1st timer-with 5 in family

[decaff38]

I am hoping and planning to take a family of 5 (3adults and 2 teens) from frozen Minnesota in Jan. 2005 to Disneyworld. I've come across the land/sea options for cruising with Disney. I can't seem to decide if it is more economical to buy the package or to book each piece separately. The piece I am most interested in are the hopper passes. Are they included in the package? What about transportation to the ship and back? Is it best to stay on Disney property or Universal's? All advise will be greatly appreciated.

 

[CGC33A]

check out www.mousesavers.com for all sorts of info on passes, hotel deals etc. It is a great site.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

decaff, welcome!

If you're not concerned with cost, book a package and let Disney handle all the details.
If you're a little more budget-minded, book everything seperately. There are lots of ways to save on hotels and passes.

If you book a package, Ultimate Park Hopper passes will be included, but those are only good for the length of your stay.

If you are only going to Disney, definitely stay on Disney property. Universal is a bit of a drive, nothing that can't be done for a day trip, but I wouldn't want to do it every morning and every evening to see the Disney parks.

Hope this helps.

 

[decaff38]

We are hoping to see both disney and universal in 4 days and then cruise for 4 days. Where can you get discounted 4 day hopper passes? I think I can get pretty good room rates through priceline and get a car rental with discounts. What about Universal tickets? My children are 24,17, and 15. Mickey stuff won't be their cup of tea. I am a true beginner with all the planning stuff but am a big quality bargain hunter. Thanks for steering me towards the separate package pieces. Now I will regroup and get focused. Our plan is early January 05. I need to work around my son's college schedule. He will graduate in May 05 as a registered nurse and I've always promised to take him to WDW. Need to be true to my promise. Love him tons!! Thanks so much.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

switch to "Caff" if your going to try to do all that!!! I would pick one or the other and the cruise, or extend your time, stay onsite at WDW for at least 3 days, then stay onsite at Universal, then do the cruise, rmember, you will spend alot of time traveling, Check out the Swan or Dolphin at Disney, you can get great rates, and the kids will love the boardwalk area.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

If you haven't taken a look at Mousesavers.com yet, definitely do so. Very basic style site, but lots of good info and ideas about how, where and when discounts are available in or around WDW.

Since you've decided how you're going to plan your trip, let me make another suggestion. Download or print out maps/lists of all the attractions at both WDW and Universal. Gather the family and let everyone decided what they would like to do/see. That will give you a good idea of how many days you'll need where. As ClarabelleCow stated, you'll spend a lot of time traveling if you pick just one place to stay and have to commute back and forth.