Son is 48" and loves thrill rides, so the time has come...

[MomRN]

I have officially decided that our annual Florida vacation will revolve around Universal this year!

We have gone annually to Disney the last 4 years and it is time for a change. We've done on-site and off, rented a car and used Disney transportation, dining plan and none and right when I had the perfect Disney vacation (for my family) all figured out... I go and switch things up.

This board has been such a great help in the past. So I'm coming to you again with suggestions and advice.

1. My son has fall break from 10-11 to 10-14. While I swore I wouldn't take him out of school for vacation again (3rd grade), now I'm thinking... maybe 4 days instead.... So, what 3 day period would you suggest during those times as the best time to visit?

2. We aren't just going to Florida for those 3 days. In our weekish long vacation I want to do the Disney Halloween Party and maybe a water park. Certainly going to have a beach day, and probably a DTD day. However, I want to revolve these around Universal, but...

3. I want to stay on-site for the front of line access for our days at Universal/IOA. I don't want to stay the whole week on-site though. Will probably look at a Windsor Hills rental the other 4ish days we are there (loved it there our last vacation). We will be renting a car. I don't want to switch "hotels" more than twice though.

What say you, oh wise ones of the disboards?

 

[RMulieri]

Defintiely stay onsite.The express passes and early entry is well worth it.Budget parking into your costs.Universal resorts charge a nightly parking fee ..Keep in mind that Ocotober is Halloween Horror Nights at the Studios and it closes the studios early ( universal parks close alot earlier then Disney anyway).HHN is not for kids so i am doubting you will want to do that,.

 

[MomRN]

I would love to do HHN, but I have looked it over and don't think it is for my will-be 8 year old son. Last Halloween we took him to a haunted house that his sister and other people he knows participated in and he didn't sleep through the night for a month. And it was corny. So we will likely pass on HHN.

At Disney, when there is a hard ticket event, the parks tend to be less busy that day. So, should I plan on Sun-Mon-Tue for longer hours or Thur-Fri-Sat will be less crowded but shorter hours? I'm thinking Sun/Mon/Tues?

 

[macraven]

I would love to do HHN, but I have looked it over and don't think it is for my will-be 8 year old son. Last Halloween we took him to a haunted house that his sister and other people he knows participated in and he didn't sleep through the night for a month. And it was corny. So we will likely pass on HHN.

At Disney, when there is a hard ticket event, the parks tend to be less busy that day. So, should I plan on Sun-Mon-Tue for longer hours or Thur-Fri-Sat will be less crowded but shorter hours? I'm thinking Sun/Mon/Tues?

If you go to the dark side in October, hhn will be held on Sundays, thus the Studios will close at 5:00.
Peeps tend to arrive in the park on Sundays in the afternoon in order to catch some rides prior to park closing prior to hhn.