Walt Disney World

I always had mixed feelings on MGM, the attempt to tie in film and movies is a great idea but they struggle with that adding the Aerosmith roller coaster (very cool by the way) and other attractions. On occasion MGM is the better park for the random street performance and the opportunity to interact with the stars (so to speak) is a real draw. The nearby pleasure island (I think that's what it is called...) should be built up and promoted more. Worth a day in a seven day trip; if only at Disney for a few days, stay at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

Never my favorite but not so much a criticism as a description. The world stages are awesome but a bit like walking through a museum. I was disappointed too to find ethnic foreign people working in each venue while the American pavilion had (believe or not) a gentleman from Mexico City working American boardwalk style concession wagon (a political statement on our recent illegal alien debates? I'll leave that for you to decide). The science themed attractions in the remainder of Epcot are still entertaining but how easily can a technology based theme park keep with the rapid evolution of technology in the real world. In one pavilion they still had computers set up professing the miracles of email! Epcot is worth a day out of a 7 day trip; if your stay is shorter, I'd spend it in the other 3 parks.

I've been probably a dozen times over 30+ years and now, with kids, can't wait to go back. Fun fact I learned while on the Disney shuttle: Disney Land fits in the parking lot for Disney World's Magic Kingdom. No place on earth can rival that plus Epcot, plus Animal Kingdom, plus MGM Studios, heck even with the Blizzard Bay water park, pleasure island (I think that's what it's called isn't it?) and resort hotels. Get the ticket packages to save money so you can stay on the property and avoid the crowds getting in. Be sure to book dinner or breakfast with Mickey!

Magic Kingdom and its memories are a close second but Disney has outdone itself with the quality of the design and atmosphere in Animal Kingdom. The safari ride feels like you are actually on a safari - a major improvement from the river boat ride in Frontier Land. Even distant landmarks like the Himalayas are scaled to really appear to be in the distance. Live animals and amusement park rides and roller coasters come together to improve what was already the magical Disney vacation.