Need theme park advise ...... after WDW what is best bet

[The SS Girls]

Hi all.....This is our first trip to Orlando. Daughter and I are headed to WDW for 15 days, we got the magic pass with hopper etc for 10 days and I am seeking the expertise of all that have done WDW a few times. I am figuring the first day to be pretty much a wash - exhaustion, excitment, and mid day arrival, so we are planning an early dinner and then Cirque to finish, so we won't be using one of our passes for that day. Then the last day will be packing, and taking care of business. That is leaving 3 extra days we are needing to fill -- or do we? I would like to hang around the hotel resort - Caribbean - and utilize some of their offerings, such as water sports, renting a jet ski??? parasailing?? something along those lines.

ok, now down to 2 days.....what is the consensus....how is Universal Studios?, can you get there from WDW with no car? what about Universal Island of Adventure......worth a visit? SeaWorld looks great on paper, but lets face it, they ALL look great on paper.

I don't want to overplan, yet I don't want to leave wishing we had seen something that I didn't know about. This will probably be the only trip we get to make to WDW.

My daughter is 12, so it doesn't appear there is much of a night life for us. Have any suggestions for the evenings? We are doing MNSSHP, Cirque, and Eat to the Beat. Do the carpets roll up at 9:00 for the 'tweeners? Will we be too tired and be praying for sleep? Single parents at a bar....personally I think its in bad taste, so its together or not at all.
Thank you all. I so look forward to your insight and suggestions. :grouphug:

 

[Disney Doll]

Some suggestions about what I have done other than the parks at WDW:

~~The monorail hotel tour-->take the monorail to all the hotels (Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Poly), do a little shopping & touring at each, looking for the place you want to stay on your next vacation .

~~Mini golf.

~~Water park.

~~SeaWorld is a good park too. They do it the best next to Disney. A day there would probably be very enjoyable.

~~We have gone to Celebration and toured their downtown area...they have nice shopping, & restaurants.

~~We like the outlets...there is one Disney Outlet at the Premium Outlet Center near Mary Queen of the Universe Church right outside of Disneyworld (go out of Hotel Plaza Blvd, take a right, then take a left at Little Lake Bryan), and a couple of outlets at the Belz Outlet Center at the end of International Drive.

~~I have heard that the Dolphin's Cove park is supposed to be really nice, although I have not been there myself. A co-worker of mine went there last year and enjoyed it very much.

~~We also like to walk the Boardwalk, especially at night. There are usually a few live entertainers there.

 

[cleo]

If you would like something a bit different give Boggy Creek Airboat tours a try. They are now doing a Swamp Buggy tour as well.

As for the parks, Universal and IoA are both excellent parks, as is SeaWorld. I honestly don't think you would be disappointed by any of them, but if your daughter isn't so much into the thrill rides I'd pick Universal and SeaWorld. In fact, I'd pick SeaWorld for sure. It's a lovely park, a wonderful break from the fast pace at Disney.

What about Discovery Cove? Expensive, but worth every penny.

Downtown Disney makes for good 'nightlife' for a 12 year old. So does the Boardwalk Resort.

 

[Jackie H.]

Universal and Islands of Adventure are both great and your daughter is the age to really enjoy them. Is she a coaster warrior (ride anything)? If so, she would love both parks. But, yes, you must have a car to get there. Of course, you could take a cab. But they are not near Disney and there is no public transportation that goes between them.

You would probably enjoy DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney and one of the Disney water parks as well. Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. You can take a Disney bus from Carribean Beach Resort to all these places.

Honestly, you won't get bored staying at WDW the entire time. There are lots of things to do that do not require going into a park. But if this is going to be your only trip down....and you have the time, you may want to try US and IoA.

One suggestion: time your 'down days' (no park) in the middle of the trip so as to rest and recharge!

Have a great trip!!!

 

[MissionMouse]

12 out of 15 days are planned already, so I would suggest leave them unplanned right now.

Once you start you vacation the things that make you laugh and want more will easily fill those days on their own.

 

[twoeeyy]

Internatinal Drive offers a large quantity of tourist things to do. Not sure on how convienient it would be to get there without a car.

 

[swilshire]

Unplanned days are wonderful! Forget the other parks! Lie by the pool. Soak up some sun.

Explore your own resort or the others. We got a kick out of visiting the other resorts just to have a meal and check out the theming.

The Comedy Show at Pleasure Island is clean enough for a 12yo. My 11yo son just mentioned he would like to go there again. We also enjoyed the Adventurers club. We also enjoyed the street performers at the Boardwalk.

You should devote a day to DTD and shopping. The outlet malls can easily eat up an afternoon.

I wouldn't plan another thing. Just go with the flow for those days.

Sheila

 

[DVCLiz]

If you're staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, I don't think they have some of the water offerings you are listing, but the Deluxe resorts all do. I'd plan a day to resort-hop, checking out what's available. The Water Mice (small boats) and the parasailing are both available at the Wilderness Lodge marina and the Contemporary marina areas. I think you may have to reserve the parasailing in advance - the Water Mice (which are LOADS of fun!!) can be rented at the time, and there is usually availability.

Plan some pool time and take a couple of days as "down" time - you'll really need it after several park days!!!!