Hi--
We may bring our 8 yr old son to Orlando in August and have been reading the boards trying to figure out what we should spend time on if we live in LA and have been to Disneyland/California Adventure and Citywalk/Universal several times. What is the stuff you can't see/do in CA? Also, my son loves water slides and we will spend a lot of time doing that--which is the best hotel waterslide set up? What is the difference between Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach? Thanks!

I can not tell you the diference between Cal and FLorida, but I can help you a little on the water parks. We have been to Blizzard Beach. IT is themed around a snow ski lodge. There is a lazy river, a really fun family water slide where all of you can go down in a large round raft, and several other waterslides. There is also a large wave pool.
I was a little disappointed in it because you had to wait in line for so long for each ride, that yuou felt like you were standing in line all day. THey don;t have FASTPASSes in the waterparks!! Unfortunately, Typhoon Lagoon was closed the day we went to the waterpark so everyone was at Blizzard Beach.

In Orlando, Disney parks that are not in CA. include the Animal Kingdom and MGM. We have been to all the CA parks you mentioned and all the Disney and Universal Parks in Orlando. We went to Animal Kingdom in April for the first time. We liked it, but read up on it and be sure to get there early for the safari ride to see the animlas, because they go into the shade and trees later in the day to avoid the heat (esp. in August). I think an 8 yr old would like this park. The 3D movie is fun (maybe a bit scary for less than 8 yrs w/bugs flying into your face in 3D, but I think an 8 yr old should be ok). There is only one area w/rides, Dinoland I think it is called. It is more of an interactive park than just rides. MGM is ok, if he likes roller coasters it has the Rock 'N Roller Coaster which people seem to like (we haven't been since they built that) and it has the Tower of Terror, a Twilight Zone based indoor ride w/holographics- it's a bit scary, you'd have to gauge if it's ok for him. My daughter wanted nothing to do w/that one at age 8, but my son went on it. The other big park woudl be Universal's Island of Adventure, w/teh Marvel Comicbook area which he woudl likely love, the 3D spiderman ride, many great roller coasters, a live BMX and skateboard show that is very good, etc. Do some research on those parks.

How about an airboat ride? We did the Boggy Creek Airboat ride which is located just south of the Orlando airport. There is also another company in the area that offers airboat rides. We loved it! Our driver made sure to find an alligator for us.

We also live in CA and visited Orlando last year. My then 8-year-old son's favorite place was "Gatorland" A simple, old fashioned reptile zoo. Lots and lots of gators, some snakes and other reptiles, and a few live shows. You can google it for more info.