Help planning 1st Disney Trip..confused

[mdworske]

We are going to Orlando in November for 7 days. My kids are 9 & 13. We are trying to figure the best route. We do a Kings Dominion trip every year, and by the 3rd day, they are done.

We would like to go to Disney of course, but definately want to snorkel and interact with a dolphin in some way. My kids are more rollercoaster/animal watching kids than variety shows and slow rides.

I have season passes at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, so I can get in free at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Tampa.

I also thought of splitting the trip up and doing a day at Busch Gardens Tampa and would really like a day at a beach with clear blue water to swim in(which I heard Clearwater/St Petersburg were only an hour away or so).

Any suggestions? The more I look, the more confused I get.

Thanks

 

[Rodrigo]

For the first trip, in my opinion, you should go to Universal and Disney, and if you want to swim with dolphins, maybe you can add a day at Discovery Cove.

 

[java]

Did you check out the Discovery Cove at Seaworld? I wonder if your AP's get you a break on the price there. They have a very controlled swim with Dolphins program. ANd the snorkeling there is a blast. You will see tons of stuff and it is a very full day of fun.(expensive but I think worth it) Now we have done Kings Dominion(usually only a day) and love Williamsburg..but I think your kids would really enjoy the parks in Disney. If they are daring they will LOVE Mission Space in Epcot- my 10 year olds favorite ride. And at MGM they have Rock and Roll Rollercoaster and Tower of terror. Animal Kingdom has Dinosaur and a Water ride in Asia that is tons of fun. I have friends that love Busch Gardens in Tampa(we have never been) What about IOA or US. They have the Mummy ride and Earthquake and Jaws and T-2 and Monster Magic....and and and... in U/s Then the IOA has the Hulk and Spiderman Oh and dueling dragons roller coasters. Lots for thrill seakers here- they also have a jurasic park ride. so much to chose from!!

 

[Disney Fool]

Number one mistake people make when planning first Disney trip: they don't realize how big Disney is. It cannot be compared to King's Dominion, or any other "amusement" park. It's roughly the size of Manhattan, and Animal Kingdom is so big, that Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney Studios can fit into it. There's a lot more to experience at Disney than just the rides or the shows. For your first trip, I'd just concentrate on Disney for about 4 or 5 days, and Universal for 1 or 2 days, with a pool or water park break inbetween. No more than that. _-Otherwise, it won't be a vacation!!!!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

If this is your first trip, I'd just do Disney. There's so much to see, and Tampa is 45min. to an hour away. If they like dolphins, there's The Living Seas at Epcot. They have the Dolphins In Depth program, but it's for those 13 or older, so the younger one wouldn't be able to do it. Cost is about $150 and includes a photo,soda,and t-shirt. Offered M-F at 9:30am.
There's also the EpcotSeas Aqua Tour, which is a 2 1/2 hr. SCUBA assisted snorkel dive in The Living Seas. You don't have to be SCUBA certified, and equipment and instructions are provided. Actual time in the tank is 30mins. It is for guests 8 and up, (8-16 yr. olds must be w/an adult). Cost is $100 per person and includes use of gear,t-shirt,and a group photo. Offered daily at 12:30.
These are a LOT less expensive then Discovery Cove,and you never have to leave Disney! DC also includes admission to SW for 7 consecutive days, which you don't need because of your season passes. My husband is doing DiveQuest at the Living Seas for the 2nd time in May, he loves it! It's the largest saltwater aquarium in the world, tons of marine life, and you're part of the "show". My dh gets a kick out of all of the other guests asking, "how did you get to do that?" when they come walking down the hall from the tank.
Have a great time, and happy planning!

 

[sters]

If your budget allows, consider staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and spending a good day at the Animal Kingdom, since you mentioned animal watching being of interest to your kids. There is so much to do that you could easily spend two weeks at Dinseyworld and not be bored. It sounds like the kids might like Universal, although I have never been there.

 

[mdworske]

Wow there are so many good ideas! I think I will do one of the snorkling things at the end as a wind down before we go home.

 

[marriedmarylander]

We would like to go to Disney of course, but definately want to snorkel and interact with a dolphin in some way. My kids are more rollercoaster/animal watching kids than variety shows and slow rides.

If your kids are into roller coasters, I don't believe Disney has much. Me and my husband are going. We both like roller coasters, but I like Disney as well. Plus I think several days of roller coasters in a row is too much. Maybe I'm getting old but after one day of roller coasters at Kings Dominion I have a headache. While in Florida, We are going to go to Islands of Adventure for a day. That may be something you can consider.

However, if you have passes to Sea World and your kids love animals you should definately go. You should also check out Disney's Animal Kingdom. Then for roller coasters you can do Islands of Adventure and Busch Gardens. If you don't think you will be into Disney that much you can select out which parks and attractions you want to see. Disney's website allows you to create an account and mark your favorites and create an itinerary. That way you can see how many attractions at Disney you and your kids will enjoy and know about how long to spend at Disney... Why try to do 7 days at Disney if you and your kids may be okay with 3 days?

 

[Ilovestitch]

If its your first trip, stay as long as you can afford. I would just stay at WDW for a week or so and go to Discovery Cove one day. Maybe save Universal, Sea World, Busch Gardens Tampa for another trip, unless you are staying for like 2 weeks. My bf and I went to WDW for 8 days last May and still didn't have time to go on all the rides.

FYI:
Kings Dominion is 400 acres
WDW is over 30,000 acres

 

[marriedmarylander]

If they like dolphins, there's The Living Seas at Epcot. They have the Dolphins In Depth program, but it's for those 13 or older, so the younger one wouldn't be able to do it. Cost is about $150 and includes a photo,soda,and t-shirt. Offered M-F at 9:30am.
There's also the EpcotSeas Aqua Tour, which is a 2 1/2 hr. SCUBA assisted snorkel dive in The Living Seas. You don't have to be SCUBA certified, and equipment and instructions are provided. Actual time in the tank is 30mins. It is for guests 8 and up, (8-16 yr. olds must be w/an adult). Cost is $100 per person and includes use of gear,t-shirt,and a group photo. Offered daily at 12:30.

Do you have to be scuba certified for Dophins in Depth? I can't find EpcotSeas Aqua Tour on disney's site... I only found the living seas:

Descend to Sea Base Alpha, an awe-inspiring under-sea research facility. View dolphins, sharks, manatees and thousands of tropical fish — even don a wetsuit for some deep-sea adventure in DiveQuest or Dolphins in Depth*! Enjoy the pleasures of the Coral Reef Restaurant. Discover the ocean's mysteries in The Living Seas!

*scuba certification required

UPDATE:
Never mind I found the information by doing a search on the site!!!!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

No, you don't have to be certified. Oops! Just saw your update!

 

[Aidensmom]

If roller coasters and animals are important to your kids, then Busch Gardens is a great choice if you want to spend any time away from Disney. You are not going to find the number of roller coasters they have there anywhere else in Florida - everything from a kids coaster to coasters I have been too afraid to ever try. And both Clearwater and St Pete beaches are about 45 minutes from Busch Gardens. Clearwater is more of a touristy beach, St. Pete, Treasure Island, Madiera Beach, etc. are a little more quiet and laid back.