Disney not so great?

[Laurabearz]

It was the best of times.... it was the worst of times....


Just remember there is nothing wrong with just chilling out in the hotel room doing nothing... Kids need that. So bring something to read while they veg out on cartoons for an hour.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We got the 7 for 4 deal at Disney but will be at Disney for 4 days and then go to Universal for 4 days. Basically we are paying double to do both. Last time they went they only did Universal.
I was afraid to go on my own with 2 kids not knowing anything about Disney which is why I wanted to go with them. I am starting to think I should just have asked him to drop us off at Disney and pick us up at the end.
I am supposed to research the dining plan to see if it makes sense but really can't decide.
We are staying at Music
Any extra tips?
Thanks
Lori

So are you staying at Disney for all seven nights, but planning to go to the Universal parks for four days? How many days of Disney tickets do you have - seven? Just my opinion - I wouldn't do more than one or two days at Universal with kids your kids' ages. Since you are staying at Music, let them go off to Universal (catch a ride for a day or two) and you stay at Disney without them the rest of the time and use Disney transportation. If your kids are like mine, they will want to spend two or three days just at Magic Kingdom. Some days, we never even get out of Fantasyland! That would probably drive your SIL and their 17-year old crazy. Plan a character meal or two for those days and enjoy time with the little ones. Many rides will fit three people, and your kids are close enough in age that they probably can ride most of the same rides.

I'd tell your brother that you have researched Universal and you don't think there are four days' worth of activities for kids your ages. Rather than slow them down, you are going to stay at Disney (or the pool) for a couple of those days while they do their thing.

I'm not intending to slam on Universal - they are fine parks with great rides and great theming. Seuss Landing alone is worth the price of admission, and your kids will love it along with the Curious George water area and some other attractions. I just don't see four days worth of stuff for elementary school kids, and you will probably feel comfortable taking your kids to MK alone by then (and you will probably need a break from the negativity) .

If you don't have tickets to Disney for seven days, it is easy to upgrade, and each additional day is only a few dollars more.

 

[crisi]

I'd tell your brother that you have researched Universal and you don't think there are four days' worth of activities for kids your ages. Rather than slow them down, you are going to stay at Disney (or the pool) for a couple of those days while they do their thing.

And that is exactly how you put it "with kids the age mine are, we will just slow you down. Its so generous of you to share your vacation with me to start with, I want you to enjoy your vacation and I know you are much more fond of Universal."

I also agree that there are things you will do and enjoy over at Universal. Universal is much more geared to teens, but that doesn't mean there aren't lots of things for young kids to do.

If you are staying on site at Disney (which I'd imagine you are with the 7 for 4 deal), you can easily get around on Disney transportation - and once you spend a day there getting the lay of the land, you'll be old pros.

 

[MinnieGi]

I so agree with the above posters, with kids your age(7 & 5) Universal will not be the place to spend 4 days!!! My kids are 8 & 4 and no way could they do Universal 4 days, there is just not enough over there that is geared toward them. While at the Disney parks there is sooooo much for them. And I think YOU will be wanting more days at Disney after spending just 4 days there.

Believe me Disney is not hard to get around especially after you are researching beforehand and have a day or two under your belt there. I have taken my kids around myself and if you need directions ask a cm, they are very friendly and helpful. I'm planning another stay right now with just the kids and myself, I find the majority of people there very helpful.

Good luck on your continued research!

 

[Loritlc3]

I am really starting to think that I made a huge mistake. i think we would have a much better time at Disney alone. However, we already booked for Universal also! It is for July. Is there a way to get out of reservations? Also, how far away are they? Would it be a major inconvenience for them to come back and get us ? I have been thinking all day that it is going to be more difficult then I first thought to go with them. I kind of imagine me and the kids doing the early mornings, going back to the hotel and then coming back later. My brother and his family are all hustle bustle racing to get everything in which would probably be exhausting. Now if I could only get this to work and change the reservations!

Lori

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I am really starting to think that I made a huge mistake. i think we would have a much better time at Disney alone. However, we already booked for Universal also! It is for July. Is there a way to get out of reservations? Also, how far away are they? Would it be a major inconvenience for them to come back and get us ? I have been thinking all day that it is going to be more difficult then I first thought to go with them. I kind of imagine me and the kids doing the early mornings, going back to the hotel and then coming back later. My brother and his family are all hustle bustle racing to get everything in which would probably be exhausting. Now if I could only get this to work and change the reservations!

Lori

What have you booked? Are you staying at Disney for four nights and at Universal for four, or are you staying at Disney and commuting to Universal? What tickets do you have?

I think Universal is at least 20-30 minutes from Disney - maybe more. You could always take a cab to Universal on the last day to catch a ride home, or you could move over to Universal the last two days of the trip. I probably wouldn't ask them to come get you - I'd get a cab or a bus over there to keep things simple. I think the Lynx bus runs from the TTC to Universal, but I'd pay the extra for a cab since you would have kids and luggage.

You said you got the 4/3 deal, so do you have reservations for Music for seven nights or just four?

Since you are staying at All Star Music, coming back to the hotel for a break is easy. Catch a Disney bus from whatever park you're in. You don't need to rely on your brother for transportation while you are at Disney at all. You can follow your own schedule.

I know we can help you figure this out with just a few more details!

 

[MinnieGi]

If you have the 4/3 plan you have hotel reservations at Disney for 7 nights, right? Just cancel the Universal portion, shouldn't be a problem at all. Its easy to get around Disney on their transportation so the only ride you would need is for the ride home. If you brother is up at Universal, its only a 20 min. ride south on I-4 to come pick you all up to take you home. I hope it works out for you!!

 

[Loritlc3]

We have booked 7 days at Disney and then paid for days at Universal. They overlap! So we are basically paying for rooms and tickets that we will not be using. My brother researched and said that prices were similar because of the deals both were offering for 4 days get 3 free. So basically the plan is that we will leave(driving) on Thursday, July 2nd arrive at Disney on the 3rd and then spend a half day on the 7th where we will move to Universal's hotel. we were then going to stay there until July 11th when we will leave and head ome. It wasn't unitl I started reading this thread that I started to worry about this. Unforrtunatly I already put deposit down for Universal. Does anyone know how much you get refunded if you cancel? Also we would need a place to stay one night as our Disney eservation is check out on the 10th.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We have booked 7 days at Disney and then paid for days at Universal. They overlap! So we are basically paying for rooms and tickets that we will not be using. My brother researched and said that prices were similar because of the deals both were offering for 4 days get 3 free. So basically the plan is that we will leave(driving) on Thursday, July 2nd arrive at Disney on the 3rd and then spend a half day on the 7th where we will move to Universal's hotel. we were then going to stay there until July 11th when we will leave and head ome. It wasn't unitl I started reading this thread that I started to worry about this. Unforrtunatly I already put deposit down for Universal. Does anyone know how much you get refunded if you cancel? Also we would need a place to stay one night as our Disney eservation is check out on the 10th.

I don't know the Universal package cancellation rules, but you are still 90 days out. Disney packages are fully refundable (except for trip insurance, I think) up to 45 days out. I looked quickly at the Universal Board, but I didn't see anything about cancellation. I'll try to find that out.

If it were my family, I would keep the reservations at Disney through the 10th, then spend a night at the Universal hotel. This gives you two days of Front of the Line Access if it is an onsite Universal hotel (check-in day and check-out day), which will be plenty of time to see both parks. Universal tickets are about $100 for two days and both parks. If you have a Costco membership and live in the South, the warehouses have three-month tickets for $89. You can take cab over the Universal on the 10th, check-in early to get room keys and go to the parks, then go back on the 11th (unless you are leaving early). Your brother and his family are not inconvenienced since you get over there by yourself - no loss of their vacation time.

That's just what I would do!

Edited to add:

Here is the cancellation info from the hotel portion of the Universal website:

http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/hotel-resort-information.html?intsrch=cancellation

Cancellation Policy
Days Prior to Stay: Penalties:
6 days or more Full Refund
0- 5 days prior charged one night's room rate plus tax



PLEASE NOTE: Deposits are forfeited if guest checks out of the hotel prior to the check-out date.

 

[MinnieGi]

I don't know the Universal package cancellation rules, but you are still 90 days out. Disney packages are fully refundable (except for trip insurance, I think) up to 45 days out. I looked quickly at the Universal Board, but I didn't see anything about cancellation. I'll try to find that out.

If it were my family, I would keep the reservations at Disney through the 10th, then spend a night at the Universal hotel. This gives you two days of Front of the Line Access if it is an onsite Universal hotel (check-in day and check-out day), which will be plenty of time to see both parks. Universal tickets are about $100 for two days and both parks. If you have a Costco membership and live in the South, the warehouses have three-month tickets for $89. You can take cab over the Universal on the 10th, check-in early to get room keys and go to the parks, then go back on the 11th (unless you are leaving early). Your brother and his family are not inconvenienced since you get over there by yourself - no loss of their vacation time.

That's just what I would do!

Edited to add:

Here is the cancellation info from the hotel portion of the Universal website:

http://www.universalorlando.com/hotels/hotel-resort-information.html?intsrch=cancellation

Cancellation Policy
Days Prior to Stay: Penalties:
6 days or more Full Refund
0- 5 days prior charged one night's room rate plus tax



PLEASE NOTE: Deposits are forfeited if guest checks out of the hotel prior to the check-out date.

Great info!
And I also like the plan of spending a night at a Universal Hotel and getting your two days of front of the line access. Sounds like a great vacation!!!

 

[DISNEYNV]

I would stay at Disney from the third to the ninth and then head over to Universal for two days! There you will get the fastpass and two days would be enough time to tour Universal. You should not have a problem changing your reservations if done ASAP. We have done adisney and Universal in one trip many times and this works for us. I would do that and have more time at Disney with your kids. If your other family members don't agree then just meet up with them at the Univesal destination on the ninth I think it makes more sense and you would be able to utilize the Dinning Plan if you choose that while on your Disney stay. We love the DDP and it dies save you time and money with a plan and a little research!

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

We love Disney! It's FL of course there will be heat and anytime you throw kids into the mix they can get cranky. Ignore her and just enjoy your trip!

 

[WillowBelle]

I agree with what everyone else has said. Spend as much time as possible at WDW. Use the 'my kids will slow you down' excuse. Explain how much fun they are having, that you'd like some 1 on 1 time with them at the parks. Disney transportation is a piece of cake. Like a PP said, if you can't figure where you need to go, ask a CM. They will know where you need to go and be more than happy to help you.

If you are taking advantage of the dining plan, MAKE advanced reservations! It is very hard to walk in to a restaurant and get a table because of the plan. You can eat several character meals on the plan. What kind of characters do your kids like? We can help point you in the right direction for foods also.

 

[steelebug]

As a parent who LOVES Disney, grew up going ever year, and married to someone who is not a Disney Lover , go and have a great time. I have taken my kids 8, 6, and 3 three times in the past year. We have stayed onsite twice and offsite once. I go without my husband. I love to plan, and then watch my kids faces as each year they see Disney differently. We go through weekly measuring sessions before a trip to see which new rides we are tall enough to ride. The kids help pick the resteraunts. They love to go. This summer we are going to Myrtle beach and I have already been asked can't we go to Disney. As the pp have said, you must plan. Also try to rememeber that even though you have plenty of energy that the kids may need a break. Either take them back to the hotel for a quick swim and a little down time or take them to a splash area at one of the parks. I think there is one in Toon Town at MK. I have seen them at Epcot as well. You get to sit and they get to get a little wet. Disney is the best place on earth. My BIL and his wife won't take their kids 5 1/2 and 3 1/2 and I just don't understand. I have tried to plan a family trip there with them and they make excuses so I have given up and don't listen when they say "You all are going again?" Yep! I am hoping for a Feb 2010 trip though. Enjoy your trip