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Planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Six Flags? Let Theme Park Insider's award-winning reader ratings and reviews to the world's top theme and amusement parks help you plan your next theme park vacation.

The Blog Flume (Theme Park News)

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Top theme park tips of the week: Where to start and what to buy

By Robert Niles: Two reader tips from the past week stood out among those submitted by Theme Park Insiders.

From the Walt Disney World Tips:

"Fast passes go very quickly at Toy Story Mania and Soarin. Get there early. Take advantage of the single riders line at Rockin Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest and Test Track. The line is usually short with hardly any wait."

And from Tips for All Parks:

"Oldie but a goodie - Always work your way backwards through a park instead of stopping at the first attraction you get to. You will beat 60% of the crowds."
Keep reading...
December 3, 2008 at 11:09 PM | Comments (0)

The price point of no return

By Robert Niles: I posted an update to my Monday blog entry with this link, but after thinking a bit about it, I wanted to give it its own entry.

I'm talking about the Orlando Sentinel story from Monday about hotel occupancy and room rates for the motels along U.S. 192 in Kissimmee, near the southern entrance to Walt Disney World.

The hotels and motels on Walt Disney World's doorstep are worse off now than during the 2001 recession and the travel slump that followed the Sept.11 terrorist attacks.

Only three of every 10 hotel rooms in the west Kissimmee area were occupied on an average night in September. Signs along U.S. Highway192 near Disney's southern entrance advertise rooms for less than $30 a night. Traffic along the six-lane commercial strip is light; parking lots are empty or nearly so.
Keep reading...
December 3, 2008 at 1:02 PM | Comments (4)

Planning your theme park vacation: Step 4 - Bookmark reservation websites

By Robert Niles: Dec 2, 2008 at 11:05 PM | Comments (4)

It's gut-check time for Orlando theme parks

By Robert Niles: Dec 1, 2008 at 11:32 AM | Comments (19)

Discussion Forum: Theme Park Questions Answered

Cold=Fast?
Last response: Dec 4, 2008, 10:46 AM | Comments (3)

Is a DisneySea really the best idea for a Florida Park?
Last response: Dec 3, 2008, 8:17 PM | Comments (4)

Can You Put Your Hands Up On Kingda Ka?
Last response: Dec 3, 2008, 2:35 PM | Comments (59)

Planet Hollywood to Buy Las Vegas' Aladdin Hotel
Last response: Dec 3, 2008, 12:50 PM | Comments (17)

More threads: Complete Discussion Board

Travel Tips for Visiting Theme Parks

Walt Disney World

Vote "Yes" on tips you think useful, and "No" on tips you think aren't.

Most recent tips:

Universal Studios Florida: [2 + / 0 -] Visit the florida theme parks in the winter. It's still lovely sunshine and you'll get on every ride within 20 minutes.

Dollywood: [2 + / 2 -] don't go after Thanksgiving. It was crowded. My kids stood in line 3 hours to ride a 15 min. ride.

All parks: [19 + / 1 -] Oldie but a goodie - Always work your way backwards through a park instead of stopping at the first attraction you get to. You will beat 60% of the crowds.

Most popular tips:

Universal Orlando: [234 + / 15 -] If you stay in one of Universal's three on-site hotels, the Royal Pacific, the Hard Rock or the Portofino Bay, you get free front-of-the-line access to all Universal Orlando attractions.

All parks: [176 + / 21 -] Get to the parks early to be sure you can get on your favorite ride before the park gets too crowded.

Walt Disney World: [176 + / 23 -] Call 407-WDW-DINE to make your restaurant reservations up to six months before your visit.

Read, and vote on, more tips for visiting theme parks. You can submit your own, too.

2008 Theme Park Insider Awards

DisneylandBest Theme Park: Disneyland Park
Best New Attraction: The Simpsons Ride
Best Restaurant: Mythos Restaurant
Best Hotel: Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Awards based on cumulative reader ratings over the past year.

Best Ride in America: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Award based on a tournament of head-to-head reader votes.

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Tips and Advice

Theme Park Insider's 'four-hour' tour plans
Here's how to see the best rides and shows at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Universal and SeaWorld -- before lunch!		 Magic Kingdom Carousel
How to stay safe when visiting theme parks
Readers offer their top safety tips. It's part of TPI's award-winning Accident Watch.		 Read the safety rules
Behind the scenes at SeaWorld San Diego
Editor Robert Niles talks with the theme park's trainers, then gets in the tank with the beluga whales.		 Trainer and whale at SeaWorld
What's in the kitchen at Universal Orlando?
Executive chef Steve Jayson talks about Harry Potter, and how Mythos became the world's best theme park restaurant.		 Steve Jayson
X2 launches at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Take a ride on the relaunch of the California park's much-talked-about "4-D" roller coaster.		 X2
The Simpsons Ride opens at Universal Orlando
Overall, The Simpsons Ride hits all the right notes, satisfying both fans of the show and theme park junkies.		 The Simpsons
Toy Story Midway Mania debuts at Walt Disney World
Toy Story Midway Mania is a cute and engaging ride, a fun game well worth playing again and again.		 Toy Story's Mr. Potato Head
A tour of Magic Mountain, with Jay Thomas
Robert Niles tours the Six Flags amusement park with its new park president, who's working to turn the park around.		 Six Flags Magic Mountain
The Tournament of Roses Parade
Theme Park Insider is located in Pasadena, California, home of the world-famous New Year's Day Rose Parade. We've got photos!		 Rose Parade

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