Days per Park/Destination

[scritchell]

All,
After being on these forums for just over a week and reading through all the posts, and advice (Thanks for all those that have helped)
I have a rough guide to 'how many days i would need at each park' to do everything....

Magic Kingdom - 2 days to see all
Animal Kingdom - 2
Blizzard Beach - 1
Epcot - 1
Hollywood Studios - 1
Typhoon Lagoon -1
Universal Studios - 2
Universal Islands of Adventure - 2
Volcano Bay - 1
Sea World - 1
Aquatica - 1
Busch Gardens - 1
I-Drive 360 - 1
Kennedy Space Centre - 1
Discovery Cove - 1
Legoland Florida - 1
Legoland Waterpark - 1

Total of 21 days

So, along with a planned rest day every week during my 3 week stay (i will need it as well as my 7yo), that totals 24 days.......as we will only be there for 21 days (20 with arrival/departure) can anyone give some well needed advice/thoughts please? I am planning of visiting some of the WDW parks in the evenings to cover some things we don't do/miss

TYIA

 

[scritchell]

You won't get near it without fastpasses. Expect crowds to line up at the park entrance starting at 5 AM, if not before. Wait times to exceed 5 hours. I expect Disney will implement phased closing at Hollywood Studios when that land opens. Google stories and photos of opening day for Pandora at Animal Kingdom. And then multiply that by 100. As both a DVC member and annual passholder, I'm hoping for a preview like they did for Pandora. Otherwise, I'll wait until the next runDisney event after it opens.

oh wow 5 hours???
So if we had fastpass it wouldn't be an issue?
How do we get fastpasses for universal?

 

[scritchell]

Do you have Amazon in the UK? If so, search for cooling towels. But avoid Frog Towels - they are stiff as a boatd when dry.

we do, someone has suggested 'Frogg Togg' - are these the ones you wouldn't recommend

 

[Swissmiss]

we do, someone has suggested 'Frogg Togg' - are these the ones you wouldn't recommend

Another brand is Coolcore. I've never used Frogg Togg because I've seen in reviews that people either love them or hate them. I ended up getting a Coolcore towel as a gift and liked it so much I've now given them as gifts.

 

[scritchell]

Another brand is Coolcore. I've never used Frogg Togg because I've seen in reviews that people either love them or hate them. I ended up getting a Coolcore towel as a gift and liked it so much I've now given them as gifts.

Ok thank you, i'll look into it

 

[LAKid53]

oh wow 5 hours???
So if we had fastpass it wouldn't be an issue?
How do we get fastpasses for universal?

If you can get a fastpass for the rides. I would imagine Galaxy Edge rides will be fastpassed tiered, like Pandora's - you can select one, but not both. Those will be the most in demand FP.

Universal doesn't have fastpass, their system is called Express Pass. It's free with a stay at their top 3 resorts. Otherwise, it's an add-on to your ticket - you can purchase a one ride only (which means you can use it only once for Transformers) or unlimited ( you can use it over and over again for Transformers until you get tired of the ride). Disney's FPis included with your ticket. Unversal's you pay for (unless you are staying in those aforementioned resorts). And you don't get a designated return time, you just get in the Express Pass line. Almost all the Universal rides have Express Pass. The ones that don't are the Hogwarts and Gringots rides in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

 

[LAKid53]

Another brand is Coolcore. I've never used Frogg Togg because I've seen in reviews that people either love them or hate them. I ended up getting a Coolcore towel as a gift and liked it so much I've now given them as gifts.

I bought Frogg Togg - those are the ones that get hard when they are dry. Hate them. I recommend Coolcore towels. That's what Disney sells in the parks. And runDisney hands them out after races to help us runners cool down in warmer weather.

 

[scritchell]

If you can get a fastpass for the rides. I would imagine Galaxy Edge rides will be fast-paced tiered, like Pandora's - you can select one, but not both. Those will be the most in demand FP.

Universal doesn't have fastpass, their system is called Express Pass. It's free with a stay at their top 3 resorts. Otherwise, it's an add-on to your ticket - you can purchase a one ride only (which means you can use it only once for Transformers) or unlimited ( you can use it over and over again for Transformers until you get tired of the ride). Disney's FPis included with your ticket. Unversal's you pay for (unless you are staying in those aforementioned resorts). And you don't get a designated return time, you just get in the Express Pass line. Almost all the Universal rides have Express Pass. The ones that don't are the Hogwarts and Gringots rides in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

Ok, thanks
i'll look into this once the hotel booking on Universal site is back up and running

 

[LAKid53]

Ok thank you, i'll look into it

I recommend this brand. I own several in various sizes.

 

[LAKid53]

Speaking of Universal resorts. Their resorts are usually cheaper than Disney's. If you plan on moving over to Universal for that of your trip, I think you will like Cabana Bay. And Universal typically has hotel/ticket packages that are cheaper than Disney. You will have to add the Express Pass purchase, since that hotel doesn't include it. We stayed there. It's a fun hotel, food court better than Disney values.

 

[LAKid53]

we do, someone has suggested 'Frogg Togg' - are these the ones you wouldn't recommend

Yes.

 

[scritchell]

Speaking of Universal resorts. Their resorts are usually cheaper than Disney's. If you plan on moving over to Universal for that of your trip, I think you will like Cabana Bay. And Universal typically has hotel/ticket packages that are cheaper than Disney. You will have to add the Express Pass purchase, since that hotel doesn't include it. We stayed there. It's a fun hotel, food court better than Disney values.

Is Cabana Bay one of the value hotels?

 

[LAKid53]

Is Cabana Bay one of the value hotels?

Universal ranks their hotels different than Disney. Cabana Bay is their lowest level hotel. But my experience is that it's nicer...and cheaper than the All Stars. The next level hotel would be Sapphire Falls. It also doesn't include Express Pass with your room, but you take a boat to City Walk, rather than a bus to the parking garage where security is, like Cabana Bay. We've not stayed at Sapphire Falls, but it looks nice on the outside. City Walk at Universal is the area that has some shops and bars. It's right before Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.

 

[scritchell]

Universal ranks their hotels different than Disney. Cabana Bay is their lowest level hotel. But my experience is that it's nicer...and cheaper than the All Stars. The next level hotel would be Sapphire Falls. It also doesn't include Express Pass with your room, but you take a boat to City Walk, rather than a bus to the parking garage where security is, like Cabana Bay. We've not stayed at Sapphire Falls, but it looks nice on the outside. City Walk at Universal is the area that has some shops and bars. It's right before Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios.

To be honest, as it would be something i didnt budget for, we would be looking to stay at the cheapest hotel there

 

[LAKid53]

To be honest, as it would be something i didnt budget for, we would be looking to stay at the cheapest hotel there

If part of your plan will include International Drive attractions (Sea World), then I would figure out how many days you want to spend at WDW, book a hotel at WDW for that time, then move over to Universal since you will be much closer to International Drive there. As I mentioned earlier, Universal hotels are on the average cheaper than Disney hotels of the same type.

 

[scritchell]

If part of your plan will include International Drive attractions (Sea World), then I would figure out how many days you want to spend at WDW, book a hotel at WDW for that time, then move over to Universal since you will be much closer to International Drive there. As I mentioned earlier, Universal hotels are on the average cheaper than Disney hotels of the same type.

I'm booking through the WDW website so i get the free dining, memory maker, fast pass, transfers etc
So I dont think they give the option of 'Part Stay' and then back again

 

[James J]

I'm booking through the WDW website so i get the free dining, memory maker, fast pass, transfers etc
So I dont think they give the option of 'Part Stay' and then back again

I don't think @LAKid53 meant for you to stay at WDW, then go to Universal, then go back to WDW. More stay at WDW then Universal.

Also someone may have already mentioned it, but you'll have to wait until the dining offers are on before booking it. It's not on all the time. Virgin also offer the same deals when they go live.

 

[Swissmiss]

I'm booking through the WDW website so i get the free dining, memory maker, fast pass, transfers etc
So I dont think they give the option of 'Part Stay' and then back again

Sure they would - you'd just be booking two separate stays.

 

[LAKid53]

I'm booking through the WDW website so i get the free dining, memory maker, fast pass, transfers etc
So I dont think they give the option of 'Part Stay' and then back again

This is what I would recommend, if it fits with your travel plan. Book 1/2 of your trip or even 2 weeks at WDW. Then the rest of you trip at Universal. You'll be closer to other Orlando attractions there. At a much cheaper hotel.

 

[nickys]

Winter Haven is about 45 miles from Orlando and would take about an hour to get there

Also don't feel bad about missing Legoland. Not that it's not cool for Lego fans, it is. But there's very little there really that isn't already at Windsor, and a lot missing! The best thing for me is the miniland which is, of course, cities of the USA and Kennedy Space Centre (which is also at Windsor). Honestly, if your son has been to Legoland here he'll be asking "where's that ride?" the whole day.

 

[LAKid53]

I don't think @LAKid53 meant for you to stay at WDW, then go to Universal, then go back to WDW. More stay at WDW then Universal.

Also someone may have already mentioned it, but you'll have to wait until the dining offers are on before booking it. It's not on all the time. Virgin also offer the same deals when they go live.

Yes, that's what I meant. Do first part of your vacation at WDW, based upon the number of days planned at the parks and days just hanging around the resort. Then move over to Universal for the rest of your trip. Sea World is right there off International Drive. Will be much easier to get to from Universal, than Disney. Lots to do on I-Drive.