Best tip for newbie planning upcoming vacation to visit US and IoA

[jesszac610]

Hello!
While being new to this board, it didn't take me too long to figure out that you people really know your way around these two parks. So, for a newbie like me, I'd love for all of you to share your best tip for touring the parks, it could be anything from staying on site to what's the best/cheapest way to feed a family of six. Any and all input will be greatly appreciated! Thanks to all!

 

[bubba's mom]

best thing i've gotten from here (& DBIL=Fla. resident) is to stay onsite. Nuthin' beats it (& I'm countin on it ) ...oh yeah, and eat at Mythos and Margaritaville

 

[robvia]

Welcome aboard.
We get these questions a lot, so I made web pages to answer them.

My biggest tips are to stock a cooler, eat breakfast in the hotel room, and to arrive the parks early, even if you stay on site.

Here's my page talking about stocking a cooler.
http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm

If you can't afford to stay onsite, then check out this page.
http://www.nogodforme.com/offsite.htm

 

[cbdmhgp]

definitely stay onsite!! in the end you will love to be able to ride the rides over and over again instead of waiting for hours for one ride. then when you get tired, you can just walk back to the hotel to rest to get ready for another go at the park!!

second tip: if you have it, use a AAA auto card for discounts at the various stores, restaurants and even some hotel rooms!! it adds up for us at the end!!

 

[jesszac610]

you guys are awesome! Thanks ! Keep those tips coming!!!!

 

[goofie4goofy]

After many trips to USO at different times of the year, I have to agree with the others. Staying on site is the best and #1 tip. It doesn't matter how crowded the parks are, with the FOTL pass, you just breeze on every attraction. We have been to USO during spring break, we actually were told we got the last room available in all on site hotels at the HRH. It was also during Mardi Gras, which attracts lots of Fla res. Since we were staying on site, we were not affected at all by the crowds. The only thing that is affected is the more popular restaurants.

My other tip, which goes hand in hand with tip #1 is to relax and enjoy the hotel. Since you do not have to rush thru the parks, you can really stop and enjoy all the fun stuff in the parks and still have plenty of time to get back to the hotel and relax. The hotels are a vacation on their own, and you will feel like you are a million miles away from a theme park. You will come back from this vacation relaxed and refreshed.

So enjoy the best of both, you don't have to get up extra early to beat the crowds. You can ride your favs as many times as you wish to and still have plenty of time to go back to the hotel and enjoy the beautifil pools and a tropical drink

 

[jesszac610]

Okay, the vote is in we'll stay onsite, now how do I get any discounts for room(s). I heard AAA is one way, any others?????

 

[Foladar]

Okay, the vote is in we'll stay onsite, now how do I get any discounts for room(s). I heard AAA is one way, any others?????

there's AAA, annual pass holder (APH)

 

[bubba's mom]

if you use AAA or APH, that's better than "rack rate". If you figure the AAA or APH rate vs. off-site (cheaper and NO FOTL), then you buy express passes and park....you're paying the same amount, if not MORE, money than staying onsite w/ AAA or APH. (btw, only 1 person in your party needs the APH to qualify for APH discount).

 

[Motherfletcher]

The best tip I can give is to arrive at the park's turnstile at least a half hour before the park opens. This holds true at almost every theme park.

 

[MsDisney]

The best tip I can give is to arrive at the park's turnstile at least a half hour before the park opens. This holds true at almost every theme park.

I agree!!! Of course, it's more important during the busy times....go early, and by noon or two or so, head back to the hotel (and I agree about staying onsite too!) or to Margaritaville and relax! Maybe head back in the evening (if it's a time of year they're open later) when it's cooler and people are leaving...

I was amazed at the hordes of people that were heading to IOA yesterday....I sat in a chair outside of Margaritaville with my caramel macchiato and just watched them all go by...this was 10-11 am...that seems to be the time the majority arrives...between 10 and noon...


Karen / MsDis

 

[Snoopymom]

Hi,

Since there are 6 of you, I thought I'd add that if you go off season, it's not that bad staying in a rented pool home. It is easier than going to Disney and staying off-site because parking and using the moving sidewalks to and from the parks is really stressfree and easy, plus the parks close earlier, so you're not leaving at midnight completely exhausted. You can still get pack to your villa and let the kids play in the pool or have a snack before crashing.

I took everyone's advice and got there early on our second trip, but did not do that on our first trip and I can't even begin to tell you what a huge difference it made. Also, when you do get to the parks that early, you can just do the rides in order (in a circle) and stay ahead of the crowds. We made the mistake of running across Univ to get to Men in Black and then we had lines when we back tracked to the attractions near the entrance later in the morning...hope that makes sense.

There is a pizza place in New York in Universal where it's cheaper to order a whole pizza for a family rather than individual meals somewhere else.

Have fun planning!

 

[DadtheKid]

second tip: if you have it, use a AAA auto card for discounts at the various stores, restaurants and even some hotel rooms!! it adds up for us at the end!!

Does your AAA card get you a discount at the restaurants in the park, at Citywalk and in the hotels?

 

[mill4023]

The best tip I can give is to arrive at the park's turnstile at least a half hour before the park opens. This holds true at almost every theme park.

We just got back from Orlando. We spent 3 days at Universal parks (staying offsite). Even during the peak spring break season, the lines for the big rides were pretty short for the first couple hours of each day. Even at 10am, Dueling Dragons was still a walk-on.

 

[lindalinda]

We just got back from Orlando. We spent 3 days at Universal parks (staying offsite). Even during the peak spring break season, the lines for the big rides were pretty short for the first couple hours of each day. Even at 10am, Dueling Dragons was still a walk-on.

How was your trip? I remember seeing your posts earlier.

 

[bubba's mom]

Does your AAA card get you a discount at the restaurants in the park, at Citywalk and in the hotels?

 

[DadtheKid]

Do all of the restaurants accept the AAA card, and how much of a discount do you get?

 

[mill4023]

How was your trip? I remember seeing your posts earlier.

It was great. We were there for 2 weeks and there was not a drop of rain. The first week was perfect weather with temps in the 70's, then it got hotter the second week, but still very nice.
We ended up spending 2 days at IOA, 1 at USF, and 7 days at Disney parks.
Everything seemed crowded, but by arriving before opening, we were able to do everything we wanted without too much waiting in lines.

 

[bubba's mom]

Do all of the restaurants accept the AAA card, and how much of a discount do you get?

Most all...not all kiosks. Usually it's 10% (or is 15?) I'm rather sure it's 10% tho. Takes care of tax basically (and maybe a little more!)

 

[Fan2CSkr]

There are no AAA discounts at the hotel restaurants and none at either Emeril restaurant. When purchasing anything in the parks or at CW always show them your card and ask if there is a discount. Its usually a %10 discount. AAA in conjunction with the parks have had promotions where a higher discount is offered.