2.5 Days vs. 3 Days - Will it Make a Difference?

[eliezra]

Our family with two 12 year old boys are staying at RPR starting Thur 4/19 - Sat 4/21. We will then get on a cruise in Fort Lauderdale on Sun 4/22. I am debating whether we should stay on-site at CBBR on Saturday night or drive to FLL hotel (3 hours away) or even in-between Orlando and FLL to break-up the drive.

The parks close at 7pm/8pm on Thursday and both parks close at 6pm on Friday. So, I feel like those will be short days. Will we need a full-day on Saturday (parks close at 8pm/10pm)? I was hoping to take pool breaks in the afternoons on Thur/Fri, but we may not have time given the park hours.

I just can't decide if staying an extra night on-site and staying in the parks until close on Saturday is worth having to drive 3 hours on Sunday morning. I am not familiar with Florida traffic. I am also not sure how easy it is to live out of bell hop on check-out day while you are in the parks.

Anyone have any thoughts for me to consider to help make this decision? What would you do? Thanks so much!

 

[christophfam]

My drive to Orlando is seven hours and I drive it often. Three hours would be nothing to me. I do understand worrying about driving the morning of for a cruise though. If it were me, I’d drive to fll after the parks close Saturday night. Then you’re were you need to be when you wake in the morning which would cut down on the stress. I95 can be a nightmare at times. At least the part I’m familiar with which is the northern fl section so just asssuming it’s the same further south.

Checkout of your hotel and leave your bags with guest services or in your car Saturday. You can pack a small bag with swimsuits and a change of clothes and leave them in the lockers at the fitness center in case you want a pool break Saturday. You can change and shower off there as well. It is a very nice facility at rpr.

Not sure how much pool time you’ll have thurs. First day there you’ll probably want to stay in the parks. Then with the short park hours you may not have time Friday either. Saturday will bring more crowds and longer hours so that may just be when you need that pool break. I’d definitely stay as long as you’re comfortable with Saturday. You can sleep when you get home! One covet - set your hotel time to leave now. Or you look at your watch all day thinking well maybe we should leave now... a bit of a downer. Has happened to me as I’ve made my drive home after being in the parks that day.

Sounds like a great trip. Have fun!

 

[eliezra]

Thanks Christophfam for your excellent thoughts! I think you made a terrific point about deciding on an exit time prior to our last day in the parks, I know I would be looking at the time all day wondering when we should hit the road.

I am not sure we would be able to drive to Fort Lauderdale after park close, especially after being in the sun all day (we don't get a lot of that in Wisconsin!). At the same time, I hate to cut our Universal trip short, especially with the early closing hours on Thur & Fri. I guess if this is the worst dilemma of our entire trip, I have nothing to stress about! Just need to decide if we should stay in Orlando, FLL or somewhere in-between and move on.

I like your idea about packing up the car on Saturday and then keeping swimsuits and a few items in the lockers at the fitness center for a swim break mid-day, I knew you can use the pool on check-out day, but didn't realize you could store stuff in the Fitness Center lockers, thanks!