I am stuck! Can we do Universal in 2 days off site

[Disneycrazymom]

In JULY?

We are booked at the Swan right now but I am thinking it might be time to try Universal. We are taking a cruise but are spending 3 days before and 2 after in Orlando ( or somewhere!) After adding up all the cost of Disney (which we all love) it will be $$$ for the tickets and hotel. Just too much for only 3 real full days.

So I can lower the cost a lot by doing a Hampton Inn kind of place and spending the time at Sea World (kids have never been there) or Universal (none of us have been there). Is it a good idea? Would I just end up not happy to try it not staying on site during the busy July season? The on-site hotels are just not in the budget. (We can do the Swan at the Teacher rate.) I know the Dis family can help me figure it out!

While I 'm rambling - is there a meal with Sponge Bob somewhere?

 

[damo]

Can you give exact dates so we can check out prices?

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thank-you, yes!

July 12 - July 15 then July 22 - July 24.
We arrive on the 12 at about 12 noon.
Will head to Port Canaveral on Sunday early in the am.
We'll return after the cruise on Sun the 22 and then fly home at 6pm on the 24.

This all started with a great air fare on SW but we "had" to travel on Thurs and Tuesday.

Now I need to fill the time. My first thought was Disney of course, but now I am looking at other options.

The $85 ticket is very persuasive!

 

[damo]

The 7 day pass is for 7 consecutive days, so you will only be able to use the pass before OR after. Maybe the three days before would be a better idea? Let me know before I start checking around.

 

[sha_lyn]

As long as you plan your days for non weekends and arrive at the gates by 8:30 you should be able to enjoy the parks without staying onsite.
Hit the high demand rides first, then work in the shows and quick loading attractions after.

As for character meals
There is a breakfast in IOA with Spider man, Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2
There is also dinners at all 3 resorts I believe.
The one we have done is Shrek and Scooby Doo at RPR
Photo opportunities with Sponge Bob is at the end of Jimmy Neutron

 

[robvia]

The boat arrives in the morning on the 22nd, but you don't get off it until 9-10am. By the time you get your luggage and drive over to another park, your early morning advantage is gone. You could visit SWF on this day since it's mostly shows and you only need to arrive 30 minutes before each to get a seat.

On Monday and Tuesday morning, you could visit IOA and USF, arriving at 8am. During the summer months, the parks open at 08:30am, but they don't officially tell anyone, just happens. So if you're at the gate at 8am, you can go in first, do all the popular rides, and leave around lunch time when the park gets packed and very hot. You rest at the hotel, then come back at night to walk around.

Check out my Offsite hotel page here. There is an Amerisuites (now called the Hyatt) which would be good, or the Best Western is also there.
Offsite

 

[Lisa P.]

If you think the $85 is persuasive, you may want to check out www.costco.com for theirs. Go to "Sports," then "Tickets & Gift Certs," then look for Universal Passes. They have a 3-month Pass for $84.99 and a 15-month (1 yr + 3 mo) Annual Pass for $179.99 - both must be activated by 12/31/07 or will activate then by default and expire (3 or 15) months later. These would work for both before/after your cruise and maybe even provide some park visits on a future trip. Costco requires ($50) membership to get these prices online or pay a 5% surcharge ($4.25 per 3-mo pass or $9 per 15-mo pass) with purchase.

Our 3-month passes arrived in about a week. Some people have said they did not like ordering online from Universal and having to keep the correct credit card for kiosk pick-up at the parks or having to use their computer printout paper as their pass on arrival. We got the actual passes in the mail from Costco and we'll be able to use them as scrapbook souvies later. HTH!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks everyone!

I am thinking of switching from the Swan to the Embassy Suites - Jamaican Court. I think it is pretty close to Universal. They have a shuttle and we would also have a rental car. The best rate so far is $155 but that includes a movie and a dinner. So seems pretty good. We do have a cosco so the 3 month pass might be the perfect solution. I also found the 4 Park Flex ticket lasts for 14 days so that would work. Or I could get a 2 day to Universal for the first part and then we could do Sea World the second half. Now I have too many choices!!!! The fact that we will not be into Orlando until later in the am on both the day of our flight in as well as the day the ship docks is what is making me think twice about paying so much for the Disney tickets. Just not enough "good" touring time!

 

[damo]

Thanks everyone!

I am thinking of switching from the Swan to the Embassy Suites - Jamaican Court. I think it is pretty close to Universal. They have a shuttle and we would also have a rental car. The best rate so far is $155 but that includes a movie and a dinner. So seems pretty good. We do have a cosco so the 3 month pass might be the perfect solution. I also found the 4 Park Flex ticket lasts for 14 days so that would work. Or I could get a 2 day to Universal for the first part and then we could do Sea World the second half. Now I have too many choices!!!! The fact that we will not be into Orlando until later in the am on both the day of our flight in as well as the day the ship docks is what is making me think twice about paying so much for the Disney tickets. Just not enough "good" touring time!

The ES- Jamaican Court is a partner hotel, so the shuttle is free. Breakfast is free too and the place looks nice! There is also free transportation to SeaWorld and Wet n Wild.

Are there any AAA specials for this hotel?

 

[wicket2005]

There are no problems with lines at all in July if you arrive before the park opens. We have all the rides done, sometimes several times, before the main bulk of the crowds arrive at 11.30 ish. It does make an early start but it is worth it. In the afternoons we tend to catch the shows, then head back to the hotel for a relax.

 

[stephensmum]

What time do the parks open early June?

 

[GaryWT]

We just got back from 2 days ay Universal in April. We got off the ship on Thurs, got our rental, checked into our hotel and headed for Universal. We went in on day 1 around noon and completed all the "rides" on the Universal side by about 6:30, they were closing at 7:00. The n on Friday we got to the park around 10:00 and when to the island side. It was the day of the grad bash so it was busy. We decided to buy the express passes for the 5 of us at $30 each but felt they paid for themselves at our first stop. The Hulk had an 80 minute wait and we walked right onto it so it was well worth it to us as that is how our day went. We did all the rides and repeated about 4 before that park closed at 6 PM.

We did not do the shows and only slowed alittle to eat.

It was our first trip there and the first time we had a rental and stayed outside of Disney. We found it very easy to get around, we stayed at the Sheraton Studio City which is minutes from the park and not far from Downtown Disney. The other thing that we did while there was hit up Fun Spot at night and spent a few hours on the go carts.

 

[cgcruz]

Wow, the Costco 3 month deal for $85 sure beats Universal's deal. I didn't even know they offered discounts on Universal.