First-timer! Longer stay vs. deluxe resort - WWYD?

[Luvdancink]

I’d do a split stay and end at universal. Get your magical express to get you to the Disney hotel. Uber to royal pacific hotel near the end. The onsite universal hotels have unlimited fast pass usage if you are trying to it all in one day you will need that. Our family loved discovery cove as our relax day but it comes w free SeaWorld access so that’s something that you may want to squeeze in.

 

[Eastern]

I would do the first couple nights at a value or mod and then do the rest at a deluxe.

 

[Darcy03231]

I would do the WDW portion at a value resort and then swap to one of the on-site deluxe resorts at US/IOA (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino Bay) and do two days at US/IOA. We've been and I really think you need two days at US/IOA to do it justice. With the on-site stay you'll get the express pass free.

While we liked Discovery Cove, I would skip to do the 2nd day at US/IOA.

 

[MillauFr]

I would chose to stay at a Deluxe resort when a certain travel agent is selling the rooms at a 60% discount. That way I can have the best of both worlds.

 

[SharonZ]

I'm in the minority, but I always vote for the shorter stay at a Deluxe.

 

[crazylady]

I'd go for a shorter stay because I wouldn't want to leave the baby for a longer period and I wouldn't want to take advantage of the babysitter.

 

[disneyseniors]

Hi OP: I agree with others that 4 days at WDW is definitely not enough. Then one day at Universal and one at Discovery Cove?
Wow, you are definitely stretching it. That schedule scares me, because I don't think you realize how tiring the parks are, let alone trying to do Universal and the Cove too.
I agree with others, leave Universal and DC for another time. I think that trying to pack all that in will only make you extremely stressed and worn out. I know from experience.
We spend at least 8 to 10 days with yearly visits, and STILL have not seen it all or done it all at WDW. There is so much to see and do, and you probably don't want to be commando all the time. Universal is very expensive, too, and you can buy express passes as add ons and I feel they are a must if you go at busy times. It is also huge! Not as big as WDW, of course, but one day in each park to see and do it all is the least I would spend there. I have never been to discovery cove though.
So, I would say realistically, if you are doing 7 days, that would be a nice easy pace to handle for the first time. You might want to just schedule a resort day only and rest up at the pool, exploring the resorts, etc. We love Riverside. There is so much to explore there and is a beautiful resort.
Whatever you decide on, have a great time!

 

[mjkacmom]

In your OP, you mention the monorail for transportation. There are only 3 resorts on the monorail, and they go to only 2 parks. I think AKL has the most lacking in transportation, bus is your only option (while other resorts allow ferries, or even just walking to some parks).

I’d go for shorter, and I’ve left babies behind many times. As fun as it is to get away for some adult time (absolutely wonderful), you start missing the baby relatively quickly, by day 5 or so I’m ready to get back.

 

[Jake]

Longer stay. If you are taking your own food. You are not going to used any of the deluxe thing the deluxe offer.
High end restaurant, spa treatments room service
PORS is good hotel never stayed at POFQ. But it looks good

 

[Louie7080]

As someone who hasn't gone much to WDW I prefer to spend as much time in the parks as possible and don't plan on spending much time at a resort and so wouldn't want to spend the money on a deluxe even if I could afford it. As I go more often I can foresee me wanting to spend more time at the resort and may want to upgrade at that point if my budget will allow.

 

[happymommy]

I would take a longer stay, but ditch Discovery Cove and Universal for this trip.

I've done Discovery Cove, but we had annual passes (Super Grover Pass) bought from Sesame Place (online, no we never went there) that got us into Sea World that trip and a huge discount on Discovery Cove (plus 2 trips to Busch Gardens Williamsburg). So that trip was just Sea World and DC, and stayed in a condo right nearby.

Did a Universal trip once, but just Universal. It is worth it to stay on site there, so you have the front of the line pass.

Disney is huge. I still haven't seen it all, and am going next month for my 31st trip. The longer your trip, the less it is per day for the tickets. We don't go all day to the parks; we are very laid back about what we do and see. It makes for an enjoyable vacation for us.

I would just focus on Disney parks for the first trip, though. It's not worth it to stay at a Disney resort if you're going to Universal or DC. You're paying a premium for the transportation and convenience.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I agree with many of the PPs. I think it is a bit hard to do a split trip with such little time. I would devote this first trip solely to WDW. It will really cut down on how rushed you feel.

When my DH and I were still dating, we took a trip to WDW. I had been there many, many times, but it was his first. Because of his work schedule, we flew in Monday morning and flew out Friday afternoon. We stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter. It was a great resort and we both loved it. We essentially spent 4 days in the parks, devoting one day to each park. By the second day, DH asked when we were going to come back. We hadn't been able to do everything that he wanted in that first park. There is just too much to do. And each day we would get to the parks at rope drop and head back after dinner. Our heads hit the pillows and we were out. It was super fun, but really exhausting.

 

[luvsJack]

Ok, I am going to suggest that perhaps with a new baby, you two are going to be a bit more tired than you realize. Now, I adore Universal and hardly ever suggest someone NOT go there, but I wouldn't. I would plan the longer stay at a mod and plan in some relaxing time and all WDW. Even if you don't swim, some time relaxing by the pool for instance. You will need this to be recharged and ready to care for your little one again!

I would make sure your park days are scheduled at a slow pace. Spend time soaking up the atmosphere and taking lots of breaks. Just enjoy.

 

[cel_disney]

I might be a different voice in this crowd..to set the stage, we are frequent visitors and our children are 7 and 11. We own DVC but have stayed at all different types of resorts at Disney and Universal.

I would definitely go with the longer trip. The one thing I would recommend is that you do your trip in this order:
- first night at Lowes Royal Pacific or Hard Rock in Universal. This give you express pass and early entry your next day. Get up early and enjoy Universal and see all of Harry Potter. Visiting Universal with little kids is HARD - sooo many rides have height restrictions and the child swap is not as friendly as Disney. Do whatever you need to get Universal out of your system for 5-7 years at least! If you check into Universal for a single night stay - you will barely unpack - just keep the things you need close to the top of the suitcase or all in one carry on. This will make moving much easier! (Rent a car or Uber from airport to Universal and Universal to disney) You can definitely get all of the HP activities and a few other headliners done in one day at Universal with Express Pass (we recommend The Mummy! It’s great! And don’t forget to take the Train both directions!) if you get up early!

- move to Disney for the rest of the nights. No rooms at Disney will feel as luxurious as the ones at universals premium resorts. We have stayed at many - but generally recommend first time guests try Port Orleans French Quarter. It’s got a nice atmosphere and pool if you need a rest and often has it’s own transportation. We prefer buildings 4 or 5 to be close to the pool / lobby / food court / bus stops.

- I would probably purchase 5 day park tickets for Disney ahead of time and hold off on discovery cove tickets. Here’s why: Disney has so much to offer that you might not want to leave and you might need some real rest. AND Discovery Cove includes an entire vacations worth of visits to Seaworld and Aquatica. We have found that a seaworld and discovery cover and aquatics actually could make for a nice lower cost than Disney trip all on their own and they offer a lot of kid friendly activities. Swimming with dolphins is an incredible experience but I think that stacking 3 incredible experiences (Disney, Universal, Discovery Cove/Seaworld) into one trip is too much.

I travel for work and often had to leave my kids (infants, toddlers, preschoolers - whatever!) for a week. I’m sure you will miss the baby but also be able to enjoy EVERY minute! Especially sleeping at night and being able to eat dinner with both of your hands and no one in your lap!!

(Btw - my daughter went on 3 1-week Disney vacations all before she was 15 months old! It really wasn’t hard at all! So don’t count out future trips to Disney with little kids yet!! But don’t rush back to Universal until they are taller!!)

 

[Sleepy425]

When my twins were 6 months old we went to Disney without the kids (older kids were 2 and 4 - we are foster parents and the twins weren’t placed with us until we had already booked the trip and gotten my parents to agree to watch the kids). I was so tired from sleepless nights with the girls that I fell asleep in a bathroom stall in Epcot.
The point of my story? Don’t plan too much. Depending on your baby you may just need to catch up on sleep when you’re away from him! As for time, it’s your first so I wouldn’t plan on the longer trip. You have no idea how you will react to being away from him. I’m fine leaving my kids. But I have to implement a “no talking about the kids rule!” for my husband because he gets so upset leaving them.