Looking for input on bonus mini trip!

[MDH]

Ok, so I'm looking for some input from people here. I mean I could plan myself, but I always do that. I plan to the nth degree. I thought this might be fun instead. Background first:

I'm from Canada, I purchased annual passes for both disney world and universal for a trip my family just took in January. Never had any intention of using them again, just got them because the discounts they provided made them worth it. However. It is mine and my wifes 40th birthdays and a couple that we are very close with suggested a short kid free trip to celebrate. I thought well I already have the AP's so discounts on hotels, passes are 50% as i only need to buy my wives, so it's totally happening.

The trip is going to quite short. 5 days, 1 day at disney springs, 2 park days at disney, 1 day at hotel, 1 day with universal park hopper, then last day lounge at hotel till airport at 5PM.

We are staying at pop century at disney, and Portofino at Universal.

I'd love to hear awesome suggestions of things to do, places to eat, shows to watch, basically anything. My wife, myself and the other husband all love rides. The other wife not so much, but she is happy going off on her own if she's not into something. How would you do this trip? And for bonus points, how would you go about telling your kids (7,11,12) that they aren't coming. I'm dreading that part the most!

 

[macraven]

Only one day (both parks) and night for UO?

What date?

For disney help for the 3 days there,
some of us here are familiar with those parks but best just to discuss the one universal Day here

Hope you get many suggestions

Since we don’t know what day you plan for the darkside, I can only suggest to hit EE, use the ep, and use the park map to decide what highlights you must do

Pull up the uo website for the park maps

 

[MDH]

universal park day will be August 24th, friday. Portofino hotel and city walk day will be the 23rd.

as far as universal vs disney, is it really that frowned upon to ask for advice here from seasoned park goers for both parks. I'm specifically looking from advice from people who have done both, so posting in separate forums isn't likely to give me that perspective.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Surely not mine to change up the plans, but just did an adults only trip - kids were great about it, they do understand how hard we work for their benefit, they lead a charmed life...

If you are onsite 2 days, I don't see the need to have one day relaxing, then one day to get everything done. We would wake up, eat the breakfast buffet, ride the boat over, spend 2-3 hours riding what we wanted to, then head back to the hotel to swim and relax. A great dinner at CityWalk, then go back to the parks in the evening.

I know if we did it again for basically an overnight, we would probably go see Blue Man in the evening.

You still get 2 days of pool time, 12 hours or so of park time, in multiple chunks of time, makes it much more casual and relaxing...just a thought.

 

[MDH]

I would like that as well, but two things. 1, the other lady really isn't interested in parks, so as a gesture of including her, I planned this day off of drinking by the pool. Not my favorite thing, but I can do it. 2, ticket prices. Although mine is free, I'm not sure I can convince the others to pay for another day ticket you know? I will keep thinking on this, because if much rather do what you suggest

 

[macraven]

universal park day will be August 24th, friday. Portofino hotel and city walk day will be the 23rd.

as far as universal vs disney, is it really that frowned upon to ask for advice here from seasoned park goers for both parks. I'm specifically looking from advice from people who have done both, so posting in separate forums isn't likely to give me that perspective.

I do both parks but some others do not
Some past threads have had issues where threads become a place where uo bashing happens

As long as that does not start up, I don’t care if you want to get opinions for both parks

 

[MDH]

I certainly won't be bashing. 6 parks where I get to be a kid and eat and play, anyone who wants to play fanboy/girl either way need not respond here.

What I'm really looking for is advice on something you would do that's maybe different. I've done Disney 3 times, love it, have seen everything. Only did universal once, ride everything, didn't see everything, loved every minute of it.

 

[macraven]

My first suggestion is to contact reservations and have it noted that you are celebrating birthdays at UO

When you check into your hotel, the Tm should issue you a birthday button for you and your wife

Wear them as you will receive many bd wishes in the park
Some have received drink/ food items

Can be a hit or miss

Since you are staying at PBH, you will have the early entry and unlimited express pass usage for rides and shows

If one in your group does not want to do a ride, they can walk thru the line to the ride and exit instead of getting on the ride

This way the 4 of you can stay and visit together during that time

Check out the outdoor entertainment in the parks
Since the other lady is not as interested in rides, she might enjoy the street entertainment
The Marilyn Monroe show is cute
Blues brothers show also fun

Check the outdoor signs in the parks to see line wait times
In case the one in the group does not want to do the walk thru with the group, she might want to watch some of the outside entertainment while the others ride

 

[macraven]

I certainly won't be bashing. 6 parks where I get to be a kid and eat and play, anyone who wants to play fanboy/girl either way need not respond here.

What I'm really looking for is advice on something you would do that's maybe different. I've done Disney 3 times, love it, have seen everything. Only did universal once, ride everything, didn't see everything, loved every minute of it.

Missed reading this post so back to make suggestions

If you are a potter fan, explore the stores and watch the live entertainment
Celestina is a hoot in her performance
Many spend a lot of time in both potter sections

Try the well known butter beer
It’s only sold at UO

When at IOA, spend time at the mystic fountain
You can sit along the sides of it on the stone mini wall
It’s all impromptu act
Never the same
Cute and entertaining

You will probably skip the water rides as many do get you wet

Check out the Seuss area as it is for all ages
Walk thru Monsters Cafe
Check out the pictures in all the rooms

These are some things that are not seen in other theme parks

Read thru the sticky about touring Potter
It will give you info of what is found in those two sections of the parks

You don’t have to be a potter fan to enjoy it

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You may consider two days single Universal park, rather than one day park to park. Prices aren't that different and it gives more flexibility. Then could do afternoon each park day by the pool, go back, hit a ride or show or two, and citywalk. I think that would give more options and less rushing than trying to do both parks in one day. Though you can definitely have a blast either way.

 

[MDH]

thanks for the help so far. The shows will definitely be a good idea for the 4th person in our party. I'll try get a listing of all of them from touring plans and locations so she can check them out while we're on rides. As to water rides Macraven, I'm actually hoping to ride each multiple times! I'm from Canada, I'll already be melting due to the heat, and we love water rides to begin with. I rode popeye last time when it was 65 degrees and thought it was awesome!

 

[macraven]

Well water rides I know well.....
On some of them I look like a drowned rat ...but I do them multiple times
Do the ride, get off the ride, back in line, etc

 

[keishashadow]

I certainly won't be bashing. 6 parks where I get to be a kid and eat and play, anyone who wants to play fanboy/girl either way need not respond here.

What I'm really looking for is advice on something you would do that's maybe different. I've done Disney 3 times, love it, have seen everything. Only did universal once, ride everything, didn't see everything, loved every minute of it.

Lots of what i’d like to term ambassadors vs fanboys here lol. i’ve Visited multiple X per year for decades and still haven’t seen everything

One thing to consider is even on a couple (or extended family) trip for that matter, is you do not have to be joined at the hip 24-7. Nice to have a few hours or half day away time, then meet back up for mutual activities. Makes for interesting conversation too.

If you have an AP, easy enough to duck into U parks in the AM for a bit while the the others lounge poolside, then reconvene. Staying onsite w/FOTL perk surely makes it easy to enjoy the poolscape for a few hours each day.

If you aren’t leaving on checkout day until 5 pmish you have opportunity to use pool then too & change afterwards. Bell services will store your luggage. Just a reminder, summer in Orlando equates to inevitable (usually brief) showers/TS in the afternoon.

PBH is said to have a lovely spa if that is more to the non-rider’s liking. The outlets and Florida Mall are a short uber ride away too.

YMMV but DTD doesn’t hold my interest for more than a few hours even with the new additions. I’d add a WDW park or WP day & visit it in the evening for dinner one or more days.

Have fun planning your trip, no right or wrong way

 

[MDH]

Lots of what i’d like to term ambassadors vs fanboys here lol. i’ve Visited multiple X per year for decades and still haven’t seen everything

One thing to consider is even on a couple (or extended family) trip for that matter, is you do not have to be joined at the hip 24-7. Nice to have a few hours or half day away time, then meet back up for mutual activities. Makes for interesting conversation too.

If you have an AP, easy enough to duck into U parks in the AM for a bit while the the others lounge poolside, then reconvene. Staying onsite w/FOTL perk surely makes it easy to enjoy the poolscape for a few hours each day.

If you aren’t leaving on checkout day until 5 pmish you have opportunity to use pool then too & change afterwards. Bell services will store your luggage. Just a reminder, summer in Orlando equates to inevitable (usually brief) showers/TS in the afternoon.

PBH is said to have a lovely spa if that is more to the non-rider’s liking. The outlets and Florida Mall are a short uber ride away too.

YMMV but DTD doesn’t hold my interest for more than a few hours even with the new additions. I’d add a WDW park or WP day & visit it in the evening for dinner one or more days.

Have fun planning your trip, no right or wrong way

Some great points here. I totally agree about being joined at the hip. I think all 4 of us are on board for that. I might be able to convince the other husband to get a 2 day plus 1 free ticket from undercover tourist. He's my best friend, I think he'll go for it. My wife has expressed 1 park day is enough for her. But this way we could do 2 or 3 g hours first day, pool rest of day. Then park day, then 2 or 3 hours last day.

One amazing idea you pointed out was spa. Maybe we buy our wives spa things. I believe I get an ap discount on those. Happy wife Happy life and all![/QUOTE]

 

[keishashadow]

Some great points here. I totally agree about being joined at the hip. I think all 4 of us are on board for that. I might be able to convince the other husband to get a 2 day plus 1 free ticket from undercover tourist. He's my best friend, I think he'll go for it. My wife has expressed 1 park day is enough for her. But this way we could do 2 or 3 g hours first day, pool rest of day. Then park day, then 2 or 3 hours last day.

One amazing idea you pointed out was spa. Maybe we buy our wives spa things. I believe I get an ap discount on those. Happy wife Happy life and all!

[/QUOTE]

Exactly, i’m Not a spa girlie but to each chickie their own!

I’ve seen prepaid discount vouchers for the spa. Now & again groupon has a 40% various treatments. Google for goodies there.