A Nod to Florida Theme Parks

You can’t come to this part of Florida without going to a theme park or two. Well, I’m sure you can, but you wouldn't come to this part of Florida unless you intended to go to a couple of parks. That’s what this area is: theme parks, one big carnival; and lots of people. The big parks are enormous and have several sub-parks within them, hoping to keep your dollars with their operation instead of someone else’s. It’s big money! For a visitor the most economical, and I use the term loosely, deal is to commit to one park and buy a multi-day pass because the entry is less expensive for each extra day. A single day entry runs $80-$90 per person with add-ons if you want and express ticket or fast-pass (it’s a license to cut the queue) and $10-$20 for parking. It’s no wonder it’s a “once in a lifetime trip” for families. The parks take a lot of stamina too, for standing in lines, walking miles, figuring out how things work. We were amazed and curious to see families with very young children, wondering how they were coping. 

Adventure Islands: Dr. Seuss land! 

AI: Marvel Comics super heroes section

every park has a ridiculous roller coaster

The Harry Potter section is very popular

We’ve been to two parks so far: Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios, and Epcot at Disney. For me the best rides were Spiderman at Islands of Adventure, and the Green Line at Mission Space at Epcot. We didn’t do either park justice in the few hours we were there; especially Epcot which should be 2 parks really, the future side and the international pavilion side. It’s been Thanksgiving week, and the crowds certainly attest to the attraction of the parks as a holiday destination. One staff person said that the only busier time is New Year. Despite the throngs, the workers were cheerful and helpful, the parks were clean, there were lots of restrooms, and people were having a good time; including us. These very few pictures barely represent the places as they truly are amazing.

entrance to Epcot

the Epcot icon, Spaceship Earth

BC was well represented in the Canada pavilion

parked strollers!