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 Orlando is of course best known for its incredible array of world class theme parks(namely Walt Disney World - though Universal Orlando and SeaWorld remain determined not to be left behind in the Mouse’s shadow). It should therefore come as no great surprise that a good deal of this site is dedicated to those very parks and attractions.
You’ll find in-depth reviews of the various theme parks along with ride ratings, restaurant reviews, touring tips and more.
You’ll find reviews and ratings of the areas smaller attractions too.
Here's How the Rides and Attractions Have been Rated:
Forget It
Very few rides or attractions fall into this category however should you see this rating, run the other way – and quickly! They’re not at all interesting or entertaining and certainly don’t live up to their expectations.
Fair
While rides with this rating have a handful of redeeming qualities, overall they offer a ho-hum experience for most. If there’s a lengthy line consider skipping it and forging onward unless you’ve got plenty of time to spare
Fair +
Rides with this rating offer an experience that’s slightly above ho-hum however if there’s a lengthy line, skip them and come back when you’ve got some time to spare. The rides in this category are often a good way to entertain those left to wait while other (likely older) family members are riding another ride.
Fun
Many of the rides that fall into this category are fun (and appropriate) for the whole family. While they may not be the most exciting or thrilling in the park, they do offer an experience worth waiting in line for. They should definitelymake your “to-do” list though they may not necessarily make it to the very top of it.
Fun +
With a slight edge over the “Fun” rides, these often offer an experience appropriate for the entire family. They should come in slightly higher on your “to-do” list too. For those with younger children these will likely be at the top ofyour “to-do” list.
Fabulous
These should definitely be listed on your “to-do” list though keep in mind that they may also have an age-appropriate rating associated with them as well. They are often some of the most popular in the parks so expect lengthy lines
Fabulous +
This category is saved for only the very best and most exciting rides and attractions – these are the absolutely “must put at the top of the to-do list” rides. Keep in mind however, that most rides with this rating also come with age ratings too. Often times what may be a “Fabulous +” ride for some is definitely not for others. For example; several of the high-speed coasters are a Fabulous + but for kids ages 10 or 12 and up, however, they’re a Forget It for younger kids and those with certain health concerns. As with the Fabulous rides, these are often the most popular in the park and as such have some of the lengthiest lines to boot.
Keep in Touch
Bring along your cell phones if there are at least two people in the family (or your party) who have them. Be sure to check with your cellular company as to exactly your calling plan covers and doesn’t cover, what areas your service covers, what type of roaming charges may apply, how many minutes you have available (and at what price per minute, what time the freebies may start…and end, and so on). Verify the information before you leave and it will alleviate the likely hood of having to face an outrageously high bill upon returning home …discovering that you ran up a fortune in roaming charges simply calling across the park.
Some companies may allow you to increase your minutes for the month in which you are traveling then reduce them again upon your return (usually at no charge - though you should be careful to see if exactly what day of the month you should switch your plan as doing it at the wrong time will adversely affect your bill rather than helping it). This may however, extend your contract so be sure to check directly with your carrier regarding what affect it will have on your bill (and the life of your contract).
Another good option for those who want to stay in touch is to bring along a set (or 2) of two-way radios. There are no charges or fees associated with using them (other than the initial cost of purchasing them) making them reasonably cost effective. They may also be a good option if you have children old enough to head out on their own, but who do not have their own cell phones. The only difficulty I have found (as we have used them in the past) is the occasional interference that makes the communications somewhat garbled at times. What ever you decide, keeping in contact with the other members of your party is as easy as the turn of a dial or the push of a button.
Where to Go and What to Do First?
While I greatly appreciate the great lengths so many experts and authors have gone to (myself included, though for other publications), creating detailed itineraries in an effort to help you navigate your way through the theme parks, personally, I much prefer to follow a far less restrictive plan - especially with kids in tow.
Creating a general itinerary that includes what parks you want to experience and on which days is important (as is allotting the appropriate number of days to tour each park, adding in days off and spare days for good measure) however creating a minute by minute, ride to ride itinerary, especially with kids in tow, is in my opinion completely unrealistic. You’ll simply be setting yourself up for failure (in turn leaving you feeling disappointed, disillusioned, and dreading the days to follow). If, on the other hand, you simply rough out your day, listing the attractions you absolutely must see (followed by the “would really like to see” attractions, and lastly the “if there’s time” attractions), an approximate schedule for meals and breaks (whether time to simply sit down at the park or to head back to your resort room - or pool), along with an agreed upon time to head back to your resort for the evening, and taking on the day as it comes, you will be far more successful and feel far more satisfied at the end of the day as you will be far more likely to accomplish what you set out to do.
Keep in mind you will have to check show times and parade times and schedule them into your day appropriately. These are really the only non-flexible attractions (though you do have your choice of times in some cases) you’ll encounter. Beyond that, decide on a route - do you prefer to head clockwise or counterclockwise (which if you aren’t sure may be determined by the Must See attractions you have listed…you should head to those first).
If there are rides on your must see list that you know will require a Fast Pass (and I’ve noted the ones that likely will), make sure you get to the Fast Pass machines before 11:00 am (otherwise you could head directly to those particular attractions upon entering the park [however this makes for a good deal of backtracking] or plan on experiencing them during the Extra Magic Hours should that be an available option [in my opinion the better of the two choices]).
From there you can leisurely make your way about the park, making sure you see all there is to see (skipping of course what you have absolutely no interest in). Keep in mind that you’ll likely veer off track along the way (this however can actually be a good thing - - enjoying the attractions [or shops, or photo ops, or play areas] that catch your or your children’s eye as you’re walking by - that’s all part of what makes WDW so much fun).
Straying a bit here and there is inevitable, and if you can be flexible enough to do so (flexibility, as I have made note on several occasions, is key to your survival - not to mention the key to having more fun) you will find that you enjoy the day far more in the end.
About a half hour before you plan on stopping for lunch (and this applies to dinner in the parks as well), make a note of where you are, check you park guide map for available eateries (the ones in the immediate area as well as those in the land just ahead (or wherever you think you may actually be in a half hour). Then you can decide if you should break for lunch immediately, or a bit later as planned (keeping in mind the crowd levels as well).
Here are some rather simple suggestions to keep in mind:
-Take little one’s legs (and stamina) into consideration - they can’t keep the pace that an adult can …and you shouldn’t expect them too! Walking the parks is like running a marathon for most and while kids are usually filled with energy, the hot Florida sun combined with the excitement of being at WDW (not to mention the sheer sensory overload), will drain the energy right out of them (and you).
-Periodically check on how you and your kids are feeling - are you getting tired, sunburn, dehydrated, or just too worn out to enjoy anything? If you (or anyone in the family) answers yes to any of these questions…it’s time for a break (though you’ll have to decide whether sitting down and enjoying a “pick me up” right at the park will be sufficient or if heading back to the resort for a few hours of real rest and relaxation is more in order).
I have often been witness to parents (who are worn out, tired, and frustrated) and their children (also worn out, tired, and frustrated) in the midst of a melt down. If you keep in the forefront of your mind just why it is that you came in the first place (and if you need a reminder… it’s to have fun) you can’t expect children (or even adults) to suddenly have the stamina of a superhero – touring the theme parks take an enormous toll on everyone and the families who try to “do it all” are the ones who end up having an absolutely miserable time…not at all what they came to do. So, take it easy and don’t push yourselves too hard - you’ll be more relaxed and enjoy yourself far more if you simply resign yourself to the fact that no one (and I mean no one) can tackle the theme parks in their entirety in a single vacation and actually enjoy experience. In other words; if you bite off more than you can chew…you’ll get a stomach ache (and a big one)!
For additional suggestions check out the Theme Park Survival Guide Link.
Divide and Conquer
For those of you with multiple children of various ages, tackling the theme parks can be a tremendous challenge to say the least. The younger kids are tugging at your shorts, pleading with you to fly off to Neverland on Peter Pan’s Flight (in Fantasyland) while the older kids are begging to conquer the universe at Space Mountain or brave the waves at Splash Mountain – so what is a family to do? I have to be honest - it’s completely idyllic to think that you’re going to spend each and every waking moment of your family vacation all together – especially if you’ve got kids of varying ages. If you prepare yourself now and follow the “divide and conquer” strategy you might actually survive the whole experience with your sanity in tact. Now that’s not to say that you have to follow this strategy every minute, from start to finish, of your vacation, but there will be times when this may be the only way to get through the parks in a timely fashion.
This is also a strategy that works quite well should you find that your little ones are in need of a nap before the day is out. If you’re staying at one of the Walt Disney World resorts (or at one of the resorts located along Hotel Plaza Boulevard), it’s a relatively painless process (in most cases) to head back to your room so that the younger members of your family (and in some cases the older ones too) can rest, relax, and take their afternoon nap - while those with the stamina of a superhero can continue tackling and touring the theme parks.
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World
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