Which theme parks to visit?

[trucksies]

We will be in WDW for 5 full days in middle of June. My original plan was to do theme parks for 4 days and just anything else or just relax for 1 day. I was going to spend 2 days at MK, 1 day at MGM and 1 day at Sea World. I didn't want to cram too many theme parks in and be exhausted. I am travelling with husband, two boys, 4 and 6, and parents - both over 70. Dad is in great shape, Mom is OK and may rent wheel chair.

Then I started reading about how great Epcot is. Now I am torn. Should I give up Sea World and do Epcot? Or use our 5th day and do Epcot? Or use 5th day, give up Sea World and do 2 days Epcot?

The last time I went was in 1982 as a teenager. It is basically all new this time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mousermerf]

SeaWorld will pale in comparison to any WDW park, so you should probably drop it first and foremost.

SeaWord is a nice park, with 2 cool rides, but otherwise not something people consider a must-see.

Epcot is very worthwhile, with atleast 3 big name rides (Test Track, Mission: SPACE, Soarin') and lots of other types of rides/shows to see as well.

 

[MagicalMonorail]

I would visit MK for 2 days, Epcot for 1 day, and MGM for 1 day. I have a feeling that your parents will enjoy Epcot. If they enjoy traveling or if you think they would, they will love wandering around World Showcase. My grandparents are close to their 70's and they like WS.

 

[GenerationX]

Given everyone's ages (and I have 5, 7, and 10 year old boys), I cannot stress enough the need for a mid-day break. WDW is a lot of walking. Tour a park in the morning for several hours, go back to the hotel to rest, then return in the evening.

If I were you, I would spend Day 1 at Epcot. Two reasons:
1. Mom and Dad will love it and will be at their most energetic early in the trip
2. Boys will enjoy it more when they haven't already been to the MK.

I'd spend Day 2 at MK, Day 3 at the hotel, Day 4 at MGM, and Day 5 at MK.

Have fun! :wave:

 

[dave2822]

If you haven't been since 1982, you MUST do EPCOT! In fact, in 5 days there is no reason why you can't do every WDW park.

Soarin, Test Track, M:S, Illuminations, plus the WS, all of these are must sees!

Figure 5 days, with the park hopping option (a must). Since it has been so long, you'll want to take your time and experience as much as possible, I'm sure. MK, as you said, is a 2 day park. If you want to experience all, or most of, MGM, than the shows will certainly make this a full park day. Even if you wanted an off day, you can split your time between EPCOT and AK, which you shouldn't overlook. I realize you may hear some negative things about AK, but that shouldn't deter you. Animal Kingdom is a magnificant park, the Safaris and Jungle Trek shouldn't be missed, and even if you just do it for a half day, at least get it in there. In fact, this is a bit of a drift, but I seriously believe AK may get more attendance than MGM in the following years, once EE opens at least (they weren't too far from it last year, and showed the biggest increase in attendance).

Now, with that said, I understand you have some special circumstances, with younger children and older parents. If you had to cut one park because of time and other restraints, than I would still say disregard AK (though it seems you already have!). But EPCOT is a definite.

However, there are so many ways to plan 4 WDW days, especially if you feel comfortable with hopping from park to park. I would suggest picking up the latest edition of The Unofficial Guide and perhaps even the Official Guide as well.


The matter of Sea World, IMBO (that would be In My Biased Opinion :lol: ) can be disregarded. If you are traveling with young children and your parents, I don't believe Sea World is a must see. To get the family up early to drive to the park, and attack it like WDW is just not worth it. I'm figuring you will skip Kraken with the ages of your family members, and just watching the shows all day really doesn't justify a worthwhile day for me. I apologize for Sea World fans out there in advance.

Above all, though this may seem contradictary to my somewhat hectic post, enjoy your time planning, relax when you arrive, and make the most of your visit to WDW!

 

[wannabeBelle]

I happen to agree with most of the opinions here. I liked Sea World as well, and REALLY loved Kraken but if I did this park once every few years it would be fine. EPCOT on the other hand I could do once every few days!!!! EPCOT is an amazing park. I like to think of it as the park of Discovery. Learn about the planet, mankinds efforts in communication, space travel, transportation, energy, imagination, not to mention the World Showcase where different cultures, music, and foods are showcased. I can spend entire days just watching the Off Kilter Musical Act in Canada (and have!!) Make sure you catch them and give them a listen. Their usual Schedule has them off on Fridays and Staurdays and sometimes Tuesdays ( dont ask, I dont make this stuff up, I just go with it) It is unlike anything you have ever heard!! I also like the British Invasion in the United Kingdom pavilion which does all Beatles music!!! As you see there is more to EPCOT Than meets the eye. To give you a better idea I would encourage you to check out this website from Deb Wills which will give you a good overview of the park ( the other parks are listed on the left hand side for more reference) http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/ep.htm This should give you a good overview. For listings on all entertainment available in all the parks check out Steve Soares website at :http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/ He lists all acts in all four them parks plus a few others with all performance times for the up and coming week which is as far in advance as Disney gives it out!! Hope this helps!! Belle

 

[OmegaKnight]

Epcot is my favorite Disney park (hence why I work there) There is so much to do there with some pretty cool attractions. An attraction no one has mentioned here that is one my absolute faves there is The American Adventure. The showmanship in this attraction is one of the best in any Disney show and there are like 35 audio-animatronics they use. Gotta love the music as well.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

What conflicting advice :lol: Here's some more -
EPCOT will take a full day (and like other Disney parks you won't see / do everything). I would suggest Future World before lunch and then walk around World Showcase stopping off for dinner before finding a spot for Illuminations
Magic Kingdom is definitely a MUST DO - and I would recommend two full days (however, with your schedule I'm going to suggest a day and a half) - check the schedules and ensure that you see SpectroMagic
MGM Studios again a full day park making sure you see Fantasmic
Animal Kingdom - you didn't mention this park ?? I would suggest a half day here (morning - to see the animals on Kilimanjaro Safari when they're most active) and then Park Hop to MK (assuming you have hopper options).
SeaWorld for us would be a must see park - there is a more relaxed atmosphere than at WDW and the pace is slower (suit your parents) plus there are two good rides (Kraken is a must if you're into coasters).
This gives you a five day schedule taking in everything plus AK
Oh yeah - Welcome :wave:

 

[KevinPage]

Seaworld is eseentially all "shows" or presentations. There are only 2-3 actual "rides".

While nice for a change of pace if you had time to kill, I'd much rather spend any time I have at a Disney park.

As a local, I only keep my Disney annual pass active. I've been to Universal & Seaworld a few times, so that's more than enough for a few years until they each get a bunch of new stuff.

 

[sheryl2007]

Given everyone's ages (and I have 5, 7, and 10 year old boys), I cannot stress enough the need for a mid-day break. WDW is a lot of walking. Tour a park in the morning for several hours, go back to the hotel to rest, then return in the evening.

If I were you, I would spend Day 1 at Epcot. Two reasons:
1. Mom and Dad will love it and will be at their most energetic early in the trip
2. Boys will enjoy it more when they haven't already been to the MK.

I'd spend Day 2 at MK, Day 3 at the hotel, Day 4 at MGM, and Day 5 at MK.

Have fun! :wave:

This sounds like the perfect plan for your family, I would definitely do the mid day break, little ones enjoy the downtime and pooltime too, and so will you and your parents!! Have FUN!!

 

[trucksies]

Everybody, thanks for all the advice! Looks like Sea World is out and Epcot is in. Orlando is one of those places that is worth visiting again, so I'll catch the ones I missed then.

 

[djlb16]

can you help me?

this is probably a wrong forum but... I have not been in epcot since 1999, and i hate it that time, but i think that maybe it will be better... so i will buy a park hopper because i think is the best option but :veryconfu can you explain me how does it work? and the prize, please... ok thanks

Do you think that Universal Studios is a good option to visit 1 day? last time i was there was in 2004 so the only new think will be FEAR FACTOR... what do you think?

 

[RedBaron]

If you have never been to Sea World and since you are traveling with 2 young children I would say that Sea World is a must. I think the Orlando park is very nice and the shows are great. I would also recommend going to Epcot since it is my favorite park and im sure you and your parents will love it. If I had to skip one park to have a day of rest and relaxation it would be MGM. Not that I dont like MGM, but for me it is really more of a half day park. Another idea would be relax and swim one morning/afternoon and see MGM in the late afternoon/evening? Also since you said your mom is in just OK shape. Rent the wheel chair. There is a lot of walking to do. Last time I went with my mom, we got the chair and I pushed her around between attractions, but she was in good enough shape to stand in line for the rides.