I think we are crazy!

[Mark small]

Hello All! My family of 6 (kids: 11,12,14,16) are coming to Orlando from December 26-Jan 2. I'm sure the Parks will be dead. Lo!

We are staying at Regal Palms and will be doing one of the Universal Parks and probably Busch Gardens

I have a number or questions and I appreciate the help!

1. I know the Parks will be packed, any particular days we should utilize that week?
2. Can I get and should I get Express Passes for our 2 days?
3. Is Undercover Tourist the best place to get tickets
4. Which Universal Park would be best for the kids (11-16)?
5. Is Busch Gardens a good fit for us?
6. Any suggestions for that week for the Kids for events/things to do?

Thanks so much and wish us luck!

Mark

 

[Lynne G]

1. No think thick crowds and get there early as you can. Use single rider and eat off times and make reservations if you want a sit down place in the parks or City Walk.

2. You can get express inside the park, if you think you want, and can afford, yes get express online before you go. However, be sure, it is park specific, day specific and no refund. If you are potter fans, you need a park to park pass to go between the parks and ride the potter train.

3. I would say yes. I have bought from them before, and have been very happy. Real tickets, included tax in the price, and free shipping to my US address.

4. Well, my kids are 15 and 19, and are coaster fans. They like IOA maybe more than the Studios, but they like both parks because of the rides found in each.

5. I would say yes. If you can afford, do the safari where you feed the giraffes. My kids enjoy the coasters, I enjoy the animals and nice place to walk around. About an hour or so away, and definitely a fun day.

6. Do airboat or other tour, they are fun. Go to the showcase of citrus. They do informative rides through orange groves, and you get to throw oranges to cows. Plus, a fun store that serves fresh orange slush that is a cool treat, and you can buy you pick bushels of oranges or other citrus that is in season. Do the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel, it has decorated pods that are Christmas themed. The museum and aquarium next to it are fun too. Can buy a ticket for one, two, or all three of those. Fun spot has awesome go carts and carnival rides. Go to Disney Springs and eat and shop. The Ice display at the Gaylord Palms is fun too. Is is Peanuts themed this year. There is a Living Social or Groupon deal for it right now.

Just some of my thoughts. We will be there too, but from 21 to 31. If you would like to say hi, just let me know. I hope you have an awesome time in Orlando.

 

[wookiebeck]

Welcome to the boards.

Read #2 from Lynne G above very carefully.

Many of us regulars stay onsite at the premium resorts to get the Express Pass perk. You are in the off-site position to buy the EP's as an add-on, which can get very costly for a family of 6. The daily price of that depends on the crowds. If it is heavy that week, expect to pay a ton. Since you are only seven weeks away, I don't know if there will be any rooms at Royal Pacific or Hard Rock Hotel for you to book. If you booked two rooms (due to 6 people) for even one night, you can get the EP for two days (check-in day and check-out day).

UT is the only place I have bought tix for USO and WDW in the past decade. They are wonderful. Order now so you get them in hand in plenty of time.

We have done Busch Gardens and it is very nice. But my teens would choose both USO parks over BG any day. We have stayed at USO for up to ten days and still wanted more. The cost to add a day to Uni tix is small compared to an entire new day at another theme park, be it WDW or BG. Look at the 3-day park-to-park pricing...sweet.

 

[Mark small]

Wow. Thank you for the info, I just checked the pricing. Needeless to say, expensive is an understatement.

 

[friendswithdave]

Our family of six (kids 14,15,15,18) will be at Universal from 12/30-1/1. I expect it to be very crowded. We are staying on-site 12/31 one night just to get the express pass. We were last at Universal six years ago and really enjoyed it. I think three days should be the right amount of time. While it adds a lot to the expense, the parks this time of year are so crowded the express pass one way or the other seems to be an essential.

Go to both parts - the kids will love both.

We went to Busch Gardens six years ago and really enjoyed that as well. It was MUCH less crowded and the animals made it a different experience.

 

[friendswithdave]

Mark Small, I tried to send you a personal message but was denied. Maybe you have too few posts on here. I'll be happy to share more since our families are so similar. There are strategies to make things more affordable. You may be able to message me or email me at friendswithdave at yahoo dot com

 

[Sunshine25]

Hi Mark, check out the Showcase of Citrus, it's only 10 minutes from Regal Palms. It's a monster truck tour, you spot gators, zebras and other animals as well as pick fresh citrus.
Also, I recommend Mia Pizza in the Berry Town center plaza right down the rd from Regal Palms, as well as the fish & chip shop. Both yummy.