Help with my itinerary...

[ckelly14]

Heading to Orlando the first week of June (May 31-June 7). Originally for Discovery Cove, but then I heard about the 14 consecutive days included at Sea World/Aquatica/ Busch Gardens, so I purchased with this in mind. I rented a 2 Bdr condo for the week at Sheraton Vistana Villages, but the week was so darn cheap, I don't mind abandoning the condo for a few days to stay in St. Petersburg or Clearwater, if needed. Never been to any of the these theme parks (in recent times at least) and just trying to put together my itinerary. I have a 7 year old girl (52") and 8 year old boy (50").

How many days should I plan for each place? Discovery Cove is on June 2nd (Sunday). My wife's uncle is in St. Pete, so we have a place to stay if we want multiple stays at Busch Gardens. However, I don't think we'd stay there more than one night, so we'd also consider renting a beach place in Clearwater a few days if more nights are needed.

Thanks for any help!

 

[ckelly14]

Also, since the accommodations and tickets were relatively affordable (compared to Disney at least) we would be game for any add-on adventures or special features people thought were worth the money at these parks. Let me know!

 

[Lynne G]

I would check the times each of the parks are open and go from there whether you'd like the hour or so drive back from BGT after being in that park. It's mostly a highway drive. I purposely stayed until closing the days we went to BGT. Since the park closed at 6pm, I was one of the last to leave so to avoid traffic. Both times, I stopped at Downtown Disney to eat a late dinner and enjoy some Disney on our non-Disney trip.

When we did the Busch parks, we did 10 days staying at the Fairfield near SW, we did: 1 day DC, 2 days SW, 2 days Aquadica and 2 days BGT. One of the days we did the Fun Spot and mini golfed and just relaxed at the pool, as a break from the parks.

At BGT we really liked the safari tour, where you feed the giraffes lettuce. I thinnk it was around 50 or 60 dollars per person.

At SW, see if any of the tours interest you. We did none there.

Aquadica, if the weather is hot, you may want to rent a cabana. Costs and reservations can be found on their website. We did not stay to closing at Aquadica. It definitely was less crowded first thing in the morning. We did mini golf and mall trips on the days we went to Aquadica.

 

[ckelly14]

I'm considering the safari tour at BG and the dine with shamu thing at SW. I'll check the times, great idea. I'm thinking we will stay a majority of time in Orlando and spend one night with the uncle in St. Pete.

 

[Swirly girls]

Heading to Orlando the first week of June (May 31-June 7). Originally for Discovery Cove, but then I heard about the 14 consecutive days included at Sea World/Aquatica/ Busch Gardens, so I purchased with this in mind. I rented a 2 Bdr condo for the week at Sheraton Vistana Villages, but the week was so darn cheap, I don't mind abandoning the condo for a few days to stay in St. Petersburg or Clearwater, if needed. Never been to any of the these theme parks (in recent times at least) and just trying to put together my itinerary. I have a 7 year old girl (52") and 8 year old boy (50").

How many days should I plan for each place? Discovery Cove is on June 2nd (Sunday). My wife's uncle is in St. Pete, so we have a place to stay if we want multiple stays at Busch Gardens. However, I don't think we'd stay there more than one night, so we'd also consider renting a beach place in Clearwater a few days if more nights are needed.

Thanks for any help!

Just wanted to let you know we've stayed at Sheraton vistana ( timeshare) they are nice.. They are spacious, clean, and resort is very pretty. They do not compare to some Disney resorts, but if your looking for a nice non disney place to stay, this is a good choice.
You'll love discovery Cove!!! it was an amazing day we are all STILL talking about.

 

[ckelly14]

Was able to secure one week in a 2 Bdr condo for $599, so I'm pretty happy. I usually stay at Starwood properties, but have never stayed there, so thanks for the info.

Looks like late hours at BG doesn't start until the following week; open until 6pm when I am there. I assume it won't be that crowded during the week. Has anyone ever used the fastpass option at any of these parks (whatever they are called...)?

 

[Lynne G]

Was able to secure one week in a 2 Bdr condo for $599, so I'm pretty happy. I usually stay at Starwood properties, but have never stayed there, so thanks for the info.

Looks like late hours at BG doesn't start until the following week; open until 6pm when I am there. I assume it won't be that crowded during the week. Has anyone ever used the fastpass option at any of these parks (whatever they are called...)?

Since I stayed at the Fairfield I got free quick que passes for SW. I am not sure I would have paid for them, but it was a nice perk.

For BGT, I did not have express passes, though I think I remember seeing them for sale. We went at the end of August, on week days, and I don't remember the crowds being that bad.

Oh, and if you don't want to pay the $15 parking at each of the parks, call DC and ask for the parking pass. It gives you unlimited parking at SW, BGT and Aquadica, for $30 for 14 days. I thought that pass was a great thing. The one time at SW, they gave me preferred parking with it.

And, I looked back on my costs, for the safari, it was 30 or 35 per person, because it was around $100 for the three of us. Also, I thought about reserving it on the website, but I wasn't sure if we wanted to do it. So, I bought safari tickets in the park when we first entered. My kids still tell me how fun it was to feed the Giraffes. One was named Captain, and he loved putting his head all the way into the back of the truck. I would not do every time, but the one time was definitely fun.

 

[ckelly14]

Thanks Lynn. I'm planning 1 day at DC, 1 or 2 days at BG, 2 days at Aquatica (my kids love water parks), 1 or 2 days at SW.

I'm planning on the Safari at BG and Dine with Shamu as the only add-ons.

If anyone has any insights as to which parks to do what days, let me know. Reservation at Vistana Villages is Friday May 31st to Friday June 7th. May just hang around the pool and resort the 1st Sat or do Aquatica. Not really sure how busy these parks are.


How would you rank these parks for crowds- BG, SW,AQ ?


I currently have a reservation for the Friday/Sat night at the end of the week for Royal Pacific at Universal. 2 nights are about the same as one week at Vistana! May just cancel this as it may be overload for the kids!

 

[Denamac]

Discovery Cove is on June 2nd (Sunday).

We will be at DC on 6/2 also! We are planning on Sea World on Monday 6/3. Sorry, can't help you with anything, just thought I'd let you know we'd be there at the same time! I do think we are going to do the all day dining and quick queue at SW, if that helps.