Help with my plan for US and WDW.

[skiingwife]

Hi everyone,
We'll be flying into Orlando at 5:30 on December 15, staying until December 25. I was planning 4 nights at Polynesian and 6 nights at Yacht Club. But now I want to stay at least one night at HRH to have express pass for the 2 days we'll be at Universal. Does anyone have advice on when would be the best time to go to universal (beginning, middle or end of our trip). I'm trying to consider the WDW crowds. Here are my options:

1) 3 nights at Poly, 1 night at HRH, then 6 nights at YC. We'd get value season rates at all 3 places, checking in to YC on the 19th. Total about $2319. We'd be spending 2 days at US on low Disney crowd days.

2) 4 nights at Poly, 4 nights at YC, 2 nights at HRH. We'd have value season rates at WDW but the higher rate of $329 at HRH. I'd need 2 nights at HRH because if we only stayed the last night, we wouldn't have 2 full days as our flight leaves in the afternoon. Total about $2570.

3) 2 nights at HRH, 2 nights at Poly, 6 nights at YC. Value season at all 3. Total about $2258. But by going to HRH first, we miss out on 3 pretty low crowd days at WDW. Would it be better to do HRH at the end since crowds won't really matter because of express pass.

I'd like to pay the lower HRH rate of $183 in option 1 or 3, but it seems like we'd make the best use of our express pass and avoid the biggest disney crowds if we go with more expensive number 2.

What do you all think?

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I think what ever you decide you should end your trip at HRH. No lines is the best way to end your trip after doing nothing but standing on lines at Disney.

 

[JKW]

We have done 6 years of split stays like the options you have detailed. I have to tell you coming from a family of 5 (current ages --- me, dh,ds6,dd11,ds12 ) we love to have the US part of the trip LAST. There are several reasons
1. FOTL --- By the time we get to the 8th night the kids patience for the lines are minimal. It provides much needed relief at the end.
2. The parks in general can be done in 1/2 to 3/4 of a day with FOTL. This gives the kids the afternoon to swim and relax.
3. The evenings are a bit more relaxed. At the times we have gone, the US parks tend to close at 5-7pm. This lets the kids slow down.

We have found that we are a bit more relaxed heading home if we do US last because of these reasons. DH and I call this the no meltdown plan.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I agree with the prior posters. UO last.

 

[goofy!]

I have to agree with the rest. If you can swing it, do Universal last. It really is the "vacation" after the vacation. Allows for some down time and relaxing. And you can use the FOTL for the busiest period of your trip.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I'm going to agree with everyone else. I always suggest people stay at UO last. Your situation makes it even more important. Just when the crowds at WDW are becoming unbearable, you'll be off to HRH & FOTL. The only thing that could possibly sway me in a different direction would be if I had planned to see the CP @ Epcot on Christmas Eve. If you don't have any special Christmas Eve plans, definitely stay at HRH last. BTW, you have a great trip planned.

 

[skiingwife]

Thanks everyone. That's kind of what I was leaning towards. You are right that Disney will be getting crowded by December 23 and it will be the perfect time to move over to Hard Rock.

It would be nice to get a room discount, but it looks like I'll have to pay full price at that time of year. Not even a AAA discount. Now would I need 2 nights at Universal, or could I do it in 1 with 1 1/2 days at the parks? Two nights certainly sounds more relaxing. Oh well, it's only money. I think we'll shoot for 2 nights.

 

[skiingwife]

JKW: My kids are about the same as your 13, 11 and 7. I think they will like the FOTL option and the more relaxed pace. Now to choose between HRH and RPR? Which did your kids enjoy?

 

[JKW]

We have stayed at both the RPR and the HRH. They have mixed feelings. The boys like the HRH and the girl likes the RPR. DH and I like the RPR better. The pool at the HRH has a slide that the kids like. The HRH pool has underwater music ( cool idea --- but I can't hold my breath that long ) The RPR has a play area with water shooters. All in all the pools other than these items are comparable. The kids seem to get wet at both and have fun doing it. The rooms are completed different in theme. The rooms at the RPR appear to be smaller. We like the polynesian feel. The HRH is cool however is loud. I read from these boards that it was loud but I figured all resorts are loud. After staying there though, I believe that the resort with the music on all the time is too loud for me. This is purely a personal preference. I am an engineer coordinator at a major assembly plant so I usually have a conversation going, trying to listen to my radio/phone, and all the noise of the plant so to have the music all the time during vacation bothers me a tad when it should be quiet. I think that it is a personal preference but if you want to save some money I would stay at the RPR. I think that they are both great hotels -- clean, great service, and good amenities. I think that the kids would be happy at either.