9 weeks from today we will be leaving our home here in southeast Texas for our first ever Florida vacation. We have reserved a 4 bedroom home at Highlands Reserve that should be perfect for dh and I with our 5 younger children (ages 2-17).
Our trip will be centered around US/IoA, although we also plan to visit Daytona and possibly Kennedy Space Center as well. I really, really wanted the 7 day US/IoA tickets, but that is not going to work for us as we have planned the timing of our trip around Rock the Universe. It seems the most sensible thing for us to do is to purchase the "Rock your whole weekend" tickets, which for $69.95 give you admission to both US and IoA all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as the concerts both Friday and Saturday nights. I would prefer to have one slow day at the parks (usually one of the perks we enjoy as a result of being able to travel off season) and think Monday would be perfect, but I'm not sure I can justify the expense of an additional days ticket for everyone after having 3 days there already. Now, for my questions. Is it likely that we will get to see/do everything in the 3 days we will be there, in spite of the crowds? I am thinking of spending an extra $10 each for the more adventurous among us for one night of the express passes they are making available from 4pm-1am. Or should I really try to budget in an additional day apart from the 3 day weekend? Since the regular RTU tickets only include admission beginning at 4 each day (full day admission is only included with the weekend ticket), maybe the early part of the day will be significantly less crowded? And, last of all, eating: I suppose it is highly unlikely that any of the meal deal (which I plan to purchase for at least 1 day we will be there) restaurants will be open later than usual? I assume there will be some dining places open for the later hours, though? We are going to purchase the 2 park meal deals that include a meal on Citywalk, so maybe we can at least use that to eat later in the day (if we can step away from the action at RTU long enough).
Sorry this is so long, and any help/advice GREATLY appreciated! We are so excited about this trip!!
Our trip will be centered around US/IoA, although we also plan to visit Daytona and possibly Kennedy Space Center as well. I really, really wanted the 7 day US/IoA tickets, but that is not going to work for us as we have planned the timing of our trip around Rock the Universe. It seems the most sensible thing for us to do is to purchase the "Rock your whole weekend" tickets, which for $69.95 give you admission to both US and IoA all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as the concerts both Friday and Saturday nights. I would prefer to have one slow day at the parks (usually one of the perks we enjoy as a result of being able to travel off season) and think Monday would be perfect, but I'm not sure I can justify the expense of an additional days ticket for everyone after having 3 days there already. Now, for my questions. Is it likely that we will get to see/do everything in the 3 days we will be there, in spite of the crowds? I am thinking of spending an extra $10 each for the more adventurous among us for one night of the express passes they are making available from 4pm-1am. Or should I really try to budget in an additional day apart from the 3 day weekend? Since the regular RTU tickets only include admission beginning at 4 each day (full day admission is only included with the weekend ticket), maybe the early part of the day will be significantly less crowded? And, last of all, eating: I suppose it is highly unlikely that any of the meal deal (which I plan to purchase for at least 1 day we will be there) restaurants will be open later than usual? I assume there will be some dining places open for the later hours, though? We are going to purchase the 2 park meal deals that include a meal on Citywalk, so maybe we can at least use that to eat later in the day (if we can step away from the action at RTU long enough).
Sorry this is so long, and any help/advice GREATLY appreciated! We are so excited about this trip!!