Please Help Decide Which Three Days at Universal and One day Seaworld!

[tamaraten]

Hi, we (DH and I and four kids, ages 6,8,10,12) have only four days in Orlando.

After tons of incredible help from all of you on these boards, I decided on three days Universal and one day SW. We're starting our first day Sunday Dec. 5 and have until Wed. Dec. 8.

The question is, I see that SW is open on that Sunday Dec. 5 until 11 p.m. I'm wondering if we should start out at SW on that day because of the late hours, and since I understand that there is a ton to do at SW, or does that mean the park will be super busy? Or should I start out at Universal on the first day and see how that goes, especially since my kids are super excited for Harry Potter? On Dec. 5th, IOA is open until 8 p.m., the only (sort-of) late day they have that week.

I also have to consider that if we do a late SW on the first day, until 11 p.m., it might be tough to wake up for early morning hours at Universal (we'll be staying on-site). Another factor, would it be better to break up the three days at Universal with the SW in the middle? (for instance, if we go to Universal day 1 and day 2, SW day 3 and then universal for favourites on day 4). I'm just so tempted by the 11 p.m. SW hours!

This is our first time at any of these places and we'll be having park to park tickets for Universal.

Please Advise! Your help would be really appreciated.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'd do the 1st 2 days at US/IOA, a day at Seaworld and the last day back at US/IOA to finish or re-do anything at US/IOA.

I'd do IOA on Sunday. From eveything I've read it seems to be the reported least busy time for Harry Potter. I'd do that first and go on from there.

 

[damo]

I'd do the third day at SeaWorld. You won't need to do SeaWorld til 11.

 

[tamaraten]

Thanks - I was actually thinking of that originally....until I heard that SW is open until 11 p.m. and I looked on their schedule. Then I saw how much stuff there is to do, especially shows with the Xmas Season. And then I got stressed that we wouldn't be able to see the main shows with the park closing time on the regular days. Do you think I'll manage to see the important stuff at SW with a park-closing time of 6 (or maybe 7, I forget on that 3rd day)?

thanks so much for responding.

 

[damo]

Thanks - I was actually thinking of that originally....until I heard that SW is open until 11 p.m. and I looked on their schedule. Then I saw how much stuff there is to do, especially shows with the Xmas Season. And then I got stressed that we wouldn't be able to see the main shows with the park closing time on the regular days. Do you think I'll manage to see the important stuff at SW with a park-closing time of 6 (or maybe 7, I forget on that 3rd day)?

thanks so much for responding.

You will have lots of time. It won't be that busy while you are there, so I don't see you waiting long inline for the rides. The shows really are quite short. We tend to be done long before closing time.

 

[tamaraten]

You will have lots of time. It won't be that busy while you are there, so I don't see you waiting long inline for the rides. The shows really are quite short. We tend to be done long before closing time.

Amazing. Thanks Damo. You always know what to say to put one's mind at ease!!