How do you plan?

[Bethany10]

I also get a little nuts when it feels there is only one way to do it 'right' regardless of wallet size. There are so many ways to have a good time and it depends on family dynamics, time, and the money

YES, totally agree!

 

[Bethany10]

Other onsite hotels were not as magical, so I know it wasn't the walking that cured it. I hope it is as soothing for your knees. I do bring a heating pad and big ziploc bags for ice.

Oh man I wish. I'm really hoping the hot tubs are open by the time we can get down there as that was a huge help to me last time. I take a bath at night and find it really soothing but with no grab bar on the wall side of the tub I literally could not get myself out of the bathtub without help that first night. It was awful and I was too scared to try it again the rest of the trip. The hot tubs allowed me to soak my knees, AND be able to get in and out. I've spent much of lockdown doing my own rehab and am in far less pain than I was 2 years ago, but it's still a lot of walking and no matter how much we do ahead of time I know it's going to start hurting at some point.

Moes / BK is also good for quick lunch if you have people in your party who want something different, but you want to eat together (and on a budget).

this area was a huge hit for us in 2019. both DH and DD LOVE Panda Express (I hate it) and we don't have Moe's here in Kansas City, which I love. DS got a burger and everyone was content and happy. I'm sure we'll eat here again this summer.

 

[Erica Ladd]

My "plan" is to make a few dining reservations before we get there. Then it's early to the parks, pool breaks in the afternoons, and back to the parks until close. We have EP from staying at HRH so not concerned about long lines except for virtual ones for Hagrid and other rides if applicable. We've been to Universal before so no pressure to do it all. My challenge will be to get the teens up early in the morning for the parks. (But they get up early for school, so why not for a fun day in the parks?) They take the word "vacation" too seriously. There appears to be a bit of a role reversal. I'm the kid now who wants to get up early and they are the parent who is in no rush at all!

A couple of things - EXCEPT FOR HAGRIDS EP always beats VL so if you have EP they work better on other rides that use VL.

Plan on letting the kids sleep in at least once or twice if you have a whole week. Especially if you get Hagrids in the beginning. It really makes for a complete vacation to have lots of activities but still get needed rest and relaxation.

Our last trip we arrived early on a Saturday morning and even with an afternoon rest we were beat but as the parks closed City Walk became packed and we were forced to eat something we didn’t want and ended up tired and cranky. So for our next trip in a few weeks (we arrive again early Sat) I made a ressie at Toothsome for right after park close. I do make a reservation for The Kitchen for their family style breakfast every trip we are there on a weekend!!!

 

[Bethany10]

I do make a reservation for The Kitchen for their family style breakfast every trip we are there on a weekend!!!

oooh that sounds like fun. We leave late on Saturday and last time wound up having to burn time in city walk before heading to the airport. I'm thinking about planning a breakfast that day and maybe even just not hitting the parks but hanging out in Orlando somewhere. Family breakfast sounds fun.

 

[Erica Ladd]

It is delicious!! We enjoyed it thoroughly

 

[debdebdebby13]

We are going in 2 weeks and I'm using Touring Plans just like I do for Disney trips.

 

[bchbetha]

We are going in 2 weeks and I'm using Touring Plans just like I do for Disney trips.

Run it by here, if you can. They have some really poor advice for Universal, in my opinion.

 

[debdebdebby13]

Run it by here, if you can. They have some really poor advice for Universal, in my opinion.

Good idea!