Florida Parks

I am going to the following parks next week, November 21-28: Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Islands of Adventure, and Seaworld. I was wondering if all the rides are up (espically at IOA), what rides to hit for sure, any special events going on, crowds,etc... Also when is IAAPA. I'll be down there over the Ohio State-Michigan game so I have to go to the ESPN bar to see it which cuts Saturday in half, which park to go to after the game, EPCOT or MGM. Go Ohio State! Beat Michigan!

For IOA: I would hit the Superhero land first. I forget what it's called. It's packed with all their best rides. Spiderman, Incredible Hulk, Dr. Fear's Freefall. Then head over to Dueling Dragons on the opposite side. All are up as far as I know, lines are really really long for Spiderman depending on what time of day. But that ride is a must-hit. Ride's I would not recommend: Poseidon's Fury in The Lost Continent. Don't let the theming be decieving. The wait is not worth it. Try to get Fastpasses for that park because you will not be able to hit all good rides in just one day without them.

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Grit your teeth, bare the load, enjoy your headache on Thunder Road.

I've always had luck at IOA by going against the crowd. Head right when you go in. Do anything in Suess Landing that interests you then continue counterclockwise to Dueling Dragons. There'll be next to no line. Use the little re-entry door to get right back on and do the other side. Continue on to Jurassic Park. Catch a ride on River Adventure. Move on to Toon Lagoon and now you'll start seeing crowds. Pass through Toon Lagoon and get an express pass for Spiderman or Hulk (depending on which has the longer lines). Go back to Toon Lagoon and do what interests you there. From there its back to Marvel Superhero Island. If it's time to use your pass, use it. If not get on the ride you didn't get the pass for. I've been to IOA 5 times since they opened and this has worked for us everytime. You can get all the major rides done in a very short amount of time. Then again, I've never seen more than 45 minutes for Spiderman (we've been lucky, I guess). After you finish in Marvel, continue going counterclockwise and hit Poseidon (although the new storyline pales in comparison to the original). From there you should have the rest of the day to use just scooping up express passes and "doing your thing".

No guarantee on that method, but it works wonders for us.

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park visits in 2002: 19

You may get lucky! the Busy season doesn't really start again until the weekend after Thanksgiving. I was there recently and Hulk was about a 10 minute wait. All other rides were walk on, yes even Spiderman. As long as the wheather isn't too cold Do not pass up Dudley DoRight's ripsaw falls. You hear so kmuch about everthing elsae in the park, but this one was a big surprise. Easily the best flume anywhere!

coasterrod, i went their the week after thanksgiving last year and hulk was a walk-on, only having to wait for one train for the front seat, spiderman had the longest line of 15 minutes, but that wasn't bad at all

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millenium force is 310 feet high and 80 degrees, hold on, im getting veclemt, talk amongst yourself, i'll give you a topic, Kings Island is neither the kings nor an island discuss

For IOA, You should go to Dueling Dragons first thing when it opens, and hit those. If your not up to that for some reason, take a ride or 2 on Hulk first thing, and grab a fastpass for later. Right after that ride Spiderman (if your timing this right the wait shouldnt be over 30 mins even on a busy day) afterwards, take another fastpass if your ticket allows you to carry more than one at one time(mine did when I was there in June). Then just keep working your way around the park clockwise, you shouldnt have very big waites, and it shouldnt be hard to ride everything of importance in the park by Noon.

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Kennywood Park, America's finest traditional amusement park.

Ok I'm not sure if you can be bothered, but Busch Gardens Tampa is only an hour away from Orlando and it is an excellent park... you may wanna consider ditching EPCOT for it.

Is there that much to do at MGM? Which one is better, MGM or EPCOT? Anyone know when IAAPA is?

I personally think that MGM is way better than EPCOT. It ultimately matters what you are going there to do and what kind of person you are. If you like movie-type of parks, hit MGM. You will find more thrill rides here including the Rock'n' Roller Coaster which is heard is a great ride for Disney. Also they have the Tower of Terror which I find very amusing. If you like futuristic parks and enjoy more sciency type things, go to EPCOT. - Go Ohio State, beat Michigan!

MGM and Epcot are much different from eachother. MGM has Rocken Rollercoaster and TOT. Plus Star Tours and a few other rides. Epcot is a larger park but it is mostly exhibits rather then attractions. Test Track is there though. You can't really say which is better since they offer different experinces.

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84 coasters and counting

If you've never been to Busch Gardens it is easily better than MGM, Epcot, and especially Animal Kingdom. I'm assuming because you are on these forums that you go to parks mainly for coasters. At IOA, except for the weekend of Thanksgiving(maybe including Wednesday) it should be empty. I wouldn't worry about crowds too much. I was there in Sept. and it was empty on a Sunday.

Spiderman topped off at 20 minutes and Hulk was a walk on or 1 train wait. Consider using the single rider lines just in case you go and there are lines. They are available at Spiderman and Hulk Sea World should have no waits on the 2 major rides. The River Rapids ride at BGT was down as of last wek for annual maintenance. I don't know when it'll be back up. There's one at IOA and AK and it probably will be too cold anyway for those rides and Dudley-Do-Right also.

Here in Miami I think we're all secretly hoping Ohio State beats Michigan. Iowa seems to be a much stronger team. Miami should be able to pummel Ohio State.

Oh no you didn't the thrill 2! Ohio State is way better than Iowa! Here in OHIO are all vocally tired of hearing how Ohio State isn't the best. It doesn't matter how you win or by how much as long as you win. Iowa lost a game, Ohio State didn't therefore, Ohio State HAS been the best team. I would like to see an Ohio State- Miami championsip just to break your streak...:).

It's nice to see teams like Ohio State and USC being football powerhouses again.

Weather is supposed to be between 74-76dgrees and 57-62degrees as the highs and lows through Tuesday. Since you're from Ohio maybe the temps are OK for you to do the water rides. If it isn't sunny enough though, you won't dry off.

Have a great time and please write a trip report when you get back. I'd like to hear a report including the ESPN center in Disney. I've never been.

Some advice please!

I'm going to Florida on the 28th of November for 8 days. I know the parks I am doing:

Sea World, Discovery Cove, Universal, Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens, Disney World and MGM

This was the only time I could go and I wasn't aware that Thanksgiving fell on the 28th. I just wondered if you could give me some advice on what days I should visit the parks being the thanksgiving period. We are going to Discovery Cove on the saturday and how busy they are likely to be.

Also I have tickets for Busch Gardens but could you tell me how to get there on public transport for Orlando, I heard there was a bus fron Sea World but can't find any evidence of this. Also is it easy to get from Kissimere to Universal and SeaWorld by public Transport.

Thanks for all your help in advance as this is my first visit.

With cab fares being so expensive you are better off renting a car for 20 bucks a day and making the drives yourself. Disney to Universal is the furthest distance and takes about 20 minutes. The bus going to Busch Gardens is at several locations. Call Busch Gardens or Sea World and get some info. I believe you can reach them at 1-800-4-ADVENTURE. Like I said, if possible, rent a car.

Whrere are you staying? This factors in quite a bit as to how much it would cost you in cab fare if you really want to consider that option as the best one.

Discovery Cove limits the amout of visitors and there aren't any rides, just water experiences. Isn't it too cold to be doing Discovery Cove? You spend a lot of time in the water there.

My plan would be:

Friday: Sea World, Sat: Disc. Cove, Sun: Universal, Mon: MGM, Tues: IOA, Wed: BGT,Thurs: Disney.

This plan maximizes your chances of getting the most amount of coasters on each visit. Also, it gives you a good day to see all of Disney(I assume you are going to the Magic Kingdom) because it is a big park with a lot to do.

Are taxi prices that expensive, we are staying in the Quality inn maingate West which is 1.5 miles from Disney. It says we are staying on Highway 192 if that means anything to you.

Un-fortunately renting a car is out of the question as it took all our money to afford the holiday and visit the parks. If you could give me an idea of the price of a taxi from where we are staying to SeaWorld and Universal that would be fantastic, also are they easy to get, like can you just flag one down or is it better to book one.

I was under the impression the Orlando was warm all year round with the temperature being in the low 20's in Nov/Dec to me that’s still pretty warm considering I'm from the UK where all it does is rain.

Thanks for your time and help

I was staying about 1 1/2 miles from Universal last year and they wanted $7.00 one way to the park. You will most likely have to call a cab to get to the park but there may be cabs stationed at or near the hotel. I guess you'll see when you get there as to what you'll have to do. Disney will be a longer drive because the 1 1/2 miles is to the Disney resort complex area. From there is is maybe another 1 1/2 miles to the drop off point for the cab. Disney owns a LOT of property and their parks are located sometimes far into property area(except for maybe MGM).

As to the weather, it's hard to say exactly as it cools down a lot if a cold front comes in. It could be anywhere between 65-80 Farenheit as the high and 45-65 Farenheit as the low.

Renting a car might very well be the cheapest option. Priceline and travelocity are good options and you should be able to get a car for $20 bucks a day. It will easily cost you at least $15 a day in cab fare and from the airport to your hotel will cost quite a bit more.

Drop me a line if you like and I'll do a little research for you to see what is actually cheaper. I could use the info myself just for future reference for friends, family, or other people on the forums.

Its a shame that so many people here are dismissing Epcot.

*shakes head*

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If the shoe fits, find another one.

Thanks you have been really helpful.

The thing is I have tranfers to and from the airport included and our hotel runs a shuttle service to to the Disney parks so really we would need taxi's to get to Universal for 2 days SeaWorld for 3 days apparently seaworld and universal are both 10 miles from us.

I looked on Travelocity as you suggested and there lowest rate was $203 for the week and also in the states don't you have to pay to park at the parks? I can't see 10 10 mile taxi trips costing $203 or would they?

I have only got a limited number of days available to visit parks which leaves 2 Disney Parks, next year when mission space is open that may change my mind about Epcot and MGM just looks fantastic, and for a first time visitor you have to do Magic Kingdom.

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the thrill 2 said:
"Here in Miami I think we're all secretly hoping Ohio State beats Michigan. Iowa seems to be a much stronger team. Miami should be able to pummel Ohio State."

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Yeah but y'all wont be playing Iowa either. Assuming Michigan wins (and they *will*) and everyone else wins out, it would revert right back to Miami-Oklahoma. Which is bad business for Miami (but good for me as I *hate* Miami).
lata, jeremy
--Go Golden Domers!