Need serious help planning US/IOA/Sea World/Aquatica

[Hemlock]

So, the Disney portion of our vacation is planned and booked. We will be arriving in Orlando on April 30 and checking into POFQ. Early on May 8th, we will be checking out of POFQ and checking into ???. We want to visit US/IOA/Sea World/Aquatica, but I don't know what dates to do what. Should we do US/IOA first or Sea World/Aquatica. How many days should we allow for each park? We will be flying out of Orlando on May 14th (although this date is negotiable).

Please tell me which days to visit which park??? For our Disney trip, I paid for a subscription to TGM just so that I could follow his best days to visit which park schedule. Unfortunately, there is nothing like this for US/IOA/Sea World/Aquatica.

For US/IOA we will be staying on site (probably HRH). For Sea World/Aquatica, I want to stay somewhere within walking distance (yet to be determined because I am still waiting for a good price on a hotel). Please help, so that I can book the rest of our vacation.

Thanks

 

[damo]

There is a free shuttle from the Universal hotels to SeaWorld. I would just stay onsite at Universal for that portion of the trip. Otherwise it is just too much hotel hopping.

It isn't going to matter which days you spend in the park in early May staying onsite.

 

[SmallWorld71]

There is a free shuttle from the Universal hotels to SeaWorld. I would just stay onsite at Universal for that portion of the trip. Otherwise it is just too much hotel hopping.

It isn't going to matter which days you spend in the park in early May staying onsite.

.

I agree. Also, a cab from HRH to SW is less than $20 if the shuttle times don't work for you. We stayed at HRH and just went to SW for a couple of our days. Seemed less stressful to us.

 

[fa mulan]

Wow! 2 weeks is great -you'll have time to relax in between (which we did not). We just did a week, so to fit it all in we were in commando mode, especially b/c of the T'giving crowds. I use TGM too, and always find his advice dead-on. Wish he'd do the other parks too! Here's what we did.

WDW -2 1/2 days (the 1/2 was MVMCP @ MK) - 1 day at EP, 1 day at DHS; we didn't parkhop.

US - 3/4 day -- we skipped the Seuss and small kids' rides

IOA -1 1/4 day -- we could've used more time here. Did the WWOHP and Hulk, and FreeFall; regretted not seeing Spiderman

SW -1 day -- We rode the thrillers and saw 4/5 of the shows (skipped the acrobatics) and fed the dolphins. SW is a beautiful park, and it would've been nice to do a relaxed pace there, so an extra day would be nice there

Discov. Cove -1 day -- wonderful!!

 

[Hemlock]

wow, I can't believe that you packed all that in one week. Sounds like an awesome trip.

I was thinking of planning 3 days at US/IOA, 1 day at Aquatica, and 2 days at Sea World. I looked into Discovery Cove, but it seemed pretty expensive. I have read that alot of people love DC, but I think I just don't get it.

Some of the PP's have suggested staying at HRH for the entire week, but that is also pretty pricey. I am trying to find something a little more reasonably priced within walking distance of Sea World (I really don't want to rent a car). In order to stay in Orlando for 2 weeks, I really want to cut some costs. Although, I am second guessing my decision to skip DC.

 

[fa mulan]

... 1 day at Aquatica, and 2 days at Sea World. I looked into Discovery Cove, but it seemed pretty expensive. I have read that alot of people love DC, but I think I just don't get it. . . Although, I am second guessing my decision to skip DC.

I was able to get my tix (reg. $199) for $149 by using an Amex code and paying with Amex. The tix also came with a free 14 day pass to the sister park of our choice (incl. Aquatica, SW and I think Busch Gardens). I chose SW, and we went only 1 day but it was still cheaper than going to WDW for 2 days. AND, all meals and drinks plus beer are included at DC . Now, if you go to SW for 2 days then it'd really be a deal! Keep checking for codes and discounts and you may find something that makes it worth your while! Check Mousesavers.com too.

If you have questions about DC and haven't found the answers here, I'm happy to help! We loved it. Great snorkeling, relaxing lazy river, clean, beautiful grounds and uncrowded white sand 'beaches', amazing dolphin experience, aviary (ok a bird did poop on me but it was still worthwhile ).

There was a hotel that seemed w/in walking distance of SW - - I think it was a Renaissance, but am not sure....

Good luck

 

[flfun]

Some of the PP's have suggested staying at HRH for the entire week, but that is also pretty pricey. I am trying to find something a little more reasonably priced within walking distance of Sea World (I really don't want to rent a car). In order to stay in Orlando for 2 weeks, I really want to cut some costs. Although, I am second guessing my decision to skip DC.


Last year we stayed at Hilton Garden Inn, literally right across the street from Sea World for about $69 dollars a night if memory serves. Booked it through priceline. We were very pleased with the accommodations.