Florida Trip 2014

No escape then is what I'm hearing.

I think we have sufficiently hijacked this thread for now, at least. Sorry for inturupting your disney planning.

My suggestion would be purchase a Flex-ticket. Make sure you get the right one. It will include admission to Busch Gardens Tampa, Sea World, Aquatica, Wet & Wild, and both Universal parks, unlimited for 14 consecutive days. Even going a few days, you get your money's worth. I think trying to fit all Disney stuff in the mix in that amount of time would be bad. that is a lot of money wasted just for coaster credits. Do them on separate trip when you can thoroughly enjoy the parks

Busch Gardens is a two day park, Universal will take you three days total, and Sea World will take one day. To do those 4 parks, 6 days is needed. Then, 1 day for Fun Spot, and one devoted to waterparks. There you go.

^I would argue that 6 days is certainly not "needed" to do those parks. A friend and I did Busch Gardens in a day with multiple rides on the big rides as well as plenty of time to see the animals. Also I think you could do each Universal park in one day as well, depending on the day.

Granted you would likely have to limit yourself on some things in the sake of time, but depends what you're looking for.

In the off season you can easily do Busch (giggity) with many rerides in one operating day. I've done both Universals in one day and done everything, but that was as a VIP of sorts. It can be done on a slower day.

913girl said:

Oh well, it's a compliment I suppose.

Interesting. I mentioned to Jeff yesterday (privately) that it seemed fishy that you kept getting +1's from someone that signed up after you and seemed to do nothing but like your posts.

Then someone else noticed.

Then you posted.

Then your admirer posted...from the same IP address.

We've officially confirmed psycho status. :)

That is too funny.

I just called his parole officer.

"I'd have gotten away with it too....

....if not for you meddling kids!"

I knew Gonch and Jeff would get to the bottom of it. Seemed to strange not to take a look. lol

Coaster-Robin, you should just go and have an awesome time. I don't think in February you will have to spend more than one day per park. Make sure that you ride all the coasters that you are going for, of course, but do not miss out on the rest of the awesome attractions at the parks. Look at the maps and guides, and if something looks interesting to you, do it.

But I suppose I will list a few non-coaster, hidden gem attractions you should not pass up on your trip.

Magic Kingdom - Haunted Mansion is my favorite ride in the park. Don't skip it just because it is slow. You will see some amazing classic illusions that will have you scratching your head.

Epcot - Get cultured, and take a leisurely stroll around World Showcase. Shop around for things you just can't buy in the U.S.A. There is a thrilling water ride hiding in the Norway section, called Maelstrom. It is completely indoors, so it is easy to miss. It has a few unique surprises. Don't miss it.

Disney Studios - This is not a coaster park. Take your time and enjoy what this park is all about. It's not just thrills. you might learn something, even.

Animal Kingdom - The entire reason to visit this park is for Kilimanjaro Safari. If you skip that, you might as well not even make a trip to Florida.

Busch Gardens - Look at the animal exhibits when you need a break from all the coaster riding. The sky lift is very relaxing and it goes under the new Cheetah coaster. The train is awesome too.

Sea World - Animals. See some shows too. Don't just ride the coasters and bail. Take a look at the shark exhibit! Don't skip the manatee exhibit. It made me cry a little.

Islands of Adventure - Ride everything there! They do not have a lot of rides, but practically every ride there is a main attraction. Do not skip One Fish Two Fish just because it is a silly flat ride. Play along with the ride to see if you can listen to the lyrics of the song, control your fish, and keep from getting wet. I bet you can't. IOA has an amazing layout and is full of detail, so make sure to take a walk to the lagoon in the middle of the park from every island for some great photos and for some quiet time. You will find some surprises in those areas too. It is a very special park with a great personality. I could go on and on about the things you might not notice about the park unless you look. The building change color in Superhero Island throughout the day. Step on dino footprints in Camp Jurassic for a surprise. The crooked trees in Suess Landing were bent by hurricane winds and then transplanted to the park. Notice the forced perspective that is built into Hogwarts. ect.

Universal Studios - See the shows. This park is not just about rides. The shows are clever crowd-pleasers.

My point here is that you can focus on coasters, but you will have time to do everything else too. The parks in central Florida are awesome because they offer so much to do, only a small portion of which are coasters. Allow each park to entertain you the way they are designed to, and you will have the time of your life.

I love Florida in February. It can sometimes be a little chilly there by Florida standards, but it's a hell of a lot better than Ohio. My advice, since you're going for so many days, is to just slow down and enjoy it. The coasters are great, but there's so much more to see and do. I usually only manage 3-4 day trips when I go down there, and I still always take a day out to drive to a beach (usually Clearwater) to just relax.

913girl said:

Oh well, it's a compliment I suppose. Helps in the scoring game at least(; But mike you stalked me and found nothing to +1?? Shame on you.

(Hangs head)

Besides, I'm a terrible enthusiast..I don't even care much for gravy.

If you're going to the 4 Disney parks and the 2 Universal parks just for coasters...eh. The coasters at both parks are good in their settings, but none of those parks are coaster parks (Obviously Epcot has none). Going to them just for the coasters is kind of doing it wrong.

But you can do Universal (Both Parks) in a day, I've done it twice.

Me too, especially in February. And especially if you're just busting out the coasters. And the dark rides. And the shows. And the water rides.

(sigh)

If it were me, I would spend a day at each park. They are all really special and worth spending at least a day at. If I had to prioritize based on coasters I would probably choose Busch Gardens, Sea World, and both Universal parks. Have fun!

I have to admit that getting to Fun Spot ("it's huge!") is a good idea. White Lightning is surprisingly awesome. Frankly that little invert is a lot of fun too.

Interesting. I mentioned to Jeff yesterday (privately) that it seemed fishy that you kept getting +1's from someone that signed up after you and seemed to do nothing but like your posts.

Then someone else noticed.

Then you posted.

Then your admirer posted...from the same IP address.

We've officially confirmed psycho status. :)

My damn brother admitted he has been using my phone after I found about 12 new apps installed and one of those "you shouldn't have left your Facebook up" statuses. The boredom has set in after being at the lake on vacation with nothing but rain, evidently.

Jeff said:
Frankly that little invert is a lot of fun too.

Chance did better with that than Vekoma ever did...

Jeff said:
I have to admit that getting to Fun Spot ("it's huge!") is a good idea. White Lightning is surprisingly awesome. Frankly that little invert is a lot of fun too.

I hope to make it there in September.

If nothing else, make sure to marvel (heh) at the giant Hulk busting through the wall as you exit the coaster, because my dad did the artwork.

Is it a portrait of his son?