Seaworld and Aquatica at Xmas!

[CrazyMomof3]

I am getting super excited about planning this trip! I have a few questions for you all! There is the option to add aquatica to our package for around $200. Which is not a bad price for 5 of us. My question is...what if the weather is too cold (12/23-28). Can we get a refund? Or can we just not book that part now and if the weather is nice book it closer to time or when we get there? I just hate to waste $200 if the weather is yuck and we don't end up going. Advice please?

Also, we are looking at staying at the Renaissance or the Residence Inn. At the Renaissance you have to pay $16 per day for parking and no breakfast. At the RI you don't pay to park and you get a free breakfast. Both hotels are about the same price. Which one would you pick? I have 3 kids (9,6,and 4) so which one would they like best? I see the Renaissance has a pretty cool outside pool/waterpark area for the kids.

So many choices! Thank you all and any advice would be great!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We are staying onsite at SeaWorld on similar dates (we're there from December 23 to 30).

I don't know if you can get a refund on the Aquatica portion in the event of bad weather, or not. Might be worth a call to SeaWorld to find out.

We decided to add the Aquatica tickets for two reasons. Its a great deal if we end up going (admission plus all day dining for $24.99 pp). And even if we don't (which I think is unlikely, as surely Aquatica will be open at least ONE day of our holiday), by adding the second park, it automatically upgrades our SeaWorld tickets from one-day admission to length of stay. That's worth $24.99 pp alone, IMHO.

We selected the Residence Inn for our stay as we wanted a suite with a separate bedroom and extra TV, plus the free breakfast and free parking added up to at least a $30/day savings for us. The pool area isn't as nice as the Rennaissance, but our son is older and wouldn't get anything out of the kids play area anyway. Plus, with Aquatica admission, if we want some serious swim time, we will head to the waterpark rather than the hotel pool. That said, I can definitely see the Rennaissance pool area being a big draw for families with younger children, and the Rennaissance looks like it has nicer finishings than the Residence Inn, which may make a difference to you.

Good luck deciding, and let us know what you end up choosing!