Im a man Trying to Plan My vacation?

[benziebbj]

OK, I am I guy and this is my first surprise vacation that I am trying to put together. It will be me and my girlfriend, she has wanting to go to Disney world, Seaworld, universal studios. Now we are going for 4 days and 3 nights. I will be driving from North Carolina to Orlando, a little road trip. (Quality time). Now I need some help, I am a college student and I need to save money but I want to make this special for her, so I guess I'm asking what are some nice places to stay around orlando that's not more than a hundred a night or something around there, or maybe a good deal on a hotel. Where can I get discounts on admission for the places that I want to tack her, and also can I save on meals? I don't really know, I'm just figuring that you guys are pretty smart in this field and you could help me. Please help me in saving some money and the best way to approach this trip.. Thanks a whole lot. I know it almost sounds like I am saying plan my trip and find all the discounts so I can save money. But I don't know where to begin but here. Thanks again for anything because I'm trying to make this trip smooth, and fun for her.. Bye

 

[Carrieberry]

Hi there and welcome to the DIS! Now let's see, that is a lot to do in 4 days! You won't really be able to find any discounts on Disney tickets, and more than likely you are looking at one or two parks at WDW and then Sea World for a day and Universal for a day. You can stay onsite at WDW at any of the Value resorts (Pop Century, All Star sports, All Star Movies, All Star Music) for under $100 a night. You could stay off site as well, but be very leary of the cheap rooms since they can be serious roach motels. Just do research on them is all I'm saying. I have never stayed off Disney property so I'm not very knowledgeable about this. Some people like to stay (and highly recommend) the Holiday Inn Family Suites as well as the Radisson Resort Parkway http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/raddissonpark/index.htm.
Dreams Unlimited Travel can book this for you at a great rate of about $80 a night with a free upgrade to a pool view room.
I think we almost stayed at a Fairfield Inn and suites over by Universal and it included breakfast and was decent in price, maybe $80 a night but no belles or whistles.

Think about where you want to spend most of your time and then stay there. The nice thing about staying on Disney property is the easy access to Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island. Universal has Citywalk, but I don't think you will want to pay to park there and if you are not staying at a Universal hotel (well over $100 a night) then you will have to pay to park there as well as pay to park to visit the parks. Of course if you will be there during the summer then you might choose to stay at the parks until they close, not really making a difference as far as nightlife goes.

When are you going to go? You can get decent rates depending on when you want to visit.

Now back to tickets. If you want to do 2 disney parks on two of the days figure about $50-$55 per ticket per park plus tax. If you deicde to do Universal for two days you can get a 2 day ticket for $100 per person plus tax. Sea World is also $53.95 per person plus tax. You might want to invest in an entertainment book www.entertainment.com

This book usually will have discounts for tickets to Sea World and Universal possibly, but not for Disney. Also, it can save you a lot of money on hotel rooms and restaurants. Good luck planning!

 

[crazelion]

Check hotelkingdom.com for good hotels for a cheap price. Then check tripadvsior.com for hotel reviews. Also there is a offsite board this board called Orlando Attractions and hotels. That where all the offsite people hang out. I have stay onsite and offsite. Here what looking for clean and safe for a hotel. It does not matter to me if on or offsite. Do your homework when staying offsite.

I would look for a hotel that included breakfeast in the price of hotel.

You can found discounts for US , IOA, and Sea World on tickets.

There plenty of offsite buffets that have cheap food. One that think of Ci Ci Pizza that has excellent food the price.

 

[benziebbj]

thanks for the input. I was wondering which website do I find the discounts for seaworld, univ. stu. etc. and where at? thanks again.

 

[FatCow]

I personally don't think 3 nights will be enough for all those places.

My upcoming trip is for 6 nights at WDW alone and I'm concern that it won't be enough. Of course, one of the 'problem' is because I'm going with my daughter and furthermore, this is my first vacation in 6 years and first major trip with my daughter ever (she's 5).

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Originally posted by FatCow
I personally don't think 3 nights will be enough for all those places.

My upcoming trip is for 6 nights at WDW alone and I'm concern that it won't be enough. Of course, one of the 'problem' is because I'm going with my daughter and furthermore, this is my first vacation in 6 years and first major trip with my daughter ever (she's 5).

ITA,I dont think I would try to do them all in 4 days.I would stay at WDW and do the 4 parks at Disney and you still will not be able to see it all.i would get a 4 day PH ticket which is like 200.00 and have a Blast at Disney.Then You could take another trip to universal and Sea World another time.
Misty

 

[mad4themouse]

My advise would be to either do WDW or do Universal & SW. To do all of them in 4 days/3nights is really pushing it and you may end up not enjoying it very much.

However, if you want to do them all, ticket discounts will be few.

For Sea World, the best deal so far is to register at Southwest Airlines for their Rapid Rewards Program. Your membership will get you 20% off the gate price (show your card). The catch is that you have to wait until you get to Sea World to purchase the tickets. Your tickets will run about $43 each (plus tax).

WDW has a 2day/2park ticket that they sell at the gate for $105.43 per adult. You will only get to see 2 of the 4 parks and you will not be able to "hop" between parks on a single day. Again, there is no advance purchase, you have to buy this at the gate.

There is no 1day park hopping ticket for Universal either. You would have to choose one park for the day. The gate price is $55.33 (with tax). You may be able to find a coupon somewhere for a few dollars off.

You should have no problem finding a hotel for under $100. There are many decent hotels that fall in that range.

To save on food, bring breakfast supplies to eat in your room or book a hotel that offers free breakfast with your room. Take snacks and bottled water to the parks each day. Make lunch your big meal (same menu as dinner, smaller portions, lower price) and have a light dinner.

Good luck planning. It's really sweet of you to do this for your GF.

 

[jaross]

That's so nice that you want to surprise your girlfriend with a trip to Disney!

I agree with everyone else. You have alot planned for four days. I would suggest planning less and if it happens to work out adding to it. I've been to Disney several times for a full week and still see less than half of it without ever leaving Disney property. I just don't have time to try Universal!

You should check out mousesavers.com for discount codes for the Disney resorts. The all stars or pop century can be a very good deal and still be on site enjoying the magic. There are those that like off site hotels. But for me, there is nothing as wonderful as staying on site.

If you want to be really romantic, you might try one of the deluxe resorts. Polynesian is very romantic. I love Wilderness Lodge. And, if she likes animals, Animal Kingdom Lodge is great with the giraffes, zebras, etc right outside your balcony. But, don't pay full rate for any of these, make sure you get a discount code off of mousesavers. Sometimes, you can get these resorts for as little as $125 a night. (all stars is about $79 a night)

When are you planning on going?The time of year is going to impact on the hotel prices. Ticket prices are pretty much set in stone. There are lots of ways to save money on food. Read through alot of these threads for those hints.

The fireworks are extra romantic, find a quiet spot and settle in. They can be viewed from the beach at some of the resorts. I think Wilderness Lodge and grand floridian.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Chris

 

[benziebbj]

I am going march 11- march 14. Thanks for all the input

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

While I agree with everyone else and wouldn't try to squeeze in all of these in 4 days (I don't really count arrival day and departure day as "days" because they're not a full day), if you are a AAA member, they have a 1 day 2 park ticket for US/IOA for about $70, and also offer discounts on Sea World tickets as well. Also, Universal has the "show your card and save" deal, where you can save 10% or so on meals and some of the merchandise.
Without giving too much away to your gf, I would ask some hidden questions and find out which of these places she REALLY wants to go to, and stick with one....it would be cheaper, plus you wouldn't be running yourself to death....

 

[benziebbj]

Yea you guys are right.. It is to much and I figured that .. I know the main reason for her wanting to go is because she really wants to go to seaworld.. I really think that is where we will be spending most of our time. So lets just say sea world and maybe somewhere else. Im really not sure where else though because I haven't been down there in about 20 years, so I know a lot has changed. anyway what is the best place down there because I have made up my mind I will be going defiently to Sea World, (that's what she always talks about) and the other place is a question? We will be going march 11-march 14. How do you swim with dolphins because she loves dolphins?

 

[KathleenFL]

OK, you're definitely going to Sea World.....So:

" ...You can get 20% at gate ticket if you have a Rapid Rewards card from Southwest Airline. You can get the card free on their website. You just print the card out. That saves you $10. Before you leave you go to the guest relations booth and they will give you the second day free pass..." (From another post, by Sarahsmom85)

You don't have to buy a Southwest ticket--Just sign up, & print out a card:
Southwest Rapid Rewards Enrollment

If you think that you want to go to Sea World for 3 days, they offer a 2004 SeaWorld Orlando Fun Card, which is good for
unlimited admission from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004....Price $59.95 .......Check out the website: SeaWorld Orlando ... On the Ticket page, just over the Fun Card info, click on "Compare Passports..." It shows the perks that come with the Fun Card (free parking, etc.....)

If 2 days at Sea World are enough, then I'd pick either 1 day at Universal, or 1 of the parks at DisneyWorld...My pick would be the Magic Kingdom----If your girlfriend has never been to WDW, it's the most magical place to go, I think (I admit I'm partial to Disney)You could go to the Magic Kingdom in the AM, then take a boat to Wilderness Lodge (Whispering Canyon Cafe is a lot of fun) or Ft. Wilderness (Trails End Buffet, near the dock, has a great lunch for $9.99), then go back to catch the monorail, & visit the hotels around the lagoon.....Before going back to MK for more rides, then the Spectromagic Parade & Fireworks.....Friday would probably be the best day for Disney (Sat. gets crowded)

PM me with your address, & I'll send you brochures for Sea World, Universal & Disney.......For your girlfriend to look through on the trip down......

I could go on forever, but just one last thing----How about getting a hotel through Priceline? I know there are many people on these boards that can advise you how to bid, etc......It's a great way to get a good hotel for less $

Have a wonderful vacation!!!!!!

 

[tink2dw]

Heres a way to make it special!! Take her to Discovery Cove!!

The creators of SeaWorld will now bring you even closer to animals than ever before ... Discovery Cove represents a whole new level of human and animal interaction in a tropical oasis adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando.
Swimming with dolphins is the centerpiece of a daylong adventure at Discovery Cove, located adjacent to SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida. Interacting with a bottlenose dolphin is just one of the several experiences in this exotic tropical oasis that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Dates 2004 All Inclusive Trainer for a Day
January - March 21 $229 plus tax $399 plus tax
Including 14-Day Park Pass*
$259 plus tax
* Price includes admission to both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for 14 consecutive days.

 

[01Sweetpea]

I have the coupon from the Entertainemnt book for $5 off admission, and I'd be happy to send it to you. Just PM me.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Welcome to the Dis benziebbj!

Sounds like you have a lot of good advise going here. I would suggest you check out the Universal and Sea World boards here at the Dis. Also check mousesavers.com for additional ways to save. BTW, Discovery Cove is a little pricey, about $169 or 189/person, I forget which, but it does include lunch and non-alcoholic drinks.

You can try Priceline, Orbitz, Travelocity, or Expedia for good rates on hotels. It's alot to digest so you better get started putting in some time on these boards and websites.

 

[HaleyB]

Oh how sweet.

I can not believe this post has gone on so long with out a link to www.mousesavers.com
She has tons of information on how to save money on WDW and other locations.
Buy a guide book (or just read one, you don't really need to buy one). I like the Unofficial Guide to WDW 2004, which also has a chapter on Universal and maybe Sea World too.
If you will be going to WDW look into the Vaction Kingdom Lunch vouchers. You can do a 4 course meal for a fixed price at a nice sit down place in WDW. Look at the "everything you wanted to know about connections" thread on this board near the top.

 

[jaross]

I second the suggestion for Discovery Cove. It looks absolutely awesome! You can swim with the dolphins, and then with the stringrays in another place. There are lots of up close types of encounters. The way I understand it is that you get a reserved beach chair and reservations for the different encounters so you don't spend tons of time standing in lines.

Check it out at www.discoverycove.com

It's a little pricey, but I imagine it's well worth it. I once paid $125 pp for 45 minutes with the dolphins in Sea World of Ohio. That was in addition to the park admissions. That put the Discovery Cove prices into perspective for me.

Chris