Help from the pros!!!

[essmom]

I am trying to plan a trip in December for myself and my 8 and 11 year olds. WE did MK,AK, and MGM 4 years ago and want to try Universal,Islands of Adventure,Sea World and maybe Discovery Cove. We only have 3 and a half days so I need to know what to do and what not to do!!!I hear that Discovery Cove and Sea world each take a day so that leaves us with a day and a half. They will miss school so I can't really stay any longer. I know it's not alot of time but would love any suggestions etc!! Thanks!!

 

[damo]

I would probably give Seaworld and Discovery Cove 1 1/2 days and leave the other two to USF and IOA. Make sure you stay on site so that you can make the best of your time with express tickets. The beginning of December is not very busy so you really should have enough time but the parks do get considerably busier the closer you get to Christmas.

DS, 14 and I did Seaworld, USF and IOA last December toward the middle of the month. We stayed at RPR arriving on a Tuesday and leaving Saturday morning. Unfortunately DS got quite sick with a high fever during the night so we kinda lost part of a day (we still took the bus over to SeaWorld the next day for a few hours where he proceded to ride Kraken 4 times in a row). The busses went twice a day from the Universal hotels and really worked very well. Most of the time we ate quite lightly, since DH stayed home we didn't seem to need a lot of food. Teenagers seem to prefer to snack continuously anyway.

It does get dark early and the parks close early so plan for early nights and then get up early to get to the parks at opening.

We had a great time and I'm sure you will too.

 

[webray]

Hi,

I would try it this way, for a 3 1/2 day plan.

First, stay on site at one of Universal's resorts so that you have front of the line access...this can't be beat, really makes the trip special.

Then, I would do one day at Sea World, starting with the Dolphin Swim first thing in the morning...you are done by the time the park opens and you have the rest of the day to enjoy the park without missing anything. The Dolphin swim is wonderful...I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Then, a day at Universal and IOA...and you can hop back/forth to your favorites. This will also give you time to check out City Walk restaurants and shops if you like. The resort pools, etc.

This way you won't feel so rushed (trying to put the 4 parks in 3 1/2 days could be done, but I wouldn't want you to feel like you have to rush) and the vacation will be amazing for everyone!

Enjoy!