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We present the guide to parks for beginners who visit the city of Orlando for the first time and want to enjoy the different attractions.
When traveling to Orlando for the first time, many people recommend visiting the famous amusement parks, It is especially the most popular ones that appear in various promotions about the destination, but this couldn't be so easy the first time, here we help you.
Post written by Sil – Instagram: @smc_sock
With photos by Sil and Nicolás
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This is a small beginner's guide exclusively for the most iconic and most recommended parks. The idea is to help all travelers, who will go to Orlando for the first time, to choose the right park, since without a doubt it is a very nice experience, But it does help to have an idea of where you are going., since as many know, Park tickets can be an expensive item, not to mention that there are “express passes” that you can buy but they are $70 extra dollars to each ticket per person.
General tips before the adventure
wear light clothing, ultra comfortable shoes, They are long walks from area to area and long waits standing. You can carry water and food in a backpack if you wish.. Ambient temperatures can become high, especially if it's sunny so wear a cap, sunglasses and sunscreen is mandatory. Some games are water adventures, but there are clothes drying machines.
DISNEY’S MAGIC KINGDOM
- Time: 9:00am – 11:00pm
- Price per day-per person: from $109
- Recommended age: Children older than 4 years
- Recommended visit time: Minimum 2 days
This park is characterized by having shows of its best-known characters in Disney's dream castle.. With several classic characters and the most popular like Mickey Mouse. There are several attractions for boys and girls of different ages and the customer service is, like the entire Disney brand, notable.
Nevertheless, I would not recommend the park for adults since it is more about Princesses, Mickey Mouse and friends, and the games in general are more focused on young children. If there is one or another attraction for big people like Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean o Tomorrowland Speedway, If you don't like games more like Winnie the Pooh or Monsters Ink, it is preferable to choose another park..
The best recommendation for this type of park is to go with children or have the inner spirit of a child to do the Dumbo or Aladdin carousels on the magic carpet, which is low in excitement but high in fun..
Tip: On the park's free Wi-Fi, download the application and it will show you the park map, and how much waiting time there is in each game so that you can better plan your time.
DISNEY´S ANIMAL KINGDOM
- Time: 9am – 8:00pm
- Price per day-per person: from $109
- Recommended age:
- Recommended visit time: Minimum 1 day
A mix of rainforest, savannas of Africa, monuments lost in the undergrowth of Asia and the magical world of Pandora from Avatar, is what this park offers. From the entrance you can see a natural environment, where is the biggest attraction, the Tree of Life which is Pandora's neighbor.
The Pandora areas are exact replicas of natural settings from the movie and its two attractions are completely worth it and will make you feel like a real Na'vi. Walking towards Africa is a more natural experience between a safari car ride to see beautiful endemic animals of the black continent, Cameras must always be ready since everywhere there are animals in freedom of their habitat ready to be photographed.. Likewise, there are nature walks to see gorillas, lions, hippos, aves, fish and other animals that live in areas recreated exclusively for your comfort.
In Asia, enjoy walks to see the famous komodo dragon, monkeys and tigers while crossing ruins of the continent until reaching the famous Everest, which is a roller coaster that will take you to the heights of the park. It's a quiet visit, but you walk a lot so you have to be comfortable. In the park you can also find several shops and restaurants with motifs and cuisine from each continent.. Finally the last section is Dinoland, with games for children.
Tip: In certain natural areas there are printed guides of the animals that can be seen, if it is of interest. What's more, Don't forget to try the delights of African or Asian cuisine in the areas of these continents.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS & ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
- Time: 9:00am – 8:00pm
- Price per day-per person: from $119
- Recommended age: children older than 6 years
- Recommended days of visit: Minimum 2 days
From the entrance to Universal you can see famous restaurants and well-known Hollywood themes such as Bubba Gump, Hard Rock Cafe, Finnegans Bar and others. You enter through a boulevard of restaurants, bars and shops until you reach the famous rotating globe with the Universal brand.
It is advisable to buy the ticket with access to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, Each area will take more than a day to visit as each has its own unique attractions.. The most popular areas are The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Hogsmeade where you can see a mini city from the movie with a surprising Hogwarts Castle. There are movie roller coasters, beverages (that are paid extra) and shops selling everything from potions to magic wands.
The following islands are classic Popeye-type themes, Jurassic Park, Dr. Seuss until we reach the Marvel section where we find superheroes on every corner. There is the most feared roller coaster, Named HULK, a perfect attraction for adrenaline junkies.
With the double pass, leaving Islands of Adventure for Universal Studios on the Harry Potter train (Yeah, one gets on the train to go to the other park!) We arrive at Universal Studios where it is an area with representations of iconic cities in the world: London, San Francisco, and more. Other areas with games are from Simpsons, Men in Black, Transformers, sponge Bob, Terminator, Shrek, My favorite villain, The Mummy, Fast and Furious and more from Harry Potter where we find a new city with a new game. Each area always with several places to eat, drink something and take a break.
Tip: Try the famous turkey legs, they sell in carts, (If you are an adult and have your ID with you) have a DUFF beer at the Springfield brewery.
Tip 2: in months close to October, Universal has a specific show for Halloween, where every year they release a theme from a horror and suspense series. These shows are at night and are aimed at a more adult audience., with horror houses from current shows, and also classic characters like Myke Meyers. On the park's avenues you will also encounter several gloomy characters who will do everything possible to scare passers-by..
Tip 3: If you go by car, parking will cost $25 dollars for the day. Ask if the hotel has transportation to the park to save you this value.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS
A classic of these parks are the nights of terror that generally begin between the beginning of September and the beginning of November of each year.. During that time, once the park closes during its traditional hours, he himself transforms and begins a chilling event.
There are special games per season that change year after year and others that are repeated, Therefore, we recommend that you check the event website to find out about the year's attractions when you visit the place., But other than this, There will always be characters throughout the park scaring you..
Tip 1: given the few hours that the event lasts, which begins at 18 hours until 02 hours, It will be highly recommended to make an additional investment and buy the express pass, Otherwise you will waste too many hours in the long lines that form.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
- Time: 9am – 6pm
- Price per day-per person: from $57
- Recommended age: children older than 5 years
- Recommended days of visit: 1 day
On a trip further north to Florida, on Merritt Island precisely, is found Kennedy Space Center. A place open to the public, similar to an amusement park, but more designed for big boys. You can see the rockets of various sizes and from several years with which the Americans have achieved milestones in their space conquest. It is full of interesting exhibits from the space race decade of the 70s as well as the latest achievements of this decade.. There are also interactive exhibits., flight simulators, videos, and even a tour of the rocket and shuttle launch area and the Space-X and NASA hangars and a hangar where a life-size rocket is displayed. Among this informative bus ride, You can also see several areas with crocodiles and alligators since this space center is located in a protected wildlife area.. This attraction is good to learn more about the space theme but it also does not last as long as amusement parks since its hours are limited until 6pm.
Tip: The stores in this center are very innovative. Apart from finding the typical souvenirs there are also items such as: astronaut food, Space suits, space blankets and many other things used by astronauts.
Tip 2: parking has a value of $10 for all day.
Gallery
We share with you some images of these incredible places so that you are encouraged to visit them and that they still have a lot to offer. You definitely have to visit them more than once.. Enjoy!
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