Summer trip - not sure what to do, please help

[3smithboys]

We are going the Disney Dream 8/12-8/16 and then are planning on spending from 8/16-8/20 or 8/21 in Orlando.... we are driving down from Philly. We are are "WDW family" and have been to the World many times. We have 3 boys who will be 13, 8, and 8 this summer when we go. My mom is also coming with us so we would be getting 2 connecting rooms wherever we decide to stay.

DH and I are both teachers so we usually go during Winter Break (This is the first WB in 3 years that we are not there.) We went last summer for the first time to see if we could "handle" the summer, and we actually really liked it! We got to go to the water parks, which we all loved...we just had to adjust our touring plans for the HEAT! BUT it was so cold last Winter Break - it wasn't so great either!!!

So, hear is what we are thinking and would really like your thoughts....

1. If we were to go to US/IOA, we would like to stay on property. How many days do you think we need to really do it all? If we are staying in Orlando for 5 days and we also want to go to Sea World too, should we leave the "on property" hotel because it will probably be more expensive and stay somewhere else while visiting there? Or just stay there and do Sea World? (My mom really wants to go to Sea World and that is her only request of the trip!)

2. If Disney has "free dining" during our stay, is there any way to try to match that kind of a discount at Universal? Do they ever discount their stays? Last summer we saved so much money during free dining...

 

[Metro West]

1. If we were to go to US/IOA, we would like to stay on property. How many days do you think we need to really do it all? If we are staying in Orlando for 5 days and we also want to go to Sea World too, should we leave the "on property" hotel because it will probably be more expensive and stay somewhere else while visiting there? Or just stay there and do Sea World? (My mom really wants to go to Sea World and that is her only request of the trip!)

2. If Disney has "free dining" during our stay, is there any way to try to match that kind of a discount at Universal? Do they ever discount their stays? Last summer we saved so much money during free dining...

Here are my thoughts:

1. I think three days would be fine to do everything. A full day in each park and then a chance to return and do favorites. The unlimited Express access each of you will receive will spoil you for onsite stays in the future.

Plus...there is a free SeaWorld shuttle from the resorts.

2. I don't know a lot about the resorts since I live here and have no need to stay but there is no free dining at Universal...that's a Disney thing. You could probably find a AAA discount for summer. More people with experience at the resorts will give their thoughts as well.

 

[3smithboys]

Thanks so much for your reply! I knew that universal did not offer free dining.... but I was hoping they might offer some other sort of discount or package in the summer...I will have to keep my eyes open!

If we did 3 days at US/IOA and stayed on site do you think it would be too expensive to just stay at the same hotel for two more days without park tickets and go to sea world and possibly a water park or should we go off site for the last couple of days?

 

[ducky_love]

Universal offers their "meal deal" all year. But I don't think it is a very good value. The offerings are limited and you only can eat at 3 places in each park. It boils down to if you are looking for quanity or quality.

My opinion is that it would be much cheaper to switch hotels once you are ready to go to SeaWorld. You are paying for the FOTL benefits and being walking distance to Uni. There are lots of nice hotels by SeaWorld.

 

[Metro West]

If we did 3 days at US/IOA and stayed on site do you think it would be too expensive to just stay at the same hotel for two more days without park tickets and go to sea world and possibly a water park or should we go off site for the last couple of days?

There are Pros and Cons for both staying at the Universal resort and for moving closer to SeaWorld. You'll have to consider your budget and as Ducky stated...you would be paying for the unlimited Express access and not having park tickets to use. There's plenty of nice places over near SW that might offer transfers to the SW parks.