Newbie- all help welcome.

[familyfun5]

Hi. New here and looking for any and all suggestions!

Going Jan 13-16. Arriving Wen aprox 7:30pm and leaving early Sat for a Disney Cruise. So we will be there late Wend, all day Thur & Fri

It's me, Dh, DS 12yr, DS 18mo, DD 6mo and my mom 59(like how i put her age but not mine)

We will have two dinners, two lunches and two breakfasts- best places?

Kids suites? or Two rooms? are the kids suites worth it?

What is a not miss at the hotels?

Best park to do first?

Weather in Jan- pools heated or too cold to plan on swimming?

Best to do for first timer?

Picking my grandma up Fri from Airport, can we stay at hotel for swimming after checkout ( say from 4-6)?

Anything else?

Thank you Thank you Thank you

 

[damo]

I think you have too many people for a kids suite. I think two rooms will probably work best and it probably doesn't matter which hotel. Your oldest son may prefer a water slide if the weather is nice and those are at the Hard Rock and the Portofino.

You can stay at the hotel after you check out, no problem.

Do you guys have any special interests like Nascar, basketball, etc. That will help with hotel food choices. I always suggest Mythos because it is very unique. Margaritaville is also cool with the volcano.

Are you guys extreme ride enthusiasts or do you like to take it slower? This will help with park and ride choices for the first day.

 

[macraven]

you would need two rooms.
the maximum number per room is 5.

even though you have a little, that person still counts in the total in the room.

like damo suggested, you would need two rooms for your family.

 

[familyfun5]

thank you for responding.

DS wants to ride some roller coasters, I can do with the slower rides and stay with the babies.

Has anyone done the Luau? And the boys all LOVE cars so I like that recomendation.

 

[macraven]

you can do the child swap and ride with your son.
that way each adult can do the rides.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I suggest you get a good guide book, like Universal Orlando 2009, or the Unofficial Guide's Beyond Disney. You will find detailed descriptions of rides and attractions, good descriptions of the hotels, and lots of fun information. You are right that the 12 yr. old is not going to want to do the same things as his siblings -- he'd be bored out of his mind at the Barney show! But the book will help you plan what you want to do in each area, so the adults can take turns with the big and little kids, yet the family can be in the same area of the parks.

Maria

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I agree with Mythos!

Although our US/IoA visits have been with pre-teens/teens...

I think your 12 yo will really think Mythos is "COOL"!!!

It's in IoA....we usually are through with US by lunch and hot and need a place to rest and cool off ...so at IoA walk in ...go right through Seuss, and there it is on the left...

((Bear in mind....we didn't do any of the 'little kids attractions' for this timing))

and have a GOOD filling lunch.

Have fun!
Mary

 

[mykidsand_i]

Has anyone done the Luau? And the boys all LOVE cars so I like that recomendation.

We did the luau about 5 years ago and it was a TON of fun! We're doing it again now that our girls are older (and my 5 year old is OBSESSED with all things Hawaii...) It got very good ratings from all of the luaus in Orlando, it was ranked #1 for food and #2 or 3 for the show.

It's a bit expensive, but I think it's worth every penny!