Planning Multi Theme Park Trip

[disney-akj]

This trip will not be for a few years, but I enjoy the planning so I am trying to think through options now. Since this involves multiple questions about multiple parks, I thought I would post it here.

Background Information: We are a family of 5, but will be traveling with a large group of approximately 12 people total. All 12 in our group have been to Disney World several times and are not first time visitors. We will be staying at Universal for 2 nights/ 3 days (can't beat the on-site benefits there) before renting a large house for the rest our trip. We had planned on doing Universal, Sea World, and Disney with the Water Park Option originally. After looking into to it though, it is the same price for our family to do 6 days at Disney and the 5 day Flex Ticket (unlimited admission to IOA, US, Aquatica, Sea World, Wet n Wild). We have not been to the two water parks on the Flex Ticket and we haven't been to Sea World in about 10 years. So here are my questions.

Question 1: Has Sea World changed much in 10 years and is it a worth a day out of our trip/$350?

Question 2: Are Aquatica and Wet n Wild good water parks? Worth giving up TL and BB to visit....BTW we have been to BB and TL so just curious if we would be disappointed with Aquatica and Wet n Wild. The websites look fun.

Question 3: If we buy the 5 day Flex ticket from UT and just rent a on-property hotel at Universal for two nights- will we still have the guest benefits (early entry, express pass ,etc.) from staying on property with a package through Universal? (I believe we should, just want to double check).

Super excited! Thanks in advance for any advice you give me!! Now if I can just talk my DH into Discovery Cove

 

[Planogirl]

I would suggest posting on the Universal forum for the Universal part of your question. They are super nice over there. I can say that the new moderate resort at Universal does not include express pass but it does give early entry. You have to stay at one of the three deluxe resorts to get all of it.

I have heard a lot of good things about Aquatica and that Wet n Wild is great if you want wilder slides. We haven't been to either though. We haven't been to Sea World in a while either mostly because we have one in Texas.

 

[agavegirl1]

Don't know about your first two questions as I have never been to the water parks or Sea World...However, if you have the Flex Pass (or any other valid park admission), your Express is tied to your hotel stay and not your ticket media. Yes, you will still get the benefits of Express and Early Entry. This is a hotel perk.

 

[disney-akj]

Don't know about your first two questions as I have never been to the water parks or Sea World...However, if you have the Flex Pass (or any other valid park admission), your Express is tied to your hotel stay and not your ticket media. Yes, you will still get the benefits of Express and Early Entry. This is a hotel perk.

Great! Thanks! I was thinking it would work, but just doubt myself sometimes!!

 

[disney-akj]

Anyone else?

 

[disney-akj]

Do you think I would have better luck on another area of the boards? Maybe I posted to the wrong place?

 

[disney-akj]

No water park or sea world opinions?

 

[kathy884]

This trip will not be for a few years, but I enjoy the planning so I am trying to think through options now. Since this involves multiple questions about multiple parks, I thought I would post it here.

Background Information: We are a family of 5, but will be traveling with a large group of approximately 12 people total. All 12 in our group have been to Disney World several times and are not first time visitors. We will be staying at Universal for 2 nights/ 3 days (can't beat the on-site benefits there) before renting a large house for the rest our trip. We had planned on doing Universal, Sea World, and Disney with the Water Park Option originally. After looking into to it though, it is the same price for our family to do 6 days at Disney and the 5 day Flex Ticket (unlimited admission to IOA, US, Aquatica, Sea World, Wet n Wild). We have not been to the two water parks on the Flex Ticket and we haven't been to Sea World in about 10 years. So here are my questions.

Question 1: Has Sea World changed much in 10 years and is it a worth a day out of our trip/$350?

It hasn't changed all that much. One disappointment from 10 years ago is that the trainers can't get in the water with the Orcas for that show. // Personally I just love SeaWorld -- the beautiful landscaping, great shows and animal exhibits and it's my favorite of all the great Orlando parks for a multigenerational group to go together. For me it is always worth the price to go, as we all love it there.// Basically, though, you just have the updated Dolphin show, a refurbished completely changed penguin exhibit, a lay flat on your stomach roller coaster called the Manta that is pretty cool if you like thrill rides, and no more free beer. So if you need more significant changes to get your interest in going, it would be a skip.

Question 2: Are Aquatica and Wet n Wild good water parks? Worth giving up TL and BB to visit....BTW we have been to BB and TL so just curious if we would be disappointed with Aquatica and Wet n Wild. The websites look fun. // They are both great waterparks IMHO. I still think the Disney ones are the prettiest, but Aquatica comes close. There are more poles and things at Wet and Wild, but the number and variety of water attractions is incredible. I have teens and this place is so fun to go to with them.

Question 3: If we buy the 5 day Flex ticket from UT and just rent a on-property hotel at Universal for two nights- will we still have the guest benefits (early entry, express pass ,etc.) from staying on property with a package through Universal? (I believe we should, just want to double check).

Have never stayed onsite at Universal. You might want to post on the DIS Universal forum. I believe like you do that the answer is yes, but I'm the wrong person to give advice on that.

Super excited! Thanks in advance for any advice you give me!! Now if I can just talk my DH into Discovery Cove

See above.