To get things back on track.......
Been fortunate enough to go quite a few times over the past few years and definitely a case of learning through mistakes. So then.......
First up, am sure you are not thinking it, but this is not a relaxing holiday - its fantastic, but depending on what you want from it you might have to put some effort in, especially before you go. Once you get into that mindset, its actually really easy. But trust me, do more homework now and you will have a much more relaxed time there.
If you have not been to disney it's a must. 4 Parks 2 water places. You have to give it a week really. There are about a million different tips to give but the main one is sort out the ride passes asap, as soon as you get your tickets. Loads of guides but you really need to get some rides booked in. Book them for mornings if you can - you will get more once used. Let me know if you want ride specific tips! (My little ones are currently 5 8 and 16 but love the rides).
Staying on site as disney has some but personally I think more -. Forget about the early late access thing as I have found it rarely useful. (In fact, big tip if you are offsite when planning days / booking rides is to choose a park that does not have early / late access that day as will be noticeably quieter with less on site guests). Have stayed in a few disney places like old orleans - they have a nice feel but think they are overpriced. Then again the disney buses are a good way to get around to the parks and save on hassle / parking fees. On balance though, not worth it for us.
We go for a suite hotel around buena vista. Get loads of space for everyone, still has good hotel facilities on site, and close. Look to a few of them around disney Springs (was called downtown disney). Not too expensive, but there are other good ones a bit further out.
WE almost always stay at at least 2 different hotels - is a faf moving BUT number 1 tip is stay on-site at a universal hotel for at least a couple of nights......
We normally go to the royal pacific. Great hotel but is very expensive for a pretty small room (you can get the 4 of you in there though). 2 main reasons - 1 is how close they are - you can literally just walk to the 2 (now 3) parks which is great. IT means you don't feel like you have spend a full on day there and you can do a few hours in the morning, chill by the pool and go back in the evening really easily. A full day from morning to night in the summer heat just takes the fun out of things......
Best reason though is that you can use your room key as an express pass to go into separate short queue for almost all the main rides. This really is incredible. 3 hour queues at universal do happen, and almost everything will have a 1hr . With the passes most are like 15 min. You just get on so many more rides, and do everything at a much more relaxed pace. Can't underestimate how much it is worth it for universal. You can use them on check in and out day, so staying 2 nights gets you 3 days of less queuing at universal. It's expensive, but it makes the whole holiday for us. If you are arriving late, don't have that as your first hotel as won't get the full day benefit of the passes.
Disney is really well done, and great to be at, but for my kids it's now all about universal. We really think the rides there are so much more exciting. Not necessarily better, just more thrilling. Universal has a new waterpark opening this year as well.
We like Sea world, but it is pretty dated these days - wouldn't definitely see it as a must. Sea world owns it own water park as well but always found it pretty packed - much prefer the disney ones. Went to Kennedy as a kid and loved it but not sure if the magic has gone a little for since no more shuttles so not been back. Legoland is meant to be OK, but we go to the one in England so not going to use a day for it. Wouldn't bother with the evening show places but definitely make sure you fit in some mini-golf! Great way to spend an evening.
Only other one worth mentioning I think is Discovery cove. Now this place is incredibly expensive - only been there once but it was an incredible day. Really was just a standout time there. I didn't even do the swimming with dolphins thing but the rest of the place is just incredible. The rest of the hols were mental but that was a properly relaxing day. Highly recommended, but horrifically expensive.
I know villas can be cheaper, but for me I would just prefer a hotel for most of it. Like I say, the "suite" ones are cheap and you basically get a 2/3 bedroom suite in a hotel. Best of both worlds for me. I would definitely get a car as well. Parking is expensive at the parks, but don't underestimate the heat when thinking - oh, we can just queue and get a packed buss. Also means you can drive out restaurants, shopping etc (am sure you will be all over that).
You are going to be spending a fortune on this trip, but spending just a little bit more can make the difference as far as I am concerned. Get the Universal hotel for a couple of nights, get a car, and if this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, get a hotel closer to where you want to be. I would stay around I-Drive / universal for the first week (or about 5/6 nights) then get a 2/3 bedroom place closer to disney or disney springs (which has a really good atmosphere in the evenings).
It will be awesome though - if you hadn't guessed from the essay I love the place and just writing about it makes me jealous!
Exactly the same here. I love the place too! Almost 2 years now since I last went and nothing planned unfortunately.
I wish I had your way with words !
Absolutely marvellous post -You've nailed it - as they say !
You are spot on about the Disney passes as well , they make such a massive difference , we are lucky enough to get in all the parks for free along with any passes we need- having a son and daughter in law working for Disney. Even then , as you said, it can be quite an exhausting experience .
I'll be honest here and say that when I initially first saw the thread a few days ago I was stunned as we had just arrived at Orlando airport that day and thought it was a freaky coincidence and I fully intended to spend quite some time and effort on a response but I decided against it after sensing that the Op has a problem with me for some reason , not just in here either as there have been a quite a few little 'comments' made here and there in the footie section over the past few weeks.
All that said , you'vecovered more or less everything in your fabulous post , very helpful !
@Zincubus i have no problem with you at all
Did you slag off Ray Wilkins?
If you're serious then that's a relief data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Well we've had a great'vacation ' so far , taking things nice and easy at the start , already spentSunday at Epcot which is our least favourite Disney park but was nice enough starting place ..
We've had a few days of chilling inbetween . As the previous guy suggested it's better to leave a day or so inbetween the parks .
The heat seems ridiculous to my mind being from Manchester .
93F in the shade , but I've turnedout to bea shade -seeker data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
So spending the evening Animal Kingdom .. Quite enjoyed the 'rip roaring' Dinosaur ride (twice ) and then the evening version of the Safari( thank the Lord for 'passes' data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Finishedthe evening with a few stories at the Tree of Life - great end for any kids ..
So a beach day tomorrow then another Disney park on Saturday ( not decided which one yet ) .
This post deserves more than just clicking agree, you hit the nail on the head here and I absolutely agree with every point you made!
I imagine you're like me and if you wanted to could write post after post after post providing tips and advice when it comes to Orlando!
Cheers guys. Yeah, the place is great..... was hoping to go back this year but for one reason or another looking unlikely.
If you take one tip from it though, really try to stay on-site at universal (at one that gives you the quick access passes). Its just such a difference maker. Buying the passes individually are about 100 per day per person.... makes the room seam really cheap when you factor that in!
100 per day per person ?!?!
Jees !
We spent a few hours at Hollywood Studios , wenton so many attractions inc the Star Wars 'flight' the Toy Story attraction a few others .. but I dread to think how exhausting into would have been if we didn't have those fast passes , the thought of queuing for an hour in the blazing sun is frightening . The longest we've queued so far was about 5 minutes . I thought we were lucky just having free entry to the parks but the passes make everything so much easier, quickerand more enjoyable.
Tomorrow we're off to Magic Kingdom , our son's wife is performing in the five shows so she's excited that we will be watching her , then back to Hollywood Studios on Monday evening to catch her in another show .
Then that's possibly it for Disney this visit , unless we have a sudden change of mind ...
PS
The highlight so far for me - was the Star Wars flight attraction and I don't even like the Star Wars movies - thankfully we get to go on it a least one more time when we go back on Monday - apparently there is a different route/ mission / experience each time so hopefully we get on some different ones on Monday . Anyone recall playing the Rogue Squadron game on the N64 will absolutely love this attraction !