First Trip Staying Off Property and adding Universal Studios

[MrsKreamer]

Need advice, I am still trying to flesh out our trip details but so far: Family of five including 13, 11, 7 y/o boys all WDW veterans. Typically we go for a week, stay on property and just do Disney Parks. This time my boys are bigger (with much less, if any, need for midday naps) and we all are eager to check US/IOA and possibly Legoland. So here are our options:
A) Stay on property for LOS with 5 days at Disney parks, 2 days US/IOA, and 1 day at Legoland- utilizing our own transportation on the three days we venture out. Major downside is having a family of 5 limits our hotel options and makes staying on property more expensive.

B) Stay on property for the first or latter half of the trip, stay off property for the other half. Major downside is having to pack and check out/in to another hotel wasting a big part of a day that could be spent in the parks or relaxing.

C) Stay off property for the entire trip, I am considering Hyatt Place or Holiday Inn in LBV. Downsides include having to drive to parks everyday and not staying "on property".

So thoughts/advice?

Thanks!

 

[Klayfish]

I'd recommend at least trying a stay off site, so you can see what it's like. We're also a family of 5, kids ages 13, 9, 9 (twins). We haven't done US, and have no interest in it, we really only do WDW. But like you mentioned, the family size makes hotel rooms far less than ideal. For us, there are so many positives to staying off site, that we frankly would consider it a negative to stay off site. Of course, that whole topic of onsite vs offsite is a giant debate, and there really isn't a "right" answer, but for a family of 5 I'd at least suggest trying offsite to see what you think of it. For us, positives are:

Renting a 3 or 4 bedroom condo gives everyone space to themselves. You get a full size family room, 2.5 bathrooms, in unit laundry, full kitchen, free wifi, etc... Usually these places are in communities that have pools, etc... The condo is far cheaper than a WDW hotel, so that's an added bonus. We don't slave over a hot stove nor spend hours doing laundry, but on a long trip, unless you pack heavy you have to wash clothes. Being able to do it in your own place is spectacular. Same with the kitchen. Easy to toss something in the oven and let it cook while you're taking a shower or watching TV and relaxing.

Not having to rely on WDW transportation. Onsite fans would see that as a negative, but for us it's a positive. We LOVE having our car and being able to go where we want, when we want. The driving thing isn't that big of a deal. It typically take us about 10 minutes to drive too/from...it may be 20 minutes if we're in a park that's farther from where we're staying and trying to leave when everyone else is, but it's really not a big deal. Plus we have our own private transportation (our minivan), no having to share a bus ride with others.

The "Disney bubble" now gets much bigger, it's not just WDW property. Our bubble includes gift shops, coffee shops, restaurants and other places that are part of our vacation experience. There is such a HUGE industry built just outside the WDW property, being offsite lets you explore that easily.

 

[Macprincess]

First question, are you driving or if flying renting a car? I would never suggest an off site stay of any kind without a car! If you don't have a car I would suggest that you stay on site at both resorts (WDW & Universal- I would skip Legoland without a car) and uber or take a cab to move from WDW to Universal and then from Universal back to the airport.

I'm also a family of five. We have three teens 13,16,18 and are WDW annual pass-holders for several years. We live about 2 hours from WDW and are vets at both Universal and WDW. We have done many on and off site visit to both WDW and Universal. We have done Legoland once (day trip) it was cool but once was enough for us. Yet, keep in mind my children are slightly older then yours.

If you have a car I would consider staying off site in a condo. Space, two bathrooms (or more), a washer/dryer, and full kitchen are so nice when you have three children! We still eat out a lot when we travel this way, it's still a vacation, but having food available for my kids (2 are boys) makes life so much more pleasant for all of us. Space also = sanity for me! Are you looking more for a resort type stay with theme pools and activities or just a clean, safe, place to sleep and shower?

If you want a clean, safe basic condo with a nice pool area I would suggest Windsor Hills. We are booking a 3 bedroom, two bath for a week in July (high season) through Vacation Central Florida for $854 total with all fees and taxes. We have stayed here many times an I highly recommend them. Vacation Central Florida best deals on condo rentals are typically Sat- Sat rentals but not always again ask. We're staying Sun-Sun in July. The location would work well for you as its in the middle of all three parks. It's approximately 10-20 minutes to WDW, 25-30 minutes to Universal and about 40 minutes to Legoland. There are several condo rentals places all around the Orlando area. Just make sure you check out fees things like cleaning fees and minimum stay requirement fees. I always ask about all fees and factor these into the total price when comparing prices.

Another option might be to stay off site for most of the stay and then either before or after the condo stay check in onsite at Universal. I would do my last night at Universal, basically packing to go home the night before and have one or two carry on bags only to take into the Universal resort hotel and leave the rest in the car. It sounds like a hassle but its worth a big perk as most onsite Universal resorts offer front of the line passes for hotel guest. They are good the day you check in until the day you check out. Basically, this means you can check in the hotel early am (room is not ready yet), get your front of the line passes do one day at each Universal park (or hop back and forth if you buy hopper passes) by only staying one night here. Also, there are a few rides in the Harry Potter areas that don't offer Front of the line passes but one park opens early each day for onsite hotel guest. We hit these rides first thing and then do the rest of the parks with very little wait. Those front of line passes are wonderful in busy times like summer, Christmas and Spring breaks. Do know that Universal, unlike Disney, does charge for parking at their hotels even if staying there and you will be charged for parking per day so one nights stay is charged parking for two days. Also, you may have 5 guest in their standard rooms but they charge an extra $25 a night for a roll away bed and will require it for 5 people in one room.

Just be prepared going in that this is a different type of vacation then just doing WDW and staying on site. Neither, in my opinion, is better then the other they're just different. Condo stays most times don't come with daily maid service and requiring driving. Yet, the ability for space and privacy at what is usually lesser cost even with parking and car rental (if priced right) balances out. It's also nice to see what else Orlando has to offer besides Disney.

Good Luck, in my opinion, there is no wrong way to do a Orlando vacation you just have to go what works best for your family.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Thanks to both of you! The condo idea sounds great and is something I will look into. The only reason I am even considering Legoland is because of my middle son. He is Autistic and fixated on Legos. TBH it seems like an overpriced Six Flags type park and I am considering bribing my sweet son with a Lego shopping spree at Disney Springs so that we can skip Legoland!

 

[TwoMisfits]

If you are going in 2017, you can buy Florida PTA tickets for $35/each to Legoland (you just have to buy over 48 hours out and you MUST go on the date you pick). Google 2017 Florida PTA Legoland tickets...no need to be part of the PTA to use them, but you can join for $10 if you want.

It is totally worth a visit at that price for your kids. Now, gate price - no way...but $35/each, I'd do in a second (and I've been twice with my kids).