Help with Orlando

[loveisagirlnameddaisy]

Please can someone explain the parks in Orlando to me in very simple terms. I get that there's Disney and also Universal but find the whole thing baffling. How many parks are there, what are they called, which are worth visiting and how do I buy tickets?

Disney I made up of several parks and water parks
Magic Kingdom
MGM Studios
Epcot
Animal Kingdom
I Cant remember the water parks names

Universal has 2 parks
Universal and Universal Studios

You can buy one pass for all the Disney parks and one for the Universal ones

When we went first time we bought a package that allowed us unlimited entry to all.

You also have Lego land , Busch Gardens , Sea world they are all separate too

Its worth making an itenieray if you do go to fit them all in

no idea as never been but be aware florida is absolutely massive and I believe Disney and universal are no where near each other probably would be many hours of travelling between them.

Depends on how old your children are as to where you want to focus your energy but Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom I would say are a priority

@bigyellowTpot

no idea as never been but be aware florida is absolutely massive and I believe Disney and universal are no where near each other probably would be many hours of travelling between them.

No they are all within less than 10 miles of each other

Watching with interest. We're off to Tampa in April to visit family but want to try and fit a trip to Animal Kingdom in but not sure the best /cheapest way to get tickets?

You can buy day tickets for specific parks but if you are there for 2 weeks and you are doing the parks the multi passes are better value.
If your children like Harry Potter then the Universal Parks are a must and absolutely magical.

I never thought id like Florida at all, but the whole park experience makes for a great family holiday.
Not relaxing as very busy but so much fun.

Yep, as poster above says.

Each park is absolutely huge, you couldn’t get round any one of them in one day.

The water parks are equally as huge and great fun.
You will need a day for each.

We never go to them all.
We have days off in between for shopping & days off for relaxing by the pool,
It’s a very busy holiday.

It depends on how old your children are as to whether universal would be suitable for you. I wouldn't bother with a kid under 9/10 as the rides are bigger and don't have the appeal Disney does. If you've never been absolutely get a 14 day ticket for Disney and do as much as you can. They're not hours away from each other at all.

oh right I thought they were miles apart I never new that! I thought would have to choose between visiting either one or the other, good that can do both in the same hol. I bet its an expensive place. I've never looked into going to be honest.

yes need to build in down days for the shopping!
We have been twice, our best family holidays.

Look at heights as well, as rides are limited by heights.

Universal better for over 10s I would say.
Disney just great for everyone.

MGM and Epcot are good for evenings as the have amazing fireworks ( Epcot) and music/ light shows ( MGM)

I need grandchildren now so I can go back

We're in Florida for 17 days, planning 10 of those in Orlando. Have booked flights, but still need to sort villa, car hire, park tickets etc. It's making my head spin!

Kids will be 10 and 12 (turning 13 while we're there).

Kids not interested in Harry Potter but that's not to say they won't like what's on offer over there.

Disney has
Magic kingdom
Epcot
Animal kingdom
Hollywood studios.
There is also Disney springs which is a shopping area and you don't need park tickets to enter.
Their water parks are typhoon lagoon and blizzard beach.

Universal has
Universal studios
Islands of adventure.
Their water park is volcano bay and city walk is their shopping area which again doesn't need a ticket.

As of now you need to book specific days to attend each park so it requires alot of planning. You used to be able to buy park hopper tickets and visit different parks in the same day but not anymore.

Universal is more thrill ride based and better for older kids who aren't as interested in characters even though you do still have shows and parades and meet and greets with characters.

They are at either end of international drive. They are not that far but you need a car unless you want to Uber it everywhere. Public transport is severely lacking in Orlando.

Not a park, but don't forget Kennedy Space Centre. It's quite a way away (1 hour 15 ish drive) but it's AWESOME and it's a full day if you want it to be.

@OverByYer

Disney I made up of several parks and water parks Magic Kingdom MGM Studios Epcot Animal Kingdom I Cant remember the water parks names

Universal has 2 parks
Universal and Universal Studios

You can buy one pass for all the Disney parks and one for the Universal ones

When we went first time we bought a package that allowed us unlimited entry to all.

You also have Lego land , Busch Gardens , Sea world they are all separate too

Its worth making an itenieray if you do go to fit them all in

Disney's water parks are Blizzard Beach and Tyhoon lagoon. Universals has one too, it opened after our last visit, I can't remember the name but think it's volcano somthing.

the Harry Potter rides are incredible, as is the Hulk roller coaster and Spiderman ride in Universal. If I was you I'd do a multi park pass for both.
My boys were 10 and 12 when we first went and able to do all the big rides.
I booked everything my self when we went. We have done a villa but also a town house on a gated estate with shared pool which was fun.
Its all really easy when you get there so don't stress!

Lots of restaurants , supermarkets .

Honestly the best holiday ever.

Does anyone know if it's better value to buy when you're over there?

If you’ve only got 10 days and kids aren’t interested in Harry Potter, I’d stick to Disney. Are you going to have a car? Do you want to be in a villa or a hotel?

@loveisagirlnameddaisy at the moment you have to pre book your Disney park entry so you need to buy your tickets here and make your reservations to ensure you get in. If you look on MSE they’ll have the latest deals from reputable ticket sellers.

We rented a town house here but there are larger villas available too. Was 15-30 minute drive to all the parks.
www.terraverderesort.net

But tickets in advance.
Wholly recommend you looking at a The Dibb.
Full or really useful information including how to use Genie+ and Lightening Lanes in Disney.
I will say, it’s worth booking one night at a Universal hotel so you get front of line passes (you get these passes for the day you check in and are valid until closing time of the day you check out). Not all Universal hotels offer it - the basic ones don’t.

I bought tickets here, I wanted it all sorted before I got there

we have done 3 weeks twice in universal and Disney with 3 kids.
As previous posters say, universal isn't as pretty as Disney and the rides are more thrills but the Harry Potter bit is incredible: as a non HP fan, I loved it; it's got cool rides but also the area is amazing to walk round, so the spells etc. also the hulk ride is amazing.
But we also love Disney; not been to the Star Wars world yet. You probably need more than one day in each park , but can park hop, or could pre covid.
We also did Kennedy once and discovery cove both times. Kids loved the relaxation of discovery cove .

Yes we did Discovery Cove too, swimming with dolphins.
Its £££ but so wonderful and we figured we' only get the chance once in a lifetime so I would say worth it.