19 nights in September - please help!

[pharmacychris]

Hi all, I apologise in advance for this long post but it is quite a complicated question and I am new to the boards!

I have been to Orlando three times when I was younger (I am now 28 and the last time was when I was about 16), and my partner has never ever been. We are coming in September for 19 nights.

For the first week we are going to be joined by her parents and my parents (and my brother) but her parents are leaving after five full days and mine are leaving after around nine.

Her parents have been to Universal for one day before and so want to do Disney (they have five days in Orlando) and my parents want to do both Disney and Universal (as there are hardly any rides that are the same from when we were last there) across the nine days.

Obviously it will be too much to do theme parks constantly every day for these short periods but what would everyone recommend?

We were thinking of getting a two week disney and two week universal pass each (me and my partner) and activating them so that we have disney for the first week, then disney and universal for the second week, then just universal for the third week.

Many thanks for your help.

Chris

 

[freediverdude]

Not knowing where you are coming from, if you're coming from Europe, you might be able to get tickets that are 14 or 21 days, but if you're in the US, the longest Disney tickets are either 10 days or an annual pass. I'm thinking if you're in the US, for as many days as you want access, you might as well go ahead and get annual passes for you and your partner, especially for Universal. That would give you some discounts as well. Your families can probably get by with 5 or 10 day Disney tickets. For Universal, if someone is going for more than 3 days they might as well get an annual pass. And, if you have annual passes, it doesn't matter about the staggered timing of the tickets and when everyone is leaving. Hope you have a good time!

 

[pharmacychris]

sorry I should have said, we are travelling from Manchester in England

 

[Raenstoirm]

I agree with diver. I would grab APs in both parks. There are added bonuses. If you have a WDW AP you can get Tables in Wonderland (food discounts) and an automatic park hopper. Plus room discounts if you are on site. The room discounts also apply to Universal if you have their AP.

 

[Wendybird55]

If you plan to be visit Disney parks 10 or more days then definitely do the Annual Pass as it is the better value. In addition to Park Hopper entrance to all parks as PP said you get additional discounts - 10% on merchandise in many of the stores, discounts on certain restaurants (mostly counter service) and excursions and you can purchase Tables in Wonderland for $100 which gives you and your party a 20% discount on meals (including alcohol) in most restaurants.

I'm not familiar with Universal's AP and pricing. I guess it all depends how many days you plan to go to Universal and the price comparisons.

 

[tsme]

I agree with other posters, an AP is probably best way to go for Disney. I don't know about Univeral. I have to say, I'm so jealous, 19 nights is awesome!

 

[heidijanesmith]

Hi all, I apologise in advance for this long post but it is quite a complicated question and I am new to the boards!

I have been to Orlando three times when I was younger (I am now 28 and the last time was when I was about 16), and my partner has never ever been. We are coming in September for 19 nights.

For the first week we are going to be joined by her parents and my parents (and my brother) but her parents are leaving after five full days and mine are leaving after around nine.

Her parents have been to Universal for one day before and so want to do Disney (they have five days in Orlando) and my parents want to do both Disney and Universal (as there are hardly any rides that are the same from when we were last there) across the nine days.

Obviously it will be too much to do theme parks constantly every day for these short periods but what would everyone recommend?

We were thinking of getting a two week disney and two week universal pass each (me and my partner) and activating them so that we have disney for the first week, then disney and universal for the second week, then just universal for the third week.

Many thanks for your help.

Chris

Universal's AP is a great deal. There are discounts for merchandise, other tickets, hotels and food/drinks. Stay on site at Universal if at all possible. You can get big AP discounts on a hotel and unlimited express pass and early entry. With the new WWoHP area at US, you will want these perks!