Disney World Florida part 2 - Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom

Disney World!!

Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL 32830, United States

When I visited Florida on holiday (both times) the part I was most excited about was going to Disney World. I’m a just a big kid I love all things Disney and I was not disappointed.

There are four theme parks:

• Magic Kingdom
• Epcot
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Plus two water parks:

• Disneys Typhoon Lagoon
• Disneys Blizzard Beach

All the parks have different opening hours which can be easily viewed on the website link I have given below. 

Magic Kingdom and Epcot tend to stay open the latest whilst the water parks and the Animal Kingdom always close the earliest. It’s worth just double checking before planning your trip.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

For visiting the parks there are different ticket options available such as a two week ticket which will gain you access to all. We bought this and it was not cheap but overall the parks are not cheap and it was still a better deal and just easier overall. We purchased it through our travel agent when we booked our trip.

You do have to pay for car parking but once you pay you can use that ticket for the rest of the day i.e. at one of the other parks or even leave and come back later at night say for the fireworks display.

You do have to pay for car parking but once you pay you can use that ticket for the rest of the day i.e. at one of the other parks or even leave and come back later at night say for the fireworks display.

Car parking charges depend on the size of your vehicle

• Car or motorcyle is $20 per day,
• Shuttle, trailer or rv is $22 per day,
• Bus is $25 per day.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This was by far my favourite theme park from the four and we spent the most time here.

There was so much to do here and see I just loved it. There was a tour offering a look at old movie props kept on site.

My absolute favourite part of the park though had to be The Hollywood Tower of Terror ride. My partner hated it so naturally I made him go on loads of times cause I delight in the misery of others :P 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Also was very good. Had a large selection of animals but they weren't kept in cages. Instead they were allowed to wander in their own area and people were given tours on roads situated near or through the areas.
Lots of beautiful animals and the landscape was lovely as well.
There was 2 rides I really liked, the first one being the Kali river rapids which I got completely drenched on and the dye in my clothes ran so I was quite the sight! The second ride was expedition Everest. Both are really fun and worth trying out! 

Universal Studios Orlando, Florida

Universal Studios Orlando

6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States.

No trip to Florida is complete without a visit to the Universal Orlando Resort theme park!!

Universal Resort is made up of two separate (but equally amazing) theme parks:

Universals Island of Adventure

&

Universal Studios Florida

When buying tickets to visit the parks there are many deals and offers available which can be viewed on the website below. The website has loads of information which is useful.

https://www.universalorlando.co.uk/

I would highly recommend visiting both parks as they are both really different and each has unique features and attractions. When I visited here it took us 2 days to cover both the parks as it was busy so queuing for rides and attractions was a little time consuming but it was well worth it. We even came back again for a further day at the end of the holiday before heading home.

Park 1 - Universals Island of Adventure

Island of Adventure was my favourite of the two parks and the one we spent the most of our time in.

The rides and attractions were amazing but some of the best rides were:

  · The Incredible Hulk coaster,

 · Doctor Dooms Fearfall,

     · Harry Potter Dragon Challenge,

     · Dudley Do Right Ripsaw Falls (you will get soaked!),

     · Harry Potter and the forbidden journey,

     · Poseidon Fury,

     · The Cat in the Hat (great for small children….or immature adults).

Universals Island of Adventure is made up of 6 differently themed areas. All 6 areas are meticulously detailed and just amazing to see.

 · The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Absolutely amazing. Features the Hogwarts castle which you can walk through, the Hogsmeade shops were you can buy butterbeer and then catch the Hogwarts express from the station which you can then ride to the adjoining theme park (granted you have paid to visit both). The level of detail is just incredible. 

· Marvel Super Hero Island. Based around various Marvel superheroes’ such as Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men etc.

· Toon Lagon. Features characters like Popeye and Bluto.

· Jurassic Park. No explanation really needed after the success of the films.

  · The Lost Continent.

  · Seuss Landing. Perfect for small families with young children. Some of the other areas tend to have quite large, fast rides. The rides in this area are based around the characters and creations of Dr Seuss.

Park 2 - Universal Studios Florida.

The studios, although my 2^nd favourite of the 2, was also an amazing theme park. Featuring Shrek, the minions, the Simpsons and many other popular characters there is something for everyone here.

Again made of various themed areas it is very easy to find something to suite all ages. For example there is area which features around the Simpsons. All the familiar sights of Springfield so for anyone who is a fan of the Simpsons this is worth a look. Or you can just buy a really huge donut if the area fails to impress the donut wont.

Some of the best rides/attractions in this area include:

  · Harry Potter and the escape from Gringotts,

 · The Hogwarts Express which you can board from platform 9 ¾ to the other theme park,

 · Despicable Me Minion ride,

 · Revenge of the Mummy rollercoaster,

 · The Simpson Ride,

 · Men in Black Alien Attack,

 · Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit rollercoaster.

Both parks are situated together at the address given above and it is a short 5 minute walk between them. There are a selection of shops and restaurants situated between both parks on the Universal Boardwalk.

Car parking is an additional cost at $20.00 for each car and $22.00 for RV and bus parking. You can leave though and return later the same day as long as you keep the parking ticket. Vallet parking is also additional at extra cost.