Nick6300
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 3, 2017
It's been several yrs. since staying at an All Star resort (2007?). We've mostly stayed at Pop or Cabins from 2007-2014. On a budget and recently booked All Star Sports (20% off room only discount deal) 8/24-8/31 (7 nights), thinking of doing a cheap off site for 8/31-9/1 for 2 relaxing water park only days 9/1 and 9/2 because we had an unused 8 day PH plus ticket from few yrs ago and bought a matching one from Park Savers. Was able to get room fully paid ($690) for via $575 Barclay Arrival Plus miles redemption and $200 new Wells Fargo card bonus. We'd have to drive 3.5hrs ea. way, book a 1 night hotel, and pay for long term parking to fly direct to MCO to take advantage of magical express (about $550) or fly from our little town for about $900 to Sanford (nothing to MCO) plus Uber ($70 round trip) to All Star Sports or rent a car. So we're now leaning towards the long drive from central IL (I think about 17 hrs w/out stops and 1300 miles ea. way= $165 in gas for the Honda Civic). We're just 2 adults, made the drive moving from Tampa last yr. Can also grocery shop a bit for snacks, take as much luggage you want. We'd take turns driving mostly straight there to save time, naps as needed at rest areas. We'd hit Labor Day on drive back (Sat night 9/2) and likely get a motel in Tenn. half way or stay with Uncle in Nashville.
During our stay, it's mostly all 8am EMH (reg. park hours beg. 9am, water parks 10am). We normally prefer to do water park 1st then a park to reduce time waiting on buses (vs. going to water park in middle of 2 parks). But the 2 hrs between EMH and 10am water park opening sort of makes us think to go to water park mid-day. From what I recall on buses from Sports you have to wait from hotel to get to water park and even longer to get back (once waited an hr). Then you'll be tempted to take a shower/nap/change to go back to parks. We chose to stay on property so we wouldn't have to drive to parks (and save daily $20 parking cost). But wife thinks we may want to take bus to EMH, then drive to water park and back, take bus from hotel to 2nd park at night. Driving to water park allows you to save waiting for bus ea. way. You could rinse off at water park, change in locker room, then your wallet, phone, back pack w/ rain gear, sun block is ready to go in the car to take onto bus from hotel. What do you guys think, especially on the driving to and from water parks in the middle of ea day? I'm not sure what I was thinking when I bought an 8 day PH with Fun (too many fun visits that you feel like you're wasting!).
During our stay, it's mostly all 8am EMH (reg. park hours beg. 9am, water parks 10am). We normally prefer to do water park 1st then a park to reduce time waiting on buses (vs. going to water park in middle of 2 parks). But the 2 hrs between EMH and 10am water park opening sort of makes us think to go to water park mid-day. From what I recall on buses from Sports you have to wait from hotel to get to water park and even longer to get back (once waited an hr). Then you'll be tempted to take a shower/nap/change to go back to parks. We chose to stay on property so we wouldn't have to drive to parks (and save daily $20 parking cost). But wife thinks we may want to take bus to EMH, then drive to water park and back, take bus from hotel to 2nd park at night. Driving to water park allows you to save waiting for bus ea. way. You could rinse off at water park, change in locker room, then your wallet, phone, back pack w/ rain gear, sun block is ready to go in the car to take onto bus from hotel. What do you guys think, especially on the driving to and from water parks in the middle of ea day? I'm not sure what I was thinking when I bought an 8 day PH with Fun (too many fun visits that you feel like you're wasting!).