Just WDW or do you visit other parks?

disney magic 06

disney magic 06

Well-Known Member
Most of our Florida holidays have been to WDW only but this year we started our holiday with 2 nights at Universal, which we greatly enjoyed. I quite fancied a day at Seaworld next year, and have just been checking it out online. I was shocked to see that a one day admission to the park would set us back $84.99, that seems pretty steep to me, and we'd also have to factor in hire car/shuttle bus costs. It would be a very expensive day out, especialy considering that we have a 14 day for the price of 7 Disney pass for our 12 day holiday so we could go to one of the Disney parks instead.

It has made me wonder, do most of you folks stray out of our magical lands on your trips?
 
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midwest_mice

midwest_mice

Well-Known Member
I've never been "off property" since my first trip to the world in '04. I visit at least once if not twice a year and have never had any desire to visit the other theme parks besides Disney. I'd rather take Magical Express right to the resort and stay right there without having to figure out how to get anywhere else besides the 4 Disney theme parks.
 
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disneygirl76

disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
disney magic 06 said:
We DID feel US was well worth it. We stayed two nights at the Holiday Inn at considerably less cost than the WDW section of our holiday (WL) so that partly covered the cost of the park tickets etc, give or take. We loved IoA, especially HP, as we walked into Hogsmeade it literally took my breath away. Some of the rides were completely different to any others I'd ever experienced, and all in all I felt it was money well spent.

Seaworld is a different kettle of fish. I'm not sure it would be worth laying out a lot of money and missing a Disney day for. We are an adult-only party so no children to consider.
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We don't have kids either. I love Sea World, but its so expensive so I totally understand the debate. For us, I was disappointed in US. I went in 1998 with my parents and brother and when I went almost a decade later, not much had changed. Some things rethemed but not changed. Of IOA was all new, and it was very good. All we saw of HP was the metal structure of Hogwarts. Torture! Like you could see what it was going to be but it wasn't yet! I am anxious to get to IOA for that.
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
I like theme parks. I am not devoted to Disney in that regard. Uni's parks are just as good and sometimes better than Disney's. Of course I go there. I understand people not going to Uni if they can't afford that, but I've never understood how someone could love theme parks at WDW and not at Uni. Makes no sense. I think it must be a deep devotion to WDW, because the Uni parks are fantastic.

Sea World, otoh, is an entirely different kind of theme park. i can see people who like WDW and Uni not loving Sea World. I love it! In fact, if I were forced to pick only one park for Orlando, I'd pick Sea World. I like it that much. But it is different and maybe not for everyone. I don't personally know anyone who has visited that said they didn't enjoy it, though.

I think everyone should visit every park...even the DHS, lol...and form their own opinions.

All the parks are expensive. Orlando vacations aren't cheap, that's for sure. The WDW and Uni tickets get closer to $100 for one day every year. Sea World isn't quite that high, but it isn't a bargain, either.

If you can afford it, Sea World is worth a visit.
 
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Disneyhead'71

Disneyhead'71

Well-Known Member
This may be the wrong forum to be asking about Non-Disney Parks. It is a VERY Disney centric crowd that most have an actual aversion to leaving property and that negatively colors their opinions when they do.

SeaWorld is a nice park, but very show heavy. They have added several attractions in the past several years that are pretty amazing. This year they opened Turtle Trek, which is the most amazing 3D theater attraction. It has the screen in a dome above your head and creates the most immersive theater attraction environment I have experienced. 3 years ago they opened Manta, which is a great flying coaster that is VERY high on the thrill factor. And the queue is a rock cave that winds around a large aquarium with 300+ rays. It is fantastically themed for a "big boy" coaster. Right now they have a new dark ride under construction called Antarctica: Empire Of the Penguin. It utilizes the same trackless GPS guided tech that Disney used in Pooh's Honey Hunt in Tokyo.

And I disagree vehemently with most poster's here view of Universal Resort Orlando. I think that both of their parks are world class theme parks with many attractions that blow Disney's out of the water. In my opinion Islands of Adventure is the second best theme park in Orlando behind the MK. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are the 2 of finest modern dark rides on the planet. The Curse of the Mummy is leagues better than Rock n Rollercoaster or Expedition Everest. Men in Black blows Buzz and Toy Story Midway Mania away as far as shooter rides go. Sure, Uni has some attractions that can be pretty lame, but so does Disney. But Disney gets a pass because, well, they're Disney.

This is NOT the most objective board when discussing non-Disney parks.
 
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Pumbas Nakasak

Pumbas Nakasak

Heading for the great escape.
I visit Universal every trip currently I prefer it, though like WDW it has become a little too familiar. That said we do stay at Disney for 13 nights and Uni for 3. We visit Sea World and Busch Gardens every few years to experience their additions and we also try to fit in things like Blue Man and Aquatica, etc.
I love shell fish but I wouldnt want them every meal.
 
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disney magic 06

disney magic 06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Disneyhead'71 said:
This may be the wrong forum to be asking about Non-Disney Parks. It is a VERY Disney centric crowd that most have an actual aversion to leaving property and that negatively colors their opinions when they do.

SeaWorld is a nice park, but very show heavy. They have added several attractions in the past several years that are pretty amazing. This year they opened Turtle Trek, which is the most amazing 3D theater attraction. It has the screen in a dome above your head and creates the most immersive theater attraction environment I have experienced. 3 years ago they opened Manta, which is a great flying coaster that is VERY high on the thrill factor. And the queue is a rock cave that winds around a large aquarium with 300+ rays. It is fantastically themed for a "big boy" coaster. Right now they have a new dark ride under construction called Antarctica: Empire Of the Penguin. It utilizes the same trackless GPS guided tech that Disney used in Pooh's Honey Hunt in Tokyo.

And I disagree vehemently with most poster's here view of Universal Resort Orlando. I think that both of their parks are world class theme parks with many attractions that blow Disney's out of the water. In my opinion Islands of Adventure is the second best theme park in Orlando behind the MK. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey are the 2 of finest modern dark rides on the planet. The Curse of the Mummy is leagues better than Rock n Rollercoaster or Expedition Everest. Men in Black blows Buzz and Toy Story Midway Mania away as far as shooter rides go. Sure, Uni has some attractions that can be pretty lame, but so does Disney. But Disney gets a pass because, well, they're Disney.

This is NOT the most objective board when discussing non-Disney parks.
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And that is the very reason I asked the question here - I'm a Disney freak myself, and if I'm going to give up one of my precious Disney days, I want to make sure it'll be worth my while. My fellow Disney fans have convinced me to spend that day in one of the parks I love, and that I already have a ticket for :) ie Disney.

The value of visiting Universal is not in question, I love it and I totally agree about Universal rides, it was Seaworld I was unsure about.
 
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Disneyhead'71

Disneyhead'71

Well-Known Member
Then, to be honest, I would wait until AFTER Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins opens. I think SeaWorld is a great park. But a little goes a long way. We are local and have Universal and WDW APs. We go to Universal more than Disney, but we do both regularly. We hit SeaWorld at least once a year.

I do think that you should go there at least once, but it will have more to offer when you come back for your Disney fix at a later date.
 
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disney magic 06

disney magic 06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Disneyhead'71 said:
Then, to be honest, I would wait until AFTER Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins opens. I think SeaWorld is a great park. But a little goes a long way. We are local and have Universal and WDW APs. We go to Universal more than Disney, but we do both regularly. We hit SeaWorld at least once a year.

I do think that you should go there at least once, but it will have more to offer when you come back for your Disney fix at a later date.
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Thanks for that. I agree. We'll maybe do what was suggested earlier and add an extra night to our Universal stay for a Seaworld trip.
 
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NemoRocks78

NemoRocks78

Seized
I always try to get in another day or two at other parks. I grew up going to Universal, SeaWorld, and Busch, so they've always been major favorites. On our quick trip last month we did a day at USF/IOA, and on our trip in Oct. we're probably going back. I love SW Orlando (especially Manta!) and I have a Platinum Pass for SW San Diego that works at all SW/BG parks, but I'll probably wait until Antarctica opens to head back in. BG Tampa is great and I'm dying to try Cheetah Hunt… probably won't have time on the Oct. trip, but maybe the one after that will work. I'd also like to visit Legoland as we live 10 min. away from the one in SoCal and it's not bad.
 
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onesandzeros

onesandzeros

Active Member
My WDW trips have evolved over the years. I typically arrive in Florida a week or two prior to my Disney reservation. I like to visit the town of Celebration, Kennedy Space Center on the east coast, Tampa Bay Downs (horse racing) on the west coast, Tampa Bay football games in the fall/winter, Baseball Spring Training, Silver Springs in Ocala. Always end the trip at Disney enjoying the resorts and parks.
 
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disney magic 06

disney magic 06

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
NemoRocks said:
I always try to get in another day or two at other parks. I grew up going to Universal, SeaWorld, and Busch, so they've always been major favorites. On our quick trip last month we did a day at USF/IOA, and on our trip in Oct. we're probably going back. I love SW Orlando (especially Manta!) and I have a Platinum Pass for SW San Diego that works at all SW/BG parks, but I'll probably wait until Antarctica opens to head back in. BG Tampa is great and I'm dying to try Cheetah Hunt… probably won't have time on the Oct. trip, but maybe the one after that will work. I'd also like to visit Legoland as we live 10 min. away from the one in SoCal and it's not bad.
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Ooh yes Busch Gardens sounds great, that's a must do for the future.
 
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Dwarful

Dwarful

Well-Known Member
We have gone both ways on our trips to Orlando. Although we have always stayed on Disney property. Sometimes we drive to FLA. other times we fly. If we fly and go off property we arrange transportation through a car service if its only for a day or two off property. For us its cheaper that way vs. a taxi or renting a car and paying parking.

Our kids are older now and love IoA. Last year we did Sea World. It was a nice day..but we didn't pay gate prices. We had deep discounts from my husband's work.

I wouldn't pay full price for any of the theme parks. But I also won't pay the extra fee for hoppers anymore either.
 
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Tinkerbella16

Tinkerbella16

Well-Known Member
We only do Disney.. its the only way I know! :D

When I was younger like 6-8 years old, those trips were the only ones where we went off-property. We stayed off-property in 1992, and got free tickets to Universal so we went. I have been there since 1994. My mom and stepdad have taken 5 day trips and stayed at one of the Uni hotels.. I couldn't do that lol. It would be hard for me to get off the plane and not walk down to DME all geared up to get on Disney property!
 
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Disneyhead'71

Disneyhead'71

Well-Known Member
tinkgrl1685 said:
We only do Disney.. its the only way I know! :D

When I was younger like 6-8 years old, those trips were the only ones where we went off-property. We stayed off-property in 1992, and got free tickets to Universal so we went. I have been there since 1994. My mom and stepdad have taken 5 day trips and stayed at one of the Uni hotels.. I couldn't do that lol. It would be hard for me to get off the plane and not walk down to DME all geared up to get on Disney property!
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Slumming it up at Universal's Portofino Bay sucks, the pool concierge only brings 3 towels per person when they escort you to the chaise of your choice. 2 that they wrap the chaise with and one for a pillow. And the kids hated the complimentary lemon/lime ice water at the pool. They had to settle for just the orange/tangerine ice water. But I had to explain to them that with our AP Discount $185/night (June) was all we could afford.
 
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