How much time for each attraction?

Cynister

Cynister

How long until the next vacation?
Joined
May 28, 2009
We're starting to plan a 2017 trip to many attractions we've never been to before, but I have no idea how much time we should plan for each of these...1 day, 1/2 day, 2 days, etc. We aren't HUGE rollercoaster people, but we will want to do some in the parks that have them. It will be me, DH, & DS13. We will want to see the whole park. I don't know if I have enough time to do all of these or if there are some I shouldn't bother with. If anyone has experience with any of these & suggestions for time I'd love to hear it. Thanks!
  • Busch Gardens
  • Florida Aquarium
  • Safari Wilderness
  • Cypress Gardens
  • Legoland
  • Universal (both parks)
  • WonderWorks
  • Pirate's Dinner
  • SeaWorld
  • Discovery Cove
  • Airboat Ride
  • Kennedy Space Center
 
First .... To travel to the places you have mentioned ......... you will need a car.

Bush Gardens ........ A Full day ....... from opening time to close. AND Driving time there and back ( 1.1/2 hrs each way )

Florida Aquarium ..... say 4 hrs Max.

Safari Wilderness ...... ?

Cypress Gardens ..... which is now Legoland ....... Full day ...... Plus drive time ( 45 min to an hour drive each way )

Universal .......... 2 to 3 days Max

WonderWorks ... 4 hours

Pirate's Dinner .... An Evenings Dinner .... 4 hours

Sea World ...... A Full day & travel time .

Discovery Cove .......... A Full Day...... Swim with Dolphins An optional extra charge ... gives a Swim time appointment .

Airboat ride Trip is approx 1 to 1.1/2 duration And travel time & sightseeing time.

Airboat rides at Midway at Christmas on Hwy 50 & then visit Fort Christmas as you are there

So a Full day .

Kennedy Space Center ... A full day & travel time ( 1.1/2 hour drive each way )


Hope this helps
 
We went to Discovery Cove in 2010, and it's one of the best things I've ever done in my life! We're going again this coming May, and we're super excited about it. If you purchase Discovery Cove admissions, it also includes 14 days' worth of admission to both SeaWorld and Aquatica (SeaWorld's water park). We'll be taking advantage of those admissions in May as well. For a minimal fee, you can add on Busch Gardens to those admissions, too. We got a heck of a deal on our Discovery Cove admissions on Black Friday--$219 each, which includes the dolphin swim.

Discovery Cove is a full day all by itself, and everything is included--food, drinks, sunscreen, towels, etc. Heck, they even have prescription masks available if you need them! We've got 2 days set aside for SeaWorld and 1 day for Aquatica.

We've been to the Universal parks several times, and we do love it there. If you decide to add those parks to your trip, I'd say you'd need at least 2 days for them, and the park-to-park tickets are definitely worth it.

I can't help with the rest of your list--maybe someone else will chime in with help there.

*Woodview posted while I was typing and gave you some great information!*
 
Should we just skip Legoland altogether? DS will be 13 then & I'm worried about the park being too young for him. He loves Legos but I showed him the rides & he doesn't seem overly excited. He says he's not sure if we should go because so far all he's seen that he'd want to look at are the minilands. Is it all little kid stuff?
 


Cynister said:
Should we just skip Legoland altogether? DS will be 13 then & I'm worried about the park being too young for him. He loves Legos but I showed him the rides & he doesn't seem overly excited. He says he's not sure if we should go because so far all he's seen that he'd want to look at are the minilands. Is it all little kid stuff?
Click to expand...

It's a very pretty park (with the old Cypress Gardens and all the minfigs), but your son would probably find 25-50% of the park pretty babyish. If you got cheap enough tickets (35/person floating around now), it can be a fun few hours for all of you. Walk through Miniland, ride the 4-5 "big" coasters (which are about the size of Big Thunder thrill), walk through Cypress Gardens, see the Waterski Show (if you like waterski stunts, it's fun to watch even if the storyline skews younger), catch a 4d movie, see if he can take one of the mindstorm classes, maybe drive the boats (those are hard:), and get some apple fries. But if you're gonna buy full price tickets, at his age, I'd say pass.
 
Thanks, this helps. Where are there discounted tickets?
 
There is a Florida PTA discount for $35/ticket (was $30/ticket last year and no one reported issues) https://legolandfloridatickets.legoland.com/LLF/Content.aspx?Kind=LandingPage...and if you are worried about that, here's a general use code...
http://www.disboards.com/threads/any-lego-land-discounts-out-there.3480746/...and if you are a homeschooler, there are also very good ticket rates, but you are then limited to a M, Th, F non-holiday visit...

Edit to Add - these all need to be used in 2016...BUT they are all repeat promotions, so there should be similar ones in 2017 - just watch for them:)...
 
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And for you, I'd probably call Legoland a 1/2 day park. It has similar hours to Animal Kingdom, so you should be able to get dinner and have some nighttime fun afterwards back in Orlando. No need to really "rope drop" either...getting there within an hour of opening will be just fine.

Now, we never did the waterpark side (wasn't open), so there may be some extra fun there...but I think you'd much rather do Aquatica at his age (which would be 100% free if you got Discovery Cove tickets)...
 
Thanks for the info! I'll definitely be looking for the 2017 posts.
 
Cynister said:
We're starting to plan a 2017 trip to many attractions we've never been to before, but I have no idea how much time we should plan for each of these...1 day, 1/2 day, 2 days, etc. We aren't HUGE rollercoaster people, but we will want to do some in the parks that have them. It will be me, DH, & DS13. We will want to see the whole park. I don't know if I have enough time to do all of these or if there are some I shouldn't bother with. If anyone has experience with any of these & suggestions for time I'd love to hear it. Thanks!
  • Busch Gardens
  • Florida Aquarium
  • Safari Wilderness
  • Cypress Gardens
  • Legoland
  • Universal (both parks)
  • WonderWorks
  • Pirate's Dinner
  • SeaWorld
  • Discovery Cove
  • Airboat Ride
  • Kennedy Space Center
Click to expand...

Since I didn't mention my overall judgment...

The "Seaworld" Group - Discovery Cove, Sea World, Aquatica, Busch Gardens - To see each park, you'd likely need 1 day each. If you are going to Discovery Cove, I would definitely plan 2 additional days for Sea World and Aquatica. They are included in your DC ticket cost and both have some really cool things to see and do.

Legoland (old Cypress Gardens) - I mentioned this park for you would be about 1/2 day (maybe 3/4).

Universal - the highlight. If you are planning to return in 2018, buy 2 Power Passes and 1 regular annual pass. If off-site, I would plan 3-4 days to see and do everything in Universal (and by 2017, their water park should also be open, so you may need even more time:). Everything is awesome and worth doing - my current favorite parks and experiences in Orlando is Universal. Must, must do!:) Buy one wand for $50 (go to the show at the small Ollivanders and have it picked for you - same cost and no stress - no guarantee you'll get picked, but if you have the only kid in the show, it's a guarantee) and explore both Harry Potter lands in full (wander the alleys to find the secret stores and magic)...

Wonderworks - Go if you get a deal. I've done the dinner show and I've walked through - it's nice, especially if you like the stuff they have.

Pirate's Dinner - I've never done it (family has), but as for dinner theaters, the cheaper better one is probably at Wonderworks with the comedy show...and you could then do Wonderworks and the Dinner Show as a single day event.

Kennedy Space Center - on my list for this trip or next. It takes a minimum of 1 good day (family has gone) and 2 days if you're REALLY into it.

Airboat Ride - Never done, but this won't be more than 1/2 day. I'd group something like this with some of the other "attractions" like Titanic, Ripley's, minigolfs, the escape rooms, etc as something to do when you want a "park" break...
 
Awesome information, thanks so much! We don't do water parks so none of those apply. We probably won't be going back in 18, likely it will be Disney instead. Is Discovery cove a whole day? I haven't really looked into it but assumed it would be a few hours, then we'd go do something else. Wonder works & pirate's dinner just sounded like interesting extras, so if the common opinion is they are just "eh" then there's no harm in skipping them for us. Originally I was thinking universal 2 days, Busch gardens 1 day, discovery cove & airboat ride combined 1 day, space center 1 day, safari 1/2 day. Everything else on the list I could go either way on. What is titanic?
 
I guess most people say a whole day at DC since it's a one day charge for all day. So, if you go 1/2 day or all day, you pay the same. All the food is included, and some alcoholic drinks too, so most have breakfast and lunch, and enjoy the pools all day. For extra, there's interaction with a dolphin at a set time, generally the earlier, the earlier you check in. You won't know your dolphin time until you check in.

We find it a really nice way to relax and enjoy the park the whole day, then we enjoy a late light dinner somewhere else. The day does go by fast.

We took our 14 and 18 year old kids to Legoland in San Diego. 4 hours was about our limit. The older one really liked the star wars land they had. Took tons of pictures. When we are in Orlando this holiday, not sure we will venture to the Legoland in Florida. Rather, we'll probably go to Busch Gardens Tampa twice instead. My kids both like roller coasters, so I guess you'll have to see what your teen enjoys.

That's the great thing about Orlando area, there's so much to do.
 
TwoMisfits said:
Airboat Ride - Never done, but this won't be more than 1/2 day.
Click to expand...

It depends on which airboat company you choose.

We just visited Wild Florida on December 24th. They have a wonderful animal park (complete with shows, interactions, and feeding opportunities) which is free with an airboat ride reservation. You can also pay for separate stand-alone admission to that part of the park. When you combine the drive time there and back, plus the airboat ride, and take full advantage of all the features of the animal park, you could definitely fill a full day.
 
Cynister said:
Awesome information, thanks so much! We don't do water parks so none of those apply. We probably won't be going back in 18, likely it will be Disney instead. Is Discovery cove a whole day? I haven't really looked into it but assumed it would be a few hours, then we'd go do something else. Wonder works & pirate's dinner just sounded like interesting extras, so if the common opinion is they are just "eh" then there's no harm in skipping them for us. Originally I was thinking universal 2 days, Busch gardens 1 day, discovery cove & airboat ride combined 1 day, space center 1 day, safari 1/2 day. Everything else on the list I could go either way on. What is titanic?
Click to expand...

If 2018 is Disney, it does not hurt to go the Universal annual pass route - even if you only did 1 day of Universal in 2018 as a side trip from Disney, you'd come out ahead financially (and way ahead on the power passes). And, after seeing Universal, you may definitely want the 2nd trip:)...

If you're not water park people at all, I'd probably pass on Discovery Cove. While not a "water park", it is gonna involve being wet all day and spending most of the day in or near water (and you won't get the "value" of Aquatica in your ticket). I'd probably instead watch for a Blue Friday sale on Seaworld tickets this year that you can activate in 2017. And again, I'd go for the BOGO annual passes (if they go this route again - they have 2 years in a row, I think) so you could have the ability to go a 2nd day on your 2017 trip and/or a side trip from Disney in 2018.
 
Cynister said:
Awesome information, thanks so much! We don't do water parks so none of those apply. We probably won't be going back in 18, likely it will be Disney instead. Is Discovery cove a whole day? I haven't really looked into it but assumed it would be a few hours, then we'd go do something else. Wonder works & pirate's dinner just sounded like interesting extras, so if the common opinion is they are just "eh" then there's no harm in skipping them for us. Originally I was thinking universal 2 days, Busch gardens 1 day, discovery cove & airboat ride combined 1 day, space center 1 day, safari 1/2 day. Everything else on the list I could go either way on. What is titanic?
Click to expand...

And on Titanic question - http://www.premierexhibitions.com/e...xhibition/titanic-artifact-exhibition-orlando If you're INTO Titanic, this is cool. Haven't done the dinner experience, but that one is supposed to be worth the money, again if you are into it:)...

As for your schedule (I'm assuming you have a week long trip, so you want 6 days filled?:), I'd do 3 days of Universal (if you want to do everything, like you said), 1 day for the Space Center, 1 day for Busch Gardens and/or Seaworld (depends on your interest and desire to drive), and a 6th day with your "unique" day (pretty much, I'd ask your son what he'd want to do and I'd look for what deals I could find and I'd go with it).

To give you an idea of my last trip, we did 4 days in Universal (including a dinner and movie on Citywalk and an evening stroll), 1 day at Legoland, 1 day at Aquatica, 1 day at Seaworld, 1 day in downtown Orlando (visiting a local art museum and a trendy Asian restaurant), 2 date night dinners in Magical Dining Month and 1 Escape Room date night (after 3 down days of enjoying our resort swimming and mini-golfing), and 2 dinners/strolls of Disney Springs (after Legoland and Aquatica).

This was a Tues night to 2nd Sun morning trip, so 11 days to fill...and 2 different families to see twice who got to each pick an activity (so one was with us for SeaWorld day and 1 resort swim/mini golf day and the other was with us for our downtown Orlando day and then an NFL and beer night tasting at their house:)...
 
TwoMisfits said:
And on Titanic question - http://www.premierexhibitions.com/e...xhibition/titanic-artifact-exhibition-orlando If you're INTO Titanic, this is cool. Haven't done the dinner experience, but that one is supposed to be worth the money, again if you are into it:)...

As for your schedule (I'm assuming you have a week long trip, so you want 6 days filled?:), I'd do 3 days of Universal (if you want to do everything, like you said), 1 day for the Space Center, 1 day for Busch Gardens and/or Seaworld (depends on your interest and desire to drive), and a 6th day with your "unique" day (pretty much, I'd ask your son what he'd want to do and I'd look for what deals I could find and I'd go with it).

To give you an idea of my last trip, we did 4 days in Universal (including a dinner and movie on Citywalk and an evening stroll), 1 day at Legoland, 1 day at Aquatica, 1 day at Seaworld, 1 day in downtown Orlando (visiting a local art museum and a trendy Asian restaurant), 2 date night dinners in Magical Dining Month and 1 Escape Room date night (after 3 down days of enjoying our resort swimming and mini-golfing), and 2 dinners/strolls of Disney Springs (after Legoland and Aquatica).

This was a Tues night to 2nd Sun morning trip, so 11 days to fill...and 2 different families to see twice who got to each pick an activity (so one was with us for SeaWorld day and 1 resort swim/mini golf day and the other was with us for our downtown Orlando day and then an NFL and beer night tasting at their house:)...
Click to expand...

For our 2016 Sat night to Tues morning trip (so 9 days to fill), my kids asked to again add something new (we've done this each of our last 3 trips), so thanks to Gina letting us know about a great deal ($20/person with BOGO), we'll be doing the new I-360 3 pack of attractions for 1 day (The Eye, SeaLife, and Madame Tussauds). Then, we'll do 4 more Universal days with a Citywalk evening or two (free thanks to last year's passes), 1 Aquatica day (biggest new hit of last trip), and then finding out from the fams what they want for the other 3 days (we are seeing one family for dinner and dessert our 1st night, so 1 visit of 4 done:) - I'm expecting another resort down day (and another date night for me and my spouse), another trip to something new in downtown Orlando, and then either SeaWorld, DisneyQuest, KSC, or the Crayola Experience (which I'll figure out once my Florida fam decides what annual passes they're buying in 2016 and where they want to go:)...
 
You're definitely giving me a lot to think about. I guess I had a different thought behind Discovery Cove (again, I hadn't looked into it much yet). I thought you could make a reservation to do the dolphins & just be there for that. Didn't realize it was more of an add on to a hang out by a big pool kind of day. Hmm. The dolphin part would be the only thing we'd be interested in. I'll definitely look into the AP for Universal. Where should I watch for special deals for Blue Friday & BOGO AP? I'm not familiar with those. Thanks again so much for this info, it is helping a ton!
 
Cynister said:
You're definitely giving me a lot to think about. I guess I had a different thought behind Discovery Cove (again, I hadn't looked into it much yet). I thought you could make a reservation to do the dolphins & just be there for that. Didn't realize it was more of an add on to a hang out by a big pool kind of day. Hmm. The dolphin part would be the only thing we'd be interested in. I'll definitely look into the AP for Universal. Where should I watch for special deals for Blue Friday & BOGO AP? I'm not familiar with those. Thanks again so much for this info, it is helping a ton!
Click to expand...

SeaWorld Blue Friday is their annual Black Friday weekend sale. Usually you can buy deals on annual passes (and sometimes straight tickets) then that don't need to be activated for a year (some tickets will have earlier restrictions, so you have to look at their specials). Their Blue Friday deals have changed year to year, but they have had the BOGO annual passes two years straight (for my 2015 trip, I had taken advantage of a 2014 Blue Friday BOGO Sea World/Aquatica combo ticket (1 day for each park) for $99, so we got 2 parks for $50/person (since one combo was $99 and the next $0:) - that was a great deal they didn't repeat this year)...
 
Cynister said:
You're definitely giving me a lot to think about. I guess I had a different thought behind Discovery Cove (again, I hadn't looked into it much yet). I thought you could make a reservation to do the dolphins & just be there for that. Didn't realize it was more of an add on to a hang out by a big pool kind of day. Hmm. The dolphin part would be the only thing we'd be interested in. I'll definitely look into the AP for Universal. Where should I watch for special deals for Blue Friday & BOGO AP? I'm not familiar with those. Thanks again so much for this info, it is helping a ton!
Click to expand...

You could just go for the dolphins, but I don't believe you can "preschedule" it - I think they schedule you once you arrive and it's kinda 1st come 1st served...so you would have to wait around for your time with the dolphins. And it's an awfully expensive way to just swim with dolphins - I'd suggest a cruise and an excursion for that if that's all you wanted to do. Now, if you'd enjoy some snorkeling, getting an adult beverage and some lunch, and maybe seeing some birds or other wildlife, then it's probably a much better idea:). We haven't done it, but it's on my bucket list (my spouse is not big on water either and prefers to have "attractions" if he's gonna have to spend some hours at water - thus, we do waterparks b/c I can't bring myself to spend the money (especially when I grab Blue Friday deals) for what kind of day he would want - a short one:)...
 
Ripley's is another place to stop. About 2 hours, and not super expensive. http://www.ripleys.com/orlando/

We recently did an escape room. it was super fun, lasted an hour. I posted a thread on here about it. There are several different ones; check tripadvisor for ratings. This is the one we did: http://orlandoescapegame.com/

Kennedy Space Center is definitely a 2 day trip if you want to really check things out. There's an astronaut museum outside the gates, and a ton of things inside. We did an overnight trip with our scouts, and we didn't see everything (although we slept under a space shuttle and ate with an astronaut).
 
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