Two week trip to WDW. Now DH is talking about visiting other places also....HELP!!!

[thelittlemermaid]

If you look in my sig we don't plan on going back for awhile, but DH is talking about wanting to visit Universal, Sea World, and Discovery Cove while we are in Flordia. On our last trip, we stay at a hotel that was International Drive, DH and DS LOVED it!!! Seems to me they also want to check out International Drive alittle more since they didn't get to see as much as they wanted to.

I am about ready to pull out my hair!! The plan was to go to WDW ONLY for 2 weeks, but just like a man he keeps changing his mind.

Here's my question, should I just plan it so we do Universal, Sea World, and Discovery Cove {not really sure where it's located} first before we even step onto Disney property? I know once I get to WDW I am not going to want to leave to go to the other places. I figured if we do the other places first we would stay in the hotel that we stayed in on International Drive. DH and I have been throwing around the idea of staying at the Dolphin once we get to Disney, but of course that could change to. LOL!!

DS wants to go to Sea World really bad since they did away with the one here in Ohio. DH and DS both want to go to Universal. DS wants to ride the Jurassic Park ride so bad, he can taste it. LOL!!

Any help would be apperciated!!

 

[Brian Noble]

I wouldn't worry too much about it just yet---with more than two years to go, anything you do now is idle speculation.

As the time draws closer, these desires might stick. If you'd rather spend some time with Mickey than with DH and DS, send them off with your good wishes, and enjoy the day in the world to yourself. Otherwise, it seems reasonable to visit some of these other places with them, even if they wouldn't be your first choice. I would not schedule it on either end, but rather intersperse the days---that way, no one has to feel as though "this week is your vacation, and that week is mine!"

In any event, I don't think it is unreasonable in a two week vacation to spend a handful of days away from WDW.

For what it's worth, as soon as my kids are old enough and brave enough to swim underwater, we will be spending a day at Discovery Cove. That place just looks like too much fun.

 

[thelittlemermaid]

Thanks Brian Noble! I wouldn't mind going to the others places, but I just figured it would be better to go to them before WDW. I know once the family gets to WDW they are not going to want to leave the MAGIC.

Plus this way we can stay in a cheaper hotel before going to Disney, that way we can have more money to be able to stay at the Dolphin. DH wants to try out those heavenly beds. LOL!!!

 

[dsanner106]

We have made it a routine, actually, to do just what you are considering. I have older kids that want a day or two at universal and islands of adventure and we get a cheap hotel nearby. Usually, we go with sleep inn just outside the gates, as it is new and has a good free breakfast we can fill them up on first. They also have free shuttles to the park but are also about a quarter mile from the entrance anyway, so not too bad. This was done originally as a compromise on my part, but now find that once the kids get this out of their systems, they enjoy the disney portion more and do not bug me about wanting to go to another park. Relax, the two weeks gives you plenty of time to get what you want, and give them what they want as well.

Drew in Ga

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

DS wants to go to Sea World really bad since they did away with the one here in Ohio.

The Sea World in Orlando is so much better than the one in Ohio was. You will love it if you liked the one that used to be here. I was a season pass holder and an employee (back in high school). I really enjoyed Sea World Ohio and was sad when it sold.

I would spend your non-Disney days at a non-Disney hotel. Then live it up at Dinsey and not leave til your vacation is over! 2 weeks is a long time. You can do so much.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Welllll....the only problem I can see is that I'd consider Universal/IOA/City Walk a two day adventure and I think Sea World/Discovery Cove is also multiday. I'd almost never do 4 days straight of parks so that makes it a 5 day weekend out of your 14 days total. So I might plan on interspersing one of the Sea World/Discovery Cove days inside of my WDW allocation. I pick Sea World because I don't think WDW has anything competitive with it whereas Universal/IOA is (for all intents) a much bigger MGM without the Disneyana. Going offsite to do Seaworld shouldn't be as jarring to your Disney days.

Note: Unless you plan on never returning to Orlando you don't HAVE to do all these in one trip. I'd probably do (in this order) IOA one day, Sea World, Universal and then go over to Disney OR do Discovery Cove, one of the Universals, Sea World.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i think 2 weeks of wdw is a bit much, we go for 2 weeke but we do everything, like what your ubby wants to do, what's wrong with visiting other places, why are you opposed to the idea?

 

[Sandyincanada]

I think 2 weeks would be great to do it all or a chunk of it, lol. USF/IOA is fantastic, you need at least 2 days there ( we prefer 3-4 though). Seaworld is a nice mid-vacation break, its much more relaxed. One of our trips we spent a day just doing different things like Skull Mountain, Wonder Works, Ripleys, some shopping, it was a fun day away from the hustle and bustle of the parks.

We find now that we like to split everything up, as in 1 day USF, 1 day WDW, 1 day Busche, non-park day, IOA, WDW, etc etc. We don't stay onsite anymore for this reason though, we prefer a condo.

If you wanted to go onsite at WDW, you could just split the weeks up. Personally, I would find 2 weeks of only WDW too much but some people like it. Theres so many great things to see and do at Orlando.

 

[meandtheguys2]

The Sea World in Orlando is so much better than the one in Ohio was. You will love it if you liked the one that used to be here. I was a season pass holder and an employee (back in high school). I really enjoyed Sea World Ohio and was sad when it sold.

I would spend your non-Disney days at a non-Disney hotel. Then live it up at Dinsey and not leave til your vacation is over! 2 weeks is a long time. You can do so much.

Nuh-HUh! You take that back! I always thought we had the best and the lprettiest of all the Sea Worlds! We were devestated when it was sold! That being said, we are heading for Orlando's during the couple of weeks we are there. We can't wait1 I think they run an awesome park.

 

[georgina]

We had no problems leaving Disney to spend a day at Discovery Cove - that place is beautiful. We did leave our Disney resort at the end of our trip to do Sea World and US/IOA. (We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel to get the front of the line perk.) You get free Seaworld admission with your Discovery Cove visit, which you can use before or after you do Discovery Cove.

 

[jlovesee]

I love Disney World, I love it so much my husband and I got married there, and I have serious withdrawl if I dont go atleast once a year. (usually twice), HOWEVER i absolutly feel a trip to orlando is missing something if you dont discover what else orlando has to offer which is a lot. I think Sea World is a beautiful park, probably a good half a day park though, I have never been to Discovery Cove but I've heard it is absolutly 110% worth it. I also believe that the Universal Parks are not to miss either. Ive stayed both on Disney and Universal property (Portofino and Royal Pacific). the Universal resorts are very close to about equal on par to disney hotels, plus your key gets you front of the line on almost every ride, very worth it when spiderman and hulk have hour plus lines. If you have the money to spend Portofino is my favorite, probably tied with wilderness lodge hotel in Orlando PERIOD. Nights are usually around $250-$300 sometimes less with an annual pass discount.

Ive never had more then a week in florida so I can only dream about two weeks, but that is more then enough time to visit disney, and a few outside parks.

Also dont forget about Cypress Gardens! One of the few if only parks created before the mouse that still exists! its $29.99 a day, and a beautiful little park. www.cypressgardens.com

Jennifer :jumping4:

 

[Sunbeamblue2002]

BellBeautyandtheBeast what was it about the Sea World Orlando that made it so much better than the one we had here. I have compaired the web site baised on what we had here and it seems that they really don't have that much more stuff just more space. However I am interested in know what made it so much better in your eyes. My daughter cryed when Shamu left for good and really wants to go and see him again. So looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks