Do you stay at Disney while visiting other attractions?

JJ&JSMOM

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Jun 10, 2006
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Hi all,
Curious as to where people stay when visiting both Disney and Universal or Sea World? We're hoping to spend a couple days at Universal and not quite sure whether to stay onsite Disney or not. We would go to Disney as well. Perhaps a split stay between the two?

We also spoke of visiting Clearwater Beach too....seems like alot to do. Maybe stay somewhere offsite?

I'm open to any suggestions. We are a family of 5 - perhaps a condo resort would be best for us. Anyone hear of Mystic Dunes?

Thank you in advance for your help!
Joanne
 
I've taken day trips to both Kennedy Space Center and Legoland from Disney. But both were in the middle of our disney trips so it wouldn't have made sense to transfer for one night.

I'd say it depends how go with the flow your family is. Will they mind being uprooted? Something else you may want to think about is the amenities at each place - would they want to go from an awesome pool to something with nothing? I'm not saying don't move around, but maybe plan so the places get better.
 
We usually stay in Disney and when we go to the other attractions it's only for a day or two so it makes it easier. If I go back to US/IOA, we will do a split stay to take advantage of the "front of line" benefit for those staying on property. Last year we did Discover Cove, which was a great day, but only one day outside of the Disney bubble. In the past we have taken a day at US, Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Beach, etc…. It's usually easier to just check in at one place and drive.
 
We've done day trip to Universal and Sea World in the past but we never moved off site from Disney. I'm not a fan of split stays because I don't like unpacking and re-packing.
 

I guess we need to decide if we're going to Clearwater or not. IF we do, we'll be going to the beach, BG and the Zoo in Tampa so that would be a 3 day side trip. So we would probably move to that area for that. I guess if we mix up Disney and Universal we could just stay in one hotel.

We have done split stays before but it was onsite Disney and very easy to do. I don't like the idea of driving but I really want the kids to go Clearwater Beach. So beautiful there.

Thanks again for the replies...I appreciate it!

Joanne
 
We always just stay at the same hotel. We once did a split stay and didn't like having to move. We typically will visit Universal or SeaWorld etc. for one day during our trip and we just rent a car and drive there that day. If you are going to be doing a side trip for several days as you mentioned, it might make sense to change hotels in that instance.
 
We stay at Disney and have traveled to Universal, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, Daytona, and Busch Gardens. But, most recently it's been because we've been in our camper at Fort Wilderness, and there is no campground that compares in the area.

In the future, though, if we plan for at least 2 days at Universal, we will stay there to have access to the front of the line benefit.
 
We stay at Disney and have traveled to Universal, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, Daytona, and Busch Gardens. But, most recently it's been because we've been in our camper at Fort Wilderness, and there is no campground that compares in the area.

In the future, though, if we plan for at least 2 days at Universal, we will stay there to have access to the front of the line benefit.

Yes our trip seems to be leaning towards Universal more then Disney. NOt sure how I feel about that...but good for the kids to experience the "dark side" I guess....LOL
 
The onsite benefits (particularly the free Express Passes) for guests of Universal hotels are awesome.....so I would plan your Universal portion at the beginning or end of your vacation and stay onsite at one of their properties for that portion of your trip. You won't be disappointed in the Universal hotels....they are far more upscale than their Disney counterparts.

I am normally no fan of split stays, but Universal is absolutely amazing when you can tour it with Express Passes.....and even better when those EP's come at no extra charge with your hotel room :thumbsup2 . It would definitely be worth the inconvenience in my book.
 
Hi all,
Curious as to where people stay when visiting both Disney and Universal or Sea World? We're hoping to spend a couple days at Universal and not quite sure whether to stay onsite Disney or not. We would go to Disney as well. Perhaps a split stay between the two?

We also spoke of visiting Clearwater Beach too....seems like alot to do. Maybe stay somewhere offsite?

I'm open to any suggestions. We are a family of 5 - perhaps a condo resort would be best for us. Anyone hear of Mystic Dunes?

Thank you in advance for your help!
Joanne

Depends on if you want EMH access and better FP+ access as well.
 
Thanks for the replies...If we go we will probably try the Universal hotels this trip. Still go to Disney parks but just a couple days not a full week like we usually do. Love Disney but my DS14 has said its a little young for him and the rides are tame. He'd like to try something different. So Universal it will be but definitely saving a couple days for Disney for me and my 2 daughters. Maybe pick 2 parks and go with it...of course one will be MK not sure on the other probably AK.

But still not sure if we're even going. Need to do some work on the house...so we shall see.

Thanks again,
Joanne
 
No - we came down for a week a couple years ago and went to a new venue every day:

Cocoa Beach/Kennedy Space Center
Gatorland
DTD/Disney Quest
Magic Kingdom
Pool day at the hotel
Lakeland FL for Detroit Tigers Spring Training game
I-Fly Indoor Skydiving

We stayed at the Hilton Orlando-Convention Center off of I-Drive...our room overlooked Sea World and we could See Epcot and the castle in the distance. The hotel was beautiful and we really want to stay there again for a non-Disney only trip.
 
Thanks for the replies...If we go we will probably try the Universal hotels this trip. Still go to Disney parks but just a couple days not a full week like we usually do. Love Disney but my DS14 has said its a little young for him and the rides are tame. He'd like to try something different. So Universal it will be but definitely saving a couple days for Disney for me and my 2 daughters. Maybe pick 2 parks and go with it...of course one will be MK not sure on the other probably AK.

But still not sure if we're even going. Need to do some work on the house...so we shall see.

Thanks again,
Joanne

I wouldn't let the 14 year old dictate the trip. Leave him at home if Disney is too tame? Or at least tell him that :joker: I'd do two days/nights at Universal (we do one park in a day, so one day for each park makes sense to me) and 4-5 days at Disney. That way your little ones get to have fun too!
 





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