Complete newbie needs help to begin planning...

[disneybound31]

Hi all!

I need some direction and resources to plan our split US/WDW trip next year. I know... split trip, but my kids are getting older and even though they enjoy WDW (we have been twice and want to return) I think we need some new adventure. And DH needs some more thrill rides. The kids will be DS11 and DD8, then myself and DH. We will start our trip at US/IOA for probably 3 nights (maybe at the Royal Pacific?) and do 2 or 3 days at those parks. Then move over to WDW for several nights (5 at most).

The help I need is pretty extensive. I know the ins and outs of planning for WDW, but know hardly anything about US. Where do I need to start?

I am unsure about discounts, hotel info, etc. We will be going early October. Kids have fall break here in TN and we always travel for that week. BTW, we really need to AVOID at all cost the HHN nights . Our kids do not do that type of scary! The Snow White ride still gets DD a bit.

We have almost a year until the trip, but I need to plan now!

TIA!

 

[macraven]

Hi all!

I need some direction and resources to plan our split US/WDW trip next year. I know... split trip, but my kids are getting older and even though they enjoy WDW (we have been twice and want to return) I think we need some new adventure. And DH needs some more thrill rides. The kids will be DS11 and DD8, then myself and DH. We will start our trip at US/IOA for probably 3 nights (maybe at the Royal Pacific?) and do 2 or 3 days at those parks. Then move over to WDW for several nights (5 at most).

The help I need is pretty extensive. I know the ins and outs of planning for WDW, but know hardly anything about US. Where do I need to start?

I am unsure about discounts, hotel info, etc. We will be going early October. Kids have fall break here in TN and we always travel for that week. BTW, we really need to AVOID at all cost the HHN nights . Our kids do not do that type of scary! The Snow White ride still gets DD a bit.

We have almost a year until the trip, but I need to plan now!

TIA!

we love to help you.
the first thing i suggest is for you to read the stickies.
you will find a wealth of info in the hotel threads and general threads for universal parks, city walk and on site hotels.

go to the interactive map on the universalorlando.com website.
you can see what the rides and shows are all about.


when a newbie asks us about advice on doing an Universal vacation, there is so much to cover. if you read the stickies, it would give you an idea on touring plans, dining plans, ticket set up prices, type of rides your family would enjoy, etc. that is the only reason i suggest to read up some first.
please do not be offended by my suggestion.

i do suggest you make disney the first portion of your vacation.
at disney, you will have crowds the first week of october. the free dining from bounce back will be in effect there in oct 09.

the line waits there will be lengthy on some of the days there. the fast pass system they have, doesn't cut all the line waits down for you.

you might be on one side of the park, get a fast pass for say maybe splash mountain with a return time of 3 hours later. given that situation, you will be waiting in lines for other rides until your time comes up to use that fast pass for splash mt. kwim??

i have been to disney the last 5 years the first week of october.
i am already booked there for sept 30-oct 8 for next year.
i'm saying that so you are aware i have experienced disney with lines and crowds.

the closer you get to the columbus day weekend will bring more crowds to disney. the food and wine will also bring in crowds to epcot especially on fri, sa, su before columbus day time.

avoid the unnecessary crowds and hit disney first in the beginning of the month.


do disney first on your trip.
then do the universal portion of your vacation.

you will be spoiled when you stay on site at universal.
one feature you receive when you are a hotel guest there is the fotl perks.
your hotel key allows you to use the express lanes for all rides/attractions with no limitations.

you will have very little down time to travel to the parks when at universal and staying on site. you can walk, take a bus or use the water taxi free to go from the hotel to the parks.

it will take you about 10 minutes tops to go from one of the hotels to the parks if you walk.

no dealing with cars or transportation issues when staying on site.

in october, universal has cut the hours at the parks.
on HHN nights which would be thurs possible but definitely friday, saturday, and sunday, the studios side will close at 5:00 and IOA will close at 6:00.
(some nights maybe 7:00)

go to the park early in the morning and enjoy the rides and attractions.
for the evening, have a meal in city walk or at your hotel.
take in a movie at the cinema there, many different shows all the time.

if you are there on the weekend, watch the entertainment in city walk.

if the weather is nice, spend the evening at the pool. check out the other hotels on site and use their pools, or dine at their restuarants.

hope we all here can be of help to you in your planning.

 

[macraven]

book your on site hotel early...october sells out quickly once summer comes around.

book at the rack rate if need be and then modify your room rate when codes come out.


if you have AAA, you can get up to 35% off the cost of the room.

if you get the APH, you can get some sweet deals for a discount on the room.

if you have american express, more deals on the rooms.

if you stay 4 nights, you qualify under the super saver rates promos on the rooms. this usually is the biggest discount you can get.
i used it at rph and brought my room cost down to $150 a night in the long run.

apply for loews youfirst program. it is free, read the sticky on it.

you will pay a one night deposit fee for your room and the rest when you check out of the hotel.

if you paid at rack rack, ouch, and then modified your rate for a discount, you do not get money back but rather, more put down on your room.
it will hold and you will be credited that additional amount you paid in advance. you pay the difference once you check out on room charges then.


i suggest you book your room by spring next year and then modify the room rate.

check the sticky on ticket prices.
you would be better off buying the 7 day promo tickets even though you are only using 3 days of tickets on them.
it would be cheaper in the long run for your tickets to the park.


you might be interested in taking in the Bue Man Group one night you are at universal.

 

[kirbsam]

with front of the line perk for staying onsite, you dont have to do nearly as much planning for universal. you will have plenty of time to do everything you want and then some. you will love how close everything is. no waiting for buses, rpr is less than a ten minute walk from parks. the parks are right next door to eachother. you can pool hop. citywalk is right there. there is no down time in travelling between parks and resort and citywalk. in short, i still love disney, but universal is fabulous.

 

[pixeegrl]

if you paid at rack rack, ouch, and then modified your rate for a discount, you do not get money back but rather, more put down on your room.
it will hold and you will be credited that additional amount you paid in advance.

I think they do it both ways. I was refunded my original deposit when I changed to a lower rate and then charged the first night's rate for a new deposit.

 

[disneybound31]

I really appreciate all of this info. Some things in response... we have gone for two years now at this exact time frame and totally get the crowds, especially around Columbus Day (we always arrive the Friday before Columbus Day and NOT the very first week of Oct. which I realize I confused some on in my OP) . And actually we will most likely do US first just because we know Disney and prefer to have the familiar to finish up our trip as new things sometimes make me anxious. The whole not knowing exactly where everything is and how the timing of the parks work would be something I would worry about while trying to enjoy our time at WDW.

The 'fastpass' front of the line system sounds great at US. I have done Blue Man and family not interested at this time, but having some early nights just to enjoy a nice meal (definately an important part of any vacation to us!) and get some swim and rest time sounds great as we ususally go til midnight at WDW. Up early is not a prob. We will certainly take that suggestion and make it there to open. Thanks for that.

Don't have AAA or AP, but do have Amex. I have read some stickies, but will go back now and read them all.

Restaurant suggestions? Reviews?
Mythos looks like a must do... something kids would love. Also I have read great things about PastaMore ... is that the name? Any others? If we do 3 nights we will need several suggestions.

I have been having a hard time locating info about booking a package. Is hotel, tickets , meals usually separate because I see a package, but it is for longer than we would want. 4 nights or more. This year we arrived on the 10th of Oct and left the 18th and it will be the same week for this trip.

Thanks so much for the help so far!

 

[Metro West]

Restaurant suggestions? Reviews?
Mythos looks like a must do... something kids would love. Also I have read great things about PastaMore ... is that the name? Any others? If we do 3 nights we will need several suggestions.

My recommendations would be:

IOA - Mythos and Thunder Falls Terrace

Studios - Louie's or Finnegan's

CityWalk - Margaritaville or HRC

 

[macraven]

Don't have AAA or AP, but do have Amex. I have read some stickies, but will go back now and read them all.

Restaurant suggestions? Reviews?
Mythos looks like a must do... something kids would love. Also I have read great things about PastaMore ... is that the name? Any others? If we do 3 nights we will need several suggestions.

I have been having a hard time locating info about booking a package. Is hotel, tickets , meals usually separate because I see a package, but it is for longer than we would want. 4 nights or more. This year we arrived on the 10th of Oct and left the 18th and it will be the same week for this trip.

Thanks so much for the help so far!

pastamore opens at 8 in the morning at the side window.
you can get a carry out breakfast that is cheap/ reasonable and pretty good food. there are tables right by the place to eat at.

you need to break down the packages for UO if it includes tickets, breakfast and room. you will come out ahead financially if you purchase all of that separately.

there have been a few rare times that the packages are a good thing to buy.
notice i said "rare".

i misunderstood your original statement.
i thought you were starting your trip the first week of october. when you stated early october, i just assumed.
if you are more comfortable with disney to end your vacation, then reverse what i said and do universal first. most of us that do universal and disney make uo the ending portion of the vacation.
it works either way for a group.


there are some older threads on page 2 of this forum that has polls on favorite places to eat in the parks and at city walk. check it out for what others say is best.

will you have a budget for food?
do you prefer ts or cs for your days?

citywalk.com has listings for all the resturants with their menus which might help you. not sure if your group will eat everything or have priorities on what you prefer to eat.

you have plenty of time to make decisions for UO dining.

i always find i don't have enough time to eat at all the places i want to.

glad you are trying the darkside as part of your vacation.

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

Dang Macraven, if you wrote a book I'd read it!

Have you ever considered it?

 

[disneybound31]

pastamore opens at 8 in the morning at the side window.
you can get a carry out breakfast that is cheap/ reasonable and pretty good food. there are tables right by the place to eat at.

you need to break down the packages for UO if it includes tickets, breakfast and room. you will come out ahead financially if you purchase all of that separately.

there have been a few rare times that the packages are a good thing to buy.
notice i said "rare".

i misunderstood your original statement.
i thought you were starting your trip the first week of october. when you stated early october, i just assumed.
if you are more comfortable with disney to end your vacation, then reverse what i said and do universal first. most of us that do universal and disney make uo the ending portion of the vacation.
it works either way for a group.


there are some older threads on page 2 of this forum that has polls on favorite places to eat in the parks and at city walk. check it out for what others say is best.

will you have a budget for food?
do you prefer ts or cs for your days?

citywalk.com has listings for all the resturants with their menus which might help you. not sure if your group will eat everything or have priorities on what you prefer to eat.

you have plenty of time to make decisions for UO dining.

i always find i don't have enough time to eat at all the places i want to.

glad you are trying the darkside as part of your vacation.

The darkside...that's funny. But really, I thought when I came over to check you guys out that there would be tons of(or at least more than half) of what info can be found about DIsney. I'm surprised thre is not more.

The info those of you are giving is very helpful, tho. Don't get me wrong. You are definately shedding some light into my darkness.

To answer back- we prefer to do CS for lunch then a nice or fun sit down TS meal for dinner around 6 or 7. We do not have a budget for food. Meaning when we are on vacation we have fun. We save for sometimes 2 years to take a nice week or 10 days away to relax. We have always done the dining plan at WDW and hvae really enjoyed the freedom of not having to carry cash or worry about what an entree costs. I have read up about Universals meal deal and don't think it is what we would need. Unlimited trips through a line per person for the day? We don't eat that big! If I misunderstand the idea then please fill me in- I won't be offended seeing as I have such limited info to start with.

How do I go about finding a decent room at RP resort?

We just need the basic, but I don't want to be out in the boonies. Or get a not so good area because I don't know the system.

Thanks for the help! Keep it coming!

 

[macraven]

Dang Macraven, if you wrote a book I'd read it!

Have you ever considered it?

i'll put you down for 2 books.

i'll even autograph them for you.....

 

[Purseval]

I really appreciate all of this info. Some things in response... we have gone for two years now at this exact time frame and totally get the crowds, especially around Columbus Day (we always arrive the Friday before Columbus Day and NOT the very first week of Oct. which I realize I confused some on in my OP) .

We were in US and IOA on Columbus Day this year and it wasn't bad at all. We were in DHS the Wednesday after Columbus Day, MK the Saturday after and US or IOA on the days in between and we never had a bad crowd. I remember you saying that you weren't into HHN but we went the sunday before Columbus Day and made it through 6 haunted houses by 7:30pm. As far as holidays go Columbus Day is one of the minor ones.

 

[EPRV We love Disney]

i'll put you down for 2 books.

i'll even autograph them for you.....

Excellent! I'd read them. Both!

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I'd have to second doing Disney first, then Universal. Universal is a much more relaxing vacation. If you go from a short walk to the parks and FOTL access, Disney seems like you are going downhill.

You have a year to "master" Universal here on these boards. Shoot, I bet someone would even be willing to send you maps! Heck, I'll send you maps if you PM me your address! Then you will see how easy it is to navigate.

I was down with my DH and DS during HHN last year. Easy enough to avoid since the parks are closed unless you buy a ticket to HHN. So, all we had to see were the creepy decorations. I was surprised that my DS--15 at the time--had no interest in going. But, then again, neither did I! DH would have gone with DS if he wanted to go, but I think he was just as happy not to. Of course, after we left DS said he wished he had gone!

 

[Metro West]

You have a year to "master" Universal here on these boards. Shoot, I bet someone would even be willing to send you maps! Heck, I'll send you maps if you PM me your address! Then you will see how easy it is to navigate.

I've done that many time for DISers requesting maps. Just let me know what you need.

 

[donaldduck352]

You got sometime too ask questions,and the vets are here to help.
Planning is great,that way you know what your going to day by day,nothing wrong with that at all!!

But take it from the vets that love WDW-USO there is a wealth of info too make your vacca the best ever.We are only here too help,and i promise you,you will get more info from here then any book you can read!!! We are here to help,so ask away!!!!!!!!!!!

You alredy got a wealth of info,if you need more just ask!!

 

[VLee]

Last week of May??? Busy??

How are crowds generally from May 29 - June 5 or 6th? If we have the 7 day pass, would we still need the FTOL pass during this period?

 

[macraven]

end of may, think memorial day weekend, yes, it does have its crowds at all parks.


i left one year on memorial day as it was planned in advance.
i was so glad to have gone earlier that month.

some local schools do field trips to the parks in May.
some kids get out of school the third week of may and the family starts their trips to orlando then to beat the rest of the country's school break time.

it can be a hit or miss on what days uo will have crowds.
better to hit the parks on a weekday than weekend.

check the cost of what the ep will be for your time period.
if the cost is $20, don't buy the ep in advance.

better yet, wait until you get to the park to make the decision if you need to by the ep.

if you start the park early when it first opens, you can cover a lot of ground then before the crowds start to form.