Walt Disney World and Disneyland(s) Discussion

[Agent0028]

I don't know what the Nemo subs are like, but there is a really cool Nemo dark ride in The Living Seas at Epcot.

Universal isn't bad, they have some fun rides. Spider-Man is awesome (although Harry Potter is like 10 times cooler, and that's not jus because I'm a Potterhead) and the roller coasters are the best. Well the new one kinda sucks (Rock'n Roller Coaster is better!). If you're here and you're family are Harry Potter fans it is definitely worth a day. It's just not as fun to me. When I went last Friday my cousin and I rode the coasters, the Simpson's ride because we've never been on it, Spider-Man and spent most of the day in Hogsmeade. I just didn't really have a desire to go on the other stuff. But I guarantee if you poll my co-workers the vast majority prefer Universal over Disney so...

 

[cokebabies]

I will say The Seas with Nemo at Epcot is a much better attraction than in DLR. Once the novelty of being in the sub is over, the ride is kind of dull, and really freaking long.

 

[Protozaius]

I will say The Seas with Nemo at Epcot is a much better attraction than in DLR. Once the novelty of being in the sub is over, the ride is kind of dull, and really freaking long.

I guess for me it was really cool to be in the subs again after such a LONG time. I remember them quite clearly as a kid... more importantly I remember the smell.

Disneyland has been such a fixture in my life... and it's become one for my kids as well. I've weathered through it's many of it's changes. Funny, I have pictures of my Mom who was pregnant with me walking down Main Street with my older brother back in late 1962. And I was born in Long Beach Hospital which is practically down the street. I've lived on the West Coast for practically ALL of my life, so of the Disney Parks, it's the one I've always had easier access to. Disneyland is the park I call home.

 

[Protozaius]

I love the recommendation for Club Cool. My favorite part of any Epcot trip with someone who is inexperienced is tricking them into drinking that Italian soda.

Great tips overall. Pretty much everything I would say and then some. Since I'm local I miss alot of the good traveler tips. I don't think you have to worry too much about crowds. The weeks leading up to xmas usually aren't that bad; the crowds will get worse as you get closer to your checkout date. In fact, I intend to go one evening during the weekend you are there.

In terms of Universal.... I just went last Friday and the Harry Potter ride is amazing. How old are your kids? They may not be able to go on it. There is a height restriction, I don't know what it is though. I'm not as familiar with Universal (because it's dull), so I cannot comment on the crowds. Definitely get there for rope drop and hit up Hogsmeade first. We went during the deadest time of the year for theme parks and the line was at least an hour for Forbidden Journey (the ride) while all the other rides were 20 minutes or less.

You're going to have a great time, just take the crowds in stride and don't sweat it.

My kids will be 14 and 11 so I don't think the height thing will be a problem. This is the year that BOTH my kids are eager to try out some of the more thrilling rides. Again they are thinking California Screamin' and Indiana Jones ride... and I'm thinking Rock 'N Roller Coaster and Everest! Is the Everest ride in Animal Kingdom a fun ride? I haven't hear anyone mention it yet.

Well we are definately shooting for the "rope drop" time at Universal but getting everybody ready (the total in our group to Potterland will be six) in the rental car and to the park will be a daunting task. Looks like I'm going to be designated the leader so... what do you guys think I should use, whistle, horse whip or cattle prod?

 

[cokebabies]

Everest is great. The queue theming is one of the best in all of WDW, and the ride itself is really fun.

And yeah, when I first got into the sub after having not been in it since 20,000 in '91, it was awesome. But after a while, I was just ready for it to be over.

 

[Agent0028]

Everest is a great ride. My cousin and I often go to Animal Kingdom first thing in the morning to hit up Everest before going on to Magic Kingdom or Epcot. That whole Asia area has amazing theming.

As for making sure everyone is ready, I live by the Pirates Code when it comes to theme parks. "Those that fall behind, get left behind."

 

[Coheteboy]

Universal in Orlando has come along way and they currently (in my opinion) have the best rides in Florida: Spider-Man, Harry Potter.

I was also very impressed with their Mummy Returns (the one in Hollywood is a friggin waste) and Men In Black ride (wish Buzz Lightyear was more like this).


I would also suggest renting a car for the first few days maybe? If you're driving to Universal from Disney property, it might be more convenient that way. I actually think driving to the Disney parks is waaaaay better than waiting for their busses. And if you're staying on Disney property, parking at the theme parks are Free!


Finding Nemo Submarine < Living Seas with Nemo & Friends. This coming from a Disneylander. I love the Subs, but it is NOT A PROPER FORMAT for this type of attraction. The projections are virtually the same and it's just much more enjoyable in a comfortable omnimover clam.

 

[cokebabies]

Men in Black is definitely a winner. Buzz in DLR is much better than WDW's, if only because you can actually hold the gun (although not being able to hold down the trigger for repeat fire is a shame).

I haven't been to USH in a long time, so I haven't been on The Mummy there. What's different about it that makes it so inferior?

 

[Coheteboy]

I haven't been to USH in a long time, so I haven't been on The Mummy there. What's different about it that makes it so inferior?

Mummy Returns in Hollywood took over one of my guilty pleasures: The E.T. Adventure. The show building for that attraction is great for a dark-ride, but not a full fledged roller coaster. Basically, USH's Mummy Returns is a coaster that goes forwards and backwards and it's done.

The version in Florida, is truly impressive. It really toys with you and has some things that really make it fun. The false ending for one.

 

[cokebabies]

Yeah ET is a great ride, although not always for the right reasons. It has that dated charm that a lot of Disney rides do, where their thoroughly un-modern and dated aspects can be the most appealing parts.

Well, at least when you visit USF you can still go on it.

 

[Agent0028]

I hate ET, that movie frightened me as a child and I still get the creeps every time I see that little bugger. I absolutely refuse to go on that ride.

 

[Darth Waller]

I hate ET, that movie frightened me as a child and I still get the creeps every time I see that little bugger. I absolutely refuse to go on that ride.

Does ET still say your name at the end of the ride? That was good for a laugh when I rode it back in the 80s.

 

[Coheteboy]

Yeah ET is a great ride, although not always for the right reasons. It has that dated charm that a lot of Disney rides do, where their thoroughly un-modern and dated aspects can be the most appealing parts.

Well, at least when you visit USF you can still go on it.

Yah, the Green Planet is definitely a WTF moment.

 

[cokebabies]

ET still says your name, or at least attempts to. It usually sounds like "guhd...bye... maryjoepeterdaveamyjeff"

And the Green Planet is such an awesome shift, you're just thrown head first into an acid trip.

 

[Protozaius]

So, is any body going to Destination D? I think it's this weekend.

 

[Protozaius]

Mummy Returns in Hollywood took over one of my guilty pleasures: The E.T. Adventure. The show building for that attraction is great for a dark-ride, but not a full fledged roller coaster. Basically, USH's Mummy Returns is a coaster that goes forwards and backwards and it's done.

The version in Florida, is truly impressive. It really toys with you and has some things that really make it fun. The false ending for one.

I'm looking forward to riding this! I know next to nothing about the rides in Universal. Is the Mummy ride like the Indiana Jones ride at DLR?

The last time I went to Universal Hollywood I rode the Back to the Future ride and ET... both were fun but fairly forgettable. And yes, ET skrewed up my name at the end. It sounded like he was passing gas.

Thanks for all of the info, guys!

 

[cokebabies]

The Mummy is only similar to Indy in that they have various "temple"-ish theming, and they are both awesome. But for the most part, they are very different rides.

The Mummy is part coaster, part effects-laden thrill ride.

 

[Coheteboy]

I'm looking forward to riding this! I know next to nothing about the rides in Universal. Is the Mummy ride like the Indiana Jones ride at DLR?

The last time I went to Universal Hollywood I rode the Back to the Future ride and ET... both were fun but fairly forgettable. And yes, ET skrewed up my name at the end. It sounded like he was passing gas.

Thanks for all of the info, guys!

If you're asking about Mummy the Ride in Florida, it's just an elaborate roller coaster with dark-ride elements. It's very cool and definitely worth it.

Men In Black ride is also very fun with an amazing queue that harkens back to the World's Fair era of Walt Disney. A lot of nice little nods can be found. The ride is much like Buzz Lightyear where you fire at monster targets but it's so much more interactive. There's six to a car (i think) and if another team shoots you, you spin out. It's really really quite fun.


Spider-Man was one of the greatest rides in florida when I did it. I was just blown away. This is the ride that's most similar to Indiana Jones Adventure and Dinosaur, but to the next level. It's if you took Indiana Jones, Captain EO, and Mad Tea Cups and created a hybrid baby. It's just wicked cool and you'll never know which direction you're actually going.

As soon as I got off the ride I thought "whoa... now if they actually used HD 3D technology and put it with Michael Bay's Transformers movie, you could really do something with that!" Sure enough, that's what USHOllywood will be getting in 2012. A Transformers ride using the Spider-Man technology.

So come on out to CA in 2012 to do the Transformers ride in Hollywood (not cloned in florida so far) and the opening of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street at California Adventure.

 

[Protozaius]

So come on out to CA in 2012 to do the Transformers ride in Hollywood (not cloned in florida so far) and the opening of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street at California Adventure.

That's the plan... seeing Carsland and the updated Star Tours. I'm also VERY interested in the updated King Kong ride at Universal as well. I heard it was pretty cool, but all too short.

 

[Coheteboy]

That's the plan... seeing Carsland and the updated Star Tours. I'm also VERY interested in the updated King Kong ride at Universal as well. I heard it was pretty cool, but all too short.

To be completely clear, the 3D King Kong is not an individual ride but a section of the Backlot Tram Tour. I know in Orlando, King Kong had its own digs but not in Hollywood.

But... I do hear it's too short from folks as well who understood that it was only a small part of a bigger attraction.


But you know what that means? If people say it's too short, that means it was good and they wanted more. I'd rather have it that way than having it blow and being too long. (THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID)