Does my Trip Plan sound any good???

[texaslady22]

I'm traveling to Orlando for Spring break--I'll have my husband, 2 year old son, and 3 foreign exchange students (teenagers) from China with me. These Chinese students will never get to go again (more than likely), so I really want to make sure I do things "right." Please help!!

We arrive around 8am Sunday morning but we can't get our vacation home until 4pm, so we wanted to find a park that we could hang out at for awhile.

Here's a tentative trip plan I drafted:

Sunday – Sea World

Monday – Universal Studios

Tuesday – Discovery Cove, Dinner Show

Wednesday – Islands of Adventure

Thursday – Disney

Friday – Choice: Sea World, US, IOA

The teens are most excited about Universal Studios. They've been to Disney in Hong Kong, but they've never got to see anything like Universal Studios. They think they just want to do Magic Kingdom for a day...does that sound about right?? We're getting the 7-day pass to US/IOA and Sea World, and we'll have to pay for Disney by the day.

 

[alan_renfroe]

Sounds like a WONDERFUL trip, but be prepared....with a full itinerary like that, you are going to be exhausted!

Also, I'd recommend possibly trying to see Disney's Hollywood Studios if you have the time. Those students would LOVE Rock 'n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Star Tours!

Have fun!

 

[MnMomW3Boys]

Sounds like a wondeful trip for the teenagers...I feel for your 2 year old. He may need some down time with espeicially if he does not sleep in his stroller.


Have a wonderful trip.

 

[linzbear]

They've been to Disney in Hong Kong, but they've never got to see anything like Universal Studios. They think they just want to do Magic Kingdom for a day...does that sound about right??

Do you all realize that there are 4 Disney Theme Parks? It is not possible to "do Disney" in 1 day. It's not possible to really see WDW in 4 days even. But it depends entirely on what you want to get out of the trip. You may want to consider buying guidebooks, and determining whether you want this trip to be entirely about the teenagers (which right now it is).

 

[summermac]

Holy cow. That's a full week.

Being that it's Spring Break, I think you're really going to find out that you aren't going to get much done by going to only one park b/c of lines.

Good luck! It sounds like a lot of fun for the exchange students.

 

[mommyofthreeboys]

When do you depart?

 

[texaslady22]

So would you guys recommend Disney instead of Universal Studios? They're so excited about Universal Studios, but they want to do Disney one day so that they can get photos with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck (I know this sounds strange, but this is what the 17 year old Chinese teenagers said...).

I know it's going to be a rough week for my 2 year old. He won't stop talking about getting to see Shamu again and watch the Barney show, but I'm sure all of those days of theme parks will be difficult for him...

The good thing is that he does sleep in the stroller. If he gets worn out, we can leave for awhile, go home and rest, and then just pick the teens up at closing. I *think* it would be safe to do that, anyway...?? The teens have cell phones and their English isn't perfect, but it is okay.

 

[texaslady22]

When do you depart?

We will arrive Sunday, March 15th and we'll leave Saturday, March 21.

 

[JessR]

look good

 

[summermac]

I could never only do one day at Disney. But if the teens want it like this, I'd probably do what they want considering this probably is a "once in a lifetime" kind of thing for them.

 

[linzbear]

So would you guys recommend Disney instead of Universal Studios? They're so excited about Universal Studios, but they want to do Disney one day so that they can get photos with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck (I know this sounds strange, but this is what the 17 year old Chinese teenagers said...).

Well, this is a Disney board, so we're all going to be a bit biased

In any case, Disney World is about the size of Manhattan (47 square miles) with 4 completely different theme parks. That's why I suggested getting a guidebook or two to help you decide where to go, because trying to fit Disney in 1 day is just impossible

 

[ShannonMB]

I think it's awesome you're doing this for the kids, and your trip sounds really fun (and tiring!).

Of course we will be Disney-biased, but they should get a neat experience around what you've planned.

One thing I would suggest is that if they really want to see Mickey and Donald, you might want to try for a reservation at Chef Mickey's, in case you can't find them in MK the day you are going.

Have a great trip, and make sure you go again soon and see all the Disney parks with your family!

 

[angelmav]

Hopefully you are planning on staying at a universal resort, that FOTL pass beats disney's fast pass every which way, and its free if your in one of their resorts.