Need opinions: SW or WDW?

[MrsMud]

I realize this may not be the BEST place for unbiased opinions, but here goes: We are going to Orlando in Oct (myself, DH, DMIL, Dd 5 1/2 and Dd 7 1/2). We went 2 years ago and did all the Disney parks. This time we want to try Universal and Seaworld (haven't been to either). I have already purchased our Universal tickets, so I will not change that. We are also going to MNSSHP. I had planned to buy Seaworld tickets and take advantage of the buy one day, get a second free. Now I am starting to wonder whether I should skip the two days at SW and do one day at WDW (in addition to MNSSHP) instead.
I know my girls would love SW, but of course, that would love a Disney park too. So basically I'm trying to decide: Is one day at WDW better than two at SW? If so, which Disney park would you choose? MK is of course the girls' favorite, but since we are going to MNSSHP, should I choose a different park, maybe AK or MGM?
I know I'm obsessing, but I just want my family to have the best time possible. Thanks for any advice!

 

[Dancind]

OK, you asked for my opinion! Two years is a long time in the lives of kids the age of yours. I'm sure they would be thrilled to visit WDW again. Especially if they like rides. At SW, there are no rides they could do. There are some wonderful shows (Shamu, dolphins, Clyde & Seamore, the pet show), and they could feed some of the marine animals. This would take about one day to cover. You'd be doing the same things again the second day. Diana

 

[angey77]

I know SeaWorld has had much added to it since I last went in 1995, but I have no problem skipping that place on every vacation since. But if you want to have a diverse vacation, I say do SW one day, MNSSHP, and MGM.

 

[MrsMud]

Thanks for the input.
Angey77 said...

But if you want to have a diverse vacation, I say do SW one day, MNSSHP, and MGM.

That sounds great, but we are a party of 5, and I would rather not spend the extra $265 or so to do BOTH. If we go to Seaworld, I would get two days for roughly the same price as one day at WDW. On the other hand, it is not imperative to fill two days. I have lots of ideas of things to do on a non-park day.
Oh, decisions, decisions!

 

[angey77]

Originally posted by MrsMud
That sounds great, but we are a party of 5, and I would rather not spend the extra $265 or so to do BOTH. If we go to Seaworld, I would get two days for roughly the same price as one day at WDW. On the other hand, it is not imperative to fill two days. I have lots of ideas of things to do on a non-park day.
Oh, decisions, decisions!

Ahhh! I misread. OK, no question about it, I would skip SW, but its because I've been before and I'm a Disney freak.
For a non-park day, just in case you do SW, there are plenty of Disney things to do outside of the parks, all for free. DTD, BW, lots of options in both places. Also, you could resort hop, some resorts like AKL I believe offer free tours, if not, you can wander yourself. Or rent some water mice and cruise Seven Seas!

 

[JimmyMartin]

If the girls have not been to seaworld you should go. I have been to Seaworld in October. You will be able to cover the park in a day but may want to do two. If you do WDW park it has to be Mk unless girls like TOT and RNR. Since you are doing SW girls might not want 2 animla parks this trip. And the 5 1/2 will be able to do more at MK this trip.

 

[luvaladdin]

I would go for the two days at SW. We went to the one in CA last summer, our first ever at SW, and we loved it. Our hotel was closely located to SW, and we could actually walk to it. We spent lots of time there and I found there was quite a bit to do. We loved some of the shows so much that we saw them again and again. My DD7 especially loved this park. I believe that the one in FL is very similar to the one in CA's, just by looking at the description of it.

 

[LostBoyinVA]

Don't you need regular admission for MNSSHP as well as the additional admission? I'm not sure since we had APs when we did it and where in the park anyhow when we picked up our MNSSHP arm bands. If you do need some sort of regular admission for MNSSHP you don't want to waist it on just MNSSHP.

 

[angey77]

Originally posted by LostBoyinVA
Don't you need regular admission for MNSSHP as well as the additional admission? I'm not sure since we had APs when we did it and where in the park anyhow when we picked up our MNSSHP arm bands. If you do need some sort of regular admission for MNSSHP you don't want to waist it on just MNSSHP.

MNSSHP is a totally different ticket, park admission is not required unless you plan on being in the park prior to 7 p.m.

 

[LostBoyinVA]

Don't you need regular admission for MNSSHP as well as the additional admission? I'm not sure since we had APs when we did it and where in the park anyhow when we picked up our MNSSHP arm bands. If you do need some sort of regular admission for MNSSHP you don't want to waist it on just MNSSHP.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

I would do seaworld - my 7 year old DD loved feeding the stingrays and dolphins - but bring a boatload of money for the dolphin and stingray food - I think I must have spent 60 to 80 dollars on that alone - we also went to discovery cove for a dolphin swim - 120 per non dolphin swim attendee and $229 per dolphin swim attendee both include seven day seaworld passes - was a great way to end our vacation 4 1/2 days at disneyworld - a day at seaworld - a day at discovery cove - then half a day at seaworld and back on the plane to home... was an excellent mix - and my daughter just loves fish so that helped...

 

[eeyore0062]

No, you do not need a regular park ticket in addition to the MNSSHP ticket to attend that event, unless you plan on being in the MK or another park during that day. We usually take that day off from the parks and relax by the pool, etc and then arrive at MNSSHP at 7 pm.

As for whether I would choose WDW or SW... well, for me, that is a no brainer... I would DEFINITELY choose WDW, but not necessarily the MK, since you will be there for MNSSHP, unless your kids want to do Toontown and Tom Sawyer's Island, which aren't open during that event. My DD loves all of the other parks just as much, and adores Epcot.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!