4 parks, shopping and relax in September

[alrd]

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Hello guys, great forum, plenty of information, I wish I had the time to go ever every topic!!
I am going to be in Orlando form 9/8 to 9/19 We have family there, some friends are joining us from the 11 to the 18 for the usual Disney/MGM/Universal/Water Parks, etc, etc, etc.
We want to go to 4 parks, being Magic Kindom, including breakfast with Cinderella, a must. We have 2 4yr old girls, 1 9year old girl and a 14year old boy. We also want to go to Wet n' Wild, so we need to decide which would be the other 2 parks: Epcot, Sea World, Universal, MGM????
My friends are coming form out of the country, so they want to go shopping one day.
We will go to Cirque du Soleil one evening, without the 4yr old's
Any suggestions on how to decide what parks to go, other that the 2 I will definently go?
Any good shooping ideas?
Would it be a good idea to go to the parks from early in the morning until the afternoon and then just go home and relax or would it be better to do it in 2 stages, early park, break, back to the parks???
I am sure all this questions have been covered somewher in the forum,
Thanks for any tips, suggestions, etc

[ShirleyD]

Hi Anna, welcome to the forum :D If you can only choose 2 other park days, then for young children, I would sy Animal Kingdom and Sea World. I have never been to wet and wild, but have to say that the Disney water parks are such great fun for all ages. As for park timings, I would base that on your children. Just go with the flow. If they are early risers, then go early and see how they are. If you have a home with a pool, then they may be just as happy spending an afternoon there. You could of course just pop back for your favourite ride before dinner!!! In September, it should be a bit quieter than tha summer breaks

[pbensur]

It's tough with the spread in the ages of the kids, but I guess I have to vote for Animal Kingdom and Sea World as well. It's most important to keep the younger kids happy of course because if they aren't, nobody else will be either! :D

The older kids will love these two parks as well. Epcot is my favorite and I always want to recommend it, but you'll want to save this one for when the little ones are older! Have a great time!!

[neilbrunton]

Anna

If you want to have a breakfast with Cinderella I would book it asap. They are usually booked two to three months ahead.

good luck

Neil

[ncmurray]

There is so much to do in Orlando, that you are going to need another trip!

Magic Kingdom will be brilliant for all ages, but the other parks will be a matter of taste. IMHO, I think that Seaworld is fantastic, but basically a zoo with a couple of big rides. MGM and Animal Kingdom (both Disney parks) would be possible to do in one day, and there is something for everyone. Epcot, my favourite Disney park, is fabulous, but perhaps a little too "old" for the youngest ones. Both of the Universal parks are great, and we never miss a trip when we visit Florida. Universal is probably more suitable for all ages, while Islands of Adventure has bigger rides. Both parks are great, though, and I would recommend at least one visit.

It is hard to say how is the best way to spend a day at the parks, like doing the morning and coming back for the evening, or however you want to do it. The best way is to just take one day at a time, and see what suits you best. Even if your accomodation is just two miles down the road, by the time you have all returned to the car and driven home, it is likely to take about an hour or so. This is especially true of Magic Kingdom as you have to take a boat trip or train ride just to get to the gate from the car park. We have always found it best to plan to stay for the whole day at one park. If you wanted to stay until the fireworks, you don't have to arrive at opening time. You could just go for the afternoon and evening. All parks rent out strollers for the younger guests, and your four year olds might appreciate that.

Shopping in Orlando is fantastic. There out outlet malls that are well worth a visit. There is one at the southern end of International Drive that has a really good array of shops with easy parking. I can't remember the name of it, but it is clearly visible from the I-4. The Florida Mall is good, too, and that is about three or four miles down Sand Lake Road, which is well sign-posted from the I-4. Just a few minutes further north on the I-4 you will find the Mall at Millenia. I personally prefer this mall, as it has all the chain stores that are at the Florida Mall, but is just a little more up-market. From memory, I think the exit from the I-4 is just north of Universal. If you take the exit for Conroy Road, that will take you directly to the mall.

By the way, Cirque du Soleil is absolutely fantastic, and will be one of the highlights of your holiday!

I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Nuala

[mfairhurst]

HI ANNA florida is for all ages and there is a big kid in us all
Pleasure island is nice in the day time for young children .
There is a beach at ST CLOUD on LAKE TOKO so you would enjoy time there .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx

[ShirleyCottam]

For the other two parks I would chose either Animal Kingdom / Sea world, and Epcot or Universal Studios.

We took a 4 year old and 8 and a 13 year old to Epcot last year and they all loved it. [msnsmile2]

For Shopping I like Premium outlets, designer outlet stores, and some good bargains to be had. There is one quite near to Downtown Disney, near the end of the I Drive trolley buss route, just off the I4.

Have a good vacation!

[dawn]

I have a 6 and 12 year old, and we always find the park everyone enjoys is Busch Garden (although not on your list) - it usually takes about 1 and quarter hours to drive, but straight down the I4. It has the big rides that my eldest loves, some smaller rides and the animals our youngest loves.
I personally would plan an early start for Magic Kingdom (with the breakfast), have some time off in the afternoon, and go back for the fireworks.
My daughter and I visited Mall at Millenia yesterday - it has a good range of shops, including the really big designers(Prada, Chanel, Gucci etc), and also department stores Maceys and Bloomingdales, plus some fab restaurants and eateries including Cheesecake Factory.

[Maverick]

If it was me I'd take them to a water park, like Wet'n'Wild and SeaWorld. I think kids of that age would love the water parks. As for shopping Malls, try Altamonte Mall or Oviedo as a much better alternative to Florida, which tends to get jam packed. I think they're nicer malls too, although probably another 30-40 minutes drive from Florida Mall, however if you've travelled that far, what's another 30 minutes. MGM Studios is great for the kids, Universal too. Me personally, of course it's a must do, but I did find in comparison Magic Kingdom a bit of a let down. So if you're going to do Universal AND Magic Kingdom, do Universal after MK as if you do it the other way around the kids might find it less exciting.

[MTP]

MGM may be not a bad choice, as you have Playhouse Disney, Muppets, Lights, motors, action and some good thrill rides. SeaWorld may be good as well; but that day could be swapped for EPCOT or animal kingdom, if it makes a difference for tickets.

[Surfin_USA]

I would say Universal and MGM, it is fun for everyone and all ages =D.

[Bookworm]

I would say SeaWorld is an absolute must, expecially for the four year olds. And no matter what age you and your children are, you will be enchanted by the animals.

Enjoy!

Joanne

[MTP]

and there you go, a nice and clear consensus of opinion. I guess no matter what you choose, it should be good!

[Cruella DeVilla]

Ana I would have said forget the shopping do the parks and relax as you have pretty much the same shops and outlets throghout the US but I see it is for friends. If they like a nice shopping exerience take them to the Mall at Millenia and maybe have lunch at the cheesecake factory.

[MTP]

For the shopping side of things you could always do Mall at Millenia in the morning, lunch there and then the Premium Outlets for the afternoon. If you are feeling really brave and have the transport arrangements this could then even be combined with the Cirque de Soliel.

[Nina A]

Welcome Ana, Not much to add as everything has been pretty much covered. I would say though, don't exclude your 4 year olds from Cirque du Soleil, they will adore it. I have been many times and it enthralls an audience of all ages.

Prime Outlets have just been revamped and have reopened at the top of International Drive (I- Drive). The old ones were great, we can't wait to visit the updated version. While you're up there you could pop into Festival Bay Mall. They are building a surf park there that should have been open by now, it's been delayed and I'm not sure when it will open.

Also on I Drive at the opposite end to Prime Outlets is the Peabody Hotel. Pop in there for a drink and a break and to see the famous ducks in the fountain. If you time it with the arrival or departure of the ducks you're in for a treat. The youngsters especially will adore them but they appeal to all ages.

Finally with so much to do and see, it's tempting to try and rush round doing it all. This is not only impossible but physically and mentally exhausting! Better to do a few things and decide to come back another time. If you're staying at one of the fabulous villas advertised on these sites you'll probably find that the kids will prefer to stay in the villa pool anyway [msnwink]

Have a brilliant time :)

[Stuart Bairstow]

Hi Anna and welcome to the forum -
I agree Magic Kingdom is a must but if you cannot get a table at Cinderella's Castle, the Crystal Palace for breakfast is brilliant and in the centre to the left before you get to Cinderellas's Castle - it has Minnie and Mickey usually dancing and Winnie and friends and they all wonder round each table which I found great because you do manage to get a photo not only with the young ones but with the 14yr old[msnsmile2]. Blizzard Beach is great for all ages and has a great section dedicated to young ones which if you go early enough you can set base camp right next to it and the older ones take it in turns to go to the bigger rides. (By the way at all the water parks it is a good idea to take a cool box) MGM is great for all ages and Fantasia at the end of the day would be a must but this would be a very long day so maybe arrive a little latter in the day. Strollers are a must - much easier - even if the children think they are too old for them, just get one or a double!!!
I am sure you will love the whole experience but make sure you rest up between parks or you will go home as I did the first time from Florida needing a holiday[msnscared]
If you get chance let us all know how you went on.