4 days Orlando, FL + tips to Disney World & Universal Island of Adventure

This trip happened in 2012, not too long after I arrived in the US  (i think 3months or so) and the first trip I planned in the US. Previous trips was planned by my husband (and we have very different planning styles). As this was almost 2 years ago, I could only try to recall that much based in my saved pre-trip itinerary and the things might have changed now. However, I do remember clearly that it was during thanksgiving week (the weather is good and there are lesser ppl in disneyland since everyone is rushing home for thanksgiving)


Day 1 - Kennedy Space Center:


Arrived at Orlando Airport at noon. 

Drove to Kennedy Space Center. The tickets are not cheap (in fact, nothing in Orlando is not expensive). Coming from Singapore where there are almost none space-related artifacts can be found (not even a nail of a spacecraft or stars in the sky),   it is a really intriguing place for us. However, when I was back in DC, I realised that we could have skip the place as DC has a FREE museum on space with the real artifacts (pardon me, I was still new in the US then), it's not like we are kids or we have a special interest in space. The only different thing is that you will be able to see the launch sites and NASA building from afar.

Entrance to Kennedy Space Center

Day 2: Disney World Magic Kingdom, Thanksgiving and my husband's birthday!

Where is the best place to go during your birthday? For me, it is spa center, some exotic countries and Disney world! what's not to be happy when you are spending time with your favourite childhood cartoon characters? However, visiting Disney World takes more planning than you think! How to get the best out of it and to ensure the exorbitant price of tickets you paid for were fully utilised? Follow this 10 points:

1) know how many Disney parks you are going and how many days you will be spending in Disney World so you can decide what kind of tickets to purchase. It is definitely cheaper to buy a 2 days ticket on the first day than buying the tickets separately. We went to 2 different parks (magic kingdom and Epcot) in 2 days, hence, we bought the 2 days park hopper tickets. More information on the tickets could be found here.

2) Leave early from your hotel (at least add 30mins more to what google map tells you). Disney World is a huge place (it's twice the size of Manhattan). GPS and google map will calculate the time you take from your current location to the main entrance of Disney World. There is a designated area for you to park your car or for you to alight from your bus. You will then have to take the tram (and the line is really long at most of time) to the park you are going to.

3) If you are visiting Magic Kingdom (which I believe this is the park where everyone goes to when they visit Disney world), arrive before the park opening hours (you can check on their website). When the park opens, there will be a opening performance and might be the only time when you will see all the characters gather at one time. Be there at least half an hour before the opening time if you are interested in the performance. We were there 20 mins before the opening time, there were already a lot of people (so much that we couldn't even be near the entrance, most already inside the park).

You think you are early, but many more are earlier than you! We call this Kiasu in Singaporean term.

4) Have the layout of the Magic Kingdom in advance and plan your rides if you want to finish all the rides (why not? you have already paid so much for the ticket). Go to the popular rides first (eg.Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad etc), DO NOT even take photos (you will have more than enough time later), just go straight to one of the popular ride when they open the doors.

5) Make full use of the Fast Pass. Like the name suggest, fast pass allows you to skip the long line. if I didn't rem wrongly, they will give you a time and it will only be valid for half-one hour. You will need to use the fast pass within that timeframe. You could get the fast pass and go and queue for another ride. This would help to save you from the unnecessary waste of timing queuing up.

6) Check the Wishes Fireworks schedule in advance. This is not to be missed but beware, it is not shown everyday.  It is important to check the schedule ahead to prevent any disappointment.

7) If you are intending to watch the wishes fireworks, be there early to get a good view (i think the best view will be right in front of the castle).

I am sorry, Belle.Forgive me for taking such an unglamorous photo of you.

Wishes Fireworks

 

8) Check all other programmes on your visiting day so you won't miss out anything. Especially the parades!

Day parade on the main street

Night Parade

 9) Many people might miss this. After you enter Magic Kingdom, you can get free badges ("it's my birthday", "first visit", "just engaged", "family reunion" ) with your favourite cartoon characters printed on it near the entrance. etc. 

10) Act and be young, you are in Disneyland! Do whatever a kid like to do, wear your fav cartoon character printed shirt, eat ice cream, dress young, take photos with the characters, just let go of your stress and enjoy the rides! 

Everything is Magic Kingdom is indeed magical, even the ice cream is according to the character's faces.

Day 3 - Disney World's Epcot

Epcot's entrance

Epcot is not as magical as the magic kingdom, but it has its charms. It is a world showcase and features 11 countries. I personally felt that it is more relaxing here (you can take your own sweet time since you don't have to rush for the rides) and it is more for the adults than the kids (some kids might be bored to death here!)

But, it is definitely a nice place for adults where you can see iconic edifices, miniatures, purchasing the merchandise related to the countries and trying the various cuisines. In addition, it does not only comes with many photo ops opportunities, this is the place where you can tell ppl where you have visited 11countries in one day.

Day 4: Universal Island of Adventures:

Being a huge fan of Harry Potter, this was my main purpose to Orlando (now I can die in peace) and I definitely highly recommend this theme park if you are too. Furthermore, like the name of the park suggest, the rides are more thrilling (which I like) and requires you to be "adventurous" to try.

Similar to magic kingdom, there are 10 points to note if you are visiting there:

1) Purchase the tickets in advance. It is cheaper and save you time. Refer to more saving tips here.

2) Arrive early (at least 40mins in advance) before the park opens. The car park is not near to the park the Island of Adventures. It's quite a distance away in fact. In addition, as there are many visitors driving into Universal Studios, driving to a lot might take up some time too.

3) Advance planning is required should you wish to visit Universal Island of adventure. Take the popular rides first (eg.The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Poseidon’s Fury, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Incredible Hulk Coaster etc) Waiting lines at the popular rides could take hours. To make it worse, there are no free fast passes for the rides (you can of course pay for the express passes if you wish).

one of the most popular rides, similar to the transformers ride I took in Singapore Universal Studios

4) Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter first.  Most people will do either clockwise or anti-clockwise of the park (the theme park is one round). Harry Potter is located in the middle (whichever round you go, it will be far from the entrance). Even though it will be extra work to go to the Harry Potter Land first, you will really thank me later. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which I believed is the most popular attraction in the park, is very very crowded (trust me, being a big fan, I went there at 3 different timings - the moment the park open, in the afternoon and at night). You will be able to take nice photos without too many human heads and will be able to take the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride without waiting for too long. Note: try not to spend too much time to taking photos too.

A total replica of the movie set

5) Try the Butter beer in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The famous butter beer (non-alcoholic) in Harry Potter series is available at the park, both inside the cafeteria and at outdoor carts. However, the line will be long, so be prepared to queue. Purchasing it in the Hogs Head Pub might be faster. It taste like vanilla coke or vanilla rootbeer.
 
6) Bring an extra set of clothes. A few rides are water-related rides. We were drenched (literally) after taking the water related ride at the Jurassic Park land. Because it was Nov and the weather could be quite cold when the wind blows, I was freezing with my wet outfit. I had to buy a new shirt from their stores in the end to prevent a cold.

7) Use the lockers at the park.  Since most rides will not allow you to bring your bag, it will be wise to just invest in renting a locker for the day.

8) If you have visited the  The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the day and if you have additional time, visit it again at night. It look different at night. In fact, the whole Universal Island of Adventure look different during the day and night.

I was using a rather lousy camera then, so the photo does not do justice to how it looks.

9) Purchase the meal plans if you are having at least 2 meals there. It will save you some money!

10) Check the showtimes and meet and greet sessions (with the superheros and popular characters) in advance. Plan accordingly so you could ensure your money is well spent for the ticket.

My second fav area in the Island of Adventure