Since Scott is moving to central Florida soon, I thought it would be fun to discuss the various theme parks the Orlando area is famous for.
Here's my take on them:
Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World)
Disney World's original theme park is home to all the staples the company is famous for; Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Cinderella Castle etc. Attractions include a mix of coasters, boat rides, "dark rides" (where cars go through black-light sets), theatre shows with singing or talking robots, and carnival rides tied to Disney movies (like Dumbo or the teacups). It's also by far the busiest in the area, which makes pre-planning and FastPass essential. Don't expect to see everything in one day, but the park can still be fun for those who know what they're getting into. The Halloween parties are the best time to go IMO.
Islands of Adventure (Universal Orlando)
Best know for having the first installment of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the park contains several sections (or "Islands") based on books, movies or comic books including Jurassic Park, Dr. Seuss and Marvel super heroes. The newer King Kong ride received mixed reviews online, but I liked it a lot and think it has one of the better queues built in recent years. Spider-Man is the best ride IMO, and the park has a strong overall selection of headliners, but secondary offerings and shows like Sindbad and Dr. Doom are kind of weak. Bring a change of clothes if you plan on riding Popeye or Dudley Do-Right. You'll get soaked.
To be continued...