Is a week (or 6 days) too long?

[happymommy]

We're considering August 22nd (Friday the week before Labor Day weekend) for a week (got great airfare from Southwest so booked that, $160 rt from BWI).

Former Disney fanatic, but we've been so many times that DH has had enough. I'd like to visit US and IOA and all, so thought a leisurely week there would be fun. Probably getting the $89 tickets for all 4 of us.

We would enjoy the pools and Citywalk during the days, not much into the "nightlife" as we'd want the kids with us all the time. So we don't want to go "commando style" in the theme parks. Done that years ago, not interested. I think you miss a lot of the little things doing that.

Is a week too long? I am trying to envision the whole Universal thing. I know it's much smaller than WDW. DH will only stay the weekend (someone has to work).

I am also concerned if we stay onsite (for the express pass options and convenience). PBH was my first choice, but found out they don't have a laundry room there. I have to do laundry! Does anyone fill a rolling suitcase with their laundry and bring it to the other resort to wash? I would consider that I guess.

Thanks!

 

[ky07]

Sorry - meant to say WEEK!

We're considering August 22nd (Friday the week before Labor Day weekend) for a week (got great airfare from Southwest so booked that, $160 rt from BWI).

Former Disney fanatic, but we've been so many times that DH has had enough. I'd like to visit US and IOA and all, so thought a leisurely week there would be fun. Probably getting the $89 tickets for all 4 of us.

We would enjoy the pools and Citywalk during the days, not much into the "nightlife" as we'd want the kids with us all the time. So we don't want to go "commando style" in the theme parks. Done that years ago, not interested. I think you miss a lot of the little things doing that.

Is a week too long? I am trying to envision the whole Universal thing. I know it's much smaller than WDW. DH will only stay the weekend (someone has to work).

I am also concerned if we stay onsite (for the express pass options and convenience). PBH was my first choice, but found out they don't have a laundry room there. I have to do laundry! Does anyone fill a rolling suitcase with their laundry and bring it to the other resort to wash? I would consider that I guess.

Thanks!

Personally I think a week is perfect cause you can take your time and see all that the parks have to offer and the great themeing and just like you we are not into night life bar thing and love spending time at the pool with our DS's and love to walk around citywalk with them and this year we will be staying at the RPR and I know they have a laundry and when staying at any hotel I try to find room to pack a duffel bag and then when ready to do laundry I just fill it up and do it and when empty I just repack it for the trip home if that makes any sense
Hope this helps

 

[happymommy]

Thanks - RPR looks very pretty. I agree - just wanted someone to verify that for me. For a week we can relax and I love to stroll and just people watch as well. The kids will love swimming daily also.

Ever rent a cabana?

 

[tlinus]

in anohter post I had suggested that you look into the queen deluxe rooms at the HRH. They are larger ooms and the HRH has laundry facilities. It is the hotel that is closest to the parks and we spend anentire day swimming and eating (and drinking) by the pool.

staying onsite makes a universal vacation SO relaxing - no need to go commando

 

[jtrain]

I'll be at USF the same time and the same amount of days, staying at RPR. We plan on doing one night at the MK, one day at Sea World and maybe a water park. I think 6 days is perfect, especially if you've never gone to USF (it's been 10 years since I went...no IOA back then!) because it will allow you to soak it all in and not rush anything.

 

[Darcy03231]

We were there last summer for 16 days and stayed off-site. We spent 6-7 (I can't remember exactly now) days between US and IOA and I thought it was perfect. No commando touring for us. Since we didn't have FOTL privileges we got to the parks for opening and stayed until the lines started getting long. We went back to our rental home for the afternoon for swim/rest. Some nights we went back and others we just hung around the house. When we got home I didn't feel the need for a vacation from my vacation. Actually, we all agreed it was one of the best vacations we've had.

 

[ky07]

Thanks - RPR looks very pretty. I agree - just wanted someone to verify that for me. For a week we can relax and I love to stroll and just people watch as well. The kids will love swimming daily also.

Ever rent a cabana?

Never rented a cabana but know they come with celeing fan and fridge with I think water or soda and seem to remeber seeing posted awhile back on the boards they raised the rates from $75.00 a day to $100.00 but i would call the hotel and make sure and if its something you want to do you can make the ressie while talking to them.
Hope this helps

 

[happymommy]

Thanks, all. I thought the cabanas were about $100 but may be worth it for a day at the pool.

The deluxe rooms at HRH are sold out I think for our week. I'll check again.

I read that club rooms get cabanas half price. Gonna check on that again also.

 

[circelli]

I wanted to know if we should try visiting Wet n Wild and Sea World on our trip to Universal? We are there from September 27 to October 4. What do you think?

 

[macraven]

I wanted to know if we should try visiting Wet n Wild and Sea World on our trip to Universal? We are there from September 27 to October 4. What do you think?

well, you will be there when HHN opens so there will be crowds that day.
are you staying on site?

m-th should be fine for crowds. i am guessing the lightest days at the park will be that tu, wed, thur.

do wet and wild. take the free transportation bus that the hotels offer if you are staying on site.

 

[phamton]

Sorry - meant to say WEEK!

I'll fix it for you. We all make typos.

 

[happymommy]

Thanks everyone!

Can't get the deluxe rooms at HRH - sold out. Still debating onsite vs. offsite. Big price difference, or little one but condo would be nice. I'm afraid that I'd regret not having FOTL though. Don't want to move once in Orlando - that is a pain. So, still looking.

 

[circelli]

well, you will be there when HHN opens so there will be crowds that day.
are you staying on site?

m-th should be fine for crowds. i am guessing the lightest days at the park will be that tu, wed, thur.

do wet and wild. take the free transportation bus that the hotels offer if you are staying on site.

Thanks for the info!! Yes we are staying at RPR. Should we try Sea World or not?

My sons are 4 & 2. I don't even know what the weather is like at that time of the year also!!!
We won't be doing the parks on Saturday because we arrive to MCO around 4 pm I think.
Do you have other suggestions, my DH doesn't want to spend too much $$$ on things away from the parks!!
Thanks for reading!!

 

[macraven]

at sea world, the crowds tend to move together in the same direction for the shows and events. you will have to choose the show you prefer as you will have to miss one of them they way they are scheduled.

if you littles enjoy dophins and shows, they could enjoy it.

by getting into orlando at 4, i would take the family to an evening show at the cinema in city walk or just stroll around in city walk and see what it has to offer.
there is a kiddie section for a fee to ride the mini train that goes in circle.
think carny ride on that. it is cute and many enjoy it.

or you might want to take the water taxi from hotel to hotel to look around at the other hotels in the evening.

 

[macraven]

Thanks, all. I thought the cabanas were about $100 but may be worth it for a day at the pool.

The deluxe rooms at HRH are sold out I think for our week. I'll check again.

I read that club rooms get cabanas half price. Gonna check on that again also.

the hrh has a limited amount of deluxe rooms. if i remember correctly, only about 4 per floor.
call back and ask to be on a wait list for one of them.

send an email to the general manager/ carlton hudson and also request from him.

book at rph and if you come thru on the wait list, have the ressie transferred to hrh for the deluxe.

or, book a standard room at hrh. it will accommodate 4 people.

 

[circelli]

As always thanks for your informative reply!!

 

[happymommy]

Yes thanks everyone! Now debating: either RPR which only has TEENSY WEENSY rooms (okay, would be fine but I'm a hog of space) or PBH deluxe club rooms. PBH is $120 a night more. Huge space diff and club (water etc...).

Big drawback: PBH no laundry. I need that. No matter what we have to have laundry done. Could send it out if busy, but I'll do it if we're just lounging by a pool (maybe a good cabana day, offset the cost and some mai tais in order for that?!).

Thanks all!

Still wondering about the club level: do you only have that two hour window for a complimentary (ha ha yes I know you're paying for it) beer?