View Full Version : theme park parking/ ticket buying
Hi everybody, my first time on here and first time going to orlando.
Regarding visiting the parks, univ' studios, busch gds, animal kingdom etc, how long should we allow for each park, is a day plenty of time for each park? and what is the car parking situation at the parks, is it free, do we pay at a machine??. hope these are not daft questions, first time and a bit scared of getting it wrong. ps is it best to buy hopper tickets. cheers.
Appledore
08-07-2010, 03:04
Ask any question you want that's what this forum is about.
You'll not have any problem parking at any of the parks. The system is brilliant and just so organised. You pay about $10.00 per park on entry to the car park although there is also priority parking available at an extra charge which gets you nearer to the entrance.
Regarding a day being long enough at each park, generally i'd say yes although as it's your first time you may find you'll need longer. When planning your days please bear in mind it can be very tiring so give yourselves some off days to chill out.
Being your first trip I would suggest you save yourselves money and just do one park a day (others may disagree with me), so the hopper wouldn't be necessary.
Hope this helps.
Elaine
Thanks Elaine,, all advice much appreciated, Snowy.(phil)
allyjack
08-07-2010, 04:42
parking is now $14 a day but if you leave the park you can return on the same parking ticket or go to another park within the same group on the same ticket
Alison
SteveandJan
08-07-2010, 14:24
sometimes a day can be enough but my kids like Islands of Adventure and often go there more than once to enjoy everything.
and welcome to the forum Phil[beer]
Welcome Phil, I would allow 1 day per park, bearing in mind that Universal Studios is 2 Parks. If you want to do EPCOT I would allow 1.5 to 2 days as there are 2 distinct areas and 1 day might not be enough. It is always a good idea on your first visit not to do too much or you will end up exhausted. Make sure you allow some free time.
redsandy
08-07-2010, 21:45
i agree with the others don't under-estimate how tiring the parks are for everyone especially in the heat. Plan your trip well and have plenty of chill out days. We normally do a park then rest the next day be it by the pool or retail therapy.
On our first visit we did a park every day, and had no down time thinking that it would be the first and last time we would visit this wonderful place and we did regret it because it got to the stage that we didn't know what park we were in or indeed what car park and everybody especially the children got really grumpy ... now having been back a number of times since (once is not enough) we now schedule in a lot more down time and make use of the lovely villa that we always rent.
Thankyou all for the friendly welcome to this forum and for all your good advice. Cheers. Phil
This post reminds me of our frist trip to Florida in '92 when my kids were 2 and 4. We drove thro Disneys main gates thinking we'd arrived and then were most impressed with the organisation of the parking. We were pointed into an exact space then followed the crowds to get on the little tram that takes you to the entrance. By the time we'd got to the entrance my kids were so entranced with everything that they thought the car park ride WAS the theme park. After that it was dropped jaws for the rest of the day. You never get that first time feeling back and your kids grow up so fast so take your time with everything and enjoy it all slowly. Your senses will take a beating with all the parks and you will find it difficult to remember it all if you do it at speed. Enjoy your first time, I am envious. Gill
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by lewisp
This post reminds me of our frist trip to Florida in '92 when my kids were 2 and 4. We drove thro Disneys main gates thinking we'd arrived and then were most impressed with the organisation of the parking. We were pointed into an exact space then followed the crowds to get on the little tram that takes you to the entrance. By the time we'd got to the entrance my kids were so entranced with everything that they thought the car park ride WAS the theme park. After that it was dropped jaws for the rest of the day. You never get that first time feeling back and your kids grow up so fast so take your time with everything and enjoy it all slowly. Your senses will take a beating with all the parks and you will find it difficult to remember it all if you do it at speed. Enjoy your first time, I am envious. Gill
[/quote]
I am in complete agreement with Gill, However many times you visit and however much you love the place, the 1st time is the most magical, give yourselves time to enjoy it.
It is a very expensive holiday but one which in my opinion is worth every penny/cent except for the parking, this is the one thing I really grudge, could see the point if it was maybe $5 but 15 I feel is way over the top.[msnmad]
lafifille
11-07-2010, 02:35
I agree with what has been said. One park a day is fine, take the time to enjoy each one. We always take a day "out" in between parks, to rest (it IS exhausting!), and because there's a lot to do besides the parks. You'll find plenty of advice here, don't hesitate to ask, you're definitely in the right place. Enjoy,planning is half the fun!!!!