Busch Gardens/Sea World Etc. Early January

[johde]

I'm doing some early planning for next years vacation. Right now, I'm planning on January 2nd to the 11th flying into Tampa on the 2nd and out of Orlando on the 11th. I have a couple of questions.

How busy will Busch Gardens be January 2nd and 3rd. I was in Orlando Dec 31. 2012 - Jan 6 2013 and I know it was crazy the entire trip. Will Busch Gardens be bad as well?

In 2015 Jan 4th is a Sunday, will Sea World's crowds start being manageable?

My overall plan for the vacation is

2 days Busch Gardens (1 of those days being arrival day)
2 days Sea World/Aquatica
3 Day Universal
1 Day off existing Disney Tickets
1 Resort day or 3rd sea world or 4th universal day.

Based on this years prices, Super Grover looks like the best option for ticketing especially when you add in the free parking but of course that could change. Discovery Cove has some interesting pricing right now. Is it crazy it consider Discovery cove in January?

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Discovery Cove has some interesting pricing right now. Is it crazy it consider Discovery cove in January?

Our first visit to DC was January 1st, 2012. It was an amazing day. Beautiful sunny skies, moderate temperatures (cooler in the morning, but a lovely afternoon) and very comfortable. I would book DC again in the winter in a heartbeat.

 

[jasonflk]

We went to SeaWorld on the similar weekend this year and though it was busier than later on in our holiday it seem to handle the crowds well and we still managed to get to everything we wanted to including the rides with very little wait time (less than 20mins).

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

One thing to remember, too, is that the SW parks offer Quick Queue and the Universal parks have Express Pass, so you can avoid waiting in lines if you want.

The front-of-the-line passes are available for purchase online or at the park, or you can get them for free by staying at participating hotels (the SeaWorld official onsite hotels for the free SW QQ, or Royal Pacific, Hard Rock Hotel, or Portofino Bay at Universal).

Another perk of the onsite properties....they offer early entry on select dates .

 

[johde]

Thanks for the information. I know I have a long time to make final decisions. I'm a small DVC member and the 11 month reservation window for this time period is opening up soon. So, that's what's got me initially thinking. I'm planning on reserving my home resort how so I know I have something then start looking for better. I probably can't swing Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay. But, I might be able to rent my out my DVC point and stay at the New Cabana Bay. Unfortunately I know it doesn't get Express Pass.

I'm traveling solo so Single Rider at Universal helps on several of the rides but the holiday crowds can wear you down not even counting the lines.