Perfect length of stay?

[disneyblue]

I am so happy I discovered this site! So much valuable information to absorb. My husband and I just decided to book a room at the Portofino for our 3 kids and us. I am wondering if anyone can tell me what is a good length of stay? We are totally new to Universal as we have always been Disney folks!

After researching all day, I think we'll end up seeing the Blue Man Group and go to US and IOA. Not sure yet about Sea World and Wet and Wild.

Please weigh in and let me know what you think! I'm not sure if 7 days is too long.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

If you haven't purchased tickets yet, look into the Flex Ticket. It can allow you access to Sea World, Wet N Wild, Universal Studios, & IOA. That way you can use 1-2 days per park and have a relaxing time.

If you're going to do just US/IOA 3-4 days is plenty of time. Since you'll be staying onsite, you can be as leisurely as you want. No need to get up early, no need to rush from attraction to attraction, as your room key gets you unlimited express access during the length of your stay. You can pool-hop and check out the other onsite hotels if you so desire.

Sea World is a fun park, the new Manta coaster is awesome. There are a lot of shows and a lot of fun exhibits. Don't miss the Sea Lion & Otter show. Be sure to get there in time to see the preshow--the mime is awesome!

 

[damo]

I like a 5 day stay. That way I can relax and take my time and do other things in town as well.

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

We did 5 nights last July at the Hrd rock Hotel, it was perfect
We had lots of pool time and we even went to the Magic Kingdom for a day
Plus the front of the line passes are a little slice of heaven

 

[donaldduck352]

Your gonna love Portofino and the whole Universal expierance!!

 

[donaldduck352]

If you haven't purchased tickets yet, look into the Flex Ticket. It can allow you access to Sea World, Wet N Wild, Universal Studios, & IOA. That way you can use 1-2 days per park and have a relaxing time.

If you're going to do just US/IOA 3-4 days is plenty of time. Since you'll be staying onsite, you can be as leisurely as you want. No need to get up early, no need to rush from attraction to attraction, as your room key gets you unlimited express access during the length of your stay. You can pool-hop and check out the other onsite hotels if you so desire.

Sea World is a fun park, the new Manta coaster is awesome. There are a lot of shows and a lot of fun exhibits. Don't miss the Sea Lion & Otter show. Be sure to get there in time to see the preshow--the mime is awesome!

The mime is awesome,funnier then the show itself.

 

[disneyblue]

Thanks for your input! We are really looking forward to a relaxing trip this year. We love Disney, but it's not what you'd call relaxing! LOL!

I'll have to think about whether to do Wet and Wild and/or Sea World. So many things to think about!

 

[nhrenee]

How old are your kids?

 

[disneyblue]

How old are your kids?

13, 9 and 6

 

[macraven]

i prefer to have a 5 night with a full 6 day stay onsite.

i don't venture off to seaworld though.

i take my time with the parks, city walk, shopping at universal.

it is truly a relaxing vacation for me.

 

[Metro West]

Your gonna love Portofino and the whole Universal expierance!!

 

[Darcy03231]

I like a full week so I can do some other things in the area too. We did 5 nights in April and I really felt like I could have used a couple more days.

 

[damo]

I like a full week so I can do some other things in the area too. We did 5 nights in April and I really felt like I could have used a couple more days.

I would never turn down a week.

 

[Strawman]

After fleeing the aftermath of Hurricane Frances in 2004, Portofino Bay offered a $99 rate for evacuees. After 10 nights they threw us out (actually, they just raised the rate), but even after 10 days I wasn't in any hurry to leave.

 

[Cinderella822]

We just returned from a 7 night stay at PBH. This was our third time going for a full week and we just love it. The hotel alone is so nice and relaxing, we hate to leave it. If you've never been to the parks, you should allow plenty of time to do everything, although with FOTL, you won't need a lot of time for standing in lines. I'd say a minimum of 5 nights, but 7 nights would really give you some time to relax and enjoy the pools as well. We rented a cabana by the Villa pool for a day and just relaxed all day. I could have stayed even longer!

 

[disneyblue]

Well, we are staying from the 8/22-28th, and not planning anything other than IOA and US and maybe Blue Man Group. But, you know, once you are on the dis, all kinds of other plans get made! Now I am worried about room location!!

 

[mvansear]

I have done 5 nights twice, next time I am doing 7. We did the flex ticket the first year and regretted it. We ran to sea world saw shamu and one other thing then ran back to universal because it was sooo awesome and we didn't have to wait in line. Also we were there at Christmas so the crowds everywhere were awful. However with FOTL at universal we had no waits so we were verry happy with US and IOA. Hard Rock is our favorite because it is a nice walk to the parks.