Planning Jan 2013 trip; need some ideas/help

[dreamscometrue47]

We are planning on a trip to Florida Jan 5-12, able to add on a day or 2 at the beginning of the trip. We have a time share on hold but are thinking of adding 1 or 2 days at the beginning of the trip to take advantage of express pass by staying at a Universal Resort. From what I read, this should be a no-brainer and I should just do it, but do you think it's really necessary that time of year? and if so, please chime in for which resort we should pick! We've been once to the darkside but have never stayed on site.

We won't be visiting WDW this trip, just Universal (3 days we figure), Seaworld (1-2 days, no Discovery Cove as we just did that recently) and Kennedy Space Center (1 day) are a must.

 

[rwdavis2]

We did just that in 2008 and will do so again January next year. Even though crowds may be low they don't always run rides to their full capacity. For example they don't run all the cars in the Simpsons ride. So there is still an advantage. It's really cool for getting off the Mummy, get back in line and walk right on. No wait.

Also, the Hard Rock hotel is as nice as almost any on WDW property and you can walk to the parks from there.

 

[RMulieri]

I would stay onsite.. This year many schools are not back in session till Jan 8th so it will probably stay pretty busy till after then.We Loved Portofino Bay, though all the resorts are equal to if not BETTER ( and they are better in my opinion) than Disney deluxe resorts.All 3 of them are within walking distance.Portofino is the furthest walk, and even that is not bad.Portofino also has the largest rooms

 

[Maytrix]

I thinks its always necessary.

I figure I can stay onsite and have hardly any wait the whole time we are there or stay offsite and have some sort of a wait. No matter how you look at it, waiting is waiting. If I wait 15 minutes for each ride, its still a lot of time just waiting when I could save 10 minutes or more by having the express.

For me, I'd rather pay a little more and do a lot more rides with less waiting. Because of this, I find 2 days is plenty of time to do everything, but often plan on 3 days.

 

[damo]

For the past two years, the first couple of weeks in January have been way busier than normal. All of the hotels are nice and it just depends on your style preference.