Considering a split stay...is it crazy?

[mrsprincecharming]

It will be me, DH, DS11 and DD7. We are going to be there from Friday to the following Sat. Planning to have 4 days Universal tickets, 4 days Disney tix and 1 seaworld day. I know we have more tickets days then actual days but that is just how it worked out with the b2g2 deal I got for the Universal tix. So, is it worth it to stay onsite at both parks for a portion of the week to get the perks ( namely express pass and early entry....in JULY)??? Am I crazy for even considering moving a family of 4 mid week??? What would you do?

 

[AJA]

Yes I would stay on site at Universal in July! The express pass is worth it.

You'll have 8 nights (7-8 days is that correct?) If you will have a car, I would plan 5 nights at Disney on the morning of day 6 check out early and have that be your Sea World day, then that evening check in to UN and stay 3 nights, that's 2 full UN days (and you'll have express pass).

If you make Sea World your check out/in day you'll avoid "loosing" a day.

 

[mrsprincecharming]

Yes that is what I was thinking too. We do have a car since we are driving down. Sea world is check in day because DD7 is looking so forward to it and she has never been (otherwise, Mommy would have scrapped Shamu for an extra day of Mickey or JP Dinos...LOL). Plus my Dear Grandparents live 3 hours away so they would like to meet us that day in Sea world so scrapping it is just a pipedream Now to convince Hubby that packing up and moving will save him aggravation in the long run....

 

[Metro West]

I would recommend doing Disney first and saving Universal until the end of the trip. Why? Because once you get a taste of unlimited Express access...especially in July...you will not want to wait in lines at Disney.

 

[mrsprincecharming]

I would recommend doing Disney first and saving Universal until the end of the trip. Why? Because once you get a taste of unlimited Express access...especially in July...you will not want to wait in lines at Disney.

This is exactly what I said to sell it to my hubby....So, I think we will do Disney Friday to Wed and then Universal Wed to Sat

 

[Bluer101]

You can do what we do, we stay onsite at RPR and drive down to Disney a few days.

It's nice to stay at the resort the whole time without checking out.

 

[macraven]

i have been doing split stays since the darkside hotels went up.

i start at the motherland resort then transfer by car service to the darkside hotels.

best of both worlds.......


it works well for our family.
we do the first parks (wdw)commando style and then start our vacation (UO) in a relaxing touring style.

 

[Planogirl]

We have done a split stay and loved it! On that trip we also spent 4 nights in St Augustine.

I wouldn't like moving after just a few nights but after four or so I didn't mind it all.

 

[mrsprincecharming]

Thanks everyone! I think it is sounding better and better

 

[buckeev]

Absolooootley!
Express Pass during crazy park crowds is the way to go! And the WDW, then US is a great suggestion. We've done it both ways, and it is kinda tough to "handle" the longer waits on some of the bigger attractions at WDW-even with FPs-after being spoiled with the EPs at US!
Have Phun!!!

 

[kittyninja]

I totally agree. Splitting the trip is the best way to go. You save money on parking!!! Onsite at Disney they have the greatest transportation and onsite at Universal you're just a hop, skip and a jump away!! The only $15 parking fee you'll have per day will be at Sea World (which is pretty great if you like sea creatures). I wish I could afford to stay onsite more!! Have a great trip!! Oh yeah also--onsite at Universal means early admission to IOA for the Revamped Spider Man ride and Harry Potter. Just another perk to think about!!

 

[macraven]

besides the sw parking cost, there will be the uo hotel parking cost if you stay onsite.

if you stay offsite and drive to uo, parking garage fee.

 

[vleeth]

To all you split stayers...do you move on an off day or do you go to a park that day also?

 

[hippieck12]

i have been doing split stays since the darkside hotels went up.

i start at the motherland resort then transfer by car service to the darkside hotels.

best of both worlds.......


it works well for our family.
we do the first parks (wdw)commando style and then start our vacation (UO) in a relaxing touring style.

hi, we are doing pop century in august, we'd like to go to universal two days but it would have to be in the middle of our trip, I've been considering alot of options - one being paying for a nite at royal pacific to get fol and early entry, there's four of us and it would be $67 a piece for the room, but I'd be paying for a room at disney when we wouldn't even be there, is this dumb to do???

 

[sdmom]

I would recommend doing Disney first and saving Universal until the end of the trip. Why? Because once you get a taste of unlimited Express access...especially in July...you will not want to wait in lines at Disney.

Best advice ever. We started this 3 trips ago and won't deviate.
In addition to express access, we love to be able to walk from the PBH to the parks and Citywalk. After the bus hassles at Disney it is awesome and so relaxing to come/go as we please!

 

[macraven]

hi, we are doing pop century in august, we'd like to go to universal two days but it would have to be in the middle of our trip, I've been considering alot of options - one being paying for a nite at royal pacific to get fol and early entry, there's four of us and it would be $67 a piece for the room, but I'd be paying for a room at disney when we wouldn't even be there, is this dumb to do???

there are MANY peeps that stay at the motherland resorts their entire vacation but do book a one night room at the darkside resort.
some don't stay at the UO hotel but at their motherland resort and just drive over for the day.

if you do a one night room at uo in the middle of your trip, it is better to use that room.
you get 2 days of hotel perks.
you get the day you check in and the day you check out for the early entry, unlimited usage of the express lines, etc.

drive back to disney at the end of the second park day.

yes, you are paying for 2 different hotel rooms for the same night.....
figure out the total cost of both rooms and decide if that expense is doable.

many either stay onsite for one night at the beginning or end of their motherland stay.

i do split stay.
i start with the motherland and then move to the darkside.
it's easier for me and it makes me feel like i am on 2 different vacations.

 

[hippieck12]

there are MANY peeps that stay at the motherland resorts their entire vacation but do book a one night room at the darkside resort.
some don't stay at the UO hotel but at their motherland resort and just drive over for the day.

if you do a one night room at uo in the middle of your trip, it is better to use that room.
you get 2 days of hotel perks.
you get the day you check in and the day you check out for the early entry, unlimited usage of the express lines, etc.

drive back to disney at the end of the second park day.

yes, you are paying for 2 different hotel rooms for the same night.....
figure out the total cost of both rooms and decide if that expense is doable.

many either stay onsite for one night at the beginning or end of their motherland stay.

i do split stay.
i start with the motherland and then move to the darkside.
it's easier for me and it makes me feel like i am on 2 different vacations.

I like that - 2 different vacations! I am going to plan that for our next trip - start at disney and end at universal! thanks for all your help, I'm going to do the figures and it looks like I'm leaning on taking overnight bags with us and staying a night at Hard Rock, that's all my son has been talking about all day!!!!! Their pool!

 

[macraven]

i suggest you look at the uo site for hotel costs.

don't book on it but call and book with a live person.

ask them if there are any promos, or discounts for cards that you have, that qualify for your first stay at universal hotels.

the nice thing about universal resorts is the TM's will tell you the cheapest way to book.
i have spent 20 minutes on the phone with them to go over and figure out if i should book with my AP, AAA or with any promo they currently have for my dates.

when i book with disney, eh, they don't do that for me.
i have to know what is the best way to book based on AAA, promos, etc with them.

if you plan to return within the year, checkout if the AP would be to your advantage.
ask if there are AP room rates available.
if you go with an AP room rate, you can wait and buy the AP once you are there at guest services.
GS has buildings inside and outside the park.

if you have the preferred ap or the AAA, you can get 10% discounts off of food and merch in the park and most of city walk.
you have to tell them you have the card before they ring up your purchase.

 

[mrsprincecharming]

Thank you all so much, your advice has been invaluable we are definitely going to split our stay. Fri-Wed at Disney, Sat at Sea World, and Wed-Sunday at Universal. I think it will work out fabulous and I am really looking forward to the end of our trip being very relaxing with Express pass and early entry in Harry Potter

 

[macraven]

i'm sure you will have more questions when your trip draws nearer.


when you stay onsite at the darkside hotels, you can book a seat on their busses for a free round trip trip to Sea World, Aquatica and Wet and Wild.
the hours of this free transportation varies by season.
you can use it to get there and if you want to leave earlier, take a taxi back to the hotel. taxi could cost about $5 or so.

all hotel guests are allowed this free transportation.



The bus that goes to Busch Gardens costs $10 pp for rt.
this is a luxury bus not like the bus for SW and etc.