Can you critique my Itinerary for Universal with Preschoolers and MGV?

[devotedchristian]

This will be a very short weekend (Universal Studios) trip combining 2 families of 8 people total.

Friday, July 6- Sunday, July 8.

Me
DH
DS (4 in July)
DD (15 in July)

SIL (DH's Sister)
BIL -They are divorced but he is only going "for the kids"
Niece-(2 in July)
Nephew-(7)

Driving together in an 8 passenger.

Depart Atlanta GA-?? I'm still not sure what time. I can't make up my mind on the best time to leave with young kids.

Friday, July 6- Arrive at Marriott Grande Vista, no later than 10:00am.

If the room is not ready, I still want to check in. I have a reservation for a 3bedroom/3 bath Villa.

Let the kids burn some energy at either the Pools or the Large Chuck E Cheese type Play area inside the Lobby of MGV... or rent the duck/swan paddle boats on the lake.

Have frozen tropical drinks and order lunch by the pool. Look over the daily activities sheet to see what time the Dive-In Movie will start that Friday night.

Lunch at either Nick's Grill (onsite restaurant) or Pizza Hut (near the pool).

Dinner order it from Nick's Grill or cook it in the villa. Need some vegetables in there.

Friday (our Arrival day) is simply driving from Atlanta and head straight to the resort and stay there the rest of the day.

Saturday, July 6- Breakfast in the resort and try to get everyone out and at the Gates of Universal no later than 8:30am.

I have ordered a park map so I can plan a simple touring strategy for the younger kids.

Lunch at International Film Festival no later than 11:45am.

Depending on how we feel after lunch and since we are not all day park goer's, we should be leaving Universal no later than 1:00 and not returning.

1:00- Head back to the resort and relax by the pool and enjoy the resort (especially at a rate of $419 per night) for the rest of the day.

Lunch- ?? (Nick's grill may be too expensive)

Dinner- ??

I'm not sure, if I want to pack to leave the resort at all that Saturday, but everyone has to eat.

Help!!

Sunday, July 8- Breakfast in the villa. Check out (10:00am) and head to Downtown Disney. Shop and have lunch at either Rainforest Cafe (for the experience) or the Earl of Sandwhich.

After lunch...around 1:30pm...get gas and head back home to Atlanta.

What do you think? Do you see anything in my intinerary that will lead to overtired and cranky kids?

 

[spiceycat]

okay florida heat can be worst than Atlanta - so I would leave US before lunch and come back that night.

you have the ticket and you have paid for parking.

so back to the villa rest when the heat is unbearable - definitely go swimming - hey at time the heat can even make this horrible.

then after everyone is well rested and the sun is on the way down - go back.

us is open most nights in July until 10 pm.
http://www.universalorlando.com/cal...o_park_hours.html&year=2007&month=7&year=2007

 

[spiceycat]

do a grocery run.

take a list. don't buy anything you can eat there.

bring spices from your home.

 

[Detailor]

You might think about eating at Copa Loca next to the new pool at Grande Vista. They have alfesco table service for lunch or dinner - less expensive than Nick's but a broader menu than the pizza stand.

Dick Taylor

 

[devotedchristian]

They have alfesco table service for lunch or dinner - less expensive than Nick's but a broader menu than the pizza stand.

Thanks! What's alfesco table service?

 

[Detailor]

Thanks! What's alfesco table service?

Tables outside with waiters taking orders. In this case, by the pool.

It's a great spot. My wife and I had dinner there one night while there in March (it was cool and breezy, but we thought it was terrific compared with the weather in the Northeast US that we'd left behind) and we ate there one evening with our daughter and the friend she'd brought along.

Dick Taylor