short trip.. advice needed pls!

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

Hi all! So, my dad has decided to take the fam on a cruise 1/3-1/8. Unfortunately it's not a dis cruise...boo, but rather a carnival cruise out of Jacksonville. Since Orlando is only 2 hrs away, DH and I discussed either heading down before the cruise or staying after to do KSC, SW and/or US. I'm not sure if we'd go to any WDW parks because we're planning an 8 day WDW trip with friends the end of Sept. So, it would probably only be 3 nights. Going early would mean we'd be there NYE week. How insanely busy are the theme parks during this time? Staying after the cruise means the kids miss more school and they're already missing the week of 1/3. What do you guys suggest? And where should we stay?
Thanks!!

 

[Ametista]

What is KSD? How many total people?

I like the Marriott resorts right there at SW (Cypress Harbour and Harbour Lake esp.) but they can get expensive if you don't have a time share. But that is the area I would choose.

 

[Momma2PrinceNPrinces]

Kennedy Space Center...I meant to put KSC..lol! We stayed at Harbour Lake for one night a couple years ago. It was quite expensive! Are there any neighborhoods with rentals around there you'd suggest? There will be definitely 4, possibly 5 people total.

 

[Ametista]

No house communities in that area because of county zoning.

Try Vista Cay, use booking.com. I think they are the least expensive of the 2/3 bedroom resorts and have really high ratings.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/vi...ts=2;group_children=2;age=6;age=5;group_rooms

 

[2girlsmom]

I like Springhill Suites close to Seaworld, or Caribe Royal (closer to Disney, but near I drive, so probably 15 minutes to Seaworld). Springhill Suites is a studio suite, basically, 1 room with a partial wall separating the "bedroom" from the "living room", pullout couch and 2 queen beds. Caribe is on World Drive, has 1 bedroom suites with separate living room with pullout couch and bedroom with 1 king or 2 queens but they also have 2 bedroom suites with 1 king in the master, 2 queens in the 2nd bedroom, 2 full baths, full kitchen and pullout couch in the living room.