1st time need advise.

[mas6010]

This will be our 1st trip to US/IOA, we at this time are staying at WDW and was planning on taking a taxi to US. Should we just cut the time short at WDW and stay on site at US ? Go with the taxi for 2 days or is 1 enough ? Our boys are 10 adn 7 and both love just about all the rides thrill or not. We do have the bounce back dining at WDW, so the meals there would be taken care of, for those of you that have been what would be the best plan of action ? Oh yeah, we really don't want to rent a car - the driving there is nuts. Thanks

 

[Metro West]

This will be our 1st trip to US/IOA, we at this time are staying at WDW and was planning on taking a taxi to US. Should we just cut the time short at WDW and stay on site at US ? Go with the taxi for 2 days or is 1 enough ? Our boys are 10 adn 7 and both love just about all the rides thrill or not. We do have the bounce back dining at WDW, so the meals there would be taken care of, for those of you that have been what would be the best plan of action ? Oh yeah, we really don't want to rent a car - the driving there is nuts. Thanks

Depending on when you're going, you might be better off staying onsite at Universal. You get FOTL access which cuts the wait times way down...again depending on when you're going. I wouldn't try to see both parks in a single day...especially the first time. You should take your time and see everything...not rush around trying to cram it all in. I guess you should tell us when you're going and we can go from there.

 

[mslclark]

Sounds like you may be going around August - Sept. if you got the bounceback special. I think onsite is the way to go, but if you're wanting to stay at Disney since you have free dining there are several options for transportation. Mears has a shuttle. I think if you do a search in this forum you'll find several threads that discuss transportation.

Actually, the drive from Disney to Universal is not bad - we avoid I-4 and go through Dr. Phillips. Been to many places where the traffic is much worse!

I'd say you need two days at least to experience both parks. You don't want to be so rushed that you don't enjoy yourself!

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

This will be our 1st trip to US/IOA, we at this time are staying at WDW and was planning on taking a taxi to US. Should we just cut the time short at WDW and stay on site at US ? Go with the taxi for 2 days or is 1 enough ? Our boys are 10 adn 7 and both love just about all the rides thrill or not. We do have the bounce back dining at WDW, so the meals there would be taken care of, for those of you that have been what would be the best plan of action ? Oh yeah, we really don't want to rent a car - the driving there is nuts. Thanks

It sounds like you'd definitely have to weigh some pros and cons.

Personally, I think the $$ spent going back and forth by taxi or other transportation would be better spent on staying on-site at Universal. That way you experience staying so close to the parks, unlimited Express access, etc. But then you'd have to pay for your meals.

 

[wwessing]

Actually, the drive from Disney to Universal is not bad - we avoid I-4 and go through Dr. Phillips. Been to many places where the traffic is much worse!

What's this?? We've always driven, and used I-4, and the traffic is always terrible, but we too have driven in much, much worse. What is this route you talk about?

I think we will be getting a map of Orlando this time, since we are doing quite a bit outside any of the parks.

 

[mslclark]

We exit Disney from Hotel Plaza Boulevard - at Crossroads. Turn left on to Apopka Vineland Road (State Route 535). Go approximately 5 miles and turn right on Wallace Road, it's the 3rd right past Sand Lake Road. (You can turn on Sand Lake, but it's much harder to make the next turn off Sand Lake, so DH uses Wallace.) Wallace Road will end into Turkey Lake Road, turn left. Take the next right into Universal!

It's about 7.5 miles from Crossroads to Hollywood Way (entrance to Universal).

 

[Metro West]

We exit Disney from Hotel Plaza Boulevard - at Crossroads. Turn left on to Apopka Vineland Road (State Route 535). Go approximately 5 miles and turn right on Wallace Road, it's the 3rd right past Sand Lake Road. (You can turn on Sand Lake, but it's much harder to make the next turn off Sand Lake, so DH uses Wallace.) Wallace Road will end into Turkey Lake Road, turn left. Take the next right into Universal!

It's about 7.5 miles from Crossroads to Hollywood Way (entrance to Universal).

There's a more direct way from LBV to Universal.

Take Apopka-Vineland to Palm Parkway...Palm Parkway turns into Turkey Lake. Stay on Turkey Lake past Dr. Phillips hospital and cross over Sand Lake Road. Make a right onto Hollywood Way and you're there.

 

[mslclark]

There's a more direct way from LBV to Universal.

Take Apopka-Vineland to Palm Parkway...Palm Parkway turns into Turkey Lake. Stay on Turkey Lake past Dr. Phillips hospital and cross over Sand Lake Road. Make a right onto Hollywood Way and you're there.

Thanks - you know DH has remarked that he thought Palm Parkway should run into there somewhere. I'll have to remember to tell him this.

ETA - i just checked that route, and it is a little shorter - about .2 mile shorter. Thanks!

 

[tlinus]

This will be our 1st trip to US/IOA, we at this time are staying at WDW and was planning on taking a taxi to US. Should we just cut the time short at WDW and stay on site at US ? Go with the taxi for 2 days or is 1 enough ? Our boys are 10 adn 7 and both love just about all the rides thrill or not. We do have the bounce back dining at WDW, so the meals there would be taken care of, for those of you that have been what would be the best plan of action ? Oh yeah, we really don't want to rent a car - the driving there is nuts. Thanks

One night onsite gives you two full days of FOTL access. I would personally add that as your last hotel night. Take a mears from your disney hotel to universal as early as possible, check in, then go to the parks. Next morning (depending on your return fllight time) checkout of the hotel, leave your bags with bell services, hit the parks again and go home. You really need 2 days to truly enjoy the parks. Even then you will be missing some stuff, but will at least hit all of the major rides. If it is possible give yourself two nights onsite to not have to rush around too much. There are plenty of hotel discounts going on, so if you give us your dates we can help you a bit more

 

[mas6010]

Thanks for everyones help , right now our dates are Sept 18-23, 08. This of course will depend on if I can get decent air, right now it is still too high. So the dates may vary a bit - not much though.
Right now we are thing that maybe staying at US is the way to go - we have been to WDW 2 other times but really want to try something new as this will most likely be our last time for awhile.

Thanks

 

[darrellynn]

WE ARE GOING TO UNIVERSAL, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, OCT 28 THU NOV 3 2008 STAYING THAT ROYAL HOTEL 7TH FLOOR, BRING THE GRANDKIDS, THEY WANT THE SEAWORLD AND DIS COVE, AND UNIVERSAL NO MORE MICKEY, THIS SITE HAS BEEN GREAT FOR FINDING OUT THINGS. SO HELP ME OUT, THIS IS THAT HORROR WEEK STUFF ARE THEY GOING TO GET REAL SCARED???? THANKYOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP AND HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

 

[KimWDW]

We're going to WDW in October, staying at Pop Century, going to Universal 2 days. We're going to rent a car because it pretty much equals the cost of taxi's for two days and we can keep the car all week and go out to dinner in non-Disney restaurants, etc.

 

[darrellynn]

WE WANT TO GET THE THING ONE AND THING TWO SHIRTS BEFORE WE GO ON OUR TRIP IN OCTOBER 2008/ BUT CANT SEEM TO FIND A WAY TO ORDER THEM LIKE WE DID OUR DISNEY SHIRTS AHEAD IF TIME. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY HINTS ON HOW TO GET THEM????THANKYOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP. FROM MISSOURI

 

[KimWDW]

You could try eBay.

 

[Metro West]

WE ARE GOING TO UNIVERSAL, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, OCT 28 THU NOV 3 2008 STAYING THAT ROYAL HOTEL 7TH FLOOR, BRING THE GRANDKIDS, THEY WANT THE SEAWORLD AND DIS COVE, AND UNIVERSAL NO MORE MICKEY, THIS SITE HAS BEEN GREAT FOR FINDING OUT THINGS. SO HELP ME OUT, THIS IS THAT HORROR WEEK STUFF ARE THEY GOING TO GET REAL SCARED???? THANKYOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP AND HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

Halloween Horror Nights is going on then but it's a night time event that requires a separate admission. They do not leave a lot of props and such out for the day guests to see so I doubt the kids will be scared. If the kids are under the age of about 12 or 13, I would not recommend going to HHN...it's WAY too intense for children. If you're looking to do something family friendly for Halloween, you should go to Sea World on 10/31...they have a kid friendly party that night with costumes, games and candy for all.

 

[darrellynn]

GOOD IDEA! WE WILL GO TO SEA WORLD FOR THR 31ST, THEY ARE TURNING 10 ON THIS TRIP BUT STILL GET SCARED EASILY SO SEA WORL WILL BE BETTER THANKS FOR THE HELP, FROM MISSOURI

 

[Metro West]

GOOD IDEA! WE WILL GO TO SEA WORLD FOR THR 31ST, THEY ARE TURNING 10 ON THIS TRIP BUT STILL GET SCARED EASILY SO SEA WORL WILL BE BETTER THANKS FOR THE HELP, FROM MISSOURI

Oh yeah...10 is WAY too young for HHN...they would be in therapy if you took them.

I think you'll really enjoy Sea World's party.

 

[darrellynn]

SO FAR WE HAVE SET A PLAN FOR SEA WORLD FOR THE 31ST BUT WE WE WONDERING WHAT IS A GOOD BIRTHDAY PLACE TO TAKE THE GRANDKIDS WHO ARE TURNING 10 ON THIS TRIP YOU KNOW GIRLS IT IS THAT IN BETWEEN AGE NOT A PRINCESS BUT NOT THE QUEEN YET??? ANY IDEAS???? LOVE FROM MISSOURI

 

[momandseandodisney]

Sounds like you may be going around August - Sept. if you got the bounceback special. I think onsite is the way to go, but if you're wanting to stay at Disney since you have free dining there are several options for transportation. Mears has a shuttle. I think if you do a search in this forum you'll find several threads that discuss transportation.

Actually, the drive from Disney to Universal is not bad - we avoid I-4 and go through Dr. Phillips. Been to many places where the traffic is much worse!

I'd say you need two days at least to experience both parks. You don't want to be so rushed that you don't enjoy yourself!

what is the bounceback offer?

 

[mill4023]

what is the bounceback offer?

Guests who went to Disney last year during the free dining time period were given the opportunity to book a package with free dining for fall, 2008. So basically, it's the free dining package, but to get it, you had to be staying at a Disney resort last August/September. Nobody knows for sure, but there are rumors that the free dining packages will be offered again for next fall for the general public.

As far as the OP's question, I'd definitely recommend staying onsite. Having FOTL is a great perk. Although I don't know how crowded the parks will be in September. I wouldn't think it would be bad.

The only concern I'd have is that your trip is only 5 days. To me, that's barely enough time to do Disney alone. Trying to do both Disney and Universal in that short time period sounds exhausting. I definitely think that if you do Universal, you need 2 days. Since you've never been there, you want to be able to take your time and see everything without being rushed.