I have a business trip in Orlando at the end of September/ beginning of October, and my husband is joining me for the weekend. We are staying at the Disney Downtown Marriot (Residence Inn? I can't remember). Anyhow, of course we are going to DisneyWorld and Pleasure Island. What I wanted to know was should I go to Epcot on the second day, or spend two days at Disneyworld? We are from Northern California, and so we have been to DisneyLand countless times, but this will be our first time at Disneyworld. I got on their web site, and the Epcot center looks kinda cheesy to me--replicas of other countries? If I wanted to see other countries I would just go there. But they do have the future exhibits, although those seem like they might be very similar to the Tech Museum here. Input? Suggestions?

Monica

P.S. We are both 30, but big kids, as you can tell.

We visited DW last November. I really enjoyed MGM studios and also Epcot. It's not cheesy, and you're going to be impressed by how BIG DisneyWorld is. Pleasure Island is fun, try the Comedy Club there (not sure if that's the name, it's a hoot) also Gloria Estafans restaurant, Bongo's is wonderful! Oh, I would skip the Magic Kingdom, since you've been there in Calif. Have fun!

I'd like to recommend a day at Sea World. We really enjoyed the manatees, the sharks, whales and most of all feeding the stingrays. I think you can feed dolphins too, but we weren't there at the right time. I am 30 and my husband is 38 - we had a ball.

Monica,

As a seasoned WDW'er, let me give you a run-down. First - WDW is comprised of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM and all the "smaller attractions -such as Pleaure Island, Typhoon Lagoon, etc. This is how you should spend time at each park:

1. Magic Kingdom - From opening to approximately 5:00p, then if you choose, leave and come back for the Spectromagic parade.

2. MGM Studios - From opening to approximately 3:00p, there are no parades at night. You can use this time to go to Pleasure Island where the action doesn't heat up until evening anyway.

3. Epcot - You really need the full day to explore this techno wonderland. Some of the exhibits may not be of interest to you, but it really is interesting. If you choose to leave the park, go back for the fireworks and techno-lighting show at night.

Hope this helps. If you need any more info about WDW or other Orlando attractions, feel free to email me at [email protected].

Take Care!

I agree with above. If you only have 2 days and no kids go to MGM and Epcot. At MGM get dinner reservations for the 50s Cafe, it's a blast. At Epcot eat at The Living Seas. You sit next to the fish tank.

You should try to get to Winter Park in Orlando, where there are nice shops and restaurants and where the railway passes through town. It has a village feel about it, and is green and somehow cooler than everywhere else in the area. It would be a nice antidote to the fun but ultimately man-made nature of the other attractions.

Take a 45 minute drive to Kennedy Space Center--well worth the $17 admission. Includes an IMAX movie. Also, Cocoa Beach is 15 minutes from Kennedy. Church Street Station, downtown, sounds like "Winter Park" which the previous post refers to. It's restaurants, shops, dinner shows, etc. Orlando has a neat art museum with a nice collection of American paintings currently on display--if you're into museums. Beware the super-cheap attraction tickets: most of them require a 2 hour time-share pitch. Have fun!

What about Fantasmic!! at MGM?? This is a night time laser show and is a definite must. . .

I get to go to Orlando the week before Labor Day for a huge conference. Hopefully I'll get to try out the GM test track at Disney...sounds like fun. But I'll be working most of the time, so will probably have limited chance to indulge. We love the Magic Kingdom -- have gone about 5 times as our kids grew up. If its not crowded, it is enjoyable. Last time we went it was horribly crowded an no fun at all. Been to MGM twice and it is great fun. My 20 yr old daughter got picked for Indiana Jones stunt show and that made it even more fun. We all loved the Muppets 3D (4D?) theater (ages 16-54). Lots of memories and fun hearing reactions of the little kids in the audience, too. Great effects. Eating there is horribly expensive and pretty boring food-wise, but you're kind of trapped. We were disappointed in Epcot -- it doesn't seem to have updated attractions at the same rate as Magic Kingdom has. The Safari Park should be interesting. Since you won't be there over a traditional school holiday period, crowds may not be as big.

Can I go off the board & suggest something non-Disney? If you like roller coasters, go to the new Universal Islands of Adventure. Great Spiderman ride (combo 3-D, interactive ride!) Hulk and Duelling Dragons are awesome coasters. Jurassic Park ride has the steepest water plunge - my scream got stuck in my throat! Popeye and Bluto's Raft ride really soaks you. Even Cat in the Hat ride & One Fish, Two Fish,...was fun for an adult. Have fun!

I have to agree with Jane..go to Island of Adventure at Universal if you are a ride fan. The Hulk coaster is one of the best, and Spiderman is amazing. I would also suggest Terminator 3D in Universal studios, but unfortunately it is really the only ride there that is not "hokey", except for Twister. But the one ride that my family still talks about is Tower of Terror at MGM. And if you are at MGM do not miss Drew Carrey's "Sounds Dangerous", a very unusual attraction. Have fun!

There is a place on the Web that offers great information on Theme Parks and Attractions in Orlando as well as discounts on tickets.
http://www.floridatravelonline.com/o...kets/index.htm

As long seasoned WDW visitors here are some of my tips --

Sample Day 1. Go to MGM in the morning - great breakfast on the way to the Indiana Jones spectacular. Leave around 12 and head to Animal Kingdom. Have lunch at the Rainforest Cafe on the way in. Take in the Lion King show and a couple rides.

Sample Day 2. Animal Kingdom early to catch the safari. Leave mid day and go to Magic Kingsdom.

Sample Day 3. Epcot all day. Eat big lunch at either the Norway Pav. or France. Go with a light dinner that night.

Sample Day 4. Back to MGM to catch the rest.

Sample Day 5 - Sea World -- don't miss it - tons of fun for all ages.

Spend your evenings at the outside the park stuff.
Enjoy.

I have to 2nd the suggestion of visiting WinterPark. And for a really Florida experience, I enjoyed my 2 meals at fish camps. I spent a week staying in a suburban home in June and the fish camps were like nothing I'd ever done.