back to the room for a swim?

[countingmomma]

We're at PBH June 25-29, dh,ds (13), dd (8), and me. Will we need to plan to spend all our time in the park - 3 full days? or is it realistic to think we might have (or need) some time at the pool in the afternoon? When we've been at wdw during summer (or extended hours), we'd spend mornings and early afternoons at the park, retreat to the hotel for the hot part of the afternoon (hopefully avoiding the afternoon thunderstorm), and return to the park around 5 or 6 when the locals were hot and leaving for the day. Does that plan work for US/IOA? Thanks.

 

[ky07]

We're at PBH June 25-29, dh,ds (13), dd (8), and me. Will we need to plan to spend all our time in the park - 3 full days? or is it realistic to think we might have (or need) some time at the pool in the afternoon? When we've been at wdw during summer (or extended hours), we'd spend mornings and early afternoons at the park, retreat to the hotel for the hot part of the afternoon (hopefully avoiding the afternoon thunderstorm), and return to the park around 5 or 6 when the locals were hot and leaving for the day. Does that plan work for US/IOA? Thanks.

Sounds like a good plan to me cause we are going in July and staying onsite and are planning on doing the same thing

 

[Kimberle]

With FOTL access, you won't be waiting in those long lines..... You'll have PLENTY of time for swiming at your resort!

 

[donaldduck352]

Don't forget you can pool hop!

 

[Disneyhappy]

We are early risers so we are at the parks by opening even though we have FOTL. We get so much accomplished in the mornings that by lunch time we are able to spend every afternoon at the pool. We head back to the parks or CW or both in the evenings. Compared to WDW this is totally doable. I also don't feel as exhausted at Universal as when I visit WDW. I think the difference is that WDW is so spread out that travel time to and from parks/locations is acutally a big chunk of time. (Getting to the bus stop, waiting, getting on the bus, travel time, walking time from the bus stops to the park gates.... The walk from HRH to the Studios is probably shorter than the walk from MK bus stop to the entrance gates.) I love WDW but I prefer the size and compactness(?) of what USF has to offer. Everything is within walking distance if you so choose or a brief boatride away. A few years ago, I felt very comfortable letting my DS and nephew, both 13 years old, the freedom to roam around on their own at USF for several hours at a time (as long as they had their cell phones handy and checked in with us). I did not let them do that at WDW on that trip, even though my DS could have written a tourbook on WDW at the time! This summer we are taking DS, niece and nephew who will all be 16 years old for four nights. They are responsible kids and will be given total freedom and independence (with curfews) while we are at USF, again, because they do not have to get in any type of automobile and we can get to any area of the resort within 10 minutes by walking or boat. Can you imagine how much fun they are going to have!!!!
I think three days will allow you to enjoy everything that USF (including PBH) has to offer! Have a wonderful time with your family!

 

[countingmomma]

Woo hoo, thanks for the encouragement. But it sounds like ds will end up wishing for a friend his age.

 

[Kimberle]

Woo hoo, thanks for the encouragement. But it sounds like ds will end up wishing for a friend his age.

There are always lots of kids around. They have a way of making friends easily. Bet he'll find some kids to play with at the pool.

 

[damo]

Woo hoo, thanks for the encouragement. But it sounds like ds will end up wishing for a friend his age.

If he hangs around the beach volleyball area or the water slide, he'll probably find some more 13 year old boys.

 

[DanielG]

That sounds exactly like our plan this time around. We're going to be there for 4 full days and 2 half days, with one day out for the beach, so for three days, our plan is to hit one park early, express line it all the way, then go swim, nap, etc..., then hit the other park plus CW around 5 or so. The parks appear to be staying open until 10pm during our stay this time around, so with express we should have no problem getting everything in plus getting plenty of relaxation time.

Daniel