Help me plan! Please.

[DocBosch]

I've never had to plan a trip to Orlando, seeing as how I live so close and go with such frequency, but I want to set up a surprise for my Dad's birthday. My plan involves two nights at the Hard Rock, dinner at Choup Chop and a day at Discovery Cove.

My ultimate conundrum is in which order I should make reservations. For the three main activities I need to make arrangements in advanced. Should I secure one first, and work the others around it (and, in that case, which one first), or is there a way to work all three at the same time to come to a happy median?

Ideally this trip would be in mid June, but it could also happen in May or July. The days will most likely be during the weekdays (maybe a Sunday night).

I'm totally out of my element here. Please help me tackle this!

-Kevin

P.S. I asked this somewhere else, but I was wondering if Choup Chop happens to have any sort of sushi offering.

 

[Disney Debbie]

I would make the Discovery Cove reservation first. Especially if you're wanting it so soon - I'm under the impression they fill up quickly. Then I'd get the hotel ressie and then Tchoup Chop. I'd make the Tchoup Chop ressie for your first night at Hard Rock and do Discovery Cove the next day. I know if I was out in the water all day, I'd just want to come back to the hotel and veg - not get dressed up for a nice dinner!

Sounds like a GREAT surprise. I better show this thread to my DD

I don't know about the Sushi - but I'm eating there in 4 weeks - so I'll know then!

 

[Robinrs]

What a GREAT kid you are!! I want my kid to grow up to do this for me!!

I agree with DD that the Discovery Cove ressie should come first. Then the Hard Rock. Then Tchoup Chop. Then to the bank for a loan. just kidding!

Here's a link to Tchoup Chops menu. http://www.theotherorlando.com/updates/tchoupmenu.html I will be venturing there this month too, so I'll update you.

 

[robvia]

Go on the www.discoverycove.com web site and register. Go thru the steps of booking a reservation and a calendar will appear showing which dates are sold out. Registering early gets you a morning dolphin swim which most prefer just because they're so excited about going.
You can log off the site, think about the days you want to visit, then come back and check the calendar again.
For my trip 2 years ago, we drove up leaving Ft. Lauderdale at 4am, arriving DC at 9am. That included checking into the Renaissance. Your DC visit also includes 7 days at SWF. Goto DC first, then check into HRH that afternoon. My DC TR is here.
http://home.attbi.com/~robvia/SeaWorld1.htm
After DC, you'll be tired, and probably just goto City Walk for dinner.
The next day you can hit the parks with your magic key, then goto Choup Chop for dinner.
The next morning, you check out, hit the parks, goto SWF (free), drive home.

It would almost be worth adding another night, or possible staying at the Renaissance Resort your first night so you can walk to SWF. The Renaissance lowers their rates for the July 4th weekend, you could possible go there on Sunday, then to HRH Monday and Tuesday. DC and SWF is a vacation by itself, it easily takes up 2 days. I took my dad to SWF and he enjoyed all the shows, we spent an entire day there. I dunno, you are cramming alot into 2 nights and 3 days, and you woudn't get your money's worth if you did DC and then didn't visit SWF an entire day.

DC charges your credit card as you book, and there's no refund as the date approaches. You may want to book it now so the DC ressie hits one month, and the HRH hotel hits the month you visit. That way the payments are spread out on your credit card. I'd still think about splitting the visits into two trips so you can go slow and get your money's worth.

 

[DocBosch]

Thanks for all the great advice guys.

My initial intentions were to drive up the first day (probably Sunday) in the morning. Checking into the Hard Rock would be the first suprise, as my Dad wouldn't expect that. I'd get a two day/two park for my dad, and spend the first day at the Universal parks.

The second day the next suprise would come when we head over to Discovery Cove instead of going to the parks. My dad has always showed an interest in scuba and snorkling and those sorts of things, so he'll really be suprised and pleased. Since DC closes at 5pm, I figured we could hop over to SeaWorld and do the two main attractions we'd be most interested in. Then head back to the UO resort, and then to Tchoup Chop, which would be a third suprise (or will be, if they do have sushi).

The next day we'd either go to the UO parks, or head home early (where as we could us the second day some other day).

I checked the DC site, and it seems like there's plenty of availability for the next three months. I'm gonna try to find the days with the best rates at Hard Rock and make sure they coicide with the available DC dates. Since I've realize I'm just in denial about the whole Tchoup Chop/sushi thing, I'm not going to make a big deal about getting those reservations for this thrip.

I've learned that theme parks aren't as enjoyable after a long drive as they are after a night's rest. Would DC still be enjoyable on the same day as the drive up, considering lounging and floating makes up a large part of the experience?

Rob, I actually read your report when I was first considering DC for this trip. I find it interesting that you take US 27. According to your report, it only takes half an hour longer then the 3 hours it takes me on I-95/turnpike. If it's more scenic, I may have to try it on my next solo trip.

I know it may seem that I'm cramming too much into a couple of days, but you have to understand my family. Growing up, most of our trips to Orlando consisted of one day. The only times we'd stay over would be on holidays, and that would be one night at a Days Inn. So, to our standards, spending three days and two nights in Orlando is a lifetime.

-Kevin