Some recommendations needed please!

[dman11]

We have planned a trip to WDW over Thanksgiving and my 2 older kids DD12 and DS13 have asked to go to Universal while we're down there. Now we know we want to go to Universal before going to WDW but we don't know how long will be long enough. What would you recommend for a length of stay for our family? DW, DS13, DD12, DD4 and myself.

Second, where would you recommend we stay? We will have a rental car so driving will not be a problem. We were there in 2001 and for some reason I remember having to pay a pretty heafty fee to park at UO and that there was quite a walk until we actually got to the parks. Is this true or am I thinking of somewhere else? If it's true, staying at a place with transportation would be a huge plus to avoid paying the parking fees.

Third, where would you recommend eating for our family. We completely enjoyed Margaritaville during the last trip and think our entire family would enjoy it again but not every day.

Thanks in advance!

 

[robvia]

Everyone will recommend staying onsite (including me) if you can afford it.
If you stay onsite, then you put the Universal part at the end of the trip, because you'll be spoiled with no waiting in line. Look into booking 2 nights at the RPR using the AAA code.

Otherwise, you can stay at Disney value resorts (All Star) and drive up. I'd say you would need to drive up 3 mornings (1 per park, and 1 for favorites). Early morning is the best time to show up, the parking garage opens at 8am. You visit until noon, go back to Disney, rest, then tour a Disney park for the evening.

Yes, parking is $12 whether you park at the hotel or the parking garage. And yes, it is Universal where you walk from the garage along moving walkways.

Margaritaville is still a favorite, along with Mythos for lunch at IOA.

 

[dman11]

We were thinking about doing Universal before WDW because of our experience on our last trip to Orlando. We went to Nick Hotel after WDW and were completely disappointed in it. The service and just about everything else was really bad but I'm not sure if it just seemed worse because we had the Disney service so fresh in our mind.

What is the deal with no waiting in line? Is that just something for people staying onsite? Maybe this will convince me to make Universal the end of our trip.

I was thinking staying off site would be best to save some $. Being a family of 5 the All Star resorts are not an option for us at WDW. Any other recommendations?

 

[goofy!]

We were thinking about doing Universal before WDW because of our experience on our last trip to Orlando. We went to Nick Hotel after WDW and were completely disappointed in it. The service and just about everything else was really bad but I'm not sure if it just seemed worse because we had the Disney service so fresh in our mind.

What is the deal with no waiting in line? Is that just something for people staying onsite? Maybe this will convince me to make Universal the end of our trip.

I was thinking staying off site would be best to save some $. Being a family of 5 the All Star resorts are not an option for us at WDW. Any other recommendations?

We are also a family of 5. Luckily all three of the onsite hotels can accomodate a family of 5 in a regular room.

We were there this past Thanksgiving. I would also recommend staying onsite during this particularly busy time. And to also do Universal at the end of the trip. Why? Because when you stay onsite, you get unlimited express line access. You just show your room key at the entrance to the express line and you are in.

Therefore, I would recommend doing the beginning of the week, when it is not as busy and before all the Holiday people get arrive. Then move onsite after Thanksgiving where you will have unlimited express passes during the craziest part of the vacation. That way, you can utilize Fast Pass during the beginning of the week and then when the whole world descends on Orlando, you will have unlimited express passes at Universal.

Disney was wall to wall people starting the Wednesday before Thanksgiving this year. It was nice to get back to Universal and not have any lines to worry about.

The other nice thing about FOTL (or really unlimited express access) is that the vacation is much more relaxing. You don't really have to plan because you can show up at any ride, any time and hop in the express line.

As for service, I personally feel both WDW deluxe and the Loews resorts are equal in terms of service. All three of the Universal hotels are AAA 4* rated hotels.

In fact, when we went down last Thanksgiving, we were there for a family reunion. Most of the family was staying at the Beach Club. We opted to stay at the Portofino and drive to WDW for the family functions.

One day, the family visited us at the Portofino. Now these people are Disney people in every sense of the word. They were blown away by the Portofino lobby, the quality of the room, the ease of getting to the parks and the wonderful restaurants in the resort. And we were paying a whole lot less for our deluxe rooms at the Portofino than they were at the Beach Club for the Thanksgiving week. So, since the Loews hotels can accomodate 5 people comfortably, you might even want to consider staying at Universal and driving to Disney

 

[bubba's mom]

I 100% agree with the above posters. You NEED to stay onsite (use AAA rate at Royal Pacific (least expensive of the 3 onsite hotels). Even tho you can BUY an Express Pass Plus...don't be fooled! You can only use this ONE time EACH attraction and you need one for EACH person in your family. This can cost $30-$50 each at peak times. If you stay onsite, you will still pay the same to park, but your walk (from RPR) will only be about 7 minutes or so....OR take the boat. I can almost guarantee that if you stay onsite, you will NOT be disappointed....haven't read of ANYONE on these boards who have been. (Did I mention the queen size super comfy beds??) As for eating, I recommend Margaritaville , Pat O'Briens, Louie's (UO), Mythos (IOA), Enchanted Oak (IOA), Finnegan's (UO) and there's a couple of others I cannot recall just now. Stay away from Circus McGurkus in IOA and Mel's Drive In in UO. Burger Digs (IOA) is good and I'll write my review of Bubba Gumps after I try it next weekend ....but seriously, stay onsite...you won't be sorry!

 

[tlinus]

I agree with everyone else. Also we are a family of 5 too! We always do USO/IOA at the end of our trip. This past fall was our first onsite experience and now we will never do it any other way. The RPR is the cheaper of the 3 hotels, but with the ages of your older kids, if you can swing it, I would stay at the Hard Rock Hotel. You will love the unlimited express, and the walking distance to the parks is a HUGE benefit.

Also - at Disney, the All Star Music has a family suite now. I forget which board I saw pics on, but it looks good for a family of 5.

 

[dman11]

I agree with everyone else. Also we are a family of 5 too! We always do USO/IOA at the end of our trip. This past fall was our first onsite experience and now we will never do it any other way. The RPR is the cheaper of the 3 hotels, but with the ages of your older kids, if you can swing it, I would stay at the Hard Rock Hotel. You will love the unlimited express, and the walking distance to the parks is a HUGE benefit.

Also - at Disney, the All Star Music has a family suite now. I forget which board I saw pics on, but it looks good for a family of 5.

Thanks for the info everyone. I was hoping to save some $ by staying offsite but it sounds like the unlimited express pass is worth the extra $. Would you agree? Do all rides have this express line or just selected rides? How crowded is the weekend after Thanksgiving at UO usually?

I did look into the family suite at ASM but we decided we didn't want to stay at a value resort. Unfortunately that almost doubled our cost.

 

[bubba's mom]

I was hoping to save some $ by staying offsite but it sounds like the unlimited express pass is worth the extra $.

it is!

Do all rides have this express line or just selected rides?

99% of them...Not good for FRONT SEAT on coasters or Pteradon Flyers, but you can check allearsnet and it will tell you what rides don't have it...but like I said, most of them do (more than Disney offers Fastpasses for!)

How crowded is the weekend after Thanksgiving at UO usually?

dunno...someone else would know who's been at that time

I did look into the family suite at ASM but we decided we didn't want to stay at a value resort. Unfortunately that almost doubled our cost.

i saw pix of that online....it looks nice. My DGF was pricing POR and CR and they both were 300 something sq. ft. Suites at ASMu are 500something sq. ft with TWO bathrooms....looked sweet to me!

Have a fun trip!! Report back and let us know what you thought of UO!

 

[rpbert1]

Definetly do it at the end of your holiday.
We stayed at RPR then went to Disney last summer, and RPR spoilt us with the FOTL.

 

[Disneyof3]

Lurking on this site, can anyone tell me is it still worth staying on site if your doing US/IA in 4 days or more. Do you think we a family of 5 can't get on 90% of the rides in those days???? The reason is because we're doing disney in March and would love to get away for x-mas(brother and sister in law problems) as well. I have already booked the Comfort Suites on International Dr for 4days and using the unlimited passes for US that last for 7 days. Do you not think this will work??? Any suggestions would be great..

 

[bubba's mom]

When are you planning to go to UO?? When around Christmas? That week will be crowded and you should stay onsite to get your FOTL privledges the entire stay. We stayed at RPR 4 nights last end of June/July. It was crowded with waits 60+minutes. We could have done both of the parks in a day, but with the FOTL, we saw all the shows, and did our fav rides over and over (sometimes 5 times in a row, passing the same people in standby line), and leisurly enjoyed both parks! (Don't tell robvia, but even slept in! Never made it to the park before 11am!) Like I said, if you're going early December, you'll probably be okay....gets more crowded closer to Christmas.

 

[Disneyof3]

Bubba's mom we are planning our x-mas trip by flying into Orlando on December 23rd until the 26th. We plan on spending the whole time at US/AI. That is all were doing for the 4 days there. Maybe shopping at night and early morning depending on the time. So I had heard that the crowds usually start creeping in a week before x-mas and jump on you on boxing day or x-mas day. So we technically will have 2 days less crowded to get the rides the kids really want to go on. This is a relaxing holiday the first away from the rest of the family. I don't want to loose my mind running from ride to ride. Taking our time is the key point. As long as my kids have fun and get on most of the rides that will be good. All the big roller coaster rides loops and upside down ones we won't be going on anyway. My kids are 10, 8, 6... Do you still think though that we won't get on 80% of the rides due to being off site???? Thanks for the help

 

[bubba's mom]

we are planning our x-mas trip by flying into Orlando on December 23rd until the 26th. We plan on spending the whole time at US/AI. That is all were doing for the 4 days there..... I had heard that the crowds usually start creeping in a week before x-mas and jump on you on boxing day or x-mas day. So we technically will have 2 days less crowded to get the rides the kids really want to go on. This is a relaxing holiday the first away from the rest of the family. I don't want to loose my mind running from ride to ride. Taking our time is the key point. As long as my kids have fun and get on most of the rides that will be good. All the big roller coaster rides loops and upside down ones we won't be going on anyway. My kids are 10, 8, 6... Do you still think though that we won't get on 80% of the rides due to being off site???? Thanks for the help

My concern is that Dec. 23rd is a Sunday and most people will travel that weekend to get an early start (Dec. 24th being a Monday). I am going to bet it will be crowded! You will stand in lines and I fear it won't be "relaxing" like you want. A lot of people think there are a lot of "big" rides....and there are only 2 big coasters (hulk & DD). There is a lot of other things/rides/shows to do that will be crowded. If I were going when you are, I would try to stay onsite at least ONE night because you will get 2 days of the FOTL (day of check in and check out). Even though you will have 4 days there, it'll be like a "summer" crowd and may not be as "relaxing" as you like! I am not a "morning person" myself, and I love the fact I know I will do everything I want without having to be at park opening (I can live with the fact I don't get front seat on the coasters--most of the time) and sleeping in. Obviously, you and your kids want to have fun...standing in long lines is not fun. They will LOVE the fact they will walk past those long lines if you stay onsite w/ your FOTL. (I know my son did! He thought he was "all that"). Being a peak time at the resorts (RPR being the cheapest), you may want to split your time onsite with 1 night and the other nights off-site. But, if you do that, stay onsite at the end of your trip because if you do it at the beginning, you'll be spoiled and not want to stand in those lines!

 

[Eclpz314]

I will chime in here too. DEFINITELY stay on site to experience the fotl access. And DEFINITELY do Universal after WDW. You need to experience it once to fully appreciate it! Last time we stayed at RPR, we took a day to do Animal Kingdom. We got express passes for one attraction and ended up leaving early just because it was hot and the lines really got to us. (of course, in July it's super hot anyway ) It's tough to wait in line after having experienced the front of the line access!

 

[Disneyof3]

Well spoke to DH and he said it might be worth the price to stay at RPR for one night only and then at the off site afterwards. Considering were only staying in the area for 4 days we will do RPR right in the middle. So only having the offsite hotel for 2 days that will split it all up. One before RPR and 1 after. I will try and book it when we come back from our WDW trip in March. Hopefully they all won't be booked up yet????
Thanks again bubba's mom you have been very helpful

 

[bubba's mom]

You're welcome! Don't forget, you get your room key at checkin (even if your room isn't ready yet) so you can get the FOTL (Express Entrance) at the parks. It's good the day of check-in and the entire day you check out....so, you are getting TWO days of Express for 1 night at the hotel. Have a great time and try to remember to report back to us what you (and DH) thought!.
ps--don't forget to go to the Loew's Hotel site and sign up for a Loew's First Card/Membership. It's free, and you get some nice perks....late check-out, snack (welcome gift) in your room, all for free.......