Itinerary help needed - which non-Disney parks?

[modernscarlett]

We're traveling 6/15 - 6/22/07, staying at Orange Lakes. Party of 7 including 3 kids ages 8, 10, 11. We're planning 3 days at Disney, 1 at a Disney Water Park. We had wanted to do Universal and Sea World, but don't want to do too much. Would we be better to skip Sea World and to Universal Studios and IOA for 2 days, or skip them and do Sea World and have a down day? Budget is also a factor.

The kids haven't been to any of the non-Disney parks, nor have I (well, Sea World late 80's doesn't count!). So I'd really appreciate some recommendations!

Thanks.

Lori

 

[spiceycat]

budget go with SW and do the fun card

http://4adventure.com/SWF/passport_memberships.aspx

for universal get their 2-day park
http://www.universalorlando.com/tickets.html

both tickets are only available online for that price.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I would suggest doing Sea World, mainly so you can have a rest day - with the Disney plans you have 2 days at Universal maybe too much perhaps?

Plus SW has changed a lot over the years and I am sure you will enjoy going back there.

 

[spiceycat]

plus with the fun card - every day after you spend in the park is FREE!!!

you still have to pay for parking.

 

[BrandyC1974]

When me and my family went to Disney this past November(during Thanksgiving week), we spend two days at Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. If you plan, you can do both parks in one day. You will need the one day/two park ticket (the universal website usually has good price deals). Also, you should pick which attractions you really want to do.

The first day We started in Islands of Adventure and rode the incredible hulk coaster(parent swap), spider man, dueling dragons(parent swap), sinbad show, posiden's fury show, the flying unicorn, suess trolley, cat in the hat, the carossel (all by noon). We then headed to Universal Studios and did shrek 4-D, revenge of the mummy, twister, men in black, jaws, earthquake, and E.T.
We stayed til closing to get it all done. We didn't feel rushed but we planned our day and was able to do everything we wanted in that one day. When we went back for the second day, we just repeated all of our favorites (some more than once).
I definelty prefer Universal over Sea World but would like to visit Sea World again someday.

 

[FLParadisevilla]

SEA WORLD!! SEA WORLD!! SEA WORLD!! SEA WORLD!!

This is one of my favorites!!! We bought 1 silver passport and 1 fun card for my husband and the silver passport gives you free parking, discounts on merchandise and food. You only need 1 in your party to enjoy the benifits!

 

[Mainebound]

I would suggest doing Sea World, mainly so you can have a rest day - with the Disney plans you have 2 days at Universal maybe too much perhaps?

Plus SW has changed a lot over the years and I am sure you will enjoy going back there.

hey Johnny,

Nice to hear from you!

We love the Universal parks, but I think sanity requires a down day, so I would go with the Sea World option.

 

[jasnal]

I found Sea World incredibly boring and so did my sister. I would definately do Universal instead (its alot more fun!)

 

[KayR]

I would think about what your kids are into.

All of the parks are neat for different reasons.

Seaworld has lots of interesting marine animals. They have a lot of shows, some funny/silly and some are amazing (like a mini cirque du soleil). They only have two larger rides, but they do have a newer ride area for the younger kids down at Shamu's Happy Harbour near Shamu Stadium. If you want a more leisurely day, consider SW

If your kids are into coasters and rides, then IOA is your best bet. If you want to do the rides at IOA I would allow at least a day for that. Take a change of clothes - you will get soaked on the water rides there - and I mean soaked! If you get a chance, try the Mythos Restaurant for lunch or dinner. Some of the best food in a theme park that I have ever tried. (Also a nice respite from the heat some days.

Universal Studios is tamer for rides, but if you are interested in movies there are some neat movie related rides and experiences to see. My favorite there is the MIB ride. There are also a couple of fun shows such as the Graveyard Review and the Blues Brothers - try and see those if you get a chance. Check out the Starbucks for your coffee fix and Cheesecake Factory for yummy cheesecakes.

-Kay

 

[shelemm]

One of the most beautiful and exciting areas to visit in the US is right at your doorstep in Orlando: The Springs of Central Florida. Rock Spring, Wekiva, and Blue Spring are all within a fairly easy drive. They are located in state parks and a county park just north. Cost is a few dollars for the entire family. Swimming and snorkeling are amazing, BUT the water is a constant 72 degrees. Takes some bravery to get in, but everyone does and loves it. These are natural areas as spectacular as any. Below is the link to an informative Springs website. Click on the link for "Other Central Florida" and then click on any of the pictures. The three I mentioned are the closest. They are the swimmin' holes of your dreams, like something out of a movie.


tfn.net/Springs/ (do not add anything to this URL)

or Google Florida Springs.

 

[kileybeth]

jmho, skip universal and take a nice drive and do a beach day instead.

I hear Seaworld has lots of new stuff and is also a more relaxed day.

My oldest son (grown up on Orlando vacations), now 25 yrs. old and a Dad himself) just returned from a 2 week trip to Orlando. They had 4 days in Disney, 2 in SeaWorld, 1 at Kennedy, 2 at Universal and some beach time (2 days)and down days too. Lovely time, we met them for one evening and also did airport drop offs and pick ups for them on home end.

Here is what I heard from them. on drive to airport: so much excitement to go. wanted to do it all.

at dinner half way thru their trip. Disney has been so great! Sea World was cool, the 5 year old loved it. still loved the shows after all these years. definitely we've needed down days!
we are saving Universal for last 2 days before we come home (love thrill rides)

on drive home from airport. you wouldn't believe. Universal is a ghetto! so dirty, rides broken, trash everywhere, lots of cursing even in kiddie areas. menu just went to no trans fat so our 5 yr old could eat nothing at park at all (severe peanut allergy, has almost died) and no one could help us find him anything safe to eat contrary to Disney always ready to prepare something special.

why do people go here?

jmho. we did universal many moons ago for a day just to see and remember feeling the "cheapness" of it compared to Disney???

mom of 6 with lots more years of entertaining the kiddos left.

 

[Mainebound]

jmho, skip universal and take a nice drive and do a beach day instead.

Universal is a ghetto! so dirty, rides broken, trash everywhere, lots of cursing even in kiddie areas.

jmho. we did universal many moons ago for a day just to see and remember feeling the "cheapness" of it compared to Disney???
.

Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, but I totally disagree with this one.

Check out the Universal picture of the day thread on the Universal board. I'll try to link to it:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1196278&page=27


Look at these hundreds of recent photos and decide for yourself.

I have not seen anything remotely resembling a "ghetto" in the last 4 years of visiting the Universal parks. I assure you, I would not subject my young sons to "broken rides, cursing and trash everyehwre" even once, let alone 4 times.

 

[tinaluis]

US/IOA are two of our favorite parks and we've had AP's to them for at least the last 6 years. I'd hate for negative comments to discourage anyone from going to US/IOA altogether. Take a trip and then decide for yourself. My DDs (10, 8 and 5) LOVE, LOVE, LOVE US and IOA (and we do too!)

 

[calgarygary]

To find good information about either US/IOA or SW, I would suggest visiting their boards. You will find good/accurate information over there. The comment in this thread about Universal being a ghetto was quoted in one of the US threads and brought out a great comment from Webmaster Pete (Pete Werner). I will post a little of what he had to say:

I have to agree that the Universal versus Disney argument has gotten old - but I'm probably about to give it some legs. I will never understand why anyone feels the need to choose. But, to those that say there's nothing for kids at Universal - simply look at the empirical evidence - fully 50% of the attractions offered between IoA and USF are "all ages". The other 50% addresses a part of the family that Disney usually forgets (teens, twenty-somethings, adolescent at heart). That's the other problem I have - why are attractions that are geared more towards older children considered 'not family friendly'? Do your children stop becoming part of your family when they hit 12? And it's not like their serving drinks and handing out vouchers for hookers on Dueling Dragons. This mindset that seems to dictate that a princess must be involved in order for an attraction to be 'family friendly' is just mind boggling to me.

 

[cap'njacksgirl18]

I would do seaworld .... two years ago we did universal ioa and seaworld along with wdw parks and at ioa and universal we only got on about three rides becuase of the lines. You could only get a fastpass for them if you were on their property. The city walk and the mardi gras at night down there is very fun tho! Sea world is cool you can touch the dolphins at the tanks and go on some rides. There are also some pretty cool shows. *I am afraid of birds so I didnt participate in the feeding of the stingrays b/c the birds are vicious. They swoop down and steal the little fish right out of your hands.*
I did feed the nurse sharks by the restaurant because there were no birds there. Sorry this post is kind of scatter brain
I think seaworld would be best time and money wise. If your kids are animal lovers it will be tons of fun!

 

[Mainebound]

I would do seaworld .... two years ago we did universal ioa and seaworld along with wdw parks and at ioa and universal we only got on about three rides becuase of the lines. You could only get a fastpass for them if you were on their property.]

There are no lines for the first two hours the parks are open, so I do advise getting there early (exactly the same as WDW parks).

And it is false that express passes are only available to onsite guests. Actually, you may purchase Express Pass booklets online at universalorlando.com or at the park when you arrive. They cost $15 to $40 per person (depending on when you go) and give you one express pass per ride at one park or both parks (depending on what you purchase).

 

[tlinus]

We're traveling 6/15 - 6/22/07, staying at Orange Lakes. Party of 7 including 3 kids ages 8, 10, 11. We're planning 3 days at Disney, 1 at a Disney Water Park. We had wanted to do Universal and Sea World, but don't want to do too much. Would we be better to skip Sea World and to Universal Studios and IOA for 2 days, or skip them and do Sea World and have a down day? Budget is also a factor.

The kids haven't been to any of the non-Disney parks, nor have I (well, Sea World late 80's doesn't count!). So I'd really appreciate some recommendations!

Thanks.

Lori

Lori -

I would suggest that you not ask for opinions here about Universal/IOA/Seaworld. You will get a better idea of what to do and what to see on the Universal/IOA/Seaworld section of these boards. There are alot of wonderful, well informed individuals who would love to share information with you and answer any questions you may have.

Personally, with children at the ages yours are, I would skip SeaWorld and do IOA and/or Universal. My children are 11, 7 and 5 and we have been going there for years. You can rest assured that it is not "GHETTO" in either park.....the parks are clean and wonderfully themed.

As for the poster who was complaining about trans fat removal.....welcome to 2007 - I have a child who is severely allergic to peanuts as well(although I am not too sure what Trans Fat removal and peanut allergies have to do with anything).....treat your trip to the park like you would any other situation, be educated about what choices you have ahead of time and prepare to bring something for the child to eat. That is what I do EVERYWHERE!

Putting my flame suit on now..... .....blast away!!

 

[lovindonald]

Universal is quite a bit of work so I would do Seaworld and then take some relaxing time. You really need at least 2 full days to see most of Universal and if it is busy you will need more. That is working at a quick pace too. It may be better to save a couple days next trip to do US and just get Seaworld in. My kids had the best time there. We even did the breakfast show and DD got picked to go on stage. I can't believe she went. We had a blast.