And yet ^another^ Florida question!

[BaconAndAvocado]

I have already asked this question a few months back but can't seem to find the thread. So sorry!

Going to Florida next year with DCs age 17, 8 and 7.

Trying to get an idea of how many days to allocate to each park. E.g. Will Epcot be 1 or 2 days?

We plan to do
Magic Kingdom
Animal Kingdom
Epcot
Hollywood Studios
Universal
Island of Adventures
Sea world
Aquatica or 1 other water park
Space Center

Tia

Magic Kingdom - 2 (for all the shows)
Animal Kingdom - 1
Epcot - 1/2 (thats half, not one ir two) if you have to
Hollywood Studios - dont know Ive not been
Universal - 2
Island of Adventures - 2
Sea World......erm....none. Its fucking barbaric.
Space Center - none, unless you have space nuts for kids who would hate you for not going
Waterparks - one for each of the Disney ones, not been to Aquatica.

Add in a day to Busch Gardens.

You absolutely must do Typhoon Lagoon, Disney . It's fucking fantastic!

All the Disney parks , sea world and universal are the only ones I'd bother with again .

We got the ultimate pass so we could go as many times we wanted.

We did two at Hollywood studios bit our kids are smaller and that was their fab place. Lots of toy story/Disney junior there.

We only did the 6 Disney parks and that easily filled two weeks.

Thanks for rapid replies

As we're going in August I wanted to plan some chill out days at the villa, but think I might be a little misguided.......

Magic Kingdom - 2
Animal Kingdom - 1-2
Epcot - 1
Hollywood Studios - 1
Universal - 2 (adding extra days on here to allow for the new Harry Potter bits which may well still be very busy even next year)
Island of Adventures - 2 (see above)
Sea world - 0
Aquatica - never been
Disney water parks - 2x 0.5 days each; go for when it opens, stay a couple of hours and then leave before it gets too hot and busy
Space Center - 1 (def not just for space nuts ime, we all enjoy it)

We just buy 14 day tickets for Disney and Universal, and then a day ticket to the Space Center. Not done Busch Gardens yet as it is mainly big rides so didn't feel it was worth it when DD was smaller. We may go this year but it is a long drive.

17 yo is a space nut but apparently they do have a bit more for the little ones now - an Angry Birds ride or summat?

Didn't fancy Busch Gardens, we live in Kent where there are a lot of animal parks and feel there are enough big rides at the other parks.

Sooooo this means we'll have roughly 4 days to spare!!!

I realise that we will need another holiday when we get back to,recover....

Would say a day generally for each Disney park.

Your children are of the age where they could think or find that many of the attractions at the Magic Kingdom are more aimed at younger children. Give them more info on what is actually there beforehand and make up your minds that way.

I would say 2 days at EPCOT because of lines, also EPCOT is huge. Ride Soaring and Test Track first; these by far have the longest lines at EPCOT. Book a meal at one of the restaurants online well in advance.

Think too your children are of the age where they would enjoy Universal and their Islands of Adventure parks far more overall; its more geared to teens and young adults. Again, researching is key; do check height restrictions as they do apply these.

Busch Gardens has more rollercoasters than the other parks; if you all like that sort of thrill ride then that is the place to visit too.

If your children like any aspect of space then a visit to Kennedy Space Center is a must-do.

Ooh attila you are the first MNer to advise 2 days (not 1) at Epcot!

Do,you think 7 and 8 is too old for Magic Kingdom?

I would look at the Magic Kingdom online and see what they think of it. Show them a map and outline to them what is there. They probably would like some of it; the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is always good fun as is Space Mountain (but you would have to ride that attraction early in the day as the lines can and do become horrendous).

Oh, what is Hollywood Studios all about? (my work browser is out of date and doesn't support the Disney sites so will, otherwise I would google, promise) I have a 7 and almost 4yo, would they love this? We have a spare day next week that I was going to use as a beach day, should we go to HS instead?

I would say 2 days minimum at Epcot. I love t - it's my favourite park, and I could easily down 3 or 4 days there.

I wouldn't bother with seaworld either.

Magic kingdom needs 2 days, Hollywood studios you can get away with one. Animal kingdom there is a surprising amount to do if you include the shows, and the new wilderness explorers badges trails can be fun.

There is, in reality, far more than can be done in one holiday, without going to other parks at all. Once you add in other parks, then you're in trouble (in a good way )

Epcot is VERY spread out and there's a lot of walking involved and younger children can get bored tire very easily in the heat- so I would say 1 Day for Epcot.
Everywhere else - 2 Days.
The waterparks always go down a treat as well, but are very crowded.
But then, everywhere's crowded, but it adds to the atmosphere.
You will love it!
We did Fast Track/Pass (do they still have that?) with most things and it works out quite well.
Also, a lot of queues have giant 'misters' spraying over the people at intervals, so it helps keep you cool while you're waiting for the rides..
I didn't like Bush Gardens, it seemed like a lot of driving for what it was, but I know some people love it.

Depends on your 7/8 year old re: magic kingdom. My 7 year old loves it - she frequently tels me shed like to love there

My 9 year old also really enjoys it, as there are a lot of rides for her (doesn't really like big fast rides, so things like tomorrowland speedway and buzz light year are perfect)

Epcot is spread out - that's why I like to go little (in terms of ground covered) and often. It is huge.

The agent P missions were enjoyed by my 7 year old - she loved doing those!

At Epcot, your two younger children may enjoy the Phineus and Ferb special gent interactive spy thing. You can pick up a device on the bridge over the lake and choose a country to use it in. Then when they get there they find clues and make things happen, etc.

DD is 12y and not too old for Magic Kingdom. IMO no one is too old for Magic Kingdom and it really is a must, for the atmosphere if nothing else.

There are plenty of rides there for even the older ones too.

Plus the parades, light show and fireworks are a must in the evening.

I can't imagine ever visiting Orlando and not seeing Magic Kingdom!

I would say at least 1 day and 1 additional night at EPCOT ,the world showcase is exceptional at night. Great places to eat, drink and lots of entertainment in each country (Bands, acrobats and much, much more).
EPCOT is awesome and a lot of people skim through it and think the first part of the park is all there is to it.

Another vote for Typhoon Lagoon. Its a lovely waterpark.

You're packing a LOT in. I wouldn't buy all your tickets upfront, in case its 98 degrees every day (could well be) and you fancy pool lounging every other day (we always do!).

HerRoyalNotness = Hollywood Studios is great fun and loads to do.

That age would love the Toy Story Mania ride - get a FP if possible though.

If you have a Star Wars fan there is an interactive show and you can side up for Jedi Training.

The 4D Muppets Show is great and the stunt car show is excellent. DD has always enjoyed the Studio Backlot Tour and also the Great Movie Ride tour

The Beauty and the Beast show is lovely.

Bigger ride for yourself is Aerosmith, and there is also the Tower of Terror.

There is a lightshow at night but it can get very busy - worth seeing if never done before though.

The parade there is good too - all the Disney stars in their cars.

disneyworld.disney.go.com/activities/

Thanks Hulababy, gutted as I bought a 2 day pass to do just Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. I should have put more thought into it. grrrrrr. I'll see how tired they are after a couple of days and then decide if we go there or if they need the beach day break.

You are never too old for Disney especially the magic kingdom. Can I point you towards www.thedibb.co.uk for loads of fab advice.

Otherwise if I was going for 2 weeks with DC in your age range I would do
Animal kingdom 1 day - this is a great park
Universal/Islands of Adventure 3 days between the 2 possibly 4
Magic Kingdom at least 2 days
Hollywood Studios 1 day
EPCOT 2 days between the 2 areas
I wouldn't bother with Busch gardens either as I don't like big roller coasters but I would go to the Space centre it's awesome.
Aquatica is my favourite water park

Enjoy :)

We tend to do full on parks, with a visit to Space Center. I am not a beach person at all and DD only likes the sea, and not the beach - so only ever done the beach near there once just too hot for me on the beach,

Hula is right - their beaches are very pretty, with lots of white sand - We did Sarasota, ClearWater and also Cocoa Beach (on the other side).
but to be honest, if you have small children and you want water, you are better off going to the water parks and using the pool at your villa rather than go the beach.. At least then all the facilities are to hand.

I also found the beaches were really hot at the peak of summer and was almost impossible to walk on at times without burning your feet (not so great for little ones who like to run around a lot).