Disney, Sea World and Universal Trip About This Page:

[paul_from_England]

Hi all,

My first post on here, and could really do with some help.

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip over to Florida and would like to visit Universal Studios, Sea World and Disney World.

As we are from Manchester (England) its a long way to go without some good planning, so I was hoping you can help?

It will only be the pair of us (no kids...) so we are after hotels we can enjoy some piece and quiet in.... but we are also stuck for how long to visit each resort?

We are thinking 7 day trip. 2 at Universal, 1 at Sea World and final 4 at Disney. Does this sound sensible? we dont want to miss out on the fun, and not spend enough time at each.

final question, I promise, would you recommend we stayed at three different hotels? or is it possible to commute from 1 (we dont fancy hiring a car... hoping buses are ok?)

thanks everyone!!! really appreciate your thoughts

Paul & Carly

[Shell_of_the_South]

Hi Paul! Welcome to the Passporter boards!!

A lot of people combine those parks into one trip. Universal and Sea World are pretty close, but Disney property is at least 20 minutes away (and keep in mind that Disney is a pretty huge place - 47 square miles!). You could stay at one hotel, or do a split stay, staying at a Disney resort for the Disney parks, then transfer to a hotel near Universal/Sea World. If you choose to stay at Disney the entire time, there are transportation options to Universal. There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum that discusses those transportation options, so be sure and check it out.

I'd suggest you invest in a few good planning guides. Passporter is, of course, our favorite at our house, but we also like The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World - it has sections on Universal and Sea World. You've got a lot of decisions to make as far as lodging, touring, dining, etc. and they would be very helpful. Feel free to ask more questions here or in the Disney forums too!

I think your timeline sounds right - not much time for peace and quiet, but should be enough time to enjoy most attractions at each park.

Happy Planning!

[chezp]

Hi and welcome to the boards!

I think your plans sound great, but is there any way you can spend any longer in Florida? With the time change, you need to be aware that you will suffer from jet lag for the first couple of days, which means you'll probably be up stupidly early - usually we're up around 5am or earlier for the first day - and that can impact on what you can do.

If you can plan longer, that would make your trip much more fun, as you could easily spend six or seven days at Disney, along with a day at SeaWorld and up to three days at Universal. It's a long way to go - and let's be honest, the flights aren't cheap - so if it's possible, I'd aim for ten days or even a fortnight.

[paul_from_England]

Hi,

thanks for both your advice!!

We are thinking of spending 2 weeks in total. 1 week in Miami and then get an internal flight up to Orlando for the second week.

As you say flights aren't cheap

Looking the flights its seems to be cheaper to do a return flight from Manchester to Orlando and drive down to Miami. I think we will try and do three single fights if we can get the cost down... but car hire is a lot cheaper in the States than over here!

Since posting we have already changed our minds. We are not going to Sea World any more. We are going to go Wet and Wild for the day (looks amazing).

Hotels at Universal are expensive, but you do get the queue jump. Does anyone recommend a local hotel to Universal?

Thanks, Paul

[Shell_of_the_South]

I'd recommend staying onsite at Universal if your budget allows. We like the Royal Pacific and the Hard Rock. I'd give the Hard Rock the edge as it's a big closer to the parks. At Universal you can walk from their onsite resorts to the theme parks.

Offsite, I really like the Doubletree near Universal. Very nice hotel with several restaurants and very close to Universal. They have a shuttle to the parks, but it does stop at other hotels as well, which means you could be on that shuttle for a while before you get to the parks.

There are discounts available from time to time on Universal resorts. Go to the Universal website and register your email to receive any special offers. Also check out MouseSavers.com - Disney Discount Source - Disney World Discounts, Disneyland Discounts, Disney Cruise Discounts. She regularly posts any available discounts for Disney, Universal, and Sea World.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by paul_from_England

Hi,

thanks for both your advice!!

We are thinking of spending 2 weeks in total. 1 week in Miami and then get an internal flight up to Orlando for the second week.

As you say flights aren't cheap

Looking the flights its seems to be cheaper to do a return flight from Manchester to Orlando and drive down to Miami. I think we will try and do three single fights if we can get the cost down... but car hire is a lot cheaper in the States than over here!

Since posting we have already changed our minds. We are not going to Sea World any more. We are going to go Wet and Wild for the day (looks amazing).

Hotels at Universal are expensive, but you do get the queue jump. Does anyone recommend a local hotel to Universal?

Thanks, Paul

Glad to hear you are looking at two weeks in total - I definitely think that's the right move.

[scottjs]

Paul. I love International Drive. It is in the middle of the action for the theme parks in Orlando. A lot of nice motels/resorts and places to eat. And transportation to the major theme parks and attractions. Also a lot of good places to eat. And don't forget minature golf courses. Orlando is flooded with them. I hope you plan on at least 10-14 days in Orlando. one day per Disney Park hardly sounds like enough to me. But, hey, its not my vacation. You have fun. Oh yea by the way I do prefer staying on Disney property if you don't want to stay on International Drive. If you need any more info let me know.

[Shell_of_the_South]

My only beef about International Drive is the traffic - it literally crawls any time of the day. After sitting in traffic a few times, we learned to avoid it.

[scottjs]

Well thats true but I only take taxis or buses while on vacation.

[paul_from_England]

Hard Rock Hotel at Universal is looking like the winner at the moment (due to distance and reasonable cost). It is cheaper to purchase the Park tickets separate to the hotel btw.

With regards to Disney. Looking at hotels near Lake Buena. Transport seems very good and prices fall dramatically.

[Shell_of_the_South]

Paul - Universal offers a great deal on a 7 day ticket for $99 on their website. You're right, it is usually much cheaper to buy your tickets separately.

And check out the discounts for WDW resorts. Sometimes you can stay on Disney property as cheap as some hotels off property, and the perks are worth it. Especially if your time is limited, you will save travel time to the parks each day by staying on property.

[Sue M.]

Hi and welcome! My opinion is WDW is 4 parks, Universal is 2, plus SeaWorld or Wet & Wild. You could do all in 7 days, but WDW is huge. Our first time I thought 4 days, 4 parks in WDW would be enough, not!! Was I wrong. My suggestion is to do 6 days at WDW,
1 day AK
1 day DHS
2 days Epcot
2 days MK
For your 7th day you could go to Wet & Wild, or one of the WDW water parks, or Sea World.
We generally do a trip only WDW because of its size, and stay on property. We don't hire a car while at WDW, because WDW transportation is very good.
When we go to Universal, we combine that trip with Sea World, and sometimes Busch Gardens too. Universal 3 days, one day for each park and one day to revisit our favs. Then 2 days Sea World, and 2 days Busch Gardens. If you buy a SeaWorld/Busch Garden combo ticket, they provide free bus transp. from SeaWorld to Busch Gardens.
When we went to Universal & SeaWorld we stayed at The Hard Rock, and The Doubletree Universal, did a split stay. Both were great. The Doubletree had great shuttle service to Universal and SeaWorld. By the way, SeaWorld also has a water park, Aquatica.
Have a great trip whatever you decide.

[DVCBird941]

Welcome to the boards!!

Your plan sounds good. One day each US/IoA is fine, and you should be able to get in the bulk that each Disney park has to offer doing one each day.

If you plan on staying at the Lake Buena Vista resorts during your WDW portion just know that only the Hilton participates in extra magic hours. EMH's are offered to guests staying on property and select off site hotels. EMH's get guests into the park 1 hr before the parks open or stay for 3 hrs after the parks close. These do not happen for every park every day, if you go to Disney’s site and check park hrs they are listed. EMH are nice since they allow you to be able to be in the parks with fewer crowds.

Either way enjoy your trip!!

[janicelovesmickey]

if you are going during low season- it is easier to see more things to do because the lines are way less than regular or high season
welcome to boards