cheat trip 2014

[gris gris]

We go to WDW in the even numbered years and for the first time are thinking of cheating on WDW and going to Universal instead.

Looking for advice on our trip plan - we are also combining this with a trip to visit Villalobos Rescue Center in New Orleans and stop at Gulf Shores to eat at LuLus on the way. This is my 40th birthday trip and these are two things I really want to do. I know it is a lot in one week.

Not sure how crowds will be but our plan would to be at Universal the week before Memorial Day, 2014. Is this high crowd level?

I guess what I really need to know is is it worth it to spend the extra money to stay on site, or save that money and go to Sea World for a day.

Saturday, May 17 - fly / check in
Sunday, May 18 - Universal Studios
Monday, May 19 - Ioa
Tuesday, May 20 - both parks? see what we missed
Wednesday, May 21 - Sea World
then the rest of the week would be traveling West.

For off site hotels we thought Avanti Resorts looks neat.

 

[Metro West]

Since you are talking about next year, anything can happen with crowd levels. If you were going this year I would say crowd levels would not be bad at all but next year there will new attractions open and crowd levels are apt to increase. The Simpsons area and Transformers in the Studios will be open this summer so lines will increase and next year...who knows what might be open the way Universal is expanding right now.

Your plan looks good though...three days will be enough time to see everything in both parks and go back and do favs again.

 

[gris gris]

Thanks Metro! Assuming Sea World can be done in a day too. Trying to work around school calendars is not easy!

We were also thinking of going the first week in November, but honestly, I turn 40 in March, and having to wait until May is bad enough!

Question for you - how are crowds the last week of March? Is Spring Break over by then?

 

[Metro West]

Thanks Metro! Assuming Sea World can be done in a day too. Trying to work around school calendars is not easy!

We were also thinking of going the first week in November, but honestly, I turn 40 in March, and having to wait until May is bad enough!

I hear ya! Sea World could be done in a day but you'd have to give up some of the shows or rides...you couldn't do both because of the show schedule. November weather is generally nicer than May but both are nice times to visit.

 

[glocon]

If it is your first trip, I would definitely stay onsite. Look into an annual pass for one of you, and see if your room would be cheaper that way. You also get other perks with an AP. And if you stay onsite, you get an unlimited express pass for most rides from the day you check in thru the day you check out. We have stayed both off and on site, and definitely enjoy our vacation more onsite. It is just a very different experience.

 

[cceandme]

I also would recomend staying onsite. worth every penny when you can just walk on most of the rides all day long. Also universal has a cup you can unwired refills and the dining plan is very cheap and it is all you can eat all day.

 

[gris gris]

I also would recomend staying onsite. worth every penny when you can just walk on most of the rides all day long. Also universal has a cup you can unwired refills and the dining plan is very cheap and it is all you can eat all day.

does Universal have "seasons" like Disney does? As in, is there a cheaper time of year to go? Maybe I will work our trip around that, and just forget about school We've taken them out each time we go to WDW and next year they'll be in 6th and 2nd grade.

 

[Metro West]

does Universal have "seasons" like Disney does? As in, is there a cheaper time of year to go? Maybe I will work our trip around that, and just forget about school We've taken them out each time we go to WDW and next year they'll be in 6th and 2nd grade.

Yeah...during busy seasons hotel rates are higher obviously than low season but ticket prices don't change. The new Cabana Bay Resort might be open by late November 2014 and its a possibility HP2 could be open by then as well. Lots of good stuff happening.

 

[gris gris]

Yeah...during busy seasons hotel rates are higher obviously than low season but ticket prices don't change. The new Cabana Bay Resort might be open by late November 2014 and its a possibility HP2 could be open by then as well. Lots of good stuff happening.

When is the low season?

 

[Metro West]

When is the low season?

Any time other than holiday weeks (Christmas and Thanksgiving, Easter and Spring Break and summer travel season). IMHO...The very best time to visit is early December. Crowds are light, the weather is usually great and the decorations are up.