Costakid Posted March 23, 2006 Share Posted March 23, 2006 I will be in Orlando from June 28th through July 3rd, and have 5 full days to visit parks. I just have a few questions: 1. Which hotels are best? Centrally located, relatively cheap, easy access to parks or transportation to parks, perks at parks (IE Early entry @ WDW parks). Right now, the hotel I'm looking at is Port Orleans. It's in my price range and got good reviews on Trip Advisor. 2. As I only have 5 days, which parks should I cram into my schedule? I'm willing to have a bit of a hectic schedule, but I would prefer a bit of a leisurely trip. 3. What shouldn't I miss? Ride wise, food wise, experience wise, all that good stuff. 4. Crowds? It is early summer, so I wouldn't expect the crowds to be too hot n' heavy, but I don't know for sure. 5. How long does it take to get from Jacksonville to Orlando? I'll be in Jacksonville for 3 days before being in Orlando, so any advice about things to do there will be helpful as well. Thank you in advance. Have a great day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted March 24, 2006 Share Posted March 24, 2006 #1. I have to admit I have yet to stay on site at a hotel. We always stay at the Motel 6 right near the front entrance of WDW. I understand Port Orleans is a nice place to stay, so I am sure that will work out just fine, plus you get all the perks from the parks. If you have a car, I would use it instead of the buses for transportation, though I am not sure if you have to pay parking even if you are staying on-site. The buses take a long time, but you do have the monorail system in between Epcot and the MK which work fine. #2. Five days is plenty, you will need a full day at Epcot, MGM, and MK if you wanted to see everything that each of the parks offer. If you are interested in seeing everything (including all the shows) at Animal Kingdom, it will also take a full day. You can honestly do both Animal Kingdom and MGM in one day if you are only interesed in attractions and not too many shows. Make sure you learn how to use the fastpass system, it really can save you a lot of time. I would really try to get over to Universal/IOA for at least one day, or if you are really into coasters take the 45 min drive over to Tampa for Busch Gardens. #3. For rides? MK: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mt, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean (if it is open). Also if you like pineapple, make sure you get a Dole Whip in Adventureland. Epcot: Soarin (do it right at park opening), Test Track, Mission Space, Spaceship Earth, spend some time in the World Showcase as well. MGM: Tower of Terror (do it several times), Rock n Rollercoaster, Great Movie Ride, Lights Motor Action, Studio tour, Fantasmic (show at the end of the evening). Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest (do it right at park opening), Kali River rapids, Dinosaur, The Safari (I can never remember the name), Tough to be a Bug. There are plenty of other great attractions, and you will have the time to do them, these just happen to be some of my favorites. We have a few favorite places to eat: We LOVE Ohana's which is located in the Polynesian Hotel (on the monorail line near MK). It is a bit expensive (around $30 a person) but totally worth it. We like Mama Melrose's for Italian food at MGM, and the Japanese place at Epcot is simply amazing. Honestly any of the upper scale places of eating are great at Epcot. Just make sure you make reservations days or weeks in advance! #4. It will be crowded but it can be done, again learn to use to fastpass system and get to the parks before opening. #5. The drive from Jacksonville to Orlando is about 3 1/2 hours. Just take I-95 down to I-4. It is that easy, all interstate driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costakid Posted March 24, 2006 Author Share Posted March 24, 2006 Thanks. I'm pretty much a master of the fast pass system by now. Are any of the fast passes disconnected from the others? Ala Grizzly Rapids at DCA? As well, would it be possible to do IOA and Universal in one day and not miss anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Johnson Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 Thanks. I'm pretty much a master of the fast pass system by now. Are any of the fast passes disconnected from the others? Ala Grizzly Rapids at DCA? As well, would it be possible to do IOA and Universal in one day and not miss anything? It is, but in the summer I would highly recommend buying the Express Passes for both parks for that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the sound Posted March 26, 2006 Share Posted March 26, 2006 Would it be worth buying them in September? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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