advice/help/starting place

[DonaldnDaisy5]

My sister called and wants to plan on taking the little kids to disney/universal on the cheap this summer.

Off-site because she is most concerned about cost and is positive that will be cheaper (especially doing both Disney and universal)

3 adults (myself and two sisters), 2 nieces (21 & 27), possibly nephew 22, and my 3 kids -10, 9, & 4...then the kids who've never been 5, 1, 1, & 3.

Any off sites resorts you like? Where to get tickets? AAA?

I've never done universal but she and the older kids have. This is out of my comfort zone, I like the Disney bubble however we used to go with my dad and stay off site all the time...

 

[ldo]

I like the Seaworld area--easy access to WDW and Univ. We have stayed at all Marriott properties in that area. All are fine.
It is cheaper to just do WDW, as day 4+ are only a few dollars more for each day. Univ. is $100 for the day--so add $100PP over 2 to your cost. We eat at resort, take snacks and water with us, split lunches and then eat at the room or cheaper nearby. There is a KFC in the SW area. Residence Inn at SW has a full kitchen.
also, We have taken our kids at 1, 4, and 5 to Univ. Univ. is OK for the 3-6 age range, but, IMHO, WDW is much better for smaller kids.

 

[DonaldnDaisy5]

I completely agree...but trying to keep the 21 happy she is a harry potter nut and sister wants/needs her help with all of her young grandchildren she wants to take...my kids are closer in age to my great nieces and nephews then my nieces and nephews. I was an opps!

 

[mmkk]

You might want to check into renting a condo or home with that many people. It may end up being cheaper than trying to get a few rooms in order to fit everyone. There are several homes that are 4 bedrooms that are roughly $150-$200 a night (you might can even find cheaper homes). Then you have a full kitchen so that you can cut some costs by eating there. As far as the tickets go, that's prime season so I don't know what kind of deals you can get on them. But you can always check Undercover Tourist to see if they have anything cheaper.

There is plenty at Universal/IoA for everyone to enjoy and I don't think that a two day ticket costs a whole lot more than a one day ticket so you might want to consider that as an option. But, IMO, IoA is the better of the two parks, which is where Wizardry World of Harry Potter is and there is plenty there for little ones as well.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

If I am adding this up correctly, you need a room (or group of rooms) for 4/5 adults and 6 children (2 are infants)...coming to a sleeping needs of 10+ people.

I don't know the area as we've only made one trip, but for our family of 7, we are getting the rental townhouse. I looked at multiple low price hotels (choicehotels, motel6, ichotels, hampton...) for multiple rooms. The cheaper price on the listing usually added up to a week for $1500 for more than one room. If you go the homeaway/vrbo route, you would need more like a 4 bedroom house. Many of these places count the under age 3 group (unlike Disney).



Looking at the attractions, I'm not sure how much the little kids would enjoy US, but at least there is not a ticket cost for them. Just ensure it's worked out before hand..who will sit with the little ones in the strollers so there are no hard feelings.

Sit down with her and find out how much money she truly wants to spend on the lodging, amenities...Even a place with free shuttle may leave you wishing for your own (or a rental) vehicle or in need of a taxi at the end of the night. Add in a need for carseats, and this could be very problematic.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I would consider splitting up a couple days. As mentioned, perhaps the little ones don't go to Universal at all. There is no reason all 10 of you need to do everything together.