Where to go on Aug. 29? or Celebrity Deathmatch: EPCOT vs. DHS

[Disneyson 1]

I'm going to the world from Aug. 28th - 31st

28th (getting there late) - Fantasia Gardens, Downtown Disney (Disneyquest, The Adventurer's Club)

29th - ?

30th - Magic Kingdom

31st (leaving early) - Airport shopping

So the problem is clear: Which park do I go to on the 29th? I'm taking my 14 year old friend who not only enjoys thrills, but also the special effects and storytelling of Disney.

EPCOT:

• It's big
• It has rides that he wants to go on like Sorin' and Test Track,
• I want to check out the Gran Fiesta Tour and the newly refurbished Spaceship Earth
• (A pro and a con) His parents are going to be there, but they don't really change my decision because they won't be with us; they'll be shopping in World Showcase.
• Illuminations. I have only seen parts of it and a snippet online and I got goosebumps. He's never seen it. Still, it seems like a normal fireworks show to me. Plus, is'nt the Globe going to be in refurbishment while we're there?

DHS:

• It's smaller, but we plan on seeing everything if we go there
• It has rides that he wants to go on like The Tower of Terror and Rock n' Roller Coaster
  
• I want to check out Toy Story Mania
• (A pro and a con) His parents won't be going, so I won't even have a chance to goad them onto any rides
• Fantasmic!. It's my favorite night time entertainment in the world and he's never seen it, but he really wants to. I want to catch it before it only runs mondays and thursdays (gulp...)

In conclusion, I really wish we could see both of the parks, but alas, we can only see one. Help me choose!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

EPCOT.

By far!

 

[WickedQueen22]

I vote Epcot....

you have a full day to be in the parks but it can only be one park. Epcot offers an entire days worth of fun and there are numerous places to rest and eat. DHS is so much fun but can you make it last a full day?

Have a great time!

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

In your situation, I'd head to DHS. For a 14 year old who loves thrills and Disney storytelling, there are some attractions in DHS that can't be beat, and the park can be seen in one day.

Epcot can work, but from previous knowledge, most teens find Epcot to be, well, boring. If you friend is interested in the world and different cultures, then give Epcot a try. I don't know what his interests are, so I can't really tell. Also, to truly experience Epcot, you really should plan for more than one day. You really won't be able to see and experience everything in one day (unless you want to exhaust yourself running everywhere). DHS works well if you only have a day.

They are both great parks, so there is no wrong choice. I love Epcot, but for you, I think DHS is a better fit.

 

[Roxas]

So the problem is clear: Which park do I go to on the 29th? I'm taking my 14 year old friend who not only enjoys thrills, but also the special effects and storytelling of Disney.

EPCOT:

• It's big
• It has rides that he wants to go on like Sorin' and Test Track,
• I want to check out the Gran Fiesta Tour and the newly refurbished Spaceship Earth
• (A pro and a con) His parents are going to be there, but they don't really change my decision because they won't be with us; they'll be shopping in World Showcase.
• Illuminations. I have only seen parts of it and a snippet online and I got goosebumps. He's never seen it. Still, it seems like a normal fireworks show to me. Plus, is'nt the Globe going to be in refurbishment while we're there?

DHS:

• It's smaller, but we plan on seeing everything if we go there
• It has rides that he wants to go on like The Tower of Terror and Rock n' Roller Coaster
  
• I want to check out Toy Story Mania
• (A pro and a con) His parents won't be going, so I won't even have a chance to goad them onto any rides
• Fantasmic!. It's my favorite night time entertainment in the world and he's never seen it, but he really wants to. I want to catch it before it only runs mondays and thursdays (gulp...)

In conclusion, I really wish we could see both of the parks, but alas, we can only see one. Help me choose!

Myself I would always go for EPCOT however considering your requirements I believe DHS would be a better choice.

Requirement 1: Thrill rides

Winner: DHS
TOT and R&RC win hands down for both thrills and theming. TOT is probably the mosy immersive experience in WDW.

Test track is good as are Soarin' and Mission:Space. However int terms of thrills they are far outclassed by DHS.

Requirement 2: Special effects and storytelling of Disney.
Winner: DHS
By it's very nature DHS and its attractions wins this category as an exhibition of special effects and the magic of movies.

In terms of evening shows Illuminations is more spectacular however under requirement 2 Fantasmic would be your best bet.

As a massive Epcot Fan it pains me to say your best bet regarding these circumstances is Disney Hollywod Studios.

Your choice and you may want to consider if this is affected by anyone else in your party.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

In your situation, I'd head to DHS. For a 14 year old who loves thrills and Disney storytelling, there are some attractions in DHS that can't be beat, and the park can be seen in one day.

Epcot can work, but from previous knowledge, most teens find Epcot to be, well, boring. If you friend is interested in the world and different cultures, then give Epcot a try. I don't know what his interests are, so I can't really tell. Also, to truly experience Epcot, you really should plan for more than one day. You really won't be able to see and experience everything in one day (unless you want to exhaust yourself running everywhere). DHS works well if you only have a day.

They are both great parks, so there is no wrong choice. I love Epcot, but for you, I think DHS is a better fit.

Blasphemy!:lol:

 

[Disneyson 1]

Well, yes, he likes thrill rides, but it's not his highest requirement, as he may favor something like Splash or BTMRR. (I might have to nudge him on to ToT!) But yes, he loves special effects and storytelling. He won't want to spend too much time at the countries if we go to EPCOT as his main goals are the attractions. He does love video games, but he even said himself that he wants to do things that he can only do at Disney. (Sounds like some people on these boards...) Also, does anyone know anything about the globe refurb?

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

As a massive Epcot Fan it pains me to say your best bet regarding these circumstances is Disney Hollywod Studios.

As a fellow Epcot fanatic, it kinda hurts, doesn't it? :lol:

Unfortunately, the globe refurb is really up in the air. No one really knows if and when it will take place.

 

[Mr_Tom_Morrow]

i say epcot with a capital E-P-C-O-T!!!!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

As a fellow Epcot fanatic, it kinda hurts, doesn't it? :lol:

Unfortunately, the globe refurb is really up in the air. No one really knows if and when it will take place.

It should!*pouts*:fork::fork::fork:


:lol:

i say epcot with a capital E-P-C-O-T!!!!

Woohoo!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

For fun, I create dilemmas like this for myself.

Like:
One day at EPCOT or two months travelling France and Italy in style.
One Illuminations show or a free annual pass to all my local cinemas and theaters.
One glance at Spaceship Earth or a week in Venice.

I find it always incredibly difficult to choose.

By which I mean to say, I for one will always pick EPCOT over anything else. It's special.

* sigh *

 

[gjohnson66]

IMO, the only valid reasons to go to DHS are RRC, ToT, and Fantasmic! EPCOT is far superior, especially for adults -- and it has Illuminations: Reflections of Earth!!!!

Truthfully you could probably do both -- I have many times. Park at EPCOT at the beginning of the day (the earlier the better), walk through the park to the boats, ride to DHS, spend half a day there, ride back and spend the rest of the evening in EPCOT. I've found it to be a pretty full day while still getting to see and do the things I'd like to.

 

[jeffk410]

DHS for the win

Hollywood studios has great disney story telling ,great shows, great thrill rides, great new attraction(TSM!!) Fantasmic is an amazing show and if he hasnt seen it he MUST!! and well epcot is great but isnt nearly as great as dhs especially for your friend.

 

[DisneyDellsDude]

I voted Epcot because you have to see Illuminations!
Also, SSE's refurb was very nice. (Can't wait till they finish the ending though!)

 

[Disneyson 1]

Geez, its going to be really hard to choose. If you have more questions about me or my friend, just ask. Remember to vote in the poll!

P.S. He's been to both parks, but doesn't remember much. As you can tell I love F! and want to share it with him, on the other hand I:RoE is great too and I'd be able to share that magic with his parents (and might even be able to get them onto some rides! I'm a firm believer that a Disney vacation is for the whole family.) GET CLICKIN"!!!

 

[MR. CRAFTSMAN]

My thought would be if you are staying on property and buy a park hopper pass to do DHS first thing you should be able to do it all and then you can go to Epcot for the extra magic night hours because it is always the late night on Friday nights and then catch most of all the fun stuff at Epcot also!!!!!!!!!!???????:sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

 

[EpcotServo]

I love EPCOT and all, but STUDIOS all the way!

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Blasphemy!:lol:

It should!*pouts*:fork::fork::fork:


:lol:

I knew I'd get into trouble for voting DHS. Please don't hurt me!



:lol:



To the OP, its really up to you. Both are great parks. If you think you can get your friend's parents to join you for some of the rides, then you might want to go to Epcot. I agree that Disney is a great place to spend time with family.

 

[Disneyson 1]

I was thinking that too. We're staying in a non-Disney hotel, so EMH is not an option. I was thinking of doing both, but just got word that they bought 6 seperate single day tickets, sooo... in other words, NO PARK HOPPING FOR YOU!!! Please keep the questions and answers coming, I'm going to show my friend this thread tomorrow or the day after. May the battle rage on!

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

For fun, I create dilemmas like this for myself.

Like:
One day at EPCOT or two months travelling France and Italy in style.
One Illuminations show or a free annual pass to all my local cinemas and theaters.
One glance at Spaceship Earth or a week in Venice.

I find it always incredibly difficult to choose.

By which I mean to say, I for one will always pick EPCOT over anything else. It's special.

* sigh *

YEP!!

I was thinking that too. We're staying in a non-Disney hotel, so EMH is not an option. I was thinking of doing both, but just got word that they bought 6 seperate single day tickets, sooo... in other words, NO PARK HOPPING FOR YOU!!! Please keep the questions and answers coming, I'm going to show my friend this thread tomorrow or the day after. May the battle rage on!

Actually, you can still shop and walk around in EMH.You can also sneak onto rides like I did.:lookaroun:lol: