Any suggestions re my combined Universal/Disney itinerary?

[rolshan]

Am too scared to ask on disney boards... We are a family of 5, with a 13 yo, fearless 8 yo and a 1 yo. (Yes, I know, a teenager and a toddler...). Any thoughts or suggestions (we will be staying at Universal):
8/25 arrive, probably go to one of the Universal parks for late afternoon and grab dinner at Citywalk
8/26 Discovery Cove
8/27 Universal or IOA
8/28 Universal or IOA in morning, PPP party at MK in evening
8/29 Seaworld
8/30 AK
8/31 Blizzard Beach
9/1 Epcot, dinner at Marrakesh, Illuminations
9/2 AK
9/3 Typhoon Lagoon
9/4 MK, CRT breakfast
9/5 Universal or IOA
9/6 DS, Hollywood and Vine dinner, Fantasmic
9/7 MK again most likely, or repeat another favorite
9/8 leave

As you can see I have tried to do non-Disney stuff in the first, busier week. Have not made many ADRs, may return back to the hotel or Citywalk for dinner most nights

 

[dsmom]

not sure if this helps or not but my mom took us to disney the end of August last year and it was dead. School starts here in Florida the 20th of August this year so it should not be too busy.
We've done seaworld a lot and not sure if you need a full day for it. Also be prepared for the heat at AK!! It is hotter than any place I have ever been and I was born and raised in Florida.
Where are you staying at Universal? We've been to all the disney resorts and had our first stay last December at Royal Pacific- it is now our all time favorite resort.

 

[rolshan]

Thanks, staying at Portofino, can't wait!

 

[robvia]

With that much time it won't matter.

So you're staying at the PBH the entire time and driving over to Disney each day? Are you renting a car or taking limos each day?

I tell most to put the Universal part of the trip at the end, because you'll be spoiled with FOTL. But lines will be short at the end of August, even with the holiday weekend.

Also, your Discovery Cove pass will get you 7 days at Seaworld. For a few bucks more, you can add Busch Gardens Tampa. I'd add a night time visit to SWF to see the final Shamu show. SWF is really a 1.5 day park.

 

[rolshan]

Thanks. We intend to drive, and if we need to split up whoever has the baby will drive and the other group will grab a taxi. Evening with Shamu is an idea, which means moving the Seaworld day as we wouldn't do two late nights in a row, so it can't be after PPP....

 

[mommiepoppins]

not sure if this helps or not but my mom took us to disney the end of August last year and it was dead. School starts here in Florida the 20th of August this year so it should not be too busy.
We've done seaworld a lot and not sure if you need a full day for it. Also be prepared for the heat at AK!! It is hotter than any place I have ever been and I was born and raised in Florida.
Where are you staying at Universal? We've been to all the disney resorts and had our first stay last December at Royal Pacific- it is now our all time favorite resort.

I thought it was just me and my dh regarding ak. It was so hot! My family and I have refused to go back the last 3 x. My dd have begged us and dh and I are like no way. I would consider it in NOV

 

[loribell]

I thought it was just me and my dh regarding ak. It was so hot! My family and I have refused to go back the last 3 x. My dd have begged us and dh and I are like no way. I would consider it in NOV

Go to AK for opening and get out by noon or 1. It does get extremely hot there but even in June, July and August we still go and enjoy our favorite Disney park.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Go to AK for opening and get out by noon or 1. It does get extremely hot there but even in June, July and August we still go and enjoy our favorite Disney park.

My favorite WDW park too! We went in December so didnt notice the heat but thanks for the tip!

 

[Planogirl]

I like to hit Animal Kingdom early and save the Lion King show and It's Tough to be a Bug until last. They relax me.

I like your plan but then I enjoy jumping around a bit when I can. Have you been to Portofino? It's so lovely! Don't forget to save time for pool hopping. I recommend checking out the pools at the Royal Pacific and the Hard Rock, particularly the Hard Rock. Take the shuttle boat and relax.

 

[loribell]

My favorite WDW park too! We went in December so didnt notice the heat but thanks for the tip!

You are most welcome! We were there in December last year too. It sure was a lot cooler!

 

[astonrickenbach]

I always like using the unofficial guide by sehlinger to help on stuff like this