Bunch of questions . . .

[maine_jennifer]

Hi all!

I'm the best Aunt in the world, or so I've been told, because I'm taking each of my nieces and nephews on their own "me & Aunt Jen only" Florida Vacation.

Last month, I took my 13yo nephew to WDW, Discovery Cove, & SeaWorld. It was an interesting experience to say the least and although I said I wasn't going to go with a teenager again, his 15yo brother is up for his turn.

We were supposed to do a Disney Cruise in January, but his school schedule is presenting a conflict being that the week of the cruise is the week of his mid-terms. I can't move the cruise because it was a discounted, group thing, so I'm thinking that instead, I *may* take him to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, & SeaWorld. I assume that these parks would interest a 15yo more than the Disney ones (which he's already done and hasn't done any of these).

What do you all think?

1.) How many days should I plan for each park?

2.) Are there better days to do each park and days to avoid them?

3.) Should we stay at an on-site hotel? If so, which would you recommend for an aunt & a 15yo nephew? (We won't be renting a car.)

4.) Do the on-site hotels still provide bus service to SeaWorld?

5.) Are there any extra special things we could do, like behind the scenes tours or something like that?

6.) What are the best guidebooks, websites, etc., that you recommend I look at for more information?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've only been to US once and really haven't been following US/IOA for a while and need to be severely updated!

TIA,

 

[d4est]

wow, you are a great aunt! A 15 yr old will love US & IOA. I would definitely recommend staying on site, either HRH or RPR. He would pry like the Hard Rock, but RPR tends to be cheaper. With staying on site you get to use your room key as an express pass to ride with out standing in the regular lines...an AWESOME perk! Not sure how many days you are staying, but you can get great tickets, $94/ticket gets you 5 days at BOTH parks (for the price of 2). That way you can take as much time as you need to ride what you love more than once. They are available at universalorlando.com (click on ticket store).

You can find tons of info here. I have read about a guide book by Kelly M (can't remember last name) that is suposed to be awesome.

I "think" there is a shuttle, but am not sure. As far as special tours, you can do this VIP thing that gets you, LITERALLY, to the front of the line, plus behind the scenes stuff. Hopefully someone else can give you more details.

Hope this helps some! Good luck planning!

***edited to add the following***
Here is a link to info about the VIP tour:
http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/vip_tours.html

 

[highlander447]

There is a shuttle to SW from onsite hotels I would say 3 days for the parks 1 day for each park and the 3rd to do your favs all over again as for hotel I think RPR is a nice compromise HRH has a cool air to it but sadly does not always live up to peoples expectations the RPR is not as pretentious and is the newer resort of the 3 onsite hotels with fotl access u will have a blast as will your nephew

 

[2BigKIdz]

If you are planning on more than one trip to US/IOA with the neices and nephews in the next 12 months you would be better off to buy yourself an Annual pass. That way you could also get the hotel/restaurant discounts. Your nephew will love the parks.

 

[kellymonaghan]

1.) Two would be ideal. The Orlando FlexTicket covers Universal and SeaWorld and gives you plenty of time at a good price.

2.) Personally, I don't think it's worth agonizing over the best day to visit. if you're anywhere near normal, it's going to seem crowded no matter when you go. (Unless, it's off season of course.)

3.) Most definitely. Hard Rock will impress your nephew.

4.) Yes, but the schedule is limited.

5.) The tours at SeaWorld are fun. For $125, your nephew can take an underwater tour of the shark tank. VIP tours at UO are fun but expensive.

6.) Modesty forbids me.

 

[maine_jennifer]

*****

d4est & highlander447 - thanks for posting, I appreciate your comments!

*****

2BigKIdz - thanks for reminding me about the AP, but we'll only be going the one time. My other nieces/nephew won't be getting their trips until they turn 10 and that's at least two years away and I doubt I'll do US/IOA again within the year.

*****

kellymonaghan -

2.) I'm not normal. I went during President's Day Week the first time and didn't find any of the parks crowded! Crowds don't bother me, rude people do.

4 & 5.) Thanks for the SW info. I just went to SW at the end of July and did the Marine Mammal Keeper Experience. Let me say - WOW! I LOVED it! Hopefully, I can talk this nephew into doing it, too.

6.) yeah yeah - Amazon.com says the 2005 edition of some modest author's book hasn't been released yet, any idea when it will be?

 

[mrspaha]

I just got back with my 15 year old son and 16 year old daughter. My son definitely said if we ever get back to Orlando he just wanted to do Universal/IOA. Wouldn't even care to go back to Disney. Oh, and I think at least three days is a good amount of time to go.

We stayed at the HRH that both kids and I just loved! Great hotel, staff is wonderful, a lot of activities. They have sand volleyball there by the pool, and there were always teens (and adults) joining in with games in progress -- a nice way to meet other kids.

The FOTL pass was great! The kids soon found out what rides they liked the best, and kept going on those over and over.

Although we are pretty much middle-income, I think it is well worth the extra money to pay to stay onsite, mainly for the FOTL access, as well as the convenience to walk back to the hotel for a rest or swim, and then head back later.

We did a half day at Blizzard Beach -- both kids enjoyed that a lot; however, there were very long wait times for the thrill slides.
The kids were glad they went this one time, but if we're in Orlando again, I think they want to try Wet N Wild. It seems to me there was buses from the HR to Wet N Wild, but I'm not sure.

They also enjoyed wandering around City Walk; we went to Margaritaville late one night, sat right by the dance floor, and they liked having a smoothie and listening to the band, which was very good.

 

[kellymonaghan]

Originally posted by maine_jennifer
6.) yeah yeah - Amazon.com says the 2005 edition of some modest author's book hasn't been released yet, any idea when it will be?

Just back from the printer, with complete update on Mummy, etc. PM me for more info.

 

[sn00zn]

I will immodestly suggest that since Kelly won't plug his own book (at least not much), read my review of it on amazon.com!

But now I am sad because I only have the 2004 edition....I didn't know a new one would be out before my trip!

Hmmm, I wonder if there is enough new info to justify a purchase.....

snoozn