Vacation planning question - HELP!

[Gotta Love Eeyore]

After spending several years next door visiting the Mouse, my family has decided to try something new this fall. This September, we want to spend a day at Discovery Cove followed by 2 days at Sea World and 2-3 days at Universal. I have planned many Disney trips, but I am at a loss as to the best way to plan/ reserve this trip. I need help!

First of all, should I book directly through the online sites or is there a definite benefit to a travel agent?

If I book online, can I make payments online like the WDW site allows or do I need to pay in full?

Would you recommend the Discovery Cove partner hotels? Springhill suites?

Would you recommend staying at the Royal Pacific? (Thinking of a split stay situation)

Would 2 days be enough at Universal for kids age 10 and 12 who are really into HP and roller coasters?

Is there a guide book you would recommend?

Is there a thread with "little know facts" that I should read?

Thanks so much for any help you DC/US/IoA experts can give me!!!!!

 

[Badge]

We have always booked right from Universal website! They always have the best rates and specials that I can find, plus you know it is all taken care of. They have lots of different room types, so you make sure you get the one that fits your needs the best.

If you book online, you make a small payment (for us it is normally around $200). After that, we always pay the rest when we arrive. However, I would assume you could call and make payments on the room every month or so.

I have never done Discovery Cove so I can't help you out there...sorry!

I would REALLY recommend Royal!!! We have stayed onsite at all three hotels and while they are all nice, Royal is by far the best one for us! We love the look and feel of the Resort. Also, it tends to be the "cheapest" of the three, but not by much. Also, it does not share boats like Hard Rock and PBH sometimes do. If you go, I would request the first floor. The rooms on the first floor have really high ceilings which makes the room feel bigger and more open.

I would suggest three FULL days at the parks! You will get the Express access with your room key, so you will not have to wait in lines, so you could finish almost everything in both parks in two days. However, this does not give you time to really relax and take your time. With three days, you will be able to explore the parks a little more, ride your favorite ride more than once, and just enjoy your trip more without feeling like you need to also be on the move to see everything. I would do three days/three nights at the hotel. It sounds like Universal is ideal for your kids! They seem to like thrill rides, which Universal has a lot of! They will love the HP rides, Hulk, Dr. Doom, Mummy, and many others.

I am sure there is a thread somewhere with some information that you are looking for. Also, if you have a question about something, just ask. I am sure you will get a lot of people offering their tips and suggestions!

 

[Planogirl]

The Royal Pacific is very nice. They have an excellent pool area too however I do suggest pool hopping to the Hard Rock pool if you have time. Yes, it is allowed! DH and DS went over there while I shopped one afternoon and they had a blast.

Two days would be enough to see most of it but I would suggest three. You could stay onsite while you visit Discovery Cove too but that is of course just one option. I know that it's hard to decide. I wouldn't know where to stay over there but hopefully someone will have a suggestion.

A great guide book for Universal is Kelly Monaghan's book. You should be able to find it at the major bookstores or on-line.

 

[Metro West]

Here's the link to Kelly's book. It's really the best one out there:

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Orl...0905/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307633731&sr=8-1