theme park comparisons sought/thoughts on Cape Canaveral
 

We will be taking our children (boy 11-1/2, girl 8) to Orlando as a surprise for about three days and are having trouble choosing among Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, Universal. Also considering a day trip to Cape Canaveral. The weather will be too cool to worry about water parks. Would appreciate suggestions on how best to use our time. Have been to Disneyland Park in CA. Will FL Magic Kingdom just feel like a redo? Is Canaveral worth the drive? Thanks!!

Have been to Disneyland Park in CA. Will FL Magic Kingdom just feel like a redo?

In a word, yes!

Is Canaveral worth the drive?

I think so, particularly if you are going to Kennedy Space Center. This may not hold the attention of your children for the entire day, so you may need to build in another stop more geared to their age levels. Consider an airboat ride at the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp <http://twisterairboatrides.tripod.com/>, on SR 528 (the Beachline) at the St. Johns River. This is very close to KSC and doable in one day. Or you could also add in a trip to Ron John's Surf Shop at the corner of SR 520 & A1A in Cocoa Beach. This is a huge store with everything one could possibly need or want for the beach. Best of all, there is no charge to browse.

The Magic Kingdom might feel like a "redo" but Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot will not feel like one since they have no counterpart in California.

Not to mention MGM Studios at WDW...
IMO Unoversal has some great rides and if you want to do that up brown I suggest you get one of the guide-led tours which gets you to the front of the lines, etc.

Will Universal be too old for my younger one? How does it stack up to MGM? if you could only go to one, which would you pick?

I prefere the Universal Parks. Your eight year old will be fine there. For great info go to the universal orlando site and get descriptions of the attractions.

Canaveral is definitely worth the drive.

We took three little grandchildren to Cape Canaveral three years ago. We enjoyed it so much that we returned for the second day.

Our 6yo grandson STILL remembers it and is still fascinated with rockets and space. He was just under three years old!

Will Universal be too old for my younger one?

I don't think so. I think it is a good choice.

How does it stack up to MGM?

It is an all-day attraction. MGM can be seen in 1/2 day.

if you could only go to one, which would you pick?

Definitely, Universal Studios.

Between MGM and Universal I porefer Universal as well. IF we are talking about Islands of Adventure if we are talking about Universal Studios...the I would choose MGM. Depending on what day you will be there you may be able to do 1/2 day Universal and 1/2 day Animal Kingdom. Or... if your kids like shows and animals. SeaWorld is a very nice relaxing day. So many great parks so little time. Let us know how it turns out!

Universal has two parks - Islands of Adventure (IOA) and Universal Studios. IOA will be largely too intense for the young one - maybe for the 11 year old, as well. Universal Studios will be a better choice. Check www.universalorlando.com for deals on tickets. MGM has a great evening show called "Fantasmic".

Magic Kingdom will feel like a re-do - in many way, I think Disneyland has more charm though there are plenty who might disagree. Epcot is a great park but be prepared for less rides and more experiences. The entertainment options at the World Showcase are great. Illuminations is a very good evening show.

With only three days, I'm not sure I'd head to Cape Canaveral unless you are really into space exploration.

I don't think Island of Adventure would be too intense for either child. The Dr. Suess section is wonderful and they would also love Toon Town, Super Heroes Island and Jurassic Park. The only "intense" things are the three big coaster and my six year old nephew rides them and loves them!

islands of adventure might be good for the 11yr old...but not for the 8yr old (with some extreme rides). universal studios would be good for the 8yr old, but might be boring for the 11yr old (no extreme rides).

an MGM/animal kingdom combo might be a good middle ground. theres some decent coasters (aerosmith ride) and some less intense rides.

as far as cape canaveral (do you mean cape kennedy ?), i find spaceport USA a yawn fest....it's main attraction are the 2 IMAX movies. theres the "rocket garden" and a few indoor displays and not much else. the astronaut museum (several miles up the road, but included in the spaceport price) has some interesting displays....moon suits, space capsule, etc.

otownrob,
I don't know the last time you visited Universal Studios, but the Mummy could certainly be considered extreme. Then there are Men In Black, The Terminator, etc. There is plenty for both of your children to do at both Ilands of Adventure AND Universal Studios.

And let me vote for Sea World since you are in that area. And don't skip the bird shows. I think it would please the kids a lot more than the Space Center.

I think it depends on your kids, and what their interests are. When my son was 8, he loved Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. But, he has always been a thrill-seeker, and loves roller coasters. (He's 12 now, and complained that a recent boy scout whitewater rafting trip was 'too tame')

I agree with other posters that MGM isn't a full day, and if I were given a choice, I would do a MGM/Epcot split day, and then spend the other day(s) at the Universal parks.

If your children are the least bit interested in space, the Kennedy Space Center is great, but it's more than an hour each way, depending on where you stay in Orlando. Like I said, let your kids interests and tolerances help you decide what's best for this family trip.

Whatever you do, I hope you have great weather and a great trip!

It does really depend on your kids.

They may surprise you. To my surprise, my kids loved Epcot the most.

The then 12 year old bought a disposable camera and took tons of pictures of the countries. I thought 15 and 12 year boys would want to spend all their time in the couputer area, but they loved the countries best.

The Magic Kingdom was their least favorite, and Disney MGM was a full day for us. The behind the scenes and the animation tours had them rivited. They also loved Animal Kingdom.

If it were our family and we only had three days I would do: Epcot, Animal Kingdom and be torn between Disney MGM and Universal.

My 2 cents.