It's been a long time (too long)

[tommyboy12099]

Hello everyone, I haven’t been on this site in a long time and it’s been a few years since I have been to WDW. Kids and their sports have just monopolized our time. It goes by so fast. Well, we are in planning mode and I wanted some advice from the site that I know has the answers. We are looking at heading to Disney for 10 days sometime this year. I want to spend most of the time in Disney and then maybe a day trip to Universal, Sea World and my oldest really wants to see Kennedy Space center. How do I make this work at the best price? I’m thinking staying onsite for 10 days and renting a car for 3 days would be the best option. Or would it make sense to stay outside WDW for 3 days before moving to a Disney property. My little guy wants to stay at Nick hotel. I want to stay in the boardwalk area leaning towards beach\yacht club for our Disney stay. Just looking for some suggestions or some experience in doing this. Thanks everyone

 

[Master Yoda]

In regards to the Nick Hotel....I have had a number of friends that have stayed there in the last 6-12 months and the reviews I have been getting back are not good to say the least. The average room price of this place is quite high and the quality of the rooms and amenities, in particular the pool, are quite bad.

 

[Figgy1]

Go to Kennedy first the Vehicle Assembly Building is now open to the public! I would stay off sight until you Disney days. A friend recommended Embassy Suites! Welcome back! Don'r forget to book meals asap alot has changed with some of the restaurants so check for reviews!

 

[littleroo]

I agree with Figgy, stay off sight until you are in Disney. There are some really great rates only a mile from universal w/tickets! The savings would cover our car rental I also agree with Yoda the nick hotels are outlandish in price!!

 

[tommyboy12099]

Thanks for the awesome information so far. I knew I would get it here. No Nick hotel and stay offsite to save cost to make up for car rental. Any other experiences?

 

[coachwnh]

We have stayed at the YC twice in the last year and both times loved it. we too did a two day trip to universal last summer while at WDW. we rented a car at the car care center near the poly (they pick you up and drop you off at your WDW resort) and stayed on site at universal. if you are a AAA member there are some savings if you book universal with them. there are some perks to staying on site at universal. Here's to your planning and welcome back!!!

 

[disneysince71]

The last time we stayed at the Nick Hotel we did not feel safe...And it was filthy. That was 3 years ago!
If I was going to do the 10 day thing and could afford it... I would definitely stay on site at Universal so I could participate in there express pass program. Then rent a car head to KSC for the day then check in Disney for the last 8 nights.
Have fun and enjoy the planning

 

[Pooh Lover]

The last time we stayed at the Nick Hotel we did not feel safe...And it was filthy. That was 3 years ago!
If I was going to do the 10 day thing and could afford it... I would definitely stay on site at Universal so I could participate in there express pass program. Then rent a car head to KSC for the day then check in Disney for the last 8 nights.
Have fun and enjoy the planning

Good advice! I'm thinking about this for my September trip....DH would love the KSC after a gazillion trips to WDW without one. I also want to do a day or two at Universal and it must be completely separate from my true love, WDW, preferably before.

 

[tommyboy12099]

Good advice! I'm thinking about this for my September trip....DH would love the KSC after a gazillion trips to WDW without one. I also want to do a day or two at Universal and it must be completely separate from my true love, WDW, preferably before.

Agree with you. Have to do all that before hitting WDW or the temptation to ditch my family to head back will be there . So maybe rent a car at the airport and head to a different hotel for three days and then head over to WDW to finish vacation. Will Disney express take us back? Thats were it all gets confusing. I dont want to waste time worrying about the car stuff. Thanks again

 

[Pooh Lover]

Agree with you. Have to do all that before hitting WDW or the temptation to ditch my family to head back will be there . So maybe rent a car at the airport and head to a different hotel for three days and then head over to WDW to finish vacation. Will Disney express take us back? Thats were it all gets confusing. I dont want to waste time worrying about the car stuff. Thanks again

Yes, you can take Magical Express one way.

 

[bubbles1812]

As others have echoed... I too would would recommend getting a different hotel for the three days you won't be on site. It will save you money and there are some really nice hotel options outside of Disney. My family once did a very similar trip to yours minus the Space Center (which we did on a different Uni/Space Center/one day at Disney trip years later). We wanted to do Sea World and Universal for three days and then 7 at Disney. There is a really nice Double Tree close to Universal that I'd recommend. If you decide money is no object, and you want to maximize your experience at Universal (to really experience both parks well you need 2-3 days IMO), I'd tell you to spend at least one night onsite. That allows you to get the unlimited express pass and will save you a lot of time by not having to wait in the lines and you might be able to do all you want at both Universal parks. And I'd encourage you to be open! If you end up enjoying Sea World Universal or even the Space Center a tone, nothing stops you from taking a half day out of your stay at Disney and catching a cab to wherever you want to go. All three have some great fun things.