The Theme Park Thread • Page 10

so.....doing a big family trip to florida the week between christmas and new years. i think we're gonna do theme parks only two days. what would you recommend if you could only do two parks? my wife really wants to do epcot for the worlds stuff so we'll probably do that. i've never been to disney or universal btw.

i know @Matt would probably have some advice.

 

Going to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party for the first time next Tuesday. Was a wedding gift from two of our friends. I'm excited, though it will be weird being at the parks when it's not Christmas. Buuut we wanted to spend some of our honeymoon at Disney!

 

I think Disney tends to be more crowded that time of year vs Universal. That said, if you go to Universal you can spend a little extra and get an express pass, that will save you a lot of time waiting in lines. But I think magic kingdom/ epcot are best that time of year.

 

If you're only going to do two parks, I would say Epcot and Magic Kingdom.

Epcot will be fun with a big group because you can just stroll around the countries and eat/drink.

Magic Kingdom has all the classic rides that you should do especially if it's your first time, and everything will be decked out for the holidays (at Epcot too).

You can probably skip Hollywood Studios until Toy Story Land or Star Wars Land open, they've closed so much in the last year in preparation.

Animal Kingdom has become a "must do" with the new Pandora/Avatar land, so if you can squeeze in a third park by doing a park-hopper one day I would suggest doing that.

Make sure to spend some time in Disney Springs as well.

 

Thank you both. Leaning that direction.

What about Universal?

 

I prefer Universal, but only because I like rides. But with the time of year you’re going, and with a big family, and all other things considered, I think everyone will enjoy Disney more. And like Matt said, you might be able to get a small discount on tickets with the park hopper tickets.

 

That said Universal has HP. But, and this is how they get you, if you want to ride the Hogwarts Express, you have to buy tickets to both parks.

 

I'm supposed to be hitting Fright Fest at Six Flags Great Adventure Monday. Unfortunately I just saw the weather and it does not look good. Took the day off from work and already bought tickets too :(. Worst week ever.

 

On the bright side, it won't be crowded if you go haha. I've got tickets to Spooky World in New Hampshire this weekend and it looks like rain as well. I'm just going to bring a raincoat and think of the bad weather as an extra level of spooky.

 

If you get to Universal or IoA at opening, you can usually do pretty much every major ride in both parks on the same day before they close. Express Pass helps too, although I am not sure how much they charge for that.

FastPass+ in Disney is free, so if you buy park tickets in advance make sure to book some fast passes. It's fun and you can manage them with the Disney Parks app

 

I may have already posted this but whatever I'm excited
I'm going to Universal/IOA for the first time later this month. My friend is military and got us helllla cheap tickets.
I'm also doing HHN for the first time!
so excited

 

speaking of cheap tickets. are there any ways to get discounted disney/universal tickets? and does anyone have any money saving tips and tricks in general?

 

My boy Lou Mongello has the book for you

102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World: Bonus! 40 Free Things to Enjoy, Eat, Do and Collect!: Lou Mongello: 9780991498802: Amazon.com: Books

 

Yes! The scarecrow one was probably my favorite house this year.

 

Speaking from the California perspective my university offered a lower ticket price to students to bunch of things in the area, which included Disney/Universal. It's nothing drastic, but Horror Nights became a little easier on the wallet for me to justify spending money on.

 

lol

 

Laughed very hard at this.

 

Not sure if I’ve mentioned it before but anyone who posts here would probably enjoy Podcast: The Ride

 

I'm getting very excited for HHN this year. Grabbing my tickets soon!

 

Anyone here been to Toy Story Land yet?
Also, can't believe Disney started their Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party's two weeks ago, lol. So early!

 

Going to HHN in Orlando for the first time ever (despite growing up in Florida, haha) at the end of September. Also going to Animal Kingdom for the first time ever, Epcot for the first time since I was 5, and Hollywood Studios (did it change names and I’m forgetting?) for the first time since I was 4.

My family was very much a Universal/Busch Gardens family. I haven’t been to Magic Kingdom since I was 14...and won’t be going on this trip.

 

I think I may be going to Disneyland for my birthday next month so that is pretty exciting. I am hoping I could have a friend in the LA area join me.

also going to do HHN in LA with some co-workers this year and I am pretty hyped about that. I am not much of a scary movies type of person but I feel like I enjoy doing it with co-workers.

 

They start it earlier and earlier every year lol, it is crazy.

We were in TSL 2 weeks ago and it was a lot of fun! It’s pretty small, only 2 *new* rides, Slinky Dog Dash is super fun. I had to temper my expectations after being ultimately disappointed with the ride aspect of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (overall boring ride experience with GREAT design/theme, IMO) but this new one was a lot of fun. We didn’t go on the alien spinners because it just looked like a re-imagined spinning teacups ride. They flipped the entrance to Toy Story Mania around so that it could fit with the main area of TSL, so that’s different as well. The land itself is themed so well, you feel like you’re in a toy box, everything is HUGE and colorful.

My favorite part about TSL, however, is the close up view you get to all the construction going on for Star Wars Land. It’s going to be absolutely massive. From the highest point of Slinky Dog, you can see everything. I cannot wait for it.

 

I'm going to HHN then as well! Last year was my first HHN and I loved it so I'm going again this year (for 3 nights). Animal Kingdom is fun, but make sure you set out a good chunk of time for the Avatar flight ride. Also, Epcot will have Food and Wine Fest, so make sure you try out lots of food!

 

Going that last Friday in Sept to HHN? And yeah. My friend is booking us fast passes and stuff for the three Disney parks the day they go available/she’s planning things to try and maximize time. Food and Wine festival is gonna be so legit.