Orlando Vacation - Disney Universal etc...

[Cdub100 3,909]

This will probably be my family's last trip to Disney, but we have an actioned packed 11 days planned with rest days between each park. Probably hitting up Disney Springs, And maybe Seaworld/Aquatica

Attractions:

Discovery Cove

Magic Kingdom

Hollywood Studios

Both Universal parks   + Volcano Bay

Hotels:

Staying at Signa Hilton (using up hilton points)

Shades of Green ( Military hotel)

Cabana Bay (Universal Hotel)

 

[League Champion 1,911]

My advice would be to ditch the hotels and rent a house with a pool. You'll be much happier. 

[GutterBoy 2,899]

If you can afford it, it's real nice to stay in the park.  We really like the epcot resorts.

[Hardcore troubadour 15,439]

Been there twice. I have to say it wasn’t horrible, but overrated. Plus the adulting Disney people were really off putting. 

[Cdub100 3,909]

8 minutes ago, GutterBoy said:

If you can afford it, it's real nice to stay in the park.  We really like the epcot resorts.

Hotels are already booked. We want the extra park hours that come with it. Plus we aren't renting a car so will use the resort's transportation.

[RLLD 4,230]

12 minutes ago, GutterBoy said:

If you can afford it, it's real nice to stay in the park.  We really like the epcot resorts.

This.

Though I usually stay at Shades of Green.  Being able to walk over to Epcot is nice.  We are heading back soon for the Food and Wine thing for sure. 

[Mike Honcho 5,283]

I recommend to anyone going to Orlando to schedule a day at Kennedy Space Center (about an hour to the east).  Just a great experience that really puts into perspective the incredible achievements of the space program.

[League Champion 1,911]

3 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

recommend to anyone going to Orlando to schedule a day at Kennedy Space Center

Agree, we ditched a Disney day because because the kids wanted to go back to Kennedy. 

[RLLD 4,230]

6 minutes ago, Mike Honcho said:

I recommend to anyone going to Orlando to schedule a day at Kennedy Space Center (about an hour to the east).  Just a great experience that really puts into perspective the incredible achievements of the space program.

Agree completely.  And younger kids will love it.  When they take you in to see the Atlantis.....its pretty awe inspiring as well.  My kids still rave about going there 16 years later.  

[GutterBoy 2,899]

Also you didn't mention epcot, which has arguably the best ride in Disney right now, Guardians.  Epcot is my favorite park so I'm probably biased.

[League Champion 1,911]

4 minutes ago, GutterBoy said:

Also you didn't mention epcot, which has arguably the best ride in Disney right now, Guardians.  Epcot is my favorite park so I'm probably biased.

I agree, Epcot is great. Especially at night 

[Wade Garrett 155]

Seems like it's way less crowded now than it has been.  Screw Disney, they squeeze every cent they can out of folks, I hope the parks are half empty for a bit.

Have a great time!

[patweisers44 846]

Taking my granddaughter who is 5 in October. Rented a house with a pool.  Like the downtime between morning and night visits to the various parks and having the kitchen so as not to be captive to limited menus

[GutterBoy 2,899]

We went last summer, had a great time, just Disney.  Parks were mobbed and it was hot as balls, still had a great time.  genie+ and buying individual rides saved us from having to never wait more than 30 mins for anything, but it wasn't cheap.

Crowds are much more manageable now that the 50th and revenge vacationing is over.

[Cdub100 3,909]

10 hours ago, RLLD said:

This.

Though I usually stay at Shades of Green.  Being able to walk over to Epcot is nice.  We are heading back soon for the Food and Wine thing for sure. 

The walkway to the poly is closed forever. You will have to take a bus to the TTC and get on the monorail from there.

[Cdub100 3,909]

9 hours ago, GutterBoy said:

Also you didn't mention epcot, which has arguably the best ride in Disney right now, Guardians.  Epcot is my favorite park so I'm probably biased.

Epcot is under a lot of construction and we only wanted to do 2 parks this trip since we wanted to do Universal and Discovery Cove.

[kilroy69 1,251]

10 hours ago, Hardcore troubadour said:

 Plus the adulting Disney people were really off putting. 

I have a friend who is one of these. Single cat lady that goes to Disney EVERY YEAR and has for like 20 years. It is strange. She goes by herself too. 

[Pimpadeaux 2,406]

Disney Animal Kingdom is pretty kick ass and has the Avatar ride.

The Harry Potter world of Universal Studios was pretty awesome. The ride was great. 

[RLLD 4,230]

8 hours ago, Cdub100 said:

The walkway to the poly is closed forever. You will have to take a bus to the TTC and get on the monorail from there.

Agree, I see how what I wrote was not well stated.  We always take the bus from Shades, but if we stay like over at Boardwalk,  we walk over.  In October we are staying at Boardwalk, because we plan to drink and eat with gluttony

[Cdub100 3,909]

48 minutes ago, RLLD said:

Agree, I see how what I wrote was not well stated.  We always take the bus from Shades, but if we stay like over at Boardwalk,  we walk over.  In October we are staying at Boardwalk, because we plan to drink and eat with gluttony

Gotcha. Yeah that's the best way. Does boardwalk get you to the back entrance to Epcot?

[Wade Garrett 155]

I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge like 25 years ago and thought it was pretty cool.  Is that place still around?

[GutterBoy 2,899]

4 minutes ago, Cdub100 said:

Gotcha. Yeah that's the best way. Does boardwalk get you to the back entrance to Epcot?

Yes, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club are all walkable to Epcot.  You can also walk to Hollywood Studios but it's a bit of a hike, better to take the boat.

[GutterBoy 2,899]

3 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge like 25 years ago and thought it was pretty cool.  Is that place still around?

Yeah it's still around, it's a great resort, just more remote, bus or boat to the parks.

[RLLD 4,230]

16 minutes ago, Cdub100 said:

Gotcha. Yeah that's the best way. Does boardwalk get you to the back entrance to Epcot?

It does

[Cdub100 3,909]

What's your favorite place to eat at Universal? I have 3 kids with me so take that into account

[Wade Garrett 155]

Are you doing that dining package thing?

[edjr 6,592]

My son will be 10 in 2 weeks. He has been to Orlando (Kissimmee) 15 times, Disney 3 times and Universal 5 times (3 and 2, preferring Island of Adventures)

Never stayed at any park.

No favorite place to eat inside any park, they all suck and cost too much. 

[Cdub100 3,909]

1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said:

Are you doing that dining package thing?

No

[Cdub100 3,909]

2 minutes ago, edjr said:

My son will be 10 in 2 weeks. He has been to Orlando (Kissimmee) 15 times, Disney 3 times and Universal 5 times (3 and 2, preferring Island of Adventures)

Never stayed at any park.

No favorite place to eat inside any park, they all suck and cost too much. 

Thanks for your very helpful comment.

[edjr 6,592]

2 minutes ago, Cdub100 said:

Thanks for your very helpful comment.

Eat before you get there. Eat light while there. Have a nice dinner after on the City Walk.  Parks close at 8 at the latest, good dinner time. 

[GobbleDog 997]

Born, raised, and still live in god-forsaken Orlando... never understood how Disney gets repeat business. Everyone takes their kids once, but after they realize how hot, expensive, packed, and unenjoyable it is - they come back.?.  Perplexing.

In any case, my advice - when wife and I took kid there years back she spent a little extra for some kind of special ride pass ("fast pass" "express pass" whatever). Basically it was like making an appointment for whichever ride. You show up at that time and instead of waiting in line for an hour, ya wait about 5 minutes. It made a horrible Disney experience, slightly less horrible. I assume they still have that.?. No idea.

Good luck. By the way... it's disgustingly hot in Orlando right now, even at night. It'll stay this way til at least October.

[Cdub100 3,909]

2 minutes ago, GobbleDog said:

Born, raised, and still live in god-forsaken Orlando... never understood how Disney gets repeat business. Everyone takes their kids once, but after they realize how hot, expensive, packed, and unenjoyable it is - they come back.?.  Perplexing.

In any case, my advice - when wife and I took kid there years back she spent a little extra for some kind of special ride pass ("fast pass" "express pass" whatever). Basically it was like making an appointment for whichever ride. You show up at that time and instead of waiting in line for an hour, ya wait about 5 minutes. It made horrible Disney experience, slightly less horrible. I assume they still have that.?. No idea.

Good luck. By the way... it's disgustingly hot in Orlando right now, even at night. It'll stay this way til at least October.

I'm very up to date with Genie+ the latest ride pass system.

And yeah we normally go in August so we know how awful it is. Lets geek meat while I'm down there.

[Stryker Ryker 188]

Was there 2 years ago during Christmas. Can’t remember the name of the resort we stayed at but it was literally 5-10 minutes from Disney Springs. I honestly enjoyed that more than the parks  Universal was more fun in my opinion. That velocicoaster had just opened and it was hella fun. Hope you guys enjoy your vacation. Be safe cause certain parts of Orlando are definitely dangerous 

[GobbleDog 997]

1 minute ago, Cdub100 said:

And yeah we normally go in August so we know how awful it is. Lets geek meat while I'm down there.

Never met a Geek. Gladly have a beer with ya. Help confirm yall aren't just figments of my imagination. 

[Cdub100 3,909]

5 minutes ago, GobbleDog said:

Never met a Geek. Gladly have a beer with ya. Help confirm yall aren't just figments of my imagination. 

What hotel works better for you Signia Hilton or Cabana Bay?

[iam90sbaby 2,611]

Make sure you get dinner at Texas De Brazil 

[GobbleDog 997]

13 minutes ago, Cdub100 said:

Cabana Bay

I'm 5 miles away. If I've got time, I'm there. 

Anyone met Cdub before? He's not a psycho, right?   

[GutterBoy 2,899]

9 minutes ago, GobbleDog said:

I'm 5 miles away. If I've got time, I'm there. 

Anyone met Cdub before? He's not a psycho, right?   

I think you'll be fine assuming you're white.

[IGotWorms 4,058]

47 minutes ago, GobbleDog said:

I'm 5 miles away. If I've got time, I'm there. 

Anyone met Cdub before? He's not a psycho, right?   

Don’t drop the soap

[Cdub100 3,909]

Discovery cove was fun. A little confusing at first but the food was good and the grand reef was cool. My daughter and I swam with Ipa the dolphin. 

My kids like the fresh water area which was warmer and had a lazy river.

The aviary was cool and got to feed some birds 

I liked swimming the the manta rays and fish in the grand reef though. 

Today we are chilling at our hotel.