Is 4 1/2 days at Universal too much?

[jewell]

We are booked in RPR in the middle of June for five nights. We will arrive around 2:00pm on Sunday, so we'll have the rest of the day on Sunday, all day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We will leave for home early on Friday.

I had planned on just staying on site the whole time, it will be myself, hubby and 15 year old son, also my sister and her 2 girls-ages 10 and 13. We did just a Disney trip a few years back so we don't have any plans to do Disney on this trip. Should we take a day to do Sea World? How crowded is SW in the middle of June? We've never been to SW, but I'm still leaning towards staying at Universal (sounds more relaxing), unless you think SW is a must do.

 

[minniejack]

Not enough time IMHO.

Seriously, you will have a wonderful vacation with time to ride whatever rides you want multiple times. Your kids are the perfect age for Uni.

You don't have the lines as you do at Disney, so you can enjoy your resort's amenities more.Remember, you pay more for the room than the parks, so we always try to enjoy what we paid the most for. Relax and swim. We have found that even with 5 days we just don't have time to do and see everything.

 

[Gingernut]

we've done wdw the last 3 trips and are just doing universal and seaworld in october for 2 weeks. won't be spending everyday in a park mind, but can't wait to go.
i wouldn't say that will be too much what you are doing at all - as long as you like all the rides, which the age of your kids prob will. And because its not as busy as wdw you don't feel like you have to be constantly on the go and can take your time - thats how i feel anyway.

 

[Laurabearz]

There really is something to be said for taking your time and relaxing on vacation. Staying on site (at a great hotel btw) and enjoying the parks at your leisure is the BEST way to tour US/IOA.

FOTL Rocks

 

[frisco]

I can't imagine spending more than 3 days at the Universal Parks. I did 2 days onsite last year, and did everything we wanted, as much as we wanted.

 

[jewell]

Well, most of you say stay there, except for frisco. Maybe this is based on how much downtime you want on your vacation. I have every intention on taking an afternoon break back to the hotel for a swim and maybe a nap, and I want to eat at a couple of good restaurants (maybe Tchoup Chop and Momma Della's). I definitely want some time for relaxation, but I'm just hoping the kids won't get bored---they all like to ride everything! And since we'll have a lot of time, we should be able to do as many shows as we want. And with the pool, I really think the kids will be happy---right?

 

[Laurabearz]

Don't forget you can pool hop too.

And the RPR (I guess HRH too) have poolside actitivties, Dive in theather aka movies in the pool, ping pong tables, beach vollyball, and more!

 

[frisco]

Well, most of you say stay there, except for frisco. Maybe this is based on how much downtime you want on your vacation. I have every intention on taking an afternoon break back to the hotel for a swim and maybe a nap, and I want to eat at a couple of good restaurants (maybe Tchoup Chop and Momma Della's). I definitely want some time for relaxation, but I'm just hoping the kids won't get bored---they all like to ride everything! And since we'll have a lot of time, we should be able to do as many shows as we want. And with the pool, I really think the kids will be happy---right?

Don't take my word for it. I've only stayed at Universal once, and I was there with a friend. Going with my family would be TOTALLY different. I'd need more time in the parks, more time at the resort, and more time by the pool.

I could easily spend a week at any Universal Resort, just not in the 2 theme parks.

And I'm also not a thrill ride junkie, so that takes out a bit from Islands of Adventure.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Well, most of you say stay there, except for frisco. Maybe this is based on how much downtime you want on your vacation. I have every intention on taking an afternoon break back to the hotel for a swim and maybe a nap, and I want to eat at a couple of good restaurants (maybe Tchoup Chop and Momma Della's). I definitely want some time for relaxation, but I'm just hoping the kids won't get bored---they all like to ride everything! And since we'll have a lot of time, we should be able to do as many shows as we want. And with the pool, I really think the kids will be happy---right?

The hours in June are open later then usual so you should have plenty of time to do what you would like to do. Adding SW would be up to you I think if you go at a decent pace with FOTL you should be able to finish US/IOA in 3 days. I am not sure if the kids are still into playgrounds and play areas but that could definately take some time also with Fievel and the water play area near there since it will probably be hot might take some time there.

I don't think your kids would be bored with 4 days there though. You could wait till 3rd day and spur of the moment change up and do SW if your out of things to do but I dont think that would be the case if you spend relaxation time. I am not sure how busy sea world would be or when that ride opens which may be open during June but if it is it will probably bring in some crowds.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I booked a trip for around the same amount of time Thurs-Monday and we'll be including Sea World along with the Universal parks. I think it'll be enough time if you do decide to include it but either way you'll have a great time enjoying the two parks and the resort.

Last year when I included Sea World on a 4-day trip, we enjoyed the morning at the resort, slept in, enjoyed the pool, had lunch by the pool...then went got ready and went to Sea World and stayed until closing. It worked out great for us.

 

[jewell]

I booked a trip for around the same amount of time Thurs-Monday and we'll be including Sea World along with the Universal parks. I think it'll be enough time if you do decide to include it but either way you'll have a great time enjoying the two parks and the resort.

Last year when I included Sea World on a 4-day trip, we enjoyed the morning at the resort, slept in, enjoyed the pool, had lunch by the pool...then went got ready and went to Sea World and stayed until closing. It worked out great for us.

That's not a bad idea. Are buying tickets at SW the same amount as buying them on-line, or is it like Universal and a lot cheaper buying them on-line? I really don't want to buy them in advance, just in case we don't go. So is SW really amazing? And yes, we love animals, especially my family (we've got 4 dogs!!!).

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

That's not a bad idea. Are buying tickets at SW the same amount as buying them on-line, or is it like Universal and a lot cheaper buying them on-line? I really don't want to buy them in advance, just in case we don't go. So is SW really amazing? And yes, we love animals, especially my family (we've got 4 dogs!!!).

Sea World tickets aren't significantly cheaper online right now. Sometimes they'll have a deal but right now you'll only save about $5 a ticket.

Sea World is amazing and will only get better with the opening of the new Manta coaster. We're looking forward to that, dining in Sharks Underwater Grill, watching the night-time Shamu show.. It's going to be a blast.

 

[macraven]

stay on site and take advantage of the free shuttle to Sea World or Wet & Wild that the hotels offer.

or for $10 pp, take the transportation bus from your onsite hotel to busch gardens for the day.


I'm staying for 6 days onsite in the fall and i'm going solo.
my concern is i won't have enough time to do everything i want to do.

the onsite hotels max per room is 5 people.
if your other family member plus 2 more teens go with you, you'll need 2 rooms.
you can book connecting rooms if they are available.
that way you can use both rooms together.

 

[jewell]

stay on site and take advantage of the free shuttle to Sea World or Wet & Wild that the hotels offer.

or for $10 pp, take the transportation bus from your onsite hotel to busch gardens for the day.


I'm staying for 6 days onsite in the fall and i'm going solo.
my concern is i won't have enough time to do everything i want to do.

the onsite hotels max per room is 5 people.
if your other family member plus 2 more teens go with you, you'll need 2 rooms.
you can book connecting rooms if they are available.
that way you can use both rooms together.

Yes, we've already booked the rooms, one room for my family and one for my sister and her two girls, having all of us in one room would NOT be a vacation!

I looked up the ticket prices for SW for a day and have decided not to do it, it looks like so much fun but at the ticket prices being around $75 each, I just think that is too much with what we are already paying for our Universal trip. I think we will be fine staying on site, we could always take in a movie at citywalk, and most of us like to shop (except my son of course ), so we can spend some time looking around the gift shops too.

Thanks for everyones input though.

 

[donaldduck352]

Yes, we've already booked the rooms, one room for my family and one for my sister and her two girls, having all of us in one room would NOT be a vacation!

I looked up the ticket prices for SW for a day and have decided not to do it, it looks like so much fun but at the ticket prices being around $75 each, I just think that is too much with what we are already paying for our Universal trip. I think we will be fine staying on site, we could always take in a movie at citywalk, and most of us like to shop (except my son of course ), so we can spend some time looking around the gift shops too.

Thanks for everyones input though.

The resorts,I can spend two days alone just doing the pool hop and checking out the shops and bars etc..-CW is great also for shopping and getting some great food,catch the latest flick..The movie theaters has reclining chairs.Then you got the parks with FOTL..What more can you ask for in a vaccation..Everything in walking distance too boot!!!

 

[Dervishian]

We spent 6 days at PBH over New Year's with our 15-year-old daughter and her best friend. By pure luck, the weather was spectacular, and we truly enjoyed the time we spent at the resort, sitting by the pool, the hot tub, the water slide...We did venture offsite one day to take the girls parasailing at Contemporary and hubby did the Indy Driving experience, but other than that, we took our time exploring both parks, spent ALOT of time at City Walk - Margaritaville has got to be the funnest place to eat (ate there 4 times!), the kids will love it there. We took in a movie there as well, as another poster suggested, it was really relaxing. We are thinking about going back again this coming New Year and will probably do SW then, but I would suggest you spend your time enjoying Universal and your hotel amenities, you certainly are paying enough for them! Have fun!

 

[schumigirl]

We`ve just booked 2 weeks at RPR in Aug, and we plan to spend a lot more time at Universal than Disney this year. We don`t normally spend time at the pool in hotels but it looks so lovely here I may have to allocate an afternoon to just chilling!
So in reply to your question, no It`s not too much.

 

[minniejack]

We spent 6 days at PBH over New Year's with our 15-year-old daughter and her best friend. By pure luck, the weather was spectacular, and we truly enjoyed the time we spent at the resort, sitting by the pool, the hot tub, the water slide...We did venture offsite one day to take the girls parasailing at Contemporary and hubby did the Indy Driving experience, but other than that, we took our time exploring both parks, spent ALOT of time at City Walk - Margaritaville has got to be the funnest place to eat (ate there 4 times!), the kids will love it there. We took in a movie there as well, as another poster suggested, it was really relaxing. We are thinking about going back again this coming New Year and will probably do SW then, but I would suggest you spend your time enjoying Universal and your hotel amenities, you certainly are paying enough for them! Have fun!

We were there the exact same time with our 15 year old and 13 year old. We probably were at the Villa pool right beside you and at Margaritaville with you, too--we loved that place.

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

We spent 5 nights at the HRH this past July and it was perfect!
We weren't rushed and we had lots of pool time
I say go and have a blast!

 

[Metro West]

We spent 5 nights at the HRH this past July and it was perfect! We weren't rushed and we had lots of pool time
I say go and have a blast!