Planning a 10-14 day early-May trip to Florida or LA!

[Jontwd]

Greetings from Singapore!

 

I'm planning a 10-14 day trip to Florida or LA probably around early May with my girlfriend.

 

I am planning to go to at least 4 theme parks; 1 Disney-something, 2 thrilling theme park, and 1 water ride theme park.

 

 

Can you guys kindly recommend me -

 

1) Would Florida or LA give me better overall experience?

 

2) Which theme parks should I go to?

 

3) Approximately when should I go to enjoy the shortest queues yet decent opening hours?

 

 

Also, we have been to Tokyo Disneyland & Disneysea in June last year, so do take note of that when recommending which Disney theme park to go to.

 

Thank you very much for your help people!

[sam06pr]

Greetings from Singapore!

 

I'm planning a 10-14 day trip to Florida or LA probably around early May with my girlfriend.

 

I am planning to go to at least 4 theme parks; 1 Disney-something, 2 thrilling theme park, and 1 water ride theme park.

 

 

Can you guys kindly recommend me -

 

1) Would Florida or LA give me better overall experience?

 

2) Which theme parks should I go to?

 

3) Approximately when should I go to enjoy the shortest queues yet decent opening hours?

 

 

Also, we have been to Tokyo Disneyland & Disneysea in June last year, so do take note of that when recommending which Disney theme park to go to.

 

Thank you very much for your help people!

 

Well if you were to go to Florida I would say to hit Disney Magic Kingdom, just cause it is the most visited theme park in the world, why would you not go there if you come to Florida...

For two thrilling theme park, go to Islands of Adventure and Busch Gardens Tampa. For water park I say either Blizzard Beach or Aquatica. I would most def recommend Sea World Orlando as well because it is a very unique beautiful park with great shows, animal enocunters and rides (even though it does not have many)

[Chroniq]

1) Would Florida or LA give me better overall experience?

 

I doubt anyone can give you a cut and dry choice between the two. I'll try to list the benefits of each

 

Cali-The flight and flying time should be significantly cheaper and shorter. If staying in Anaheim the hotel should be cheaper than staying on property at WDW. You get to experience the original Magic Kingdom with the most rides. With in driving distance you have arguably the best Six Flags as well as the only Universal Studios with a real working studio. Seaworld, Knots, Legoland are also there for you as well.

 

Florida- The most comprehensive Disney venue in the world with a true resort atmosphere. Islands of Adventure (possible the best themed parke next to Disneysea) and Universal Studios are close by. Seaworld Orlando, numerous waterparks and I4 are all there. Orlando is going to have all these attractions in a much more compact area. The resort experience is going to be incomparable to anything you will find on the west coast.

 

 

3) Approximately when should I go to enjoy the shortest queues yet decent opening hours?

 

In my experience the optimal time to visit both of these areas is late August through September(when school starts in the US) as well as January (after the busiest holiday season).

[Jontwd]

I've decided to go to Orlando Florida and enjoy Disneyworld, Seaworld, and other theme parks, during the last week of August till the first week of September.

 

 

I've got some questions;

 

1) From what I've read, I will need to rent a car for transportation. Does anybody know where's a good place/company to rent from and how much is the typical price range?

 

2) The cheapest Disneyworld resorts start at US$82 during their value season. Should I stay there or should I stay in other hotels/motels within distance of Disneyworld?

 

3) Other than Disneyworld and Seaworld, what are some other places or theme parks I should go to? Like for shopping, sight-seeing or anything.

 

 

Thanks a lot for helping out guys!

[Pufferfish]

I highly recommend staying on property at WDW if that is going to be the main focus of your trip. Staying on property at Disney World gives you many perks such as their extra magic hours which let you enter a select park early and stay at another extra late. You also get their free shuttle service which takes you to any of the properties that are a part of WDW. By doing this, you will want to refrain from renting a car and just take a taxi instead to Universal Studios or Seaworld. Also with staying in a Disney hotel there is a shuttle service that will pick you up from the airport and take you directly to the hotel. This service also takes your bags for you so there is no need to wait in line to pick up your bags after setting down in Orlando.

 

If you think that staying on property is going to be too expensive and not worth the perks, then yes you probably will want to rent a car. Warning though, some of the roads in Orlando can get very congested so make sure to give yourself plenty of time for driving from place to place.

 

Parks you should check out other than the 4 WDW parks are Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Seaworld, and Busch Gardens Africa. Busch Gardens is not in Orlando, but it is only an hour drive away and definitely worth a visit.

 

Well, that's all the advice I can give. Have a safe and happy trip!

[Chroniq]

Staying on property is a definite. You will need a method of transportation to Seaworld and Universal. The most cost effective way is to rent a car for the two or three days you will need it.

 

Cars can be rented through Alamo at the "Car Care Center" near magic kingdom as well as at the Swan and Dolphin Hotel. You can take a taxi to either one of those locations or you could walk to the Swan and Dolphin from DHS. The walk is a bout 8/10 of a mile.

 

Alternatively you could rent a car at the Orlando Airport but then you will be paying for the days you don't need it.

[ebl]

We've rented cars at the Orlando airport, or have gone to a local off-site location (Enterprise). Getting and returning your rental car at the airport is convenient because you can get your car pretty much upon claiming your baggage upon landing, and you can return the car when you return to the airport (you'll have to get back there anyway, right?).

 

While I do like "our" Disneyland out in CA, I think you made a wise decision in visiting WDW in Florida. There is so much to see and do there. SeaWorld and the Universal resorts are close to WDW, and Busch Gardens is about 90 minutes away in Tampa, should you have the time.

 

Eric

[dj snow]

You can take a taxi to either one of those locations or you could walk to the Swan and Dolphin from DHS. The walk is a bout 8/10 of a mile.

They actually have shuttle vans for the rental car center, and they'll pick you up at your resort hotel. This was my experience, at least, a few years ago. Best to call a day or so in advance to schedule the pickup. There was no charge for the service (but a tip for the driver is appreciated, I'm sure).