Going To Orlando - Disney

[Alphawolf]

Ramster,

I've been there 3 times in the past 6 months. My best friend is a Disney FREAK.

If you are going with the wife and 2 kids I'd recommend you get the Universal Express Pass. It is more per ticket, BUT it will allow you to basically skip all lines.

You can simply go from ride to ride bypassing the lines. It's very good to have.

Yes- it's more...but you will be able to do all of Universal in 1 day in a comfortable manner. Actually, we went on every ride 4hrs. No rush either. Without that pass...forget about it.

Disney parks are much much larger and more of a strolling experience. I got the 3day park hopper and told the dude I'd be moving there...so they applied the payment to an annual pass which was very cool of them.

Disney has the Fast Pass. If Twilight Tower of Terror and Rockin Roler Coaster has a long line you can put your tickets in a fast pass machine...which will give you a time to come back to the ride so you can go and do other stuff (buy shit) instead of waiting on line.

You can only use 1 fast pass at a time.

BUT...

There is a button on the back of most of the machines. Without putting in your pass you can press the button and get a fast pass. Be careful or play dumb 'cos they will give you hassles if they catch you. But I've done it many many times.

At the magic kingdom...after Spectomagic...you can walk around a bit before Wishes fireworks...which is *really* great...and I'm a jaded fuck who isn't impressed by anything.

It will be crowded, but if you go back towards the entrance a bit on your left (if you are walking away from the castle) there will be an ally with some chairs that always seems to be empty.

You and the family can finally SIT and relax a while before getting your spot on main street for the fireworks.

Seaworld..they were giving extra days for free last I went. I was very disappointed with Seaworld. They should call it SeaShanty instead of SeaWorld. You pet some stingrays which feel like chicken cutlets in the water. People flood the dolphin area. There are few nice displays. The tank walk-through is OK.

I was just expecting a world class aquarium for some reason. It's much more of a nice walk though park with some fish.

Shamu show is really pretty good. Sit in the 1st few bleacher rows.

Get your free beverages too!

Before my friend got his house there I stayed at a Holiday Inn pretty close to Universal. They have a reps for theme parks and booths with brochures and want to sell you everything.

If you have time to venture outside the theme parks a bit check out the Gaylord Palms hotel. Very nice.

Have fun!