So Overwhelmed!

[eeyore'sfan]

Hi everyone! I'm new. I'm starting to plan for my FIRST TIME to Disney in November. My mom is going to watch the kids, so it's going to be sort of like a honeymoon for DH and I (we never got one). We'll be getting in around 10pm on Sunday the 14th and will be leaving around 12pm on Friday the 19th. I want to go to Universal Studios as well (the new Harry Potter attraction cinched it for me, lol). We also know that we'll be staying at Shades of Green. Besides that, I'm clueless!!! What should we see? Would we need a park hopper pass? :help:

 

[cm8]

hi!!! If you don't mind me asking how are you staying at the SOG? If you or your spouse are military, did you know you could have bought your tickets from the ITT/MWR for $99.00 for 4 days and added the waterpark/ park hopper for an additional 25.00 each?: They will have them available at SOG so that is something that you may want to consider, Also, did you know that US/IOA is also offering free tickets( 2days)!!!! The only thing is I am not sure that you can get those at SOG? But who knows!! Here they had to be be pre ordered( WDW tickets, but the US/IOAF tickets were on hand!! Just thought I would let you know


I would say go for the park hopper and water park ops if you really like moving around. We hopped 4 days out of the 5 we were there for WDW and did 2 days US/IOAF!!! It was worth every bit of it!! Have fun!!




ONE (1) FREE 2-PARK UNLIMITED ADMISSION TICKET OFFER – Valid for Active Duty (includes Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or Reservists) or Retired military service members
with valid military photo ID. To receive this offer, please:
Visit your nearest participating military base ticket office (ITT / ITR) to receive your free ticket.
You will be asked to complete an Acknowledgment Form and sign the signature line on the free ticket.
Once at Universal Orlando Resort, present your valid military photo ID at any theme park front gate
ticket window to ACTIVATE your free ticket. Once activated, proceed to the turn stile for entry to
Universal Studios and/or Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks.
2. SPECIALLY-DISCOUNTED 2-PARK UNLIMITED ADMISSION TICKET OFFER – Valid for family and friends.
Tickets can be purchased by U.S. Active Duty and Retired military service members and/or family
dependents with the presentation of a valid military or dependent Photo ID. To receive this offer, please:
Visit your nearest participating military base ticket office to purchase these specially priced tickets.
You will be asked to present your valid military or dependent photo ID to purchase.
Once at Universal Orlando Resort, holders of the specially priced
companion tickets can proceed
directly to Universal Studios and/or Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks turnstiles for entry.
MILITARY OFFER DETAILS
Universal Orlando’s Military Salute Free tickets can ONLY be obtained by active duty (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard or
Reservists) or Retired military service members with valid military photo ID (a maximum of one (1) Free ticket per service member, regardless of where the ticket
is obtained). Offer available through March 26, 2010. Visit a participating U.S. military base ticket office or the Shades of Green Resort in Orlando to receive
an unactivated Military Salute Free ticket. The active duty or retired military service member must have the unactivated Free ticket then ACTIVATED a t any front
gate ticket window at ei ther Universal Studios Florida or Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks on the first date of u se. Military Salute Free tickets will
only be ACTIVATE D when presented by the service member to whom they are issued with a matching valid military photo ID.
Universal Orlando’s Military Salute companion tickets can be purchased by
Active Duty and Retired military service members OR t heir familial dependents with
valid military or dependent photo ID. Universal’s 2-Park Unlimited tickets are valid for unlimited access to BOTH Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands
of Adventure theme parks for up to 6 day s from date of first use. Tickets must be used completely by March 26, 2010 or will automatically expire. Tickets
must be used by the same person on any and all days. Companion tickets can only be used by the family, friends or companions for whom they are purchased.
*Savings based on Universal Orlando Resort theme parks front gate Adult 2-Park Unlimited Admission Ticket retail price of $124.99.
Universal Orlando Military Salute ticket offers are for use at Universal Orlando Resort ONLY (not applicable for use at Universal Studios Hollywood).

 

[Stacy's a freak]

If this is your first trip AND you want to go to Universal, I would advise against park hoppers at WDW. You essentially have 4 days (unless you are able to stay for the entire day of the 19th). This means that you are probably looking at either 3 days at WDW and 1 day at Universal OR 2 days at each. In either event, I don't see how you can do much park hopping at WDW.

If you are at WDW for 3 days, your only feasible option to park hop would be to do AK one morning/early afternoon and EPCOT that late afternoon/evening. Is it worth it to you to pay the extra $50-ish per person to do this? That is the question you have to ask yourself.

If it were me, I would go to Universal for 1 day (perhaps hop at that park between Universal and IOA- this is very doable since they are within walking distance of each other). I would go to WDW for 3 days and pick my top 3 park choices to visit - one per day.

As a first timer, I think it is better to explore one park per day instead of worrying about leaving Park "A" to get to Park "B". It's a bit too commando for a first timer. Once you have gone a few times and you really know the lay of the land, then you can get hoppers and schedule your time to the hour