Need help deciding

[Beccone]

We have decided to go down to WDW a couple days early before our vacation package with free dining starts on the 16th of August. This was my original plan, arrive on the 14th, check in at the resort (Pop) spend time at the pool and then head over to the Boardwalk in the evening and maybe take a ferry over to Beaches and Cream to attempt The Kitchen Sink (my 4 kids would love it if we had ice cream for dinner). On Staurday I have ADR's for Ohana for breakfeast and then I thought we would go over to DTD for a good portion of the day and head back to the resort and get to bed early to start the next day for am EMH at Epcot. Well now my 5 yr old got on this Seaworld kick and is begging for us to go, even has the other kids joining his fight. We are considering it, but if we do go then we would not do any of the above plans, Seaworld has 2 day passes and we would go Friday evening to see a few shows and then on Saturday for the full day. One minute I am all for the Seaworld idea and then the next I am saying no way, I kind of liked getting a little down time in before our jammed pack week of parks start. The only reason I am leaning towards Seaworld is that this will be our last Orlando trip for a few years, we've got vacations in the works for at least the next 2 years so it will be a while before we are back and do I really want to hear about how we didn't go to Seaworld for the next 3 years? Also I do really enjoy Seaworld and we haven't been in 7 years, my youngest 3 have never been, but I also like walking around DTD, that is usually our first day ritual. Any thoughts or reccomendations? My husband is no help, he just tells me he doesn't care what we do and it's up to me.

 

[WDW_Emily]

Im a little confused couldn't you just go to Seaword on Saturday this way you can still go to ohana's for breakfest, you can go to beaches and cream the day before too the only thing you would miss out on is going to DTD

 

[Beccone]

I should have also stated that going to Seaworld for the the 7 of us (that includes my mil) would be close to $400 and then add in meals and it would be over $500 for the day. If we go to Seaworld there will be no Ohanas, I can't see spending $100 for breakfast and then another $500 for Seaworld. And the passes for Seaworld are 2 days for the price of one and I figured if we had that extra day we might as well use it on the first night to get some shows out of the way so our day on Saturday is not as long. Sorry if it is confusing, maybe that's whay my husband doesn't want to discuss it and leaving it up to me, maybe I'm just confusing him, lol

 

[rkelly42]

Go to Seaworld and enjoy seeing the kids have a great time. Also otherwise you will be listening to it for the next two years on how you did not go to seaworld. Seaworld is fun and I am sure your kids will have a great time.

 

[corey154]

If you can afford it (without putting yourselfs in credit card debt) then I'd recommend going to Sea World. My daughter loves it. Also when you sit there and watch how we can teach killer whales and dolphins to put a whole show on, it'll amaze you all over again.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

But you also said you were on the Dining Plan, right?
You should be able to use Ohana as a Table Service Meal, right?
And if you are going to Seaworld, you are potentially "missing out" on other "free" meals. Are you using them on signature dining or dinner shows?

If you have a car, you can do breakfast in Disney, go to Seaworld and be back for dinner.

 

[Beccone]

But you also said you were on the Dining Plan, right?
You should be able to use Ohana as a Table Service Meal, right?
And if you are going to Seaworld, you are potentially "missing out" on other "free" meals. Are you using them on signature dining or dinner shows?

If you have a car, you can do breakfast in Disney, go to Seaworld and be back for dinner.

Our free dining doesn't start until the 16th, we only added on 2 nights at the resort but didn't get a package with park tickets, so no dining plan for the first 2 days. I also made our Ohana ADR's for later in the morning, not thinking that we would be on a timeline and need to eat early.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

I would go to Sea World, your kids will love it and it's a different experience than Disney. (not better, not worse, just different) I also agree with the other person who said you don't want to hear for the next few years that you didn't take the kids to Sea World.

You'll have a great time!

 

[EnchantedRose]

Correct me if I"m wrong...maybe I misunderstood...but I though the Free Dining was for every NIGHT you stay at the resort...it doesn't necessarly need to have park tickets. So in your case since you are coming two nights earlier, you would have free dining on those days as well. I added an extra day to my vacation...it was originally 9/26-10/3 and I called and asked to book one more night but not the park tickets and leave 10/4 & the CM told me that in total I had 8 TS/8 CS/8 snacks per person.

Sorry if i'm incorrect, I hope i don't cause any confusion! You can call and find out before you plan on Sea World!

 

[Beccone]

Correct me if I"m wrong...maybe I misunderstood...but I though the Free Dining was for every NIGHT you stay at the resort...it doesn't necessarly need to have park tickets. So in your case since you are coming two nights earlier, you would have free dining on those days as well. I added an extra day to my vacation...it was originally 9/26-10/3 and I called and asked to book one more night but not the park tickets and leave 10/4 & the CM told me that in total I had 8 TS/8 CS/8 snacks per person.

Sorry if i'm incorrect, I hope i don't cause any confusion! You can call and find out before you plan on Sea World!

The free dining doesn't start until 8/16 and we are arriving on the 14th. I wish we could just extend our package but we can't, we had to make 2 separate reservations.

 

[NewfieFan]

According to what you said... I think you should do Seaworld! Is it possible to see a little of DTD Saturday night after you return from Seaworld? Or would that be too late for the kids... and you did mention you wanted an early start for Epcot EMH!?!

I guess you'll have to miss Ohana's but you will get to see Seaworld!!!