Flex Ticket & Hotel Recommendations

[csss31399]

It looks like the 4 park flex ticket is a good deal? With the new $80 unlimited at US/IOA, is it still a good deal? We do want to go to SeaWorld and a waterpark as well. Should we purchase tix separately. I'm thinking two days at Seaworld since my kids are younger.

Also if we visit SeaWorld, should we stay closer to SeaWorld and then switch to a Universal Hotel? Or does anyone have any recommendations of a good place to stay with nice pools/slides? I have three boys-ages 3, 5, and 6.

Sorry if these are dumb questions. We have done Disney the past two years and we are venturing out this year and looking for a more peaceful vacation. Thanks in advance!!

 

[kellymonaghan]

Remember, the FlexTicket also gives you entrance to Wet n Wild, which is a lot of fun.

SeaWorld is not that far from Universal. If you have a car, I'd advise staying onsite at Universal (since you're a WDW regular, I'm assuming you can afford it ) If not, you can actually get to SeaWorld from Universal via the I-Ride Trolley (although it will take some time).

 

[Darcy03231]

We got the flex ticket this past summer and loved it! I thought it was the best deal for the money. We did get the 5 park one that let us into Busch Gardens too (we were there for 16 days- we did Ripley's the first day and just relaxed the last day). We stayed at the Sheraton Studio City the first night and rented a vacation home with a pool for the rest of our trip. The Sheraton was close to US/IOA (.5 miles) and I really liked it. I don't know about the pool as we didn't use it. I got it on Hotwire for $52/night. I put in Universal Area and picked a 3* and that's what I got. With little ones I would definitely plan 2 days at Seaworld. We had a 3 y.o. (DN) and the rest were older (9, 12, 14 & 16) and we still did 2 days at Seaworld.

 

[goofy!]

For the most relaxing vacation, stay onsite at Universal. With your hotel express pass, aka FOTL, you never have to worry about lines, about getting up early to get there before the crowds or any kind of major planning.

Everything is within walking distance, or if you are tired at the end of the day, the boats, the busses and the pedicabs will whisk you away to your hotel.

A difference from WDW - at Universal, not only are you allowed to pool hop, you are encouraged to explore all three pools.

The Royal Pacific pool is the largest in the area, zero entry and has a great play area with water guns, etc.

The Hard Rock and Portofino beach pools are also zero entry and both have fun slides. All three pools have planned activities, beach areas and dive-in movie nights.

With FOTL, it is very easy to spend a morning in the parks (remember, very, very short if any lines) and then go back to the hotel and relax by the pool.

As well as the I-Trolley that Kelly mentioned, I believe that the Universal hotels still have free transportation to Sea World. You just pick the bus up in front of your hotel. We have never used this as we always have a car, so you would need to double check this to see if it is still offered.

You can't beat an on-site Universal vacation for a relaxed theme park vacation.

 

[csss31399]

I am definitely looking to relax so I want to do at least two nights at a US hotel.

Thanks for all the info. I'm looking forward to it.