sea world verses universal

[motbobi]

Hi well getting close to our trip to disney. we will be arriving on a sat and staying at confort inn then sunday we will check in to the cs for three nights four day hopper pass. so on thursday and friday we are trying to figure out whic place to go? any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciate. I am traveling with my four kids dd 20 dd 18 ds 14 ds 14 it is there 14th birthday while we are there. my husband says universal but all the things i have read seem like one day there just isn't enough. On friday we will be heading over to daytona beach. any suggestions of where to stay budgetly?
I am sure i have a ton more questions but lets start there.
I have everything booked up until leaving the cs. then i need to find a motel for off park on both of those days. can't wait to hear your opioions
Bobi

 

[Digger In FLA]

by universal, which park does he want to go to? you're coming down during a slow period, so you could actually so any of the above parks in one day if you get there before opening. I can't give you any hotel specifics, but there are a ton of them between Sea World and UO in the International Drive area. I think the days inn sign by I-4 said 34.95 last week, but I'm not positive.

 

[TZMOM]

I haven't been to Seaworld for several years, but I'd pick that one!!

Jane

 

[jtdl]

I went through this dilemma a couple months ago. I chose SeaWorld because I figure after spending 5 days at the Disney parks, we would probably like a more relaxed day. SeaWorld is not as busy as Universal and I think we'd enjoy it more. If we were spending more time in the area and had a few "rest" days, then we probably would go to Universal. I guess it just depends on your energy levels! As for Daytona Beach, we are going to a Nascar race and booked the Thunderbird Beach Motel at a very reasonable price. It's not a 5* resort by any means but it seems like it will be an ok place to sleep!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

If you're only doing one park, I would go to Islands of Adventure. I think kids the ages you have, will enjoy it the most.

 

[phamton]

Definitely, Islands of Adventure because of your kids ages. I would buy a 2 park/1 day tickets so you can hop over to Universal to catch the Mummy ride, Terminator, Men in Black, and Horror Makeup show though. Your kids will love Universal/Islands of Adventure. I was just at Seaworld two days ago and there are only 2 rides. It would be great if your kids were younger but we only stayed half a day and my teenagers were bored. The Dolphin show is closing down until Memorial day so the only descent show was the Shamu show.

As the mother of teens, I can assure you that they will love Islands of Adventure, the Mummy, Terminator, Men in Black, and Horror Makeup show.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

We went to SeaWorld and my 13 year old got bored after a few hours. The dolphin show was closed for rehab and we were pretty disappointed. On the other hand, going to Universal's Islands of Adventure was great. We had a wonderful time both there and at Universal Studios. We stayed at Universal Royal Pacific hotel during our stay at Universal and got front of the line access on every ride. But this was summer and there were more people than at this time of the year. I would definitely recommend Islands of Adventure.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

I vote USIOA - Sea World is nice but Universal Islands of Adventure is an amazing park. I would advise going there especially with the ages of the kids you mentioned.

 

[drgnfly30]

If you like thrill rides I'd go with IOA.. however we did SW in November & DH absolutely LOVED it! He got to feed stingrays & dolphins! He was happy as a clam that day!
Christine

 

[Ishy]

It totally rocked. Even after 8 days in Disney - we couldnt get enuff of this place. We stayed on site for the front of the line access - got a great ENT rate of 149$ at the royal pacific - We did both parks and had a blast. My kids love rides and we had visited animal kingdom and took them horseback riding at fort wilderness (highly recommended) while staying at port orleans.

Ishy

 

[DMRick]

I love SeaWorld but it was a dissappointment in December. The Dolphin show was closed for rehab and the water show was closed for seasonal reasons. We did everything (and walked slowly and had a long leisurely lunch) and were ready to leave at 4 pm. I've killed any urge I have to go back. For Universal, I would (and did) buy a two day pass, so I could park hop, and sold the second leftover day on eBay, for more than 1/2 the price of the two days.

 

[Sandyincanada]

Another vote for USF/IOA...your kids are at the perfect age for it, they will love it! Seaworld is very nice, we went once but my 15 year old DS was bored and does not want to go back. But he is counting the days for USF/IOA