Before I going planning crazy, is this a good idea?

Jaylin · Jan 21, 2015

Hi everyone! Thank you in advance for you help & suggestions. I feel very uneasy about a Universal trip! Disney I've got down to a science, but we're changing things up this year!

Looking at doing 8 nights at Universal onsite around the 3rd/4th wk of August. I'm thinking that since we've got the time, I'd like to get to all of Universal, Sea World, Aquatica & Discovery Cove. Is that too much to cram into 1 trip? I keep hearing how much more relaxing US is then Disney, so I'd like to enjoy that, instead of the normal commando style of Disney.

For tickets, I'm thinking of doing Annual Passes for US (with the thought that the following year during our disney trip we could go back there for a day or 2) Then getting tickets for Discovery Cove which include Sea World & Aquatica. Still having a hard time with the Discovery Cove prices.....they sound crazy, but all I keep reading is how amazing it is there.

Also, will Express passes be a necessity at that time? I would love to have them, but we're a family of 6 that will prob have to stay a Cabana Bay since it will cost more then double to stay at the other hotels.

And how would the 6 of us be getting to Sea World/Aquatica & Discovery Cove? Is is going to cost a small fortune just to do that? Should we be renting a car? Then I'd be paying parking fees that I don't want to pay for...lol!

Thanks for any advice!!

damo · Jan 21, 2015

4th week of August is quite nice for crowds. If you are staying 8 days, you don't need to cram everything in there.

Sounds like a nice vacation!

Welcome Home · Jan 21, 2015

We are planning a similar trip at the end of April. I believe there is a free shuttle from Universal to Sea World and Aquatica.

johde · Jan 21, 2015

Welcome Home said:
We are planning a similar trip at the end of April. I believe there is a free shuttle from Universal to Sea World and Aquatica.

Yes there is a free shuttle to Sea World and Aquatica. There is also a separate shuttle that goes to Busch Gardens. If your crew is into Animals or Roller Coasters a trip there would make a nice day for the $25+ tax add on to the Discovery Cove tickets.

I did 10 days this January 5 at Universal, 1 @ Sea World, 1 Busch Gardens, 1 @ Disney (4 park extravaganza), and 2 resort/travel days.

kathy884 · Jan 21, 2015

Your trip sounds fantastic to me. lol Can I come?

Actually, our next Orlando mini vacation is going to be the Discovery Cove package that includes SeaWorld and Aquatica too. The tickets with the dolphin swim which we'll get for my son are $289. The tickets without the dolphin swim are $199, and that's what I'll be getting for me and my husband. I like it that they are throwing in both Aquatica and SeaWorld which for me really helps justify the cost. We love all the parks in Orlando, but the SeaWorld ones are our favorites. Ticket prices in Orlando for any of the theme parks are pretty pricey, but the parks are so good.

At a Universal hotel with the shuttle to SeaWorld and Aquatica, transportation wouldn't be an issue. And a cab ride from SeaWorld to Discovery Cove is just $7. I guess one question is how expensive is your Universal onsite hotel and do you have any budget concerns with the price? It looks wonderful to stay there, and I always prefer to stay one place the whole time. But if you have some budget concerns you might look into whether it would be worth moving to a hotel by SeaWorld for the SeaWorld part of your trip. // If DH comes on our mini spring break trip, for example, we will add a one night stay at a Universal deluxe hotel with a one day park to park ticket for him to see the HP areas he hasn't seen and to get the early entry and the front of line pass, but then we will move to a SeaWorld hotel for four nights -- so many nice ones that are way less expensive than the Universal deluxe (about 1/2 the price of Universal deluxe for our dates for the Marriott Residence Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, or Doubletree, for example). DS really loves that Marriott Residence Inn, so we're going for that one.

Planogirl · Jan 22, 2015

I agree that your trip sounds wonderful. We all should tag along.

Which resort are you staying at?

Siriusblack · Jan 23, 2015

We visited the 3rd week in August, but it was before the new HP area. Stayed on site and were glad to have express, it was still quite busy. You can always wait and see if you want to purchase the passes when you arrive.
I agree with everyone else, your trip sounds fun, where should we all meet? :goodvibes

pixeegrl · Jan 24, 2015

BTW we took the morning shuttle to Discovery Cove from HRH on our last trip and it was great. You just have to sign up the night before. I believe DC also offered us a free shuttle ride over to Sea World. The shuttle bus back to HRH was a nightmare! though, it had started raining and while many of us were lined up for the bus big groups of people just came and pushed their way in front of everyone and we were packed like sardines. (there are multiple shuttles back but since it was raining everyone wanted on that first one) the shuttle driver did nothing to keep people from pushing others out of the way and keeping an orderly line. I would recommend taking a cab back!

Jaylin · Jan 26, 2015

Thank you everyone for your wonderful replies! I'm starting to feel more comfortable about this trip! I'm pretty sure we'll be staying at Cabana Bay Resort, so it sounds like there are shuttles to Discovery Cover, Aquatica & Sea World from the hotel. Are they free?

Thanks to another thread on this board, I discovered that with an Annual pass to Sea World/Aquatica (which is BOGO right now) you can get a substantial discount to Discovery Cove. It's a fantastic deal. It makes the Discovery Cove price go from $339 to $169. So the cost of the annual pass+cost of DC will be almost $500 cheaper this way. Plus we'll be able to use the annual passes the following year on our Disney trip!

Still uneasy about not having express passes, but I'm thinking about adding another night, and making it a 9night trip. This way we'd have 4 full days at US/IOA, 1 day Sea World, 1 day Aquatica, 1 day DC, 1 extra day to do whatever! and then 2 travel days.

It's about $1000 price difference between Cabana Bay and HRH (Deluxe Queen room which don't technically fit in, CRAZY). So for that much I figured we'll cross our fingers, and hope the last week in Aug isn't busy. And worst case scenario, if it's bad, we can get express passes for 1 of the days. It'd still be cheaper that way.

Now, if only Southwest would release their Aug dates (which I heard wasn't going to happen till Feb 26th) I could book everything. It's killing me to wait!

I read the US/IOA annual passes include room discounts. How to you know when this applies. I used the code APH for my dates and nothing changed. Is it not a standard discount?

Is there anything else I need to know or should be doing? Being a Disney person, I feel the need to overplan everything!!!

macraven · Jan 26, 2015

ap rates haven't been released yet for your dates.

Welcome Home · Jan 26, 2015

For my trip in May the SMSM rate is better than the AP.

Jaylin · Jan 26, 2015

So am I better off booking the room now and locking in the rate?
How will I know when AP rates become available?

macraven · Jan 26, 2015

check the UO booking site with the APH for promo or check these boards for info on the release of the ap rates.

someone usually posts when they read those rates have been released.

i always book with rack over 11 months out and modify when the ap/smsm rates come out.
i prefer to have a larger deposit down in advance.

lilkarebear · Jan 26, 2015

Yes, the shuttles are free. We took the shuttles to and from SeaWorld & Aquatica. But we took a taxi to Discovery Cove because we wanted to get there early and the shuttles didn't run that early. You do have to go to the ticket desk to reserve your spot on the shuttle and you'll get a ticket. Discovery Cove is amazing. One of the best days on our vacation last time. The food wasn't great but everything else was.

Jaylin · Jan 26, 2015

lilkarebear said:
Yes, the shuttles are free. We took the shuttles to and from SeaWorld & Aquatica. But we took a taxi to Discovery Cove because we wanted to get there early and the shuttles didn't run that early. You do have to go to the ticket desk to reserve your spot on the shuttle and you'll get a ticket. Discovery Cove is amazing. One of the best days on our vacation last time. The food wasn't great but everything else was.

Thanks! I'm still so torn on DC! It's going to be about $1000 to do it. But I haven't heard 1 bad thing about. Pretty much everyone says what you are saying. Did you do the dolphin experience?

glocon · Jan 26, 2015

Your heart is telling you to do DC. If you can swing it-do it. Or you will regret it down the road. Kids grow up so fast and that can be your justification- if you need justification.

Just find ways to save in other places if you can. Like bring breakfast foods and snacks for your room. Cash in your change jar. Cash in vacation time at work if that is an option. I think there is a thread somewhere on the DISboards on saving money.

I know it's easy for a stranger to say just do it, but being the mom of an 18 year old I'm feeling the loss of our childhood days. They are over so quick!

Welcome Home · Jan 27, 2015

We are not doing the dolphin experience and didn't miss it the last time we went.

bcbmommy · Mar 7, 2015

Jaylin said:
Hi everyone! Thank you in advance for you help & suggestions. I feel very uneasy about a Universal trip! Disney I've got down to a science, but we're changing things up this year!

Looking at doing 8 nights at Universal onsite around the 3rd/4th wk of August. I'm thinking that since we've got the time, I'd like to get to all of Universal, Sea World, Aquatica & Discovery Cove. Is that too much to cram into 1 trip? I keep hearing how much more relaxing US is then Disney, so I'd like to enjoy that, instead of the normal commando style of Disney.

For tickets, I'm thinking of doing Annual Passes for US (with the thought that the following year during our disney trip we could go back there for a day or 2) Then getting tickets for Discovery Cove which include Sea World & Aquatica. Still having a hard time with the Discovery Cove prices.....they sound crazy, but all I keep reading is how amazing it is there.

Also, will Express passes be a necessity at that time? I would love to have them, but we're a family of 6 that will prob have to stay a Cabana Bay since it will cost more then double to stay at the other hotels.

And how would the 6 of us be getting to Sea World/Aquatica & Discovery Cove? Is is going to cost a small fortune just to do that? Should we be renting a car? Then I'd be paying parking fees that I don't want to pay for...lol!

Thanks for any advice!!

Your trip, family size, and just about everything, sounds like I could have written it! Except we're going next week. First trip to UO, DC, SW, and Aquatica.

. We're Disney people, as well, and I normally like to know and plan every last detail. This is a last minute trip, and to unfamiliar territory, so I'm a bit nervous. I'll let you know how it goes!

bumbershoot · Mar 7, 2015

Wow I wish I'd read your original post and responded in a timely fashion, because I'm a person who spends 8 nights at Universal JUST doing Universal and the resort, and don't feel like I got enough Universal and resort. (have done the same at Disneyland, except for one day visiting my brother in San Diego) If you haven't bought tickets yet, reconsider! I'd likely drop the other stuff and use that money to stay at a deluxe.

You say you keep hearing how it's relaxed, and you don't want it to be busy like a WDW trip, but now you're filling it all up to be just as busy.

When/if AP rates come up for your dates, using APH will change it. If it never comes up, then it never comes up. So don't buy the AP until/unless a rate comes up, and don't upgrade until you know everyone loves it.

ptmmg · Mar 8, 2015

I could have written your post! Just started to plan a last week in August trip for myself , dh, dd13. ds11 we have done Disney several times during that time but are switching it up this year! Leaning toward HR to stay at and definitely want to do Discovery Cove as my DD has always wanted to swim with dolphins. Looking forward to following this post and learning all the tricks to a great trip!!

Before I going planning crazy, is this a good idea?

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