Possible to do BOTH parks in one day in January?

[ricko19]

We are going to be in Orlando next january. We'll be in the Universal/Sea World area monday the 12th - weds the 14th.
I've got a 5 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. Just wondering if we'd be able to do BOTH Universal parks in one day. I'm thinking about going to Busch Gardens for a day, but I don't know if we'd be able to do all 3 in 3 days.
Any suggestions or advice?

 

[Metro West]

We are going to be in Orlando next january. We'll be in the Universal/Sea World area monday the 12th - weds the 14th.
I've got a 5 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. Just wondering if we'd be able to do BOTH Universal parks in one day. I'm thinking about going to Busch Gardens for a day, but I don't know if we'd be able to do all 3 in 3 days. Any suggestions or advice?

Midweek in January isn't a busy time so you should be able to do both parks in a single day...it's not recommended but doable.

 

[BrownDalmatian]

It's possible, but I doubt you'll be able to ride everything that you want - at both parks - in only one day. Getting an Express pass will help, but even then I don't think it'll be as fun as just doing two days. I'm sure you can have a great time in just one day (I've done it many times since we live in Orlando and sometimes just drive over for the day), but you probably won't be able to hit every ride/show that you want.

My humble suggestion: if I were you - and of course if I could afford it - this is what I would plan on doing. Skip Busch Gardens this year (I do like that park but I think it would be better to save it for another trip maybe). Stay onsite at Universal at either RPR, PBH, or HRH. Staying onsite will get you closer to the parks (walking distance, or boat/bike rides), and it will get you FOTL (front of the line - MUCH less waiting for rides!). Hit Universal one day, IOA another day, and drive over to SeaWorld another day.

Just my opinion though, I'm not sure how much you are all set on Busch Gardens.

 

[ricko19]

Well I'm not totally set on BG, I'm just a big roller coaster fan.
I've been to just about every park on the west coast multiple times, and figure as long as I'm w/in driving distance to Tampa, I might as well!
What I may end up doing is just extending our trip an extra day to allow 2 days at the Universal Parks, 1 day at sea world and 1 day at BG.

This will be the tail end of our trip. We are doing 4 days at DW and a 3 Night Disney Cruise as well.

It'll be a busy 2 weeks! I hope my wife and kids can keep up with me!

 

[phamton]

I like that idea better, Ricko. I really think that you need 2 days to do the parks justice.

 

[BrownDalmatian]

Well I'm not totally set on BG, I'm just a big roller coaster fan.
I've been to just about every park on the west coast multiple times, and figure as long as I'm w/in driving distance to Tampa, I might as well!
What I may end up doing is just extending our trip an extra day to allow 2 days at the Universal Parks, 1 day at sea world and 1 day at BG.

This will be the tail end of our trip. We are doing 4 days at DW and a 3 Night Disney Cruise as well.

It'll be a busy 2 weeks! I hope my wife and kids can keep up with me!

Oh I didn't know an extension of time was possible - I actually like that idea MUCH better! And if you're a big roller coaster fan, you'll probably love BG.

Sounds like a fun trip!! Have a great time!

 

[Darcy03231]

With a 5 y.o. in tow I think it would be difficult to do both parks in one day. Even though the parks are smaller than at WDW there is still a lot of walking. If you can extend the trip to take another day I would do it. My kids are roller coaster freaks and absolutely loved Busch Gardens. You'll have a great time there.