Maybe I won't sounds nuts to you!

[PattiPB]

Hello all!

I definitely sound nuts to everyone I know, because I am the only one with the unquenchable Orlando Jones, I think in the entire Las Vegas area! Here is a (slightly long) run-down of my situation. I am soliciting opinions about which direction to go:

People: me, DH, kids: will be turning 9, 7, 5 all in June

History: DL AP holders, WDW every two years---latest April 2003, US/IOA adults only in 2000 and 2001.

Situation: We have the opportunity to be in Orlando for 5 days in August, en route to my family reunion. Obviously, we will take this opportunity!!!!!

BUT: We left 3 days/3 plusses on our recent WDW passes, to use in 12/2004, when we planned to do a 10-day WDW and USO trip. Now that we will be in Orlando unexpectedly in August, should we just use up our existing WDW passes (which would have the benefit of being FREE), or go to USO instead (which will run about $500)?????

We agreed that after visiting and LOVING IOA, we would not take the kids until they were old enough (read tall enough) to experience all of the attractions they would like. I'm also the nutcase who wanted to know if Popeye was 42 or 48 inches, because I have checked all of the height requirements. Aside from the obvious Dragons and Hulk, they can do it all!!!

So, dear, learned strangers...what do I do????? Stick with plan A---just do WDW for free, or the alluring plan B---go for it and use the WDW ticks in 2004 as originally planned. BTW---YES $500 is significant to us (but manageable!).

Thanks for, at the very least, reading this far!!! LOL!!! It's great to be back on these boards!

Patti

 

[Disney Debbie]

I would use the free tickets for a couple of reasons:

1. I wouldn't have the money saved up yet since I wasn't planning on the August trip to begin with.

2. You're going to have to buy new tickets anyway when you go for the 10 day trip - unless you're planning on sitting around for 7 of those days!

3. A lot could happen between now and 12/04 that might change your plans.

4. By 12/04 your youngest might be big enough for everything at Universal.

Have fun - whatever you decide! And I love your hometown! (Even if it's not kind to me!! )

 

[PattiPB]

Thanks for the reply! Hoping for some more.

1. All the other expenses are fixed no matter what we do. The only difference is the $500.

2. For 12/04, we planned on doing Disney and US 4/6 or 5/5 days.

3. I know! That's why I'm afraid we won't get to US!!!! LOL!!!!

4. Right now, they are big enough for everything except Dragons and Hulk, which I'm too young to watch them go on!!! LOL!

Speaking of "hometown" areas---our family reunion is in Asheville, so we will be driving through Georgia!

Patti

 

[stlrod]

In my view, it depends on where you can afford to stay. If at Univeral, I'd go there. Anywhere else, I'd go with Disney. Using the Mastercard promotion, you can get 5 5-day tickets for under $400. Thus, you just shaved $100 of the Universal trip. Frankly, I was going to go to WDW this summer and Universal. When WDW came out with the new package, I couldn't imagine a more unpleasant vacation than crowded parks and long lines so I'm going cruising with a couple of nights at Univeral at the end.

 

[Robinrs]

I definitely sound nuts to everyone I know, because I am the only one with the unquenchable Orlando Jones, I think in the entire Las Vegas area! Here is a (slightly long) run-down of my situation. I am soliciting opinions about which direction to go:

THIS is the Orlando Jones I THOUGHT you were with!!!

 

[Nursetogo]

Personally, I would go to USF/IOA. You only live once, and If I could manage the cost at all, I would go for it! It sounds like to me that you really want to go to USF/IOA. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to question it. I think your kids will really enjoy it! Whatever you decide, have a great time!

 

[murf]

I would go to Disney because its oriented towards younger kids. When your kids are a year older they might appreciate Universal and IOA more, and then they would be bored with the fantasy land stuff, so I vote for disney and then univ once they are all old enough to ride the coasters and more severe rides.

 

[FOV]

Go for US/IOA! I can tell from your post that is what you really want - lol!

I don't know if you have ds's or dd's or both - BUT I really felt I had to take my ds(5) to IOA before he got out of the super hero stage. When dd turned 5 we had a fabulous time taking her to the castle at MK to dine with Cinderella and the other princesses. I will take that memory to my grave! Now I want ds to meet Spiderman. I know I am completely nuts!

The only rides that have really tall height requirements are the serious coasters - most everything else even the 5 y/o will be able to experience. I also think the new Shrek and Jimmy Neutron attractions sound great. The Suess area will be fun for the whole family - and don't forget about the playgrounds!

Another question to ask is what are your kids really into?

If it is only an additional $500 and you can afford it I say go and have a GREAT time. You'll save $$$ on your next WDW vacation.

 

[PattiPB]

Robin---that was TOO funny! After I posted, I realized that phrase ("Jones-ing") might be regional. I guess it is!

I feel like I am definitely trying to justify going to US/IOA, but I'm going to keep trying, I guess!!! It's just really hard to ignore a FREE trip to WDW! DH is used to me, so he's just lying low waiting for the decision. He'll get behind whichever I choose. Kids don't even know we are hitting Orlando on our way to Georgia, so I can't ask them!

I know my kids are old enough to really appreciate MOST elements of US/IOA, but I am afraid once we go there, they won't be as excited to return to WDW--they are total thrillseekers!

FYI--dd will be 9, ds's 7 & 5.

Hotel choices: Sierra Suites (either one) $58 a night
Caribbean Beach $84 a night (if I buy one AP) or POR $144
RP $179 a night, 4th night free

Patti

 

[FOV]

Patti- with 2 ds's ages 5 & 7 don't you think they will totally LOVE the super heroes?

I think they will still love WDW even after the thrills of US/IOA. Who could NOT love WDW?

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Me.

I'm "Disneyed Out". I went to Animal Kingdom today (for free) and only saw the few things me and my mom wanted to see: Kali River, the spinning coaster (I dragged her onto it ), the Lion King show and the Tarzan show. Did all of that in less than 4hrs. I'm looking forward to going to Epcot (for free) in Sept to do Journey to Imagination and Mission: Space. That's it.

 

[BarryHom]

I'm getting Disneyed out too. I have an AP for the only reason that friends and family members are coming down and want to go to WDW. The AP was much cheaper than buying a park hopper pass.

 

[PattiPB]

...For taking the time to give your opinions!

We are doing US/IOA---mainly because I want to, darn it!!! LOL!!!

The deciding points included the 5th ticket free with MC---FINALLY something for those of us who went over the "normal" amount of kids! One other thing was FOV's comment about super heros---TOO true!

The last thing were the "disneyed-out" feelings. After having AP's on both coasts, I think it's time for a break!!! LOL!!!

Now...to get DH to agree to the RP instead of off-site....

Patti

 

[CarolynNC]

Asheville reunion via US/IOA? If you mean Asheville, North Carolina then you're probably as bad as I am. Get me on the same side of the country of someplace I want to visit and there is no detour too great?

I probably would have picked WDW because it would have made the most sense but then after all my planning and research I'd have changed to what I wanted to do the most.

I started off planning a WDW trip for this summer since they're offering that great package but I ended up tossing it all out and starting over on US/IOA. We had soooo much fun there last summer and my 'manchild' is now 16 so US/IOA is the better choice.

Just wanted to let you know I was amused by your route to Asheville (if it's North Carolina)!

 

[PattiPB]

We are going to Asheville, NC for my family reunion, and we figured the airfare is the same for one week or two, to Atlanta or Orlando....so why not!!?!!?!!?

DH is a teacher, and I work part-time, so we could manage the extra vacation time. The obvious thing was WDW---since I had passes from April, but then my brain started churning, and here we are.

BTW---ANY information about Asheville, actually we are staying at Fontana Village, would be APPRECIATED!!! I'm having a terrible time finding Asheville info online, and NOBODY from Vegas has even heard of it! LOL!!!

Patti

 

[CarolynNC]

Knowing you're flying makes the picture clearer for me. I envisioned you jumping in your car and taking off on I-40 directly toward Asheville then taking an abrupt detour south toward Florida.

I haven't been to Fontana in years although my aunt lives in Asheville. I think Fontana is west of Asheville and not real close. Asheville is a beautiful city. There's a nice virtual tour at www.exploreasheville.com.

Hope you enjoy your trip. It's getting closer. ( for some reason I thought you were going in June. Looks like I'll be back before you head out! ) We aren't going until the middle of July. I made my hotel reservation yesterday. I was surprised to get the Hard Rock at an Entertainment rate for dates beginning on a weekend and only $125 per night for the standard room. //shudders when she says 'only'// My son likes to bring a friend and he's at an age where it's hard for us to all share a room. I had to book two rooms.

Carolyn

 

[PattiPB]

Great rate, Carolyn!!!!

RP is $135 on hotelkingdom.com for our dates (8/6-10). I'm hoping to get a lower Fan or Ent rate as it gets closer, so I've held off booking---hope I'm not sorry!

It's been difficult to get information about Fontana/Asheville from anyone, even the Fontana people!!! LOL!!! Our entire mileage according to mapquest is 858, including the leg from Fontana to Atlanta airport. We are toying with the idea of bringing our tv/vcr combo we use for DL trips. It's be a pain as baggage, but really useful while traveling!

Patti