Help me plan- first non-Disney FL trip...

[ckelly14]

I’m planning my first non-Disney Florida trip and need a lot of advice. I was originally going to purchase the Flex pass and hit most of the attractions, including Sea World, Aquatica, Universal Studios and Busch gardens. I’ve only been to sea world for half a day, and none of the other resorts. However, instead of the Flex pass we have decided to include Discovery Cove, and that already includes access to Sea World and Busch Gardens in the price of the ticket. My wife also has family in St. Petersburg Florida that we will visit. I’m thinking three days in Orlando to hit Discovery Cove, Sea World and Aquatica; two or three days in Tampa with beach and Busch Gardens; two (or three) days onsite in Universal to get FOTL access. I have lots of Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints for the other stays. We will drive from SC and travel Friday, May 31st to Sunday June 9th. Kids are out of school early and we’re trying to tour before it gets too crazy. 2 Kids, 7 and 8.
Questions:
1. I assume that Universal will be the most crowded resorts and I will try to hit them in the middle of the week. Which days are best at universal?
2. Resort listings for June 2013 for not even listed on the Universal site. Do you think the first week in June would ever be discounted?
3. Should I bother with Wet and Wild if I’m going to Aquatica?
4. I think Discovery Cove will be the highlight of my trip, so I want to keep it to last, but the first weekend (Sat and Sunday) is the least expensive of the whole summer.
5. I guess I’ll get the Discovery Cove with upgrade to include Busch Gardens and the only other thing I’ll need is Universal Tickets, right? Is the Park-hopper (I know this is a Disney term…) worth it?

Any help or advice is appreciated! How would you put this trip together?

 

[Maytrix]

I think you could go to Universal any time since you'll be staying onsite. Might as well visit the other parks on their quieter days since it won't make as much of a difference at Universal.

Sad to hear though that the highlight of your trip is to visit a Dolphin prison. Go see them in the wild.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

id go to universal on the weekned if you need one place over the weekend if you are staying onsite crowds dont mean much. id get the park2park pass since US doesnt nearly have as much as IOA and you are going to want to go back to IOA. i dont know much about discovery cove. but BG is fun for a day

 

[ckelly14]

Thanks. Any thoughts on Wet and Wild?

 

[brenda1966]

Thanks. Any thoughts on Wet and Wild?

I haven't been, but I'd take it off the list since you get unlimited access to Aquatica. You can always go back there a second day.

I'd probably do Discovery Cove the first weekend if it's significantly cheaper.

And, yes, I'd probably do 3 days US/IoA and get the park-to-park option. They are right next to each other so easy to go back and forth. IoA usually stays open later so we'd finish out each day there.

 

[ckelly14]

Agreed. Plan right now is to stay at Vistana Resort 3 nights, hit DC, SW and Aquatica, drive to Tampa and do beach/family/BG, then come back and do 3 days at Universal. Can't make Universal reservations until around October. Hope to get a discount but may stay only 2 nights.

 

[StephC1217]

Sad to hear though that the highlight of your trip is to visit a Dolphin prison. Go see them in the wild.

I don't usually comment on the Dis but I just felt I had to comment on what I thought was such a rude comment. I have heard nothing but the best things about Discovery Cove and cannot wait until I can visit there- its fine if you don't agree and/or want to visit there, but there is no need to make rude comments on what others may want to do....

 

[heyitsmejosh]

I don't usually comment on the Dis but I just felt I had to comment on what I thought was such a rude comment. I have heard nothing but the best things about Discovery Cove and cannot wait until I can visit there- its fine if you don't agree and/or want to visit there, but there is no need to make rude comments on what others may want to do....

i agree

 

[ckelly14]

I was certainly ignoring it...

Anyone stay at the Sheraton Vistana or Vistana Villages?

 

[pixeegrl]

I was certainly ignoring it...

Anyone stay at the Sheraton Vistana or Vistana Villages?

Probably the best thing I wanted to say something but also wanted to ignore it....
Staying onsite you will not have to worry about your Universal days. I would stay at the end of your trip.... after having the Unlimited EP by staying onsite you will get spoiled. If you did it at the beginning of your trip you would hate standing in line everywhere else lol!!! I agree with the PP about choosing the cheapest day for DC. Personally I wouldn't take a day for Wet n Wild. I would rather spend 3 days at Universal Let's see what else....Oh, if your staying onsite at Universal I recommend the park hopper. You can get so much done with the EP!

 

[Maytrix]

I don't usually comment on the Dis but I just felt I had to comment on what I thought was such a rude comment. I have heard nothing but the best things about Discovery Cove and cannot wait until I can visit there- its fine if you don't agree and/or want to visit there, but there is no need to make rude comments on what others may want to do....

While it may be a lovely place, Dolphin's and Whales just don't belong in what are ultimately small confined areas compared to the ocean they should be in. They are intelligent and social creatures and while seeing them is really cool, its far cooler seeing them in the wild where they belong.

This is how they should be seen

http://vimeo.com/37144300