View Full Version : First time visit - tips please?
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
02-04-2002, 17:10
We're planning to visit MGM for the first time in a few weeks and were wondering what the top tips for first time visitors are.
What are the rides to head for first, where is the best place to eat, what is worth avoiding etc etc.
Any tips would be appreciated so we can make the most of our day out.
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
Whatever you do, you must do Muppet 3d. It's the best 3d show I've seen for the family.
And take either sandals or a change of socks/shoes for the kids, because if they go into Honey I shrunk the kids playground, there are some fantastic water spouts but they can get very wet feet!!! While in there, explore, there are lots of things to find. Take the climb up the stairs to find the dog's nose, it's big, and put your hand up his nostril - he breathes down on you - fantastic!!! The kids(and me) loved it !! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
My family did the 'who wants to be a millionaire' and said if you're American you'd probably love it, but for UK visitors it's one you can miss.
Steve and Sandra
Edited by - jewell on 02/04/2002 12:26:41
Oh yes, I nearly forgot - don't miss 'Fantasmic' , this is Mickey Mouse at his best, with stunning special effects and magical moments. For the adults and the children.
It's a nightly performance and you will probably have to head there approx 45 mins before the show begins if the park is busy. Check the show time when you first enter the park on the boards, or in the leaflet you get. But boy is it worth the wait, spectacular with a capital S !!
Steve and Sandra
Don't forget the Backlot Tour with Catastrophe Canyon and, if you're feeling brave (very brave!) the Tower of Terror.
You could try Beauty and the Beast show (if you want to get the kids off to sleep after lunch as the music is pretty sophorific!) but they may enjoy the dancing teacups, etc or one of our favourites, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. There's also a stunt demonstration with water (which I can't remember the name of - someone help me!).
I agree that the Muppets 3D is just great fun (although perhaps you should leave the 3D specs off the smallest one as it might be a bit frightening!).
We thought Who Wants to be a Millionaire? was a waste of time but, as you like quizzes?!? <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
We ate by the lake where there's a mock up of a boat which was OK food by Disney standards.
Blott
The only thing I can think of with water was Voyage of the Little Mermaid, which for the 'littlies' is fantastic,!! But don't know of stunts with water, now I'm intrigued !! <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>
Steve and Sandra
Yes, well, if I could only just find the MGM info leaflet which I carefully bought back from the US with me, then we'd all know! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Here goes with a description in case anyone recognises it!
It's a stand and watch thing with about 6 volunteers (no, don't do it - be a spectator!) who get shephered onto a boat in the middle of a 'pond' and then get under attack and soaking wet. It sounds a bit tame but was really quite exciting (at the time) if only I could remember what it was called! Doesn't anybody know what I'm talking about? I can't have dreamt it! <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>
Blott
steph_goodrum
02-04-2002, 23:36
It's called the "Backlot tour" after you've seen how some of the scenes are filmed, you go round and see some of the actual houses used for some of the TV sitcoms. Golden girls etc. This is where the Osborne lights are at Christmas.
Babblin Boo
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
02-04-2002, 23:37
Hi Blott
There is a map of MGM Studios at http://disney.go.com/disneyworld/media/reservations/maps/ritrmapstimg.pdf if that helps.
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
How come you've missed this one out, John? In my opinion, it is the best!! Dont miss the Hunchback of Notre Dame show. Equally as good as Beauty and the Beast. It is very colourful and I'm sure the kids will love it too. Tower of Terror is incredible ( not for the kids!!), but the Rock n Roller Coaster is just for coaster freaks.
The Great Movie Ride is a must for all the family also. The one I would avoid is Star Tours, which is a run of the mill simulator when you get past the Star Wars hype.
Fantasmic is a "must do", however don't sit too close or you will get cold and wet from the spray from the walls of water that they project the laser show onto.
We are the sort who eat burgers in the parks rather than a sit down meal, but the Sci-Fi diner looks fun.
Julie Carty
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
03-04-2002, 00:18
Thanks Julie.
We've never been to MGM or Universal Studios as we'd imagined they were all sit down shows where it would be very hard to keep our fidgety children still. Now they are a bit older (3 1/2 and 1 1/2) we're going to take the plunge :)
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
MGM usually has a good parade in the afternoon, it varies depending which latest release they are basing it on. It is not as crowded as the Magic Kingdom parade but still worth getting a good position at the front of the pavement.
Ruth
tinkerbell
03-04-2002, 04:01
MGM< is now one of my fave parks! I love all the little details that you miss if you rush around, so its worth taking your time and watching some of the street entertainment (all based upon old hollywood starts!).
The Water Stunt show involving the volunteers is excellent! Take my advice though and if you get asked to join in do it! Me and my younger brother both got roped into it, and had a great time and now have some great pictures!!! An excellent experience, especially for your young kids to have a laught at their parents on stage!!! Famous!
A good place I like to eat in MGM is the backlot restaurant. It serves the usual hot dogs burgers etc, but the difference here is there is an amazing salad bar with everything you could imagine on offer, and you can go back as many times as you like! Casual dining at its best!
Another place our family has enjoyed more than once is the Sci-Fi diner, all the witing staff are on roller skates and it has a 50's themed drive in movie layout as its restaurant. You actually get seated in stationary mock up cadillacs! Slightly on the pricy side if you just want birgers etc, but a good expereince, and the cinema screen keeps the kids quiet!
Thanks Steph_goodrum, now we know and Tinkerbell remembers too! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle> I tried your map link but it said it would take 6 mins to download so I had to give it a miss.
John & Sarah I cannot believe it! You've never been to Universal Studios either? Universal Studios Escape is the number one favourite Florida theme park for our family! You can't be a 'Florida expert' without it! <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>
Blott
steph_goodrum
03-04-2002, 21:12
I thought your nickname might have jogged your memory Blott/Backlot close eh?
Babblin Boo
orlandobabe
03-04-2002, 21:40
We ate at the Hollywood and Vine character dining with Goofy, Minnie, Pluto and Chip and Dale-none of my favourite characters-but they worked their socks off and really made the day.
As none of us were under the age of 24 -I think they did well. Particularly when Goofy 'mimed' to my husband to kiss him on the nose!
It was hilarious and though Winnie and friends are my favourites-the Hollywood crew put far more into their antics!
Orlandobabe
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
03-04-2002, 22:08
Blott:
We aim to put things right this trip with days out at MGM and Universal.
Orlandobabe:
That sounds good for the children but would have me hiding under the table as I'm a bit shy...Sarah would LOVE it though <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Do you have to pre-book?
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
Steph_goodrum
Yeah, ho, ho ho <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> The nickname comes from having too many blot memory spaces! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
Blott
I was going to say you could book for the Hollywood and Vine through Keith Prowse and get your discount off, John, but they seem to only do character breakfasts there. There is an altogether different list of restaurants for character dinners ( most of the venues such as Citricos (?) I did not recognise)
Julie Carty
Citricos is at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa I think. We have done lots of the character dining. If you have youngish children, especially girls who are into the princesses, Cinderella's breakfast at the Magic Kingdom is fantastic. My 3 year old was so excited the first time we did this I was struggling not to cry, although I tend to get emotional quite easily!. For this one pre booking is essential, exactly 60 days before you want to go and at 7am Florida time!
Ruth
John
If you book an evening meal in the Brown Derby restaurant in MGM you can have seats reserved for Fantasmic, and arrive just 15 minutes prior to the show. I think there is also another restaurant at MGM where this also applies. You will have to call guest reservations a day or two before you visit to reserve your table in the restaurant, as it is very popular. The food is good (apparently) and it saves a long wait for Fantasmic. We tried it last time we went, but tried to book a table when we arrived at the park and it was booked up.
Roger
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
05-04-2002, 02:51
Thanks for the tips everyone.
We'll report back when we go to MGM next week.
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas
Fantasmic is a great show, but It can get a bit cold, so take something warm. Have a great time paula
orlandobabe
30-04-2002, 17:52
Sorry John-never got back straight away-no we didn't book-just did that when we got there.
No need to be shy-the characters really put you at your ease!
Orlandobabe
Well John & Sarah,
what did you think!!
MGM is the only park we have never been to. Somehow it has never inspired us. I love Universal, but Michael (my husband) hates crowds and queing. This visit he says he is going to drop me & our son of while he goes back and does some work. Sounds alright to me!!
Karen
floridadreamvilla.co.uk
14-05-2002, 01:50
Hi Karen
We thought it was fantastic - we might even go as far as to say it's become our favourite Disney park. So compact yet perfectly formed and enough to keep the 2 children entertained.
We spent 2 days there a few weeks ago. My personal favourite was the Muppets 3D show (those 2 old guys in the box at the side of the stage were just my sense of humour <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>). Isaac and Sarah both loved Beauty and the Beast show and Freya loved just about everything.
We wrote a short report of the first of our two days at http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=638 if you are interested.
John & Sarah Rooke
Orlando Villas