Possible 1 day @ US....

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

We're going on a cruise out of Jacksonville the 1st week of Jan 2015. Since Jacksonville is only a couple hours from Orlando, we're considering either going there for a few days. I haven't been to US with little ones before so I have a couple questions...
1. Where should we stay? I would rather rent a TH/Condo/house instead of all staying in 1 room in a hotel.
2. How insane is NYE week? If we go before the cruise we'd be in Orlando 12/31 (possibly 12/30) and head to Jacksonville the morning of 1/3.

Thanks all!

 

[mjohnson96]

We're going on a cruise out of Jacksonville the 1st week of Jan 2015. Since Jacksonville is only a couple hours from Orlando, we're considering either going there for a few days. I haven't been to US with little ones before so I have a couple questions...
1. Where should we stay? I would rather rent a TH/Condo/house instead of all staying in 1 room in a hotel.
2. How insane is NYE week? If we go before the cruise we'd be in Orlando 12/31 (possibly 12/30) and head to Jacksonville the morning of 1/3.

Thanks all!

It will be crazy busy that week, if you get a room onsite it will be just a normal hotel room at a deluxe resort but you get FOTL benefits to help with the wait times. We love staying onsite and for the little kids we prefer RPH but when my parents come we stay over at PBH since the rooms are larger and they like the atmosphere.

If you want a TH/condo/house, we have stayed over at Hilton Vacation Club by Seaworld. Had a really nice 1 BR King condo that was very roomy but I know they have 2BR etc you can book. There are not really any vacation rentals near Universal due to some of the housing rules in Orlando but you can find some nice hotels that offer condo like rooms. If you still want to rent a house or like then you will need to rent one over by WDW and then you will have a 15-20 min drive to US.

 

[flfun]

We're going on a cruise out of Jacksonville the 1st week of Jan 2015. Since Jacksonville is only a couple hours from Orlando, we're considering either going there for a few days. I haven't been to US with little ones before so I have a couple questions...
1. Where should we stay? I would rather rent a TH/Condo/house instead of all staying in 1 room in a hotel.
2. How insane is NYE week? If we go before the cruise we'd be in Orlando 12/31 (possibly 12/30) and head to Jacksonville the morning of 1/3.

Thanks all!

This will be about the most expensive (lodging), busiest time of the year, that said the only way I would even attempt it would be to stay onsite for the front of the line advantage.

 

[RMulieri]

It is just as crazy busy at Universal that week as it is at Disney..The absolute ONLY way I would chance it is by staying onsite at one of the 3 deluxe resorts ( Royal Pacific,Hard rock, Portofino) for early entry privelages and express pass.The newest resort ,Cabana Bay , has early entry but no express pass.Without express, if you get there early you can get a few things done before the crowds roll in.Once they do, wait times 60-120 mins will be the norm and Harry potter will likely have return tickets just to get INTO that section of the park(not including wait times for any of the attractions)

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

UGH I figured it would be busy but not that crazy! Dang now I am second guessing this. Ok, then our other option is to stay after our cruise. We dock in Jacksonville 1/8, could make the drive to Orlando, stay there through the weekend and Monday, head home 1/13....
Would those days be better since it's after the new year and everyone is back at school?