FOTL- Which rides, is it worth staying on-site for 1 night for?

[disneyfanforever]

We are planning a Disney trip with my parents. They are DVC members and we will be staying with them in a 2BR for the week. However, my sons (ages 8 and 4) want to do Universal and IOA. Is it worth staying on-site just for the priviledge of FOTL since we could stay at the Boardwalk for free with my parents? What rides are actually included in FOTL because I don't think my boys would be tall enough for some of the more intense thrill rides. FOTL seems like such a great perk but I don't know if the extra expense would be worth it. By the way, we are going at the end of May if that makes any difference in your opinions. Thanks!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

All attractions, except P-Flyers, have Express.

 

[robvia]

It will be worth it.
At the end of May, kids are getting out of school, crowds are moderate, you will use FOTL.
The thing that staying onsite will do, is make you "feel" like you are part of the action. Plus you can walk back and forth from your room to the parks.
My vote is to book the RPR for one night. Drive over early at 7am, check in, and your room may be ready. If not, you get your magic keys and start your visit. The next morning, you can visit the parks for a few hours before checking out. Your magic keys will work on both days and you have access to the pools.
If anything, you'll get an idea of how the resorts and FOTL work. If you stay onsite that one night, you'll be hooked and want to come back. If you just show up and visit, you'll think it's just ok, but nothing big.

 

[disneyfanforever]

Thanks for the help. It does seem like a good deal if all the rides except P-Flyers has express. It is just so hard to justify the additional expense to my DH since we have a perfectly good place to stay already. Anyone else have opinions?

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

If your parents are paying the tab for the Disney hotel then it seems reasonable that you and DH would pay for a night or two at Universal. If your parents are not going to be joining you at Universal, maybe your DH would like the "break" from the in-laws? Better yet, if you all go to Universal, maybe your parents would take the boys back to Disney and give you and DH some "alone time" at your Universal resort? I think this would sell my DH!

 

[disneyfanforever]

You're right, IMGONNABE40, if my parents would take the kids back with them to Boardwalk, my DH would be doing backflips to stay at Universal. However, my parents are not interested in going to Universal so it would just be me, DH, and our boys ages 8 and 4. So do you think it is worth it in this situation?

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I'd still say yes IF you are not contributing to the lodging over at Disney.

Since you have a concern about your boys being the right height for the rides at UO, maybe you could make the UO part of your trip a little get away for you and DH? Maybe a research trip for future family vacations? Would your parents agree to take teh boys for the two days you would be at Universal?

(Yes! TWO days! You can check into your hotel to get your magic keys as early as 7AM. Maybe earlier. If your room is not ready, you can leave your overnight bag in the car, or at the bell stand. Then off to the parks. Since you will have FOTL, you will be able to see all that you want with time to spare. When your room is ready, go back to the hotel and relax a while--the pools at each of the resorts are awesome. When you have rested up you might want to return to the parks or just go to City Walk for dinner. Remember that there are a bunch of Nite Clubs at City Walk, so you'll want to save energy for that. Your hotel is only a short walk--or boat ride--away. Sleep late. Check out of the hotel, but hold onto your keys. You can return to the parks and continue to enjoy FOTL access all day long, even though you have checked out of your hotel! If you have time, check out the other two onsite resorts. While you are there, you can use the pool! With your key, you are entitled to use any of the pools at the resorts all day on the day you check out. You may want to return to City Walk for dinner, or try one of the restaurants at the hotels.

Well--this is what I would suggest to my DH if I were in your position Good Luck!)

 

[robvia]

I'd still go for it. The "break" away will be needed. That many people together (talking/bickering) will drive someone nuts.

On that first morning, the kids could be tired, and want to sleep in. So leave them with the grand parents, drive over at 7am, get your magic keys, tour the parks, go on the big kid rides, then go back and get the kids at lunch time. They'll be happy sleeping in and watching Disney cartoons on TV while you have fun on the coasters. Just tell the kids you need to check into the hotel first, that it takes a couple hours to do this, and they'll be bored.

When you come back, do the little kid stuff, have some happy hour drinks at the bars in the parks, then walk back to your hotel room and go for a swim.