Help for a first timer!

[jemjem]

Well, strictly speaking I visited in 1995 but suspect some things may be a bit different now...

We are (hopefully) visiting in April from the UK (rearranged twice and everything is more expensive than when it was planned in 2020 and earlier this year. This is a one off trip and we probably won't come again in the forseeable future.

We only have 10 days in Orlando as visiting other parts of Florida as well (only way i could get husband to do the trip!).

We have 3 nights at the Royal pacific at Universal then I have 6 nights booked at the Swan Reserve, which I chose due to walking distance from parks and the fact that it won't be too 'Disney' but we will get the early entrance, late night Epcot/MK etc.
We are 2 adults and 2 teenagers 13 and 14, not particularly bothered about Disney theming etc.

I'm now wondering whether we should do 3 nights at the Swan Reserve (which would include the Monday and Wednesday for late night entry) and then move to the Caribbean Beach Resort and save ourselves $500 but have to squash ourselves into a smaller room.
We will have a car anyway and was planning on driving to Blizzard Beach and AK anyway so we could just do that from CBR. The rest of the family will probably moan at packing/unpacking again but it might be quite nice to stay in different places?

Is it a nice resort and as it's our first (and possibly last) visit would you recommend staying on site. We would then still have early entry and be able to book LL at 7am.

Have been changing our itinerary and hotels all the time- I just want to finalise it! Thanks!

 

[GBRforWDW]

CBR was the first resort we stayed at a few years ago. We really liked it, was freshly remodeled and had a nice vibe to it. However, I don't know if I'd leave echo lake area for CBR. Depending on where your room is, you're pretty far from a lot of things though the skyliner and your car helps bring everything closer. At echo lake you can walk to several different food and entertainment places. I'm sure either spot would be sufficient, but if you can swing the extra for swan, I'd stay there the entire time

 

[soniam]

CBR is probably a downgrade from the Swan hotels. I would do CBR first and then Swan to lesson the disappoint. However, Royal Pacific is also nicer than CBR, so you would have disappointment there too. You will get spoiled at Universal being able to walk to the parks and having the Express Pass to get onto most rides with little to no wait. The Swan hotels are so close to Epcot and Hollywood Studios and within walking distance. Having to ride a bus to everything after both of those could be frustrating. Although, there is the Skyliner, but it could be a long walk from your room at CBR. I personally hate moving hotels. We only move between Universal and Disney, because we love being as close to the parks as we can. Plus, the Universal hotels are so nice and have amazing benefits.

 

[Disney Fool]

I'm staying at the Contemporary next September and I'm staying at the All Star Movies resort for a few days to lessen the cost! I'd encourage the split stay; if your heart is set on CB, request the Jamaica bldg -puts you closer to things. Have you considered Port Orleans or Coronado Springs as other moderate resorts you might like? The rooms at CB are good size; I haven't stayed in them but I have read on these boards that the Pirate beds in one section are not very comfortable. CB is also very spread out -it even has an internal minibus to get you from point A to point B. If you're looking for something a little smaller, check out Port Orleans
French Quarter. Whatever you decide, check back and let us know!

 

[stephk1981]

I would advise you to not move resorts again. Moving multiple times on that short of a trip takes away valuable time. We have not tried swan reserve yet, but CBR rooms aren't as big. We tried one for a night a couple of years ago when DS was 11 and DD was 1......it was way too small for us. With 2 teenagers and 2 adults go as big as you possibly can afford! Also swan reserve is right next to fantasia mini golf which is a lot of fun to walk to! Add the ability to walk to the Boardwalk, epcot, and HS and the reserve is worth it in my opinion. Keep in mind the added distance from crossing the street, that you wouldn't have if you were at the swan or dolphin, however it's probably no big deal since you don't have small children. Have a great trip!

 

[RoseGold]

I’d take the split stay to move and save the money. Moving isn’t that big of a deal, unless you have a kid who needs nap time, especially with a car. I like to change it up, and the CB pool is really neat.

 

[GBRforWDW]

and the CB pool is really neat.

This is true! If the teens like to swim, they'd probably love the pool at CBR

 

[jemjem]

Thanks all! Have decided to at the Swan Reserve for the full stay- i think having a suite with a bedroom and separate living area with a sofa bed will give us more space etc. I think my husband will like the no frills pool and we can go over to the Dolphin pools if having longer pool time- it looks like the Reserve is nearer to the pools than some of the Dolphin and Swan rooms!
My main decision now is whether to go for a no view room or pay $550 more for a Hollywood studios room! I have both reserved at the moment! The no view room keeps getting cheaper so have cancelled and rebooked a few times!

 

[GBRforWDW]

My main decision now is whether to go for a no view room or pay $550 more for a Hollywood studios room!

In my opinion, that's too much of a price difference to pay for park view. We did park view at one of the towers near Disneyland, but it was maybe 15-20 extra per night. And it was a lot of fun watching the fireworks from our room. But I'd use that extra for a special dining reservation or even dessert party at MK or Epcot.

 

[jemjem]

I tend to agree about the views! (Although we went to Universal in LA a few years ago and had the most incredible view over the park and it was worth it but I think it was a complete fluke...)
If I booked the rooms today the difference between a view and non view rates are nearer $1000! We have booked a ridiculously expensive airbnb later in the trip nearer Easter so whilst cost is not THE major issue , I do need to watch what we're spending! Everything I'm booking is refundable as well - if I went for non refundable would be much cheaper but having had to cancel about 7 trips in the last 18 months, I prefer the flexibility!

 

[GBRforWDW]

I tend to agree about the views! (Although we went to Universal in LA a few years ago and had the most incredible view over the park and it was worth it but I think it was a complete fluke...)
If I booked the rooms today the difference between a view and non view rates are nearer $1000! We have booked a ridiculously expensive airbnb later in the trip nearer Easter so whilst cost is not THE major issue , I do need to watch what we're spending! Everything I'm booking is refundable as well - if I went for non refundable would be much cheaper but having had to cancel about 7 trips in the last 18 months, I prefer the flexibility!

Nice, your Universal park view sounds way better than ours, we were a mile away . We could see some structures like tower of terror/guardians, the ferris wheel, space mountain, and maybe the castle (it's too small at DL), but the fireworks were great. One night we even pulled up music for the show on YouTube which was exciting.

 

[TexasAggieBelle]

I know you already decided to stay at Swan Reserve for the entire trips- great choice! This will help when making dining reservations. When you do a split stay you get two smaller 60+ windows. It will help to have one longer stay for those hard to get ressies!
As far as a view, I would ask what type of park person are you? If you stay until close and watch fireworks most nights then a view would not be worth it to me! And you could use that extra $500 for Genie+

 

[jimmymc]

The rooms at CBR will be tight with 2 adults and 2 teenagers. I normally highly recommend it for the Skyliner access and main pool. If you get a room close to the Skyliner station, it might even be faster taking that to Epcot and Studios than walking from Swan Reserve. They also have parking lots near each section of the resort, so driving to the parks would be easy. The only perk you would miss out on is the late extra hours, which Swan guests get but moderate resorts do not.

 

[Beachmom0317]

I know you already decided on staying at the Swan and I just wanted to say that would also be my recommendation especially if your family isn't hard core Disney! I LOVE Disney and don't mind split stays because I love seeing as many resorts as I can but my hubby who just goes for me hates split stays and having to pack/unpack multiple times. Disney is a tiring vacation and time/rested energy is money! Enjoy the swan!

 

[jemjem]

Thanks again all! My latest dilemma ( I think I have too much time on my hands…) is trying to decide whether to do Disney then Universal or the other way round! We will be jet lagged the first few days so will be waking at silly o’clock! I had booked 3 nights at Royal pacific at the start of the trip but thinking maybe should do Disney first.

 

[jemjem]

Also- any views on Kennedy Space Centre?!?

 

[StarCruzer]

Also- any views on Kennedy Space Centre?!?

I brought my British boyfriend to Kennedy Space Center (he is science/space obsessed) and he absolutely loved it; he was in his mid-20s at the time. It is a bit of a hike from Disney area though (looks like a little over an hour drive?)

As for Universal vs Disney, we found that Universal wore us out faster. The entire park is paved in asphalt and it will kill your feet, and we found there to be less places to sit. In contrast, most of the "pavement" in Disney parks is textured in a way that you're not pounding the same parts of your feet on the ground with each step (bonus tip: make sure to glance at the ground every once in a while in different parts of Magic Kindgom).

Whichever park you choose first, I would recommend a "resort day" in between to relax at the pool and not be on your feet in a park all day.

If possible, try to plan your Disney days to include Extra Evening Hours on Monday (EPCOT) and Wednesday (MK). These hours are for Deluxe resort guests only,, which I believe includes Swan Reserve.. From what I've heard these nights boast virtually zero wait for most rides, and both parks have a lovely nighttime ambience. It will give you time to rope drop in the morning with a nice big afternoon break, or sleep in and hit the parks late, knowing you can hit up the high priority lines late night.

 

[CarolynFH]

Thanks again all! My latest dilemma ( I think I have too much time on my hands…) is trying to decide whether to do Disney then Universal or the other way round! We will be jet lagged the first few days so will be waking at silly o’clock! I had booked 3 nights at Royal pacific at the start of the trip but thinking maybe should do Disney first.

My position on whether to do Disney first or Universal is that it depends on what kind of thrill seekers are in your party. If someone is an adrenaline junky who thrives on roller coasters, etc., they'll be very disappointed at Disney if they go to UOR first.

 

[Spanky]

If Orlando is the first stop on your vacation you could easily skip the rental car until you finish the parks. Considering the current cost of rental cars I would hate to have it just sitting in a parking lot plus paying at the resort for having a car with you . Not sure if the Swan gets free parking at the actual parks. Swan has buses to Magic kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

 

[jemjem]

Bit of both! I’m leaning towards Disney first- make good use of the jet lagged early wakenings etc. More important that possibly at Universal where we’ll have the unlimited passes. After there we have a few days at the beach so can relax…