4 days left til Orlando - Pre Trip report

[ahoyle]

Never done this before, but thought it might help waste away some time before I start my drive to Orlando (from Charlotte) on Friday.

Basics:
My fiance and I, along with my 5 yr old son are going down, and meeting our friends from GA, another couple with a 5 yr old son. We (my son and I, along with ex) traveled to Disney with them back 4 years ago. My son has been fortunate enough to have been to Disney 3 times and Sea World once so far, but this will be our first trip to Universal. He's a theme park veteran at this point, and is a trooper with early mornings, late nights, and the whole thing. Looking forward to an offseason trip with earlier closing hours, so the trip should be easy for him and us.

Plans/Schedule: (I am an overplanner, like a lot on this board I assume!)

Friday: Begin journey late afternoon, stopping for night in Savannah.

Saturday: Arrive in Orlando midday. Hopefully getting an early check in at Vistana. Regardless, hopefully be in Sea World by 2:30 to 3. Hopefully knock out 1 or 2 big shows and some rides. To me splitting Sea World into 1.5 days makes life so much easier. If you can knock out Believe in the half day, its so easy to schedule the rest, and not have to rush through exhibits.

Sunday: Back to Seaworld. Depending on previous day, may get in Aquatica as well, but probably not.

Monday: Islands of Adventure

Tuesday: Busch Gardens or Aquatica

Wednesday: Which ever we didnt do on Tuesday (waiting on weather)

Thursday: Universal Studios

Friday: US or IOA. I assume IOA will be the bigger hit with us, but just waiting to see which we would all rather do again.

So, any suggestions from anyone? We plan to hit up T REX Cafe one night, only must do restaurant for us. Surprised I couldnt get an ADR there, but did think about it til last week. I am pretty familiar with Seaworld, Aquatica, and BG as a passholder, but I havent been to Universal since the early 90s. Really looking forward to it. Is Mythos a can't miss restaurant at US? Any others the kids might like? I'm thinking my son just might want to eat at all the Marvel places there!

 

[Lou Holtz]

Sounds like an awesome plan. Can't wait to hear how it works out. For me, a trip to IOA isn't complete without eating at Mythos, so I would certainly plan on going there.

 

[Larrabe]

I've only been to Disney, so I can't offer any suggestions, but I hope you and your family have a wonderful time!! And I'm impressed--four days before a vacation, I'm usually buried by a massive to-do list.

Looking forward to hearing more!

 

[xApril]

Have a great time! I always recommend the Horror Make-Up Show, but I guess it'd probably depend on if you think the 5 year olds would be scared. It's more funny than it is scary, but there are some moments that may bother them. Either way, have a blast!

 

[Dismom+two]

Have a great time!! I will be there next week with my family as well.

 

[wilma-bride]

Hope you have a great trip. As far as suggestions go, it might be worth eating at Nascar one day - my 6 year old really wanted to eat there last trip but we just coulnd't fit it in. Mythos is great - the adults loved it but my DS was underwhelmed, to say the least.

One of the highlights of my DS' day at IOA was in the splash zone next to Jurassic Park River Adventure. He loved just standing there, waiting for the boats to come down and soak him - his face when he heard the 'boom' was an absolute picture Having said that, not sure if it will be warm enough when you go or if you will want to encourage them to get that wet

 

[ahoyle]

Thanks! We definitely will check out the Horror make up show. My little guy is pretty good about that stuff. Rode Dinosaur and Tower of Terror when he was 4! So he should be ok.

We might check out Nascar cafe. I've eaten at one once in Vegas I think. I bet they don't have the beer tower in Orlando!