Will be going to orlando in May, 2005. Will be 4 adults and one five year old.
Am planning to visit Disneyworld Magic Kingdom, and have taken a look at Universal Studios also. For a second day, what would you all recommend, ie
Epcot, Animal kingdon, MGM Studios, or Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure?
Also, does anyone know how I can get an advance booklet or cd on Universal Studios?
Their website doesn't seem to offer one.

Thanks gandb7

It's hard to recommend something when you state your likes and dislikes. What are you looking for?? I prefer Islands of Adventure to any of the Disney parks. The theming is great. Your five year old will love Suess Landing, and the adults will love everything. For loads of info, go to www.disboards.com and scroll down to the Universal discussion forums.

I think this is a personal choice, but we visited Islands of Adventure this summer for the first time. Two adults and two teens, and really didn't like it as well as the Magic Kingdom. You will get lots of different answers here -- any one you choose has its positives and negatives.

I don't think Universal is very suited to a 5 year old. Friends who took a child that age there said that most of the rides were too intense/scary. We didn't take our kids there until they were 10 and 13 and that seemed a good age. Islands of Adventure may be a little better, but since we went last year when ours kids were 14 and 17 I wasn't looking at it from the perspective of having a 5 year old. At 5 I think MGM or Animal Kingdom is better.

Message: I disagree that many of the rides are too much for a 5 year old at IOA.

There is the whole Dr Seuess land with loads of rides that are better for little tykes than the older "kids" AND in the "Jurassic Park" area there is a ride that the child has to be 10? (can't remember the age, but is YOUNG) and it is ONLY for them - people older than that have to be accompiened by a child of that age. They are strict on this too - we had a kid that was older than the age limit and he wasn't allowed to go... There is also the "fariy tale" roller coaster, not too scary (no loops or anything) but a little excitement. They might get bored when the big "kids" go on the scary rides, but there is lots for them to do in the park. Plus you have all the action characters running around (spiderman, etc) and they renact a "take down" with spiderman coming to the rescue etc.

But then I'm biased - I MUCH prefer IOA to the other parks. When we went to Disney year before last I was disappointed by how dirty it has gotten (you used to could eat off the streets!), and the park is so crowded now with all the people and rides (there is only so much land for so many rides...) IOA was cleaner, more spaced out, friendlier (yes the Magic Kingdom staff wasn't as friendly as they used to be), and it had the added bonus of having mister fans at the lines of the attractions AND there were TV screens to keep you entertained while you waited in line!

My favorite of all the parks is Epcot. My wife and I have taken our children there a couple of times and there was plenty to do there to keep them entertained, while at the same time offering a lot of adult attractions. Don't miss the "rides" within the countries. They aren't your typical amusement park rides. You often sit in small boats on a leisurely (air conditioned" educational journey through the make believe country.

Last spring my 19-year-old and I went to Universal Studios. It was a huge disappointment. It needs updating for one thing. Some rides are laughable-- like the Jaws ride, especially, really bad. Others almost as pitiful as that, like Twister.

Another thing you wouldn't like with a 5-year-old at the Studios, is that many rides let you off inside a gift shop! There's no way around it-- and with a little one you'll get pestered to death at the end of each ride to buy something. Really not good. It also seemed in general there were more cheesey shops and junk food places than there were rides for which you'd already paid. All in all, we felt it was a huge rip.

Of the others, we've been to all the Disney properties and always marvel at the style and class with which Disney manages its places. They are spotlessly clean and everyone there is more than happy to answer questions or provide help.

I'd suggest Epcot of the others for your second day. Animal Kingdom was ok, but Epcot is amazing. A 5-year-old will be entertained there (our kids when they were that young were happy just about any place that offered so much to see and do) and its got great stuff for adults.

Don't miss the 3-D rides, like Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Bugs Life. Amazing special effects. You can't go wrong with Disney.

Never been to Islands, but hear it's good for a big water park type of day if the weather is hot. Maybe not so good for a 5-year-old on some of the hairier rides, though. And the little one is probably too small for many rides-- don't know for sure.

Have fun. Our trip there in May was ideal. Weather warm enough, no crowds to speak of.

We have done both parks. Disney has great shows. Magic Kingdom is perfect for your 5 year old. Epcot is more adult oriented with wonderful restaurants. My kids did enjoy Epcot's countries very much (they were around 8 and 9 at the time.)
Disney's Animal Kingdom was fun and I think your five year old would like this as well. MGM is more adult oriented but there is acute muppet 3d show. Universal is geared towards the men. Sorry, just it is every boy's or man's love of superheros, etc.. I think the rides are big, but we went last year (kids were 10 and 11) and they loved it!!! My husband loved it the most. The spiderman ride was the best. The adults in the group would enjoy the universal more than the five year old, but at every park, there is something for everyone.
I thought sea world was the worst park. Lots of walking, lots of people, my kids were ready to go after seeing some animals (half day).
If you stay in a universal hotel, you get a fast pass for all of the lines. You can also buy one (limited amount) and this is what we did. This is definitely necessary! We waited on line one day and they sucked it up and bought the pass (about 150 extra for two adults and two juniors)

Definitely choose MGM Disney Studios!

They have excellent attractions perfect for a 5 y/o:

*Beauty & the Beast
*Alladin
*Little Mermaid
(the above are excellent live shows that the adults will really enjoy too)

*Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground
*Playhouse Disney, Live on Stage
*Muppet Vision 3D

Then for adults there's Aerosmith's Rockin Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Great Movie Ride (a child may also enjoy this) and MUCH more.

Go to DISBOARDS.com for tons of helpful information on everything disney.

Really though, whatever you choose will be a blast.

Check out www.wdwig.com for reviews of disney parks.

I hated Universal Studios, went when i was 17. The rides are dull and the lines are long.

I would definately pick Disney. Choosing which park is the toughest park.

MGM has a spectacular show at the end of the night, i forget which time, in which you can make reservations at certain restaurants to be able to skip the line and get special seating. I forget which restaurants, but there's one for each price range. I ate at Hollywood and Vine (i think) and it wasn't very good.

I love MGM, i think it has a lot to offer for Kids and adults. There's the honey i shrunk the kids area, there's muppets, there's tons of things.

Epcot is great too, and the rides are educational so they learn without even knowing it. Innovations is enough to occupy me for a day, i'm 23, but i'm a kid when it comes to gadgets. The world showcase is great, and the Fireworks are spectacular if you can make it til 9 oclock.

You cant go wrong at Disney. I'm a big advocate for staying at Disney when visiting Disney, because you get the early entry. And you can't beat their resorts. They always have great specials, and if you get the disney bank one visa card, you can earn disney dollars for your trip.

If you have any specific questions, e-mail me, i can talk about disney forever!

Great idea doing Magic Kingdom first. You may want to get a super early breakfast reservation in Cinderella's castle, it also let's you in earlier. Lots of girls dress up like princesses. Very cute. Lots of female characters there, occassionally a prince. My DD, age 15, got a kick out of watching her little brother, then 8 blush from all the princesses lavishing attention on him. And Alice In Wonderland found out DS loved to read books too. Mary Poppins scolded him for not keeping his room clean.

If you want to save wear and tear on your little one's energy, rent a stroller at the gate. We called it "the charriot". We also but a large ribbon on it to help find it. It helps too to keep stuff in. Bring snacks, juices, water.

Take a break with the little one, and let the adults split up. Go find a nice bench in the shade, let the little one nap in the stroller, you people watch, then switch adults.

While the little one rests, have adults do the scarry stuff.

if you want a sweet quiet place to hide out: as you enter the park, head straight up mainstreet. At the center area there, look to your right to find the rose gardens, walk down the path there, there's an old Swan boat house. great to relax, in shade, quieter. We've even (shhhh, don't tell disney) brought a picnic dinenr there.

If you follow the path out around the castle you'll find the wishing well.

Do any Dumbo rides, etc., asap as soon as you get in or right after the breakfast. otherwise forget it.

Oh, I broguth little bubble things that i wore around my neck. I used it during waiting in long lines to entertain my kids. It also turned me into this magical happenings person all of a sudden as other kids loved the bubbles too, and their parents smiled for the entertainment.

Take a train ride around the park too when you want to just relax.

Liberty Tavern has a great sit down dinner with characters too.

Watch out for overload. If Tom Sawyer's Island is open, go there to let your little one play freely with you following them...

Have you thought about going to Typhoon Lagoon as another alternative? It would be fun for all of you.

I'd definitely skip Universal anything. Yes, there's some stuff for little ones, but it's really better for older kids, adults, teens.

I'd pick MGM as a second choice, the movieset like fun is cool. Don't do Tower or Rockin with the 5 year old. Adults will love or hate that. Indiana Jones is cool, but loud, loud noises. Muppet 3D is great, The Mermaid, you might enjoy the drive-in place for lunch, the diner for dinner. If you can stay for Fantasmic Show, a water/light show, it is outstanding. You can do a dinner, reserved seat thing, or take your chances. In May it shouldn't be as crowed as it wil be there in two weeks. There is a playground for kids there too, go there for them to run freely for a bit.

Downtown Disney is a great place to shop, we had our kids wait until then to buy anything. We gave them Disney Dollars to use.

Animal Kingdom is wonderful too, but probably better for a bit older child. It can get hotter there too than other parks becuase of the foliage, etc.

Epcot is wonderful, one of my favorite parks, but it's bigger, wider, less little kid-fun, more adult. However if you do go to Epcot, go search for hidden things, walk in the big trees, look behind, follow paths. By "Honey, I Shrunk" there are dancing water sprays for kids to play with. In "Morrocco", keep going way back. You just might find Aladin or Jasmine in a shop...when our oldest was 5 she just had had it by nightfall and couldn't tolerate the laser show.

Hope this helps. We've made lots of disney mistakes because we were the kids there, and would sometimes forget to put our kids first. We learned...

Have a blast, blast, blast. Eat a Mickey Bar for me.

MaureenB: We visited Disneyland (CA) last month. Lo and behold, we exit the Tower of Terror-Hollywood Hotel (in the California Adventure park), a great thrill ride, right into a Disney gift shop. Picked up a terrific coffee mug and 4 t-shirts. Viva la difference.

We've been to many parks on both coasts and our children (all girls), and their parents, prefer Universal, Orlando for the artistic, highly imaginative rendition of thrill rides and experiences. And, as I've written before, nothing compares to the Express Pass Universal offers for no wait access to its attractions. It is expensive to buy a la carte-justifies spending more to stay at a park hotel. Agree Universal's website is particularly uninformative. I'd bet that you can do two Disney parks cheaper for 2 days than one Disney one day and one Universal the next.

How many days do you have?
Epcot is good for kids and adults.
MGM is adult oriented. Kids will be bored.
IOA kids and adults.
Animal Kingdom - kids will love it. Adults - so-so.
DisneyWorld - Kids love it. Adults will probably be bored.
Universal Studios - for older kids and teens. Some adults will like it.

Having been to every Disney park and to Universal.....hands down I would pick a Disney park for kids. I would go to Animal Kingdom, I think that has the most things that kids would enjoy.

Love EPCOT but I think it's geared for adults. MGM is cool, but again not geared to kids so much. Actually, I used a FODORS book to plan my trip. It had all your major Florida Theme Parks in it.

I have been to WDW 4 times and I would go back in a heart beat. Universal didn't do it for me. Except for Emeril's restaurant at City Walk.

It a matter of opinion though. Have an awesome time!!

My husband and I just got back from our first trip to WDW. We loved it. Never went to Universal so I can't speak on that but WDW was wonderful and what kept going through my mind that anyone with kids would have a wonderful time there.

We stayed at a WDW hotel and that was great. The bus service was wonderful and having the extra hours and the park was really neat.

I think all the parks are very kid friendly but I think Epcot would be the least friendly. It is very big (we went back a second day to see more) and I don't know how much a 5 year old would care about seeing different countries.

In my opinion Disney always does a top notch job. I wouldn't go as far as saying everything was perfect, but they really do a wonderful job at making a family atmosphere with something for everyone.

Have a wonderful trip.