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Orlando Theme Park Discussion

Disney World, Universal Studios and the Rest...

SkateCaptain59
SkateCaptain59 g Duncan Blatherwick
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Posted

Since Scott is moving to central Florida soon, I thought it would be fun to discuss the various theme parks the Orlando area is famous for.

 

Here's my take on them:

 

Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World)

Disney World's original theme park is home to all the staples the company is famous for; Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Cinderella Castle etc. Attractions include a mix of coasters, boat rides, "dark rides" (where cars go through black-light sets), theatre shows with singing or talking robots, and carnival rides tied to Disney movies (like Dumbo or the teacups). It's also by far the busiest in the area, which makes pre-planning and FastPass essential. Don't expect to see everything in one day, but the park can still be fun for those who know what they're getting into. The Halloween parties are the best time to go IMO.

Islands of Adventure (Universal Orlando)

Best know for having the first installment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the park contains several sections (or "Islands") based on books, movies or comic books including Jurassic Park, Dr. Seuss and Marvel super heroes. The newer King Kong ride received mixed reviews online, but I liked it a lot and think it has one of the better queues built in recent years. Spider-Man is the best ride IMO, and the park has a strong overall selection of headliners, but secondary offerings and shows like Sindbad and Dr. Doom are kind of weak. Bring a change of clothes if you plan on riding Popeye or Dudley Do-Right. You'll get soaked.

 

To be continued...

 

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: SkateCaptain59

Since Scott is moving to central Florida soon, I thought it would be fun to discuss the various theme parks the Orlando area is famous for.

 

Here's my take on them:

 

Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World)

Disney World's original theme park is home to all the staples the company is famous for; Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Cinderella Castle etc. Attractions include a mix of coasters, boat rides, "dark rides" (where cars go through black-light sets), theatre shows with singing or talking robots, and carnival rides tied to Disney movies (like Dumbo or the teacups). It's also by far the busiest in the area, which makes pre-planning and FastPass essential. Don't expect to see everything in one day, but the park can still be fun for those who know what they're getting into. The Halloween parties are the best time to go IMO.

Islands of Adventure (Universal Orlando)

Best know for having the first installment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the park contains several sections (or "Islands") based on books, movies or comic books including Jurassic Park, Dr. Seuss and Marvel super heroes. The newer King Kong ride received mixed reviews online, but I liked it a lot and think it has one of the better queues built in recent years. Spider-Man is the best ride IMO, and the park has a strong overall selection of headliners, but secondary offerings and shows like Sindbad and Dr. Doom are kind of weak. Bring a change of clothes if you plan on riding Popeye or Dudley Do-Right. You'll get soaked.

 

To be continued...

 

We have actually been a couple of times, but will definitely be planning to go again! The parks are so much fun! We went last year to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.. it was amazing! Maybe we can go to a Halloween Party though if you think they are worth going to!

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SkateCaptain59
SkateCaptain59 g Duncan Blatherwick
18 Post(s)
18 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: June 6, 2017
Posted
Posted By: Scott_Herman

We have actually been a couple of times, but will definitely be planning to go again! The parks are so much fun! We went last year to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.. it was amazing! Maybe we can go to a Halloween Party though if you think they are worth going to!

There are two major Halloween events in the parks. Halloween Horror Nights is at Universal Studios and has mazes, scare zones and live entertainment based on popular horror movie and TV shows (what they're hyping the most this year is Stranger Things). Most of the major rides are also open. It's for teens and adults and has lots of scares, but not without a sense of dark humour at times. It runs most nights September 14 - November 3.

 

https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/halloween-horror-nights/

 

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the one at Magic Kingdom and has trick-or-treating, a parade, stage show and fireworks that they only do during those hours. It's obviously geared more towards younger children, but most rides are open and everyone likes the fireworks. It happens select nights from August 17 (I'm not making that up!) to October 31. Costumes can be worn by kids and adults, so long as they follow the rules.

 

https://allears.net/tp/mk/mnssh.htm

 

Read some reviews online to see which one you and your family would like better. There's more deals and ticket options for HHN, especially for locals.

 

I'm doing both in October, and to tie this back into working out, I want to get as big as I can so I can look good in my costume for MNSSHP! 💪 ðŸ˜ 

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
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Posted
Posted By: SkateCaptain59

There are two major Halloween events in the parks. Halloween Horror Nights is at Universal Studios and has mazes, scare zones and live entertainment based on popular horror movie and TV shows (what they're hyping the most this year is Stranger Things). Most of the major rides are also open. It's for teens and adults and has lots of scares, but not without a sense of dark humour at times. It runs most nights September 14 - November 3.

 

https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/halloween-horror-nights/

 

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is the one at Magic Kingdom and has trick-or-treating, a parade, stage show and fireworks that they only do during those hours. It's obviously geared more towards younger children, but most rides are open and everyone likes the fireworks. It happens select nights from August 17 (I'm not making that up!) to October 31. Costumes can be worn by kids and adults, so long as they follow the rules.

 

https://allears.net/tp/mk/mnssh.htm

 

Read some reviews online to see which one you and your family would like better. There's more deals and ticket options for HHN, especially for locals.

 

I'm doing both in October, and to tie this back into working out, I want to get as big as I can so I can look good in my costume for MNSSHP! 💪 ðŸ˜ 

Sorry for the late reply on this one @SkateCaptain59!

 

But thanks for all the info as well! These sound like a lot of fun, will definitely have to try and make it to them once they are open 😁 

 

Hope you've been training hard so you can look AMAZING in that costume too! 💪 ðŸ‹ 

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SkateCaptain59
SkateCaptain59 g Duncan Blatherwick
18 Post(s)
18 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: June 6, 2017
Posted
Posted By: Scott_Herman

Sorry for the late reply on this one @SkateCaptain59!

 

But thanks for all the info as well! These sound like a lot of fun, will definitely have to try and make it to them once they are open 😁 

 

Hope you've been training hard so you can look AMAZING in that costume too! 💪 ðŸ‹ 

Since I last talked to you at the Expo, I've taken step back and looked at what I can do to train better. I was really guilty of program hopping because I thought I should be making gains faster and what I was doing wasn't working, and I was just eating a lot instead of thinking about what I was eating.

 

Now I've used your macro calculator to find ways to make improvements to my diet and I'm sticking with one program and writing everything down in a spreadsheet so I can see week-to-week how I'm progressing with each movement. It's working much better for me and I feel I have a more realistic sense of what my progress should be.

 

I won't be super buff by Halloween, but I'll be sure to post a costume pic here so you can see if I look any better!

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
7.1K Post(s)
7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: SkateCaptain59

Since I last talked to you at the Expo, I've taken step back and looked at what I can do to train better. I was really guilty of program hopping because I thought I should be making gains faster and what I was doing wasn't working, and I was just eating a lot instead of thinking about what I was eating.

 

Now I've used your macro calculator to find ways to make improvements to my diet and I'm sticking with one program and writing everything down in a spreadsheet so I can see week-to-week how I'm progressing with each movement. It's working much better for me and I feel I have a more realistic sense of what my progress should be.

 

I won't be super buff by Halloween, but I'll be sure to post a costume pic here so you can see if I look any better!

That's great @SkateCaptain59! Tracking everything is a great way to.. well.. stay on track haha. Seeing numbers change positively can be just as motivating as seeing changes in the mirror!

 

I know you will look great come Halloween! Look forward to seeing your pic! 🏋 

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SkateCaptain59
SkateCaptain59 g Duncan Blatherwick
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Posted

Hey Scott,

 

Here's another look at the new coaster I mentioned on IG today. It'll be indoor and outdoor and apparently go both forwards and backwards through the Forbiden Forest.

 

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1029304945512800256

 

Another thing you might want to try at Universal is the new Bar 17 Bistro at the Aventura hotel. I don't know if you have to be a guest to eat there, but it's the only rooftop bar and grill at the resort and has some pretty cool views of the parks from the pics I've seen online.

 

https://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/bar-17-bistro-reveal/

 

 

I now know for sure I'll be there on September 30th for Halloween Horror Nights, having dinner with the scareactors before the event starts, but I'm super jealous of you being able to go to the parks whenever you want!

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
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7.1K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: August 8, 2008
Posted
Posted By: SkateCaptain59

Hey Scott,

 

Here's another look at the new coaster I mentioned on IG today. It'll be indoor and outdoor and apparently go both forwards and backwards through the Forbiden Forest.

 

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1029304945512800256

 

Another thing you might want to try at Universal is the new Bar 17 Bistro at the Aventura hotel. I don't know if you have to be a guest to eat there, but it's the only rooftop bar and grill at the resort and has some pretty cool views of the parks from the pics I've seen online.

 

https://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/bar-17-bistro-reveal/

 

 

I now know for sure I'll be there on September 30th for Halloween Horror Nights, having dinner with the scareactors before the event starts, but I'm super jealous of you being able to go to the parks whenever you want!

@SkateCaptain59 That new roller coaster should be a lot of fun going through the Forbidden Forest!! Thanks for the info about the bar as well, will definitely have to check that out!

 

It is pretty awesome having the parks so close haha, but also awesome that you're going for the Halloween Horror Nights too, you must be excited! 😁 

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SkateCaptain59
SkateCaptain59 g Duncan Blatherwick
18 Post(s)
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Posted

I just saw your Instagram stories. I feel like I should have warned you sooner about the crowds for Halloween Horror Nights. I was among the first to enter on the night I went, but I lined up just before 5:00pm to get in, knowing they open the gates around 6:00pm.

 

It's been extra busy this year and Friday and Saturday nights are almost always the worst. Of course Universal has no shortage of options to spend hundreds of $ more to skip the lines, but I still hope you enjoyed your first time. I loved the "Stranger Things" maze myself.

Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
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Posted
Posted By: SkateCaptain59

I just saw your Instagram stories. I feel like I should have warned you sooner about the crowds for Halloween Horror Nights. I was among the first to enter on the night I went, but I lined up just before 5:00pm to get in, knowing they open the gates around 6:00pm.

 

It's been extra busy this year and Friday and Saturday nights are almost always the worst. Of course Universal has no shortage of options to spend hundreds of $ more to skip the lines, but I still hope you enjoyed your first time. I loved the "Stranger Things" maze myself.

@SkateCaptain59 It's all good man, the wait wasn't too bad and we kept ourselves entertained haha. It's good with some of the attractions that they have mini movies playing outside while you're waiting in line.

 

We didn't manage to do absolutely everything, but it was a lot of fun!!

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SkateCaptain59
SkateCaptain59 g Duncan Blatherwick
18 Post(s)
18 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: June 6, 2017
Scott_Herman
Scott_Herman a Scott Herman
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Posted
Posted By: SkateCaptain59

We finally have a date a name for the new roller coaster at Islands of Adventure:

 

https://blog.universalorlando.com/featured/hagrids-magical-creatures-motorbike-adventure-new-experience-wizarding-world-harry-potter-opens-june-13/

 

and here's a rendering of the ride from above:

 

https://orlandoparkstop.com/news/theme-park-news/leaked-concept-art-for-hagrids-magical-creatures-roller-coaster/

@SkateCaptain59 So awesome! Can't wait for that ride to open. Will make the Wizarding World even better than it already is!!

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SkateCaptain59
SkateCaptain59 g Duncan Blatherwick
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Posted

Just watching your Instagram stories now, it's very interesting seeing you go into Epcot blind.

 

Of all the 4 WDW parks, this is the one that has changed the most in terms of substance, although visually it looks mostly the same as it has for the last 25 years.

 

Fans of the original EPCOT Center (1982-1993) are VERY nostalgic and defensive of the park's core values, and there's hours of documentary footage (which of course I've watched, lol) and endless debate online about how corporate Disney has handled or mishandled its potential.

 

Personally I still find things I like about the park, but as an out-of-state tourist who has to pay full price for tickets and food, I'm finding it harder to justify going back to what is now esentially a pretty mall.

 

And yeah, Mission: Space orange right after food...not a good idea! But you're not the first to make that mistake. I did too. At least Green now his it's own distinct storyline and a new restaurant opening later this year will let you dine in a simulated Space Port and not just get physically hurled to one.

 

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