4 nights International Drive, what can we fit in!

[Claire Bear]

Right, following the thread about tickets and the fact prices will increase soon ish I need some advice about what DBF and I can realistically fit in. We arrive on Fri night on 16th August and have 4 nights at SpringHill suites then move to YC on the Tuesday. We definitely want to do IOAand SeaWorld then maybe Aquatica or Discovery Cove but there's Universal too, we could do something on the Tuesday as we won't be able to check in to YC till the afternoon. What do you guys feel are the must do's? I have been to universal and SeaWorld in 2005, DBF has never been to USA. Thank you

 

[scoobydooby]

If you buy a Discovery Cove ticket you get Sea World and Aquatica thrown in. So that would be three days and you could do Sea World or Aquatica twice. I am not good to advise on Universal have only been twice. Not my cup of tea. That said if you're a Potter fan that part of IofA is cool. So JMHO, I would do the three park Discovery Cove option and go to a Mall on the Tuesday prior to checking in at the Yacht Club. Or just use the YC Pool prior to your room becoming available. They will let you do that.

 

[Kath2003]

Universal and IOA definitely - not least since Sea World and DC are very easily accessible by direct bus from WDW (TTC & DTD) whereas Universal and Islands are more of a pain in the butt to get to. The Universal Parks are a must for adults IMO.

 

[Claire Bear]

Good point. We didn't even have discovery cove on our list of things we wanted to do as we don't particularly want to swim with dolphins, but then some people have said it was the best day of their holiday and it does look amazing.

 

[chmurf]

we could do something on the Tuesday as we won't be able to check in to YC till the afternoon.

Sorry if my question seems daft, but why aren't you able to check in until the afternoon ?
Do you have something you need to do in the morning, or are you just sticking to the "rules" that say check in time is at 3pm ?

You can always do early check in. All you need to do is do Online Check In for YC (used to be 10 days prior to arrival, but it seems that it's going to be extended to 60 days due to the new system) and select the earliest time you want to check in.
When we have our first nights offiste, we always select to check in at 8am. And each time our room was ready
The 3PM line really tells you that you are not guaranteed to get your room before 3PM, but they will do all they can to get your room ready before that if you so request (during online check in)

worst case scenario, your room is not ready, and you have to leave your bags with the Concierge or Baggage Service (and can also arrange to have them deliver to your room once it's ready)
you'll get your room keys and can be sent a text message with your room number once it's ready, but you would already have your park tickets and your dining plan credits (if you have any)

I might be totally off topic here, since you might have good reason not to want to go to YC before 3PM, but if it's only a matter of what's written on your booking confirmation, then note that you can check in early. As early as you wish actually (unless YC has a different policy than the rest of WDW hotels, or if the new system has taken that perk off ... it's worth checking it you still can)

 

[Claire Bear]

Sorry if my question seems daft, but why aren't you able to check in until the afternoon ?
Do you have something you need to do in the morning, or are you just sticking to the "rules" that say check in time is at 3pm ?

You can always do early check in. All you need to do is do Online Check In for YC (used to be 10 days prior to arrival, but it seems that it's going to be extended to 60 days due to the new system) and select the earliest time you want to check in.
When we have our first nights offiste, we always select to check in at 8am. And each time our room was ready
The 3PM line really tells you that you are not guaranteed to get your room before 3PM, but they will do all they can to get your room ready before that if you so request (during online check in)

worst case scenario, your room is not ready, and you have to leave your bags with the Concierge or Baggage Service (and can also arrange to have them deliver to your room once it's ready)
you'll get your room keys and can be sent a text message with your room number once it's ready, but you would already have your park tickets and your dining plan credits (if you have any)

I might be totally off topic here, since you might have good reason not to want to go to YC before 3PM, but if it's only a matter of what's written on your booking confirmation, then note that you can check in early. As early as you wish actually (unless YC has a different policy than the rest of WDW hotels, or if the new system has taken that perk off ... it's worth checking it you still can)

Oh! Thank you. I was just going on what I read that check in was 3pm. We haven't planned any ADR's or anything on check in day so I guess we can decide nearer the time. I'm not very good at making decisions! Can you tell?!! Haha.