaw Falls is a log flume drop like Splash Mountain, but is more intense because the drop is longer and steeper and the ride vehicles are smaller. Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges is a water rapids ride. It's fun and not too intense, but this one can absolutely soak you.

Jurassic Park doesn't offer many rides, but the land, created so similar to the movie, is very exciting. The main attraction is the Jurassic Park River Adventure. This is a boat ride with many dinosaur animatronics that culminates with an 85 foot drop.

Next is the Lost Continent. The theme of this land, based on ancient myths and legends, is my favorite. The main attraction here, and my favorite in the park, is the amazing Dueling Dragons. This is a suspended coaster (your feet are dangling). There is a red Fire coaster and a blue Ice coaster. The two ride vehicles have different tracks, but on three occasions nearly miss the other coaster. Make sure to ride both coasters because the experience is different.

Finally, you will reach Seuss Landing. This one is geared toward children, but adults can still enjoy the crazy colors and scenery that serve as true eye candy. There is a Cat in the Hat ride and the delightful Caro-Seuss-el. Also, be sure to get an actual Green Eggs and Ham Sandwich!

Animal Kingdom has always been my last stop when I go to Disney World. If I run out of time and I have to cut something, I am always willing to cut this park. That's not to say it's not a worthwhile experience, it just doesn't compare to the other Disney or Universal parks for me. It hasn't always felt unfinished to me. You can do every attraction at this park and finish easily before the end of the day. There are not enough rides, restaurants, or fireworks to last the entire day. Its large size and the amount of outdoor walking and attractions can also make you miserable in the Florida heat. Nevertheless, there are a few great attractions and shows that should not be missed.

Animal Kingdom generally opens earlier then all of the other parks. The animals can be seen best in the morning, the lines are not long, and the heat is not unbearable. Be sure to arrive at the park early and be waiting in line for its opening! Once in, a lot of people will tell you to head straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris. I disagree with that advice. Kilimanjaro Safaris is a 30-40 minute ride. In the time it takes you to ride this one ride you could have visited three or four attractions with no wait at all. Go first to Asia and ride the new coaster Expedition Everest. This is a yeti-themed coaster that goes both forward and backward and offers the most intense ride experience in Animal Kingdom. Next, hit Dinosaur in Dinoland USA. This is a dark, bumpy ride that may be a little too intense for young children.

After that, catch either the Festival of the Lion King or the Finding Nemo stage show. Both shows fill up fast so arrive early and try to go to the first show of the day. Pick up a Fastpass for Kilimanjaro Safaris or Kali River Rapids before you go to the show. That way, by the time you get out, it will be nearly time for your Fastpass appointment. The Finding Nemo show is excellent and is my favorite Disney show from any of the parks. The theater is also indoors which is very nice. Be sure to catch it.

Then, catch Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids, and the 3-D It's Tough to Be a Bug show. That's basically it for all of the attractions. Sometimes I leave after that. If you have more time and really are an animal fan, there are trails like the Pangani Trail and the Maharajah Trek. You can always stay around for the afternoon parade or have lunch or dinner at one of the restaurants, but I never do. Since we finish the park so early, we always use the evening to hang out at our hotel or go to Downtown Disney. I think as Disney continues adding attractions and possibly a new themed land to the park, it will increase Animal Kingdom's appeal and the amount of time guests spend there. However, until then, I am happy visiting it only as a side attraction and getting my real thrills from somewhere else.

EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, is a theme park unlike any other in the world. Divided into two sections: Future World and World Showcase, the park offers some thrills, hands-on experiences and demonstrations, delicious dining, and numerous learning experiences. The question of how long to spend in this park is a rather difficult one. If you are pressed for time, you can easily spend half a day hitting only the main attractions. If you have a lot of time allotted for Epcot, you could easily spend an entire day or two in the park.You can reach the park by monorail, so if you are coming from a hotel on the monorail route or from the Magic Kingdom, this is the easiest and quickest way to get there. If not, you can simply take a bus from your hotel.


The front half of the park is Future World. Different themed pavilions house various shows and attractions. Your first stop should be The Land pavilion. This houses Epcot's newest ride, Soarin', a simulated attraction that makes you feel as if you are hang gliding over California. It is still extremely popular and lines can get very long if you don't make it there early in the morning. Next, head to Test Track. This ride takes you through the various aspects of vehicle testing, including uphill climbs, cold and hot chambers, use of brakes, and actual course driving at speeds of up to 65 mph. If the lines are long when you get there, either grab a Fastpass or use the Single Rider line. Although the Single Rider line separates your party, it is well worth it because it often saves you from a long wait. Mission:Space is next on the agenda. This is a ride worth experiencing, but I wouldn't necessarily call it fun. The ride simulates take off and weightlessness in space, which ultimately amounts to intense pressure on your head. If you don't want the intense experience, Disney now offers the Green Team line, which allows you to ride the ride without the high powered spinning. (The Orange Team is the original ride).

The other attractions have relatively little wait time. The Land Pavilion has a Living with the Land boat ride that can get crowded. Quite frankly, the ride is not thrilling and is only worth going to if you get a Fastpass and can get on with no wait. The Imagination! Pavilion has the always entertaining Honey I Shrunk the Audience 3-D show. Just be aware, many youngsters are scared of this show because it features dogs, snakes, and mice in 3-D. Spaceship of Earth is the attraction housed in the giant Epcot ball. The attraction is a mediocre ride through the history of communication. The Universe of Energy is an entertaining show/ride through energy with the always witty Ellen DeGeneres. Unfortunately, the show is a bit long (about 45 minutes) and breaks down rather frequently. There is also the Seas with Nemo and Friends. This pavilion features a kiddie ride and many displays and exhibits with sea creatures. Finally, don't forget about Innoventions. Housed in two different buildings: Innoventions East and Innoventions West, both feature futuristic video games and interactive exhibits. My absolute favorite is a walking tour of the House of the Future! You can spend as little or as much time as you want to hear.

The second part of Epcot is World Showcase, which features pavilions of 11 different countries. The only ride here that ever gets a long wait is Maelstorm in Norway, so hit this boat-ride attraction first. Other than that, take your time wandering through the other countries. You really need to check your park map to see the different forms of entertainment taking place in each country. Be sure to try some delicious cuisine from one of the countries, and remember lunch prices are always much cheaper! My favorite food is Teppan Edo in Japan and Marrakesh in Morrocco. Also, catch the American Adventure audioanimatronic show in the US. Canada, France, and China each have movies, but if you are pressed for time, skip them. There is nothing spectacular about any of them. Wander through the stores and take lots of pictures as you meander through the countries and as park closing nears, grab a spot and watch the always amazing Illuminations fireworks.

When you think of Disney World, the iconic Mickey Mouse, Cinderella's Castle, and famous attractions like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Carribbean undoubtedly pop into your mind. Magic Kingdom is the most magical, nostalgic, and kid-friendly park on Disney property. Clearly, if you take a trip to Orlando, you can't miss spending a day here.


The best way to start of your day at the Kingdom is to dine with Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty and a host of other princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast. Although the meal is expensive, it is quite worthwhile to dine inside the castle with the princesses. We made our reservation before the park had officially opened, so we got to enter the park before anyone else. If you want these reservations though, they are very difficult to get. Make sure you call Walt Disney World dining (407-WDW-DINE) as soon as you are allowed to make advanced dining reservations for your desired day.


Hitting Magic Kingdom is less difficult than some of the other parks because it is much smaller and its hub design makes it a lot easier to navigate. At the beginning of the day, the general philosophy is to rush either to Space Mountain or Splash Mountain. I always visit Space Mountain first then head to Frontierland and hit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain next. If you have children that want to do the Fantasyland attractions, go early in the day because these get long lines and many do not have Fastpass. The only Fantasyland attractions that I consider worth waiting for are Mickey's Philharmagic 3D show and the always delightful It's A Small World.

Other Magic Kingdom attractions worth hitting are the Haunted Mansion and Hall of Presidents (blessed air conditioning!) in Liberty Square, Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Carribbean in Adventureland, and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, and Carousel of Progress. Of course there is a parade in the middle of the day, but I was disappointed with how short and not worth the wait and heat it was. Skip the parade and instead stay in the park till dark and cath the Wishes firework show.

Between hitting the major rides be sure to take advantage of the numerous opportunities to meet the characters and pose for pictures with them. There are also great shops that go along with the themed lands that are worth exploring. Magic Kingdom gets very hot so be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen. It is also often a good idea to go in the morning and hit most of the rides, return to the afternoon in the heat when it gets crowded, and come back in the evening when lights are less and the park is absolutely beautiful.

Although it now goes by the new name, Disney's Hollywood Studios, the experience is still the same as when it was MGM. Of Disney's four theme parks, this reigns as my personal favorite. The rides are most thrilling, the shows are most entertaining, and the size and heat of the park are not unbearable.

Of course, the two highlights of the park are Tower of Terror and Rock'n'Roller Coaster. The two attractions are right next to each other, so visit Tower first and then the Coaster next. I always do each two or three times in the morning before lines get long and then get fastpass and do them once more during the day. I was and still am always terrified when I board Tower of Terror, but the dropping experience is always much scarier in my mind than it is in reality. Rock'n'Roller Coaster launches you from 0 to 60 within the first 3 seconds and that is quite an intense lurch, but once you make it past that it has no massive loops or drops and is not too difficult to endure. Both rides take photos of you and although expensive to buy, the facials you and your party make on them are usually worth the price tag.

One difficulty at Disney's Hollywood Studios is keeping track of the various show times. I usually like to go to Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. Try to visit the earliest show of the day if you can because they all get very crowded. Indiana Jones easily fills its theater so be sure you are in line well ahead of time or get a fastpass if you want a seat. The very entertaining Lights, Motors, Action show is housed in a huge venue, so you don't have to arrive quite as early for that.

Other than that, be sure to catch Star Tours, Jim Henson's Muppet Vision, and the iconic Great Movie Ride. Also, be sure to check out the brand new Toy Story Midway Mania attraction. If you are into behind the scenes opportunities, check out The Magic of Disney Animation, the Backlot Tour, and the American Film Institute Showcase. There are also a few kid oriented shows and opportunities to meet characters and take pictures throughout the park. Even if you are older, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure has oversized bugs, grass, and other objects that make for excellent photo ops.

Part of the magic of this park comes from the outstanding shops and eateries it has to offer. There are excellent dining opportunities at Hollywood and Vine and Hollywood Brown Derby. Kids always love Sci Fi Dine In Theater (you dine in vintage cars while watching film clips) and 50's Prime Time Cafe (where the waiters act like your parents encouraging you to eat your vegetables before you can get dessert).

Be sure to stay until park closing so you can catch the absolutely astounding Fantasmic! It's quite difficult to describe this show, but it combines elaborate fireworks, waterworks, and your favorite Disney characters in a battle between good and evil. It really is Disney at its finest. Be sure to arrive fairly early for this because the ampitheater fills up quickly.

Although it now goes by the new name, Disney's Hollywood Studios, the experience is still the same as when it was MGM. Of Disney's four theme parks, this reigns as my personal favorite. The rides are most thrilling, the shows are most entertaining, and the size and heat of the park are not unbearable.

Of course, the two highlights of the park are Tower of Terror and Rock'n'Roller Coaster. The two attractions are right next to each other, so visit Tower first and then the Coaster next. I always do each two or three times in the morning before lines get long and then get fastpass and do them once more during the day. I was and still am always terrified when I board Tower of Terror, but the dropping experience is always much scarier in my mind than it is in reality. Rock'n'Roller Coaster launches you from 0 to 60 within the first 3 seconds and that is quite an intense lurch, but once you make it past that it has no massive loops or drops and is not too difficult to endure. Both rides take photos of you and although expensive to buy, the facials you and your party make on them are usually worth the price tag.

One difficulty at Disney's Hollywood Studios is keeping track of the various show times. I usually like to go to Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, and the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show. Try to visit the earliest show of the day if you can because they all get very crowded. Indiana Jones easily fills its theater so be sure you are in line well ahead of time or get a fastpass if you want a seat. The very entertaining Lights, Motors, Action show is housed in a huge venue, so you don't have to arrive quite as early for that.

Other than that, be sure to catch Star Tours, Jim Henson's Muppet Vision, and the iconic Great Movie Ride. Also, be sure to check out the brand new Toy Story Midway Mania attraction. If you are into behind the scenes opportunities, check out The Magic of Disney Animation, the Backlot Tour, and the American Film Institute Showcase. There are also a few kid oriented shows and opportunities to meet characters and take pictures throughout the park. Even if you are older, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure has oversized bugs, grass, and other objects that make for excellent photo ops.

Part of the magic of this park comes from the outstanding shops and eateries it has to offer. There are excellent dining opportunities at Hollywood and Vine and Hollywood Brown Derby. Kids always love Sci Fi Dine In Theater (you dine in vintage cars while watching film clips) and 50's Prime Time Cafe (where the waiters act like your parents encouraging you to eat your vegetables before you can get dessert).

Be sure to stay until park closing so you can catch the absolutely astounding Fantasmic! It's quite difficult to describe this show, but it combines elaborate fireworks, waterworks, and your favorite Disney characters in a battle between good and evil. It really is Disney at its finest. Be sure to arrive fairly early for this because the ampitheater fills up quickly.