Rank the Orlando Theme Parks

[Mr Light]

How do you stack the theme parks in Orlando?

I'm planning a trip there next year and I haven't been to any parks aside from Universal since about 1994. I've never even seen Animal Kingdom!

So my 16 year old rankings would probably be...

1. Universal Studios (went there in 2003)
2. Islands of Adventure (went there in 2003)
3. Epcot
4. Magic Kingdom
5. Disney MGM (yeah that's right it was MGM back then! )
6. Sea World
* Animal Kingdom: non-existent!

 

[Cicero]

I've only been to Disney, but I would rank the non-water parks/attraction areas there (as of May 2009):

1. Animal Kingdom
2. The Magic Kingdom
3. Epcot
4. Downtown Disney (Disney Quest and the magic shop were especially fun)
5. Hollywood Studios

The last time we visited Disney World, in 1997, I'd have ranked MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) first, then Epcot, but neither park has seen much improvement since; some attractions could very much use upgrade work.

 

[Small White Car]

I have 2 lists:

GOING WITH A CHILD UNDER 10
1) Magic Kingdom
2) Universal: Islands of Adventure
3) Hollywood Studios
4) EPCOT
5) Sea World
6) Universal Studios
7) Animal Kingdom

GOING WITH A TEEN or JUST ADULTS
1) Universal: Islands of Adventure
2) EPCOT
3) Hollywood Studios
4) Universal Studios
5) Magic Kingdom (only if you have a child-like sense of whimsy)


That's my general order. But use individual attractions as bonus points. If you have an 8 year old who loves Harry Potter than move 'Islands' up to spot #1, you know? And, like, I move Sea World up higher than where it is on the list 'cause I love penguins. This is just a rough guide.

No matter what your age you should hit Downtown Disney on an afternoon that you're not doing a park (if you have a free day, that is). 'Earl of Sandwhich' is fantastic if you're there for lunch!

What month are you going? If it's June-August be careful of Animal Kingdom...the 'Jungle' plants they've used everywhere really create a rainforest effect. That place feels hotter and damper than the rest of Florida in the summer...if you can believe it. Very miserable during the hottest months.

 

[Spot's Meow]

If you haven't been to Disneyland, then I'd put Magic Kingdom first. If you have, then it can go further down the list. Same for Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando. I'll assume you haven't been to either.

1. Magic Kingdom
2. EPCOT
3. Animal Kingdom
4. Islands of Adventure
5. Universal Studios
6. MGM Studios

I haven't been to Sea World.

 

[trekkiebaggio]

Well I'm a bit biased because I worked for Disney so I got in free. I didn't make it to Sea World and only went to universal on the Halloween Horror Night. But to rank the Disney parks:

1. Hollywood Studios
2. Epcot
3. Animal kingdom
4. Magic Kingdom

And yes Earl of Sandwich is amazing, especially the limited edition Christmas one they have. Oh I miss that so much.

 

[T'Bonz]

1. Magic Kingdom.
2. EPCOT
3. Islands of Adventure
4. MGM Studios
5. Universal Studios
6. Sea World
7. Animal Kingdom

That's my order. Next month, we're doing a quick three-day trip where we'll hit Islands of Adventure, Magic Kingdom and Sea World.

Part of my fun at places like Islands of Adventure is diminished though, as due to my severe neck problems, I have to be extremely careful about riding roller coasters.

The suck part is that I *love* roller coasters.

I was able to ride the one at Animal Kingdom though last time we went. In fact, I rode it twice in a row.