Are we overdoing it??

[Daysleeper40]

Again, thanks for the input.

UKDEB - you never said whether you think we are planning too much?

We are actually just over the road from Wet n Wild in our hotel - we plan to get to parks early and then have a rest in the afternoon (maybe by hotel pool / maybe hop over to wet n wild) before going out in the evening.

If we were not going to Discovery Cover we would have got the 5 park flex ticket specifically to go to Busch Gardens because we both agree that it looks right up our street.

The cinema thing - my other half is absolutely mad on films and really wants to experience an american cinema trip, which is fine by me for one evening.

I know you all love Disney and MK (this is afterall a Disney message board!) but it just doesn't come top of the list for us. As I have said if we want to go while we are there and have time we will use one our spare days.

Maybe I should re-phrase the original question - If you substitute one of the Sea world days for a trip to MK, do you think we are planning too much?

(oh and Aliand boyz - when I say sea world / typhoon lagoon I mean one or the other, not both, but thanks for the good advice)

 

[Ali and boyz]

Again, thanks for the input.

(oh and Aliand boyz - when I say sea world / typhoon lagoon I mean one or the other, not both, but thanks for the good advice)

opps sorry, shows you how well I read it

however you could do both if you went to typhoon lagoon in the morning as seaworld is lovely at night when they do the nightly shows but then we love seaworld

 

[Daysleeper40]

opps sorry, shows you how well I read it

however you could do both if you went to typhoon lagoon in the morning as seaworld is lovely at night when they do the nightly shows but then we love seaworld

Don't apologise - any and all advice is welcome!

That is actually a very good idea I had not thought of... I was thinking parks during the day, eating out / dinner shows etc in the evening.

I'm fairly sure that Sea World is going to be my favourite place so I should probably pay a visit in the evening as well!

Thankyou - we probably will be doing that!

 

[Daysleeper40]

Although will it be open late in september?

 

[Lisash]

What no MK!

My thoughts exactly. It really would be a shame to go all that way and not pay MK a visit. I know you said it isn't top of your list but I would really try there is honestly nothing quite like the first time you stand at the top of Main Street. I am also with the others on the amount of time you have allcocated to Seaworld being a bit much. There is lots to see but as it's not a vast park you can easily get round it all quite quickly with carefull planning we have seen all the shows etc in just a day

 

[Ali and boyz]

Although will it be open late in september?

Yes and they do the Dolphin show all lite up its fab. there is another show they do to at night but can't remember.

so is Epcot at night. fireworks are around 9 and its truely worth going to see.

 

[UKDEB]

UKDEB - you never said whether you think we are planning too much?

I think this is probably said tongue in cheek, but since you ask :

No, I don't think you're trying to fit in too much. Orlando is full-on, fast-paced fun so you need to cram it all in to do it justice. You do need to accept, though, that you will feel tired and that you might find you have to drop a few things from your plans once you're there. Do take time to stop and smell the roses or you'll come home feeling it all went by in a whirl. Take advantage of the jet-lag during the first few mornings, when you'll be awake at the crack of dawn, to get to the parks and get some of your must-do attractions under your belts.

The cinema at Downtown Disney is no longer state of the art. You'll find it no different to those in major cities in the UK. There are some better options in the area, though, if your other half is really set on the idea.

I do love Disney and MK, but I also love Universal, Sea World and the Orlando area in general. You've clearly done your homework and have a firm idea of what you want to do, which is a good thing. Be prepared to be surprised by the scale and impact of Walt Disney World. Reading in a guidebook that it's the size of Manhattan doesn't really have much meaning until you get there (even if you've been to Manhattan). Much of WDW property is still undeveloped. It has six-lane highways running through it (i.e. like our motorways). It's just so hard to comprehend if you've never been. I'm not trying to persuade you to change your plans, just suggesting that you might get more from your trip by keeping an open mind and it certainly seems that's what you intend to do.

 

[Ali and boyz]

slightly off track a bit but I found Animal Kingdom to be the most exhausting park.

 

[fuse04]

We went (dw & DD 7) for 6 days last year for our first visit and did MGM, AK, SW, DC, DTD & MK 2 days. I would suggest you do as much as you can fit in but remember to stop and rest when it stops being fun!I didn't do disney nor theme parks and LOVED IT, REALLY, REALLY LOVED IT.
I enjoy doing all the research and all the planning but DW gets a bit fed up with me going on about it all the time.

This is our plan for April May (hope you donlt mind me sharing it with you all

1) arrive AKL, (Boma) Bed
2) Epcot (Le Cellier)
3) AK (Jiko)
4) Blizzard Beach (Boma)
5) Hotel/ DTD (Boma b/fast and Boma)
6) Disney Studios (Mama Melrose Fantasmic)
7) Universal studios (Boma)
8) MAY 4Th MY BIRTHDAY

Change hotels to Wilderness lodge
Magic Kingdom (Crystal Palace b/fast & Whispering Canyon) Wishes
9) Hotel/Epcot (San Angel)
10) Typhoon Lagonn (Ohana)
11) Magic Kingdom (Chef Mickey)
12) Seaworld (Californian Grill)
13) IOA (Whispering Canyon)
14) ? (Artist Point)
15) up early, get rid of bags at DTD check in, part day at MK)

If we run out of steam we will just change the plans to suit. However at the water parks we will be taking it easy, can spend several hours sitting down at 'shows' at MGM and SW also has some big shows.

Ps I am a 41 yo father

Fuse04

 

[jen_uk]

If you could I would change your Wet and Wild days to days at either BB or TL, W n W has always looked a bit tacky and run down to me, its like a water-park you get in Spain, whereas the theming at BB or Tl is superb, its like spending time in a tropical oasis!


I know this is a Disney board so maybe we are biased but we can't stress enough how wonderful MK and Epcot really are, as Deb said there is a reason why they are the number one parks in Orlando! People often think that Disney is for kids and Universal is for adults and thats really not the case. WDW is spectacular, the attention to detail, theming, firework shows etc are amazing. Universal has the big rides but it has nowhere near the wow factor that WDW has.

 

[Daysleeper40]

I think this is probably said tongue in cheek, but since you ask :

.. it was...

but thanks anyway!

OH is definately dead set on the cinema experience - the reason I wanted to do it at Downtown Disney is so we can have dinner there before or after the film. Which opens up a whole new can of worms... where is best to eat at DTD? You're never going to get a definitive answer about these things as the experience is different for everyone! I completely agree with you on one thing though - we will be going with an open mind and I'm sure we will have a brilliant time whatever we end up doing.

fuse04 - your plan looks great to me, not that I can comment with any kind of authority! I'm with you on the water park days - these are supposed to be relaxed days for us as well.

 

[lochy691]

I know I'm only repeating what others have said but 3 days at Seaworld is an awful lot. At that time of year there will be hardly any queues (you've chosen a great time) and you'll do everything comfortably in 2 days. I love the sea life but there is only so much you can see.

The other thing I would say is that you should look very carefuly at what there is at US verses MGM. In my book they are similar with MGM the poorer if you're not interested in the Disney shows like Beauty and the Beast. The stunt shows, back lot tours etc are pretty much the same.

As someone else said though, do what you want it's your vacation (but how you could consider missing MK is beyond me!!!!)

 

[xmasinorlando]

I'll let you into a little secret On our 'once in a lifetime trip' in 2005, with 4 children, we didn't do AK or MK

We did do Epcott (brilliant), MGM, SW, DC, IOA & US.

We loved every minute and didn't feel we had missed out by not going to MK... or did we ... Check out Ticker ... we're going back

This time getting the 7 day base ($207), so we can do all the parks and favourite twice, will also do US & IOA again, but not SW,DC or waterparks ... giving me another excuse to book again

I think your itinery is great (?3x SW) and it doesn't have to be rigid.

Have a lovely time and enjoy every minute I know we did.

 

[homerdog]

I would definitely choose MK or Epcot over MGM, the atmosphere and ambience seems so much better in those - MGM is just a run-of-the-mill park IMO (albeit with a couple of good rides).

 

[Minniespal]

where is best to eat at DTD?

Do you prefer table service or counter service restaurants. My vote for table service would go to Fultons Crab House. Pricey but certainly worth it IMO if you love seafood. Raglan Road, Portabello Yacht Club and Rain Forrest Cafe are also good too.

 

[**Laura**]

I can't imagine a trip without going to MK, its the first place I go when i arrive and usually the last before I leave! Do you have hopper tickets? If so I'd go to MK even if its just to walk down main street and see the castle.

As others have said I maybe wouldn't spend as much time at SW.

You will have a great trip whatever you end up doing. I plan religiously before every trip and there is always atleast one day where we dont stick to the plan. Don't be suprised if you find yourself colapsed in bed with sore feet one night by 9pm lol.

 

[Daysleeper40]

I'll let you into a little secret On our 'once in a lifetime trip' in 2005, with 4 children, we didn't do AK or MK

We did do Epcott (brilliant), MGM, SW, DC, IOA & US.

We loved every minute and didn't feel we had missed out by not going to MK... or did we ... Check out Ticker ... we're going back

This time getting the 7 day base ($207), so we can do all the parks and favourite twice, will also do US & IOA again, but not SW,DC or waterparks ... giving me another excuse to book again

I think your itinery is great (?3x SW) and it doesn't have to be rigid.

Have a lovely time and enjoy every minute I know we did.

Thanks xmasinorlando - I don't feel like such a leper for not wanting to go to MK now!

As long as people don't think we have planned to much I am happy - that was my original question.

 

[Soprano]

You could choose a Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure day as the evening you go to the cinema. They have 20 screens or something and there are a few decent places to eat at Universal Boardwalk. Its just another option to keep in mind if you fancy the cinema, but are too far from Disney.

 

[susieh]

You mentioned you can spend a whole weekend at Marwell and so you want to do 3 days at Sea World to see the animals. I can understand how you can spend a whole weekend at Marwell (we live in Portsmouth so it isnt far from us) but I really feel 2 days at SW will be enough especially if you are doing DC.

Last year we did the Trainer for a Day package at DC and it was brilliant - if you love animals I would say do that and skip one day at SW.

I would also say give Wet n Wild a miss and spend the time at TL or BB. We spend 4 days in the water parks on a 2 week trip - there's nothing like it here or anywhere else we have been.

You say you plan on doing the parks in the day so you can have a nice meal out in the evening. You will miss so much by doing that - there are some great restaurants in the parks and that way you can see the shows and enjoy the ambience of the lights etc too.

We first went in 1992 when our sons were 8 and 11. We were spending 12 hours a day in the theme parks and still didnt see everything - hence we've now been 8 times so I think you are right to fit in as much as you can on this trip, after all you can rest when you get home

 

[Ali and boyz]

.. it was...

where is best to eat at DTD? You're never going to get a definitive answer about these things as the experience is different for everyone!

all great .

trying more out this year

we got a shock at the prices and choice in Portabello Yacht Club there was only one couple in the place (july too) and there was nothing that suited our sons so we sneaked out