Help: Orlando Area Themeparks

[Sapphire]

I'm having a houseguest emergency. Apparently, it's not at all rude in my husband's culture for a family member to call and casually inform you that they're coming to stay with you for several weeks -- starting tomorrow!!! So, hubby's cousin is showing up today, and we're madly scrambling for ideas of things to do. (The Super-Walmart loses the Wow factor after a few visits). In seriousness, we've come up with some good ideas, but Orlando is so close, and I think we need to include one of the themeparks there.

The problem is, aside from going to Disneyworld when I was a kid, I've never been to any of them, and there are so many. So, I was wondering, have any of you guys been to any of the Universal, Disney, Busch (in Tampa), SeaWorld parks in this area as teenagers or adults? Can you recommend one?

A little background. Hubby and cousin are both in mid-late 20s, neither drink or party (a big adult attraction at these parks, seemingly), and neither are very campy (they would not be up for the Pirates of the Caribbean light and puppet show / parade). We're looking for rollercoasters, waterslides, cool exhibits -- you know, decently fun stuff to do that isn't necessary targetted at a 12 year old. I used to go to Astroworld (6 Flags) in Houston when I was in high school, and it would definitely still be fun today. I just don't know what the equivalent of that park is around here, and the websites for the local parks mostly feature really stupid looking exhibits.

Remember, this guy has never been to the US, and his perception of this country will rest on how much we can distract him from this back-ass-wards small college town in which we live. So, do your patriotic duty and help me! Please. :D

[Father Ted]

Epcot is good and there are some good rides at MGM. Went to Universal in April where there is a good roller coaster(Hulk) and some other good fun rides like Spiderman. Universal is smaller than Disney but still worth a try. Also we went to SeaWorld a few years ago but I felt at the time it was great for kids, so-so for adults. Also there are a ton of water parks around Orlando. Probably Epcot is my favourite.

[yikchi]

The problem is, aside from going to Disneyworld when I was a kid, I've never been to any of them, and there are so many.
How long ago was that? :p

Anyway, in the past five years, i have been to Disneyworld (twice), Universal, and Seaworld.
We're looking for rollercoasters, waterslides, cool exhibits...
I would recommend Disneyworld:
RollerCoasters/Fun Rides - Aerosmith (MGM), Tower of Terror (MGM), Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom, never ride on it but it's new and supposed to be great), Soaring (EPCOT), Mission Space (EPCOT, only if don't have motion sickness) etc... there are also the older rides like Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom.

WaterSlides - there are a couple water parks in DW, only one i have been to is Typhoon lagoon and it's got a really long and high waterslide... if your swimwear is loose, it will come off during the ride. It's fun enough just to watch women hold on to their tops :D

cool exhibits - EPCOT has plenty of that...

I think Universal Studio has 2 parks now. The newer one - Island of Adventure (i think) supposed to have a lot of fun rides. (Never been there though). But the original Universal Studio is quite bad when I went there five years ago; everything is old and outdated.

Hope this help.

[Sapphire]

How long ago was that? :p<grandma> About 20 years now!! </grandma> :o Actually, I was probably 8 or so, so I remember Disneyworld pretty vividly, but I was so young that I can't remember if it would be way too cheesy as an adult. I went to Epcot too, but I barely remember it. You guys seem to be saying that they're both fun for adults too, though.

I was leaning toward Universal Islands of Adventure (they advertise big coasters), but then Disneyworld is such a famous destination, so :confused:.

What is Epcot like? (Their website is useless).

Keep the ideas coming, please. I'd love to hear more input to help me make a decision.

[Vermont Red]

I was leaning toward Universal Islands of Adventure (they advertise big coasters), but then Disneyworld is such a famous destination, so :confused:.

Islands of Adventure gets high marks, especially for it's coasters. If it were up to me, and of course it is, that's where I would go.

[MtP07]

Islands of Adventure is great, but I found this place to be the most packed and have the longest lines. Universal Studios is really good too. I highly recommend Epcot...the Mission Space ride was awesome. Disney MGM was cool too.

[Vermont Red]

Islands of Adventure is great, but I found this place to be the most packed and have the longest lines. Universal Studios is really good too. I highly recommend Epcot...the Mission Space ride was awesome. Disney MGM was cool too.

Theme Park Muppet

[MtP07]

Theme Park Muppet

Just trying to help the lady out.

[Sapphire]

This is helping guys; I'm narrowing, narrowing. . .

[Rakim_22]

IMHO: Epcot will bore you to death, Sea World is your best all around bet (pet some animals and ride Kraken), Universal has unimaginable lines (even if you have a speed pass), IOA seems to be the best if rides are all that is concerned (YAY), Disney is just plain WEAK. Remember I happen to reside here so my opinion holds even more weight.

[benito camelpene]

Go to Island of Adventures. The rides there are great. Sure you have to queue up for a couple of hours but you have to do that in any theme park. If you hate roller coasters then skip IOA and go to the snoozefest that is Epcot although I heard they have one new, cool ride.\

If you're willing to drive another hour, I'd say go to Tampa to visit Busch Gardens. Their new coaster Sheika is a lot of fun.. And they have got lots of animals so it's a nice mix.

[yikchi]

What is Epcot like? (Their website is useless).

It's divided into two parts. One part has the Exhibit and Rides, there no rollercoasters in there. IMHO, Most of the Exhibit and Rides are pretty lame except for Soaring and the vomit-inducing Mission:Space.

The other part is the "World Showcase" which are pavilions of different countries. So of them contain small rides in them and some of them have a restaurant and store. One thing I found interesting are workers in each pavilion are actually from those country (usually students) and the stuff they sell are pretty authentic (i think). IMHO the better restaurant or fast food in Disney are all there.

At night, there is also a pretty decent firework show.

[FIFARay007]

Been to Universal a few times over the past few years. Definitely a good time and you CAN do both parks in one day if you plan accordingly. The Hulk is a really fun coaster, and if you want to do it, just it it first thing in the morning to avoid the lines. Then you can head back to the Dueling Dragons (or something like that) that are actually 2 coasters that intertwine. After those, the lines tend to pick up, so I'd just cruise around and check out a few others which are fun:

Spiderman - Cool 3D ride, but the lines can be crazy long.
Dr. Doom's Fearfall - Great if you likes those types of rides, lines aren't usually too bad.
Dudley Do-Right Log Flume thing - Real fun especially if it's hot.
Jurassic Park River Adventure - Also fun if it's hot. Sit in the front row! Just don't wear a white T-shirt..... scratch that, sit in the front row AND wear a white T-shirt, then have your hubby buy me a beer as thanks. :)
Shrek 4D - Very cool, especially if you like Shrek. Unfortunately the lines are friggin long.
Revenge of the Mummy - Extremely fun, almost roller-coaster like. Line may look long, but it moves quick.
Men in Black - Fun, interactive ride. Not stellar, but fun.
Jaws - Classic one. I mean, come on, it's JAWS!!!
Earthquake - Eh. Kinda cool. If there's not a long wait, do it.

One very cool thing is the Blues Brothers revue thing. They actually come in the police car with the speaker on top and put on a great show.

Other not so cool things:
8th Voyage of Sinbad - Not bad. But not good. Typical stunt show.
Poseidon's Fury - Sounds cool. Isn't.
Terminator 2 - See Poseidon's Fury.
Twister - If you do this one, all you'll want after is the hour you waited in line and the 15 minutes of "special effects".

[Father Ted]

Some people talked about the long lines at Universal but when we were there in April, we bought the Express pass and there was NO wait. Mind you, it could cost an extra $10-$15 per person extra, depending on the day.

Rakim, I loved Epcot, I found it parts of it fasinating.

[Rakim_22]

Considering I've been there 4 or 5 times it gets a little boring. My 1st and 2nd times were very fun and I definately learned a lot. Its amazing how many cultures and different cuisines you find there. Then again this is not an "adults" point of view but I'm sure you catch my drift.

[Sapphire]

I probably won't be around much in the next coupla a weeks; the boys are playing Playstation and they constantly need my help. :D But, I do appreciate everyone's suggestions; y'all helped ALOT. I think we're going to try Islands of Adventure, with the speed pass. Then we might do Sea World for a change of pace, if we have time.

I've also decided that we need to go to Epcot sometime; maybe I'll take my parents when they come to visit. My big concern is that my visitor barely speaks English, so he probably wouldn't enjoy as much as I would.