I feel like I am about to cheat on Mickey-touring from DVC to....

[SnowWitch]

Universal Orlando. We have not been to US/IOA in a few years. The resort cost is a bit high if your not willing to stay on property for at least 4 nights. I was wondering if anyone has experience with staying, for example at OKW, and touring to other parks? We will have a car.

 

[dtheboys]

I have three boys....they love Universal....more thrill rides, etc etc. A nice mix...Disney and Universal...we have a rental car and drive over to Universal every year..we really enjoy the City Walk at night...especially now that Disney has closed Pleasure Island...

 

[arthur06]

we also always get a rental car and do both on our trips. you can get the 7 days unlimited for 99.99 for both parks. So we usually do a day at universal and IOA then the day we leave for home we go back and do our favorite rides again. That way we don't burn any extra Disney tickets on a half day.

IMO, I think that Spiderman is phenomenal and Hulk is pretty awesome at IOA! We also really love Mummy at Universal. MIB is alright and excited to try the Simpson's ride this time.

 

[photobob]

We've driven to Sea World once, but I've never been to Universal. I don't like leaving WDW once I get there.

 

[edk35]

We went to both Universal Studios in Jan. while staying at OKW. The crowds were low low low...walked on everything. We had been to US back in 98 and so we wanted to check it out since IOA was added. Sure it was fun....but my 15 year old thought it was going to be a lot more than it was. He was a bit let down. He was the one that kept asking to go the past few trips too. I am fine to skip US/IOA for a while now. I prefer Disney. If we ever went again....I would take advantage of staying on site that way you can really enjoy the resorts. They look awesome.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Hey, as long as you pay your dues you're free to roam as far as I'm concerned! We go to Cape Canaveral, Sea World, Universal, Islands of Adventure (Great Roller Coasters, Duelling Dragons), Medieval Times. We also dine out, Orlando has fantastic restaurants etc.. and...even worse... sometimes we go to the resort and we don't do any parks at all! Talk about relaxing! The kids in summer like to do the water parks and go to DTD for a movie or ice cream. In summer they also love to go to Disney Quest for hours on end, much cooler and cheaper than the parks. I love Mickey but this year we're cutting down on some of the activities, eating in at the villa so that we can still enjoy going both in Jun and Aug. (yes, Duelling Dragons, here we come)

 

[HayGan]

We are incorporating US/IOA into our trip this year. We are doing one night at the Hard Rock in order to get 2 days of the FOTL pass. We will then move over to AKV. Having the 7 day passes to US/IOA will be nice because we will have a wide range of choices for activities for the entire first week.

The advice that people on the US/IOA boards have given me is to head over to US/IOA early (7:30) and then leave after the crowds start (around 11am).

Think of it this way, you have the best of both worlds! What could be better - WDW, DVC and US/IOA aall in one trip! How fantastic!!!

 

[spiceycat]

even use to get an annual pass at US/IOA and SW - but since get $100 off WDW - been staying with WDW lately.

do it!!!

that say - if you are going over after the Harry potter opens - would recommend staying onsite anyway.

AAA did have some nice discounts with the Loewe's hotels.

 

[JACKie SPARROW]

Hey, as long as you pay your dues you're free to roam as far as I'm concerned!

EXACTLY And the whole convenience of ME is to keep guests on property.

We haven't been to US or IOA in several years because my youngest is too small for some of the rides (really hoping to go in the next 2 years). However, last year we stayed at ASMo for 3 nights on our way home from Vero Beach and went to Sea World with our own car. I used to hate leaving WDW property, but now it doesn't bother me. It's your vacation and you should do whatever makes you happy

This summer, we are driving to WDW from Wisconsin and will be staying for 10 nights. We are definately planning on trying some off-property attractions: mini golf, outlet malls, regular malls, restaurants and Sea World etc...

 

[snowbunny]

I don't care whether I cheat on Mickey, he's not the boss of me.
And yes we go off property every year because my son loves Discovery Cove and Seaworld - like, 100 times more than he likes any of the Disney parks.

 

[bonnielynn]

Hey, as long as you pay your dues you're free to roam as far as I'm concerned! We go to Cape Canaveral, Sea World, Universal, Islands of Adventure (Great Roller Coasters, Duelling Dragons), Medieval Times. We also dine out, Orlando has fantastic restaurants etc.. and...even worse... sometimes we go to the resort and we don't do any parks at all! Talk about relaxing! The kids in summer like to do the water parks and go to DTD for a movie or ice cream. In summer they also love to go to Disney Quest for hours on end, much cooler and cheaper than the parks. I love Mickey but this year we're cutting down on some of the activities, eating in at the villa so that we can still enjoy going both in Jun and Aug. (yes, Duelling Dragons, here we come)

any restaurants you might name? We are going in 9 days and have decided to eat outside of Disney, , rented a car for that very reason..
we are also going to universal this trip and have done this several times. (if you dont tell the mouse, I wont!!)

 

[BEASLYBOO]

any restaurants you might name? . (if you dont tell the mouse, I wont!!)

Timpano's Italian Chop House and Martini Bar (Fantastic, great for kids too) They have a web site. I-4 and W Sandlake Road

Vito's Chop House, Great steaks and Italian food, International Drive

Taverna Opa (Really good Greek & Mediteranean Food, grilled sea foods) Very good, International Drive

I love Disney, but I get tired of the same food!

Have fun and enjoy!

 

[HayGan]

Timpano's Italian Chop House and Martini Bar (Fantastic, great for kids too) They have a web site. I-4 and W Sandlake Road

Vito's Chop House, Great steaks and Italian food, International Drive

Taverna Opa (Really good Greek & Mediteranean Food, grilled sea foods) Very good, International Drive

I love Disney, but I get tired of the same food!

Have fun and enjoy!

Thanks for the suggestions. We are looking for good places beyond the usual mouse fare as well.

 

[bonnielynn]

Timpano's Italian Chop House and Martini Bar (Fantastic, great for kids too) They have a web site. I-4 and W Sandlake Road

Vito's Chop House, Great steaks and Italian food, International Drive

Taverna Opa (Really good Greek & Mediteranean Food, grilled sea foods) Very good, International Drive

I love Disney, but I get tired of the same food!

Have fun and enjoy!

Thanks for the suggestions... Can't wait to try em.

 

[ACDSNY]

Our adult kids plan on going to Universal this Nov while I take our DGS to see Mickey.

I guess it was really cheating last Oct in Kauai and we plan on going back next Feb. I've been wanting an EOY week at Marriott now that we don't exchange through II.

 

[bigsmooth]

I know the OP mentioned having a car, but you can also get Mears transport bundled into Universal tickets usually discounted pretty well. We bought a 1 day IOA/US park hopper with Mears transfers last fall and really enjoyed it. We were at IOA for park opening and was able to really see a lot in one day at both parks (it helped that no line was longer than 10 minutes). So even if you don't have a car I say it is worth it. I think the total price for the 1 day park hopper plus transfers was roughly equivalent to a 1 day ticket at purchased as the park.