Orlando for 6 nights what to do?

[Tammy296]

We always go to Disney and never been to any of the other "parks" or amusements in Orlando. We're thinking about Universal Studios... (and maybe wet n wild?)

For 6 nights should we plan other things too? ideas?

Should we purchase everything we need right through the universal studios and stay at cabana beach resort? I have a deal through hotels.com where I can get free nights stay so it might save us $. The thing I'm trying to figure out is FOOD. How to accommodate the food issue for 6 nights?

We have 2 kids and 2 adults going....and yes we planned to rent a car but make use of the hotel shuttles as often as we can.

All suggestions are welcome in our planning process!

Tammy

 

[TwoMisfits]

Depending when you are going, Wet and Wild may be closed (it closed at the end of 2016 to make way for the Universal water park in 2017). So, your dates might affect our advice.
Another thing - do you go to Florida every year or do you go more irregularly? That might also affect our advice, too. I have a total separate set of advice for folks who are doing a 1-off trip and those who do annual trips...
Oh, and also, how old will your kids be? That also helps!

 

[chicagoshannon]

How old/tall are your kids?

You could add Legoland and Seaworld. Seaworld has a great water park called Aquatica. Gatorland is another great option.

Or you could take a day trip to the beach.

 

[Tammy296]

One daughter is 7 and the other is 17. Yeah...big difference!!

We are looking into a trip Mar 6-12, 2016. If that helps....

I have never been anywhere in Orlando outside of Disney world....
so need help planning those days, food, etc. at a reasonable cost!

Tammy

 

[chicagoshannon]

There are a lot of good restaurants outside of Disney.

We enjoy Waffle House (well DH does and it's cheap so I humor him). Perkins (kids eat free on Tuesdays I think) and Sweet Tomatoes (soup and salad buffet place that also had baked potatoes and several other warm choices on the buffet, and self serve soft serve). Those two places are in the Crossroads area right outside of Downtown Disney. You can sign up to get emails from Sweet Tomatoes and they'll send you coupons weekly.

There is also a Friendlys in Orlando. They have inexpensive food and very yummy ice cream.

We've never stayed at the universal hotels so can't help with the food choices there.

 

[TwoMisfits]

If you are going to be back to Florida within 12 months, I would encourage you to grab Universal annual passes (1 regular one and 3 power passes). This gives you the ability to enjoy the parks on 2 separate trips and the regular pass will cover parking and give you discounts on dining, shopping, etc. I'd plan on 3-4 days in the Universal parks for this trip and then I'd plan 2 days of "other" fun.

Depending on what your kids like, I'd look into the new I-360 attractions (Merlin has a 3-pack for their attractions, but there are many, many new things there)...I might also look into Discovery Cove/Sea World/Aquatica if a good enough deal fell in your lap between now and your trip. If you could only do 1 of these 3, I'd go to Aquatica if you like water parks, b/c the value and fun level can't be beat.

 

[Woodview]

Think out side the box ..... You have rented a car so use it.

Trip to Kennedy Space Center. ( 1 Day )

Trip in an Airboat ...... Midway airboats at Christmas ( and visit Fort Christmas ) on Hwy 50 ( 1 Day )

Trip to Blue Heron River Tours At Hontoon Landing .. blueheronrivertours.com 35 miles North of Orlando ( 1 Day )

And then Combo Tickets for Sea World & Busch Gardens ( Tampa an hours drive away )

Relax & enjoy the pool's at the Hotels ....... Maybe different hotel area from your usual one.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Check into outtoeatwithkids...they'll have a listing for which days restaurants offer free kids meals - there are actually quite a few of them! (Texas Roadhouse is a good one) Search Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, & Kissimmee. This site is NOT the kids eat free card site which might pop up while you're searching, good luck!

 

[Tammy296]

How much should we plan on spending for food while we're staying at the Cabana Beach resort? How are the prices for food at this hotel? Does anyone know if they have kitchens?

 

[Tammy296]

Do most places in Orlando charge parking fees?

We thought of staying at Cabana beach resort because of water slides, lazy river. We want to stay at a hotel with free shuttle to universal (and maybe other places), possibly has a kitchen (where we can shop and cook our own foods for certain days, breakfasts etc). The pool should be a hefty feature for the kids. If there are other suggestions of places we could stay relatively close to Universal please share!

What reasonable places to eat inside Universal parks?

Is City Walk free to enter with your Universal Passes?

Thanks to all who replied so far....

 

[Lynne G]

There is a parking fee for Cabana Bay, but it's a great hotel. The pool area is awesome, and you are welcome to pool hop at any of the other hotels of Universal, like Royal Pacific, Hard Rock and Portofino.

Nothing is cheap at the hotels, but most like the food at Cabana Bay. If you have a car, there's a ton of food places all around Universal. I always stop at a grocery store before I check in, and eat breakfast in the room. Also, check trip advisor, for some comments about hotels.

Check Cabana Bay's website. I think the family suites have a small kitchen area, but not sure a full kitchen.

Ask you questions in the Universal forum. Many have stayed at other hotels in the area. Many have free breakfasts, most charge for parking, but some don't. There's also a food stickie in that forum that has prices and menus for the restaurants in Universal. There's also trip reports from some that did stay at Cabana Bay.

For closest, Cabana Bay is the best. The short bus ride to the parks is very good, and there's also a free shuttle to Sea World, though most like to use it to get there than take uber or a taxi to get back, as reports are the shuttle doesn't always show up when it should be there or at all.

Also, City Walk is like Disney Springs, restaurants and stores and bars. There's no fee to enter CityWalk, and it connects Islands of Adventure to the Studios. Only the bars have a cover charge later in the night. There's a fun golf course there too.

For me, if I'm mostly only doing Universal, I stay onsite. There's nothing like being at the park, getting back to my room without ever having to move my car. I like to eat dinner some nights outside of Universal. Much cheaper places. If I am not doing only Universal, I'd stay on International Drive. Disney is about 30 or so minutes from Universal, and Sea World, about the same.


Have a great time on vacation and hope this helps some.

 

[Ametista]

I love Discovery Cove. It's expensive, but you get 14 days of Seaworld and Aquatica included, so it ends up costing you like $75 for the day at Discovery Cove (free food and even alcoholic drinks, all day), compared to just buying SW/AQ pass for 14 days (we never do the dolphin swim anymore, not worth it, but the rest of the park is). We have often skipped Disney and just done this, combined with a few beach days, and it makes a very good week. You don't HAVE to do Disney. We have also done the 3-day Universal/IOA pass and combined that with Disney water park annual passes and done a week of it. We like to mix it up and keep all the parks exciting. The great part about Orlando is that there are so many world class parks there, you never have to get sick of anything and there is always a beach nearby for a relaxation day.

 

[mich1073]

Yes the Disney Water Parks are really good as well. You can normally buy the after 2 pm annual passes for cheap but I think those are FL RES only. Sorry I am a FL Resident so those are all I buy

I would day trip to the beach and Kennedy Space Center. Dali Museum in St Petersburg is a little over an hour away. But you cal also maybe combo it with the beach or just stay over there for a night and see Winter as well (http://www.seewinter.com/) in Clearwater.

Also Florida is very interesting and much more than the house of the mouse. Check out our State Parks, this one is close and offers tours. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park-activities/Kissimmee-Prairie#Tours

Or head to Ona and see Solomans Castle which is just an odd and fun place. Orlando Brewery offers free tours. And as far as where to stay, I been to Cabana Bay and its a nice place. More of a value resort disney sided rooms with a great pool. I would price a condo for the week, what you would save on food might be worth it. I only stayed at Floridays and Wyndham Bonnet Creek and really liked both but neither is close to Universal. I would shop one closer to there.

 

[Ametista]

Dali Museum in St Petersburg is a little over an hour away.

We LOVE this museum. It makes a great combo for a Siesta Key overnight, that's our favorite.

 

[glassslippergirl]

I just saw this today on Facebook: http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/places-to-take-an-out-of-towner-fl/ Several are in Central Florida.

I agree with PP about Kennedy Space Center. Would you be interested in a drive to St. Augustine? There's a lot of history and beautiful architecture, and fortress is not to be missed.

Your oldest will be bored by Legoland, so I'd skip that. But there's plenty for both at Universal. I've got to say I was underwhelmed by Sea World on my last visit, but that's highly subjective. I won't be back for a while, but your mileage may vary.

 

[mich1073]

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/ultimate-central-fla-road-trip-fl/
Another great list if things in Central Florida outside Disney to do.