WDW And NHL trip

[Lilminx]

hi I'm new and hope this is in the right place.
We (hubby, son 15 at time of travel and daughter 9 at time of travel) are planning a trip to the U.S. In Feb 2017. The main reason is to catch an NHL game (big hockey fans) and as we have gone that far Iv convinced hubby to go to WDW. We have been to DLP twice.
We live in Germany so will most likely be flying from here.

Hubby has said about flying to NY to catch some hockey then down to Orlando. But as Florida has two teams TB lightening not being that far away I may convince him just to go direct to Florida.

We also plan to do universal.

What I want to know is....do you think we would be better hiring a car from the airport and keeping it for the two weeks? Iv read horror stories about WDW transport taking 90mins to get anywhere. Is it quicker driving around WDW and do you have to pay for parking. Or would we be better just hiring a car for a week and do NHL and universal in a week? Any tips much appreciated...all to do with budgeting! And being able to present my great plan to hubby!

Anyone done WDW and NHL trip before?

 

[msb578]

Are you staying at a Disney resort? If so, there's no charge for parking. I think having a car is great, and it'll be much easier to go to Universal that way too.

As for hockey... if it were me... I'd go to New York, or Boston, or Philadelphia, or Chicago, etc No offense to Florida, but if you really want to experience the best NHL atmosphere (in the United States, anyway), you'll want to be in the northern US.

 

[Lilminx]

Yes staying at a resort, no idea where yet! If it's free to park car hire might be best. But is it busy in parks in Feb? not Presidents' Day hope to go after then.

Thanks for the NHL tip. You that's what my hubby said think that's why he said ny

 

[LadyBeBop]

I'm going to semi-disagree with your husband regarding the NHL. The atmosphere may be better up north. However, you have good teams in the south. Especially the Tampa Bay Lightning, only a little over an hour from WDW. Last year, the Lighting went well into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
If your main focus of the trip is WDW, I'd go to a game in Tampa. If you want to spend a few days exploring other places, I'd go to either NYC, Chicago or Boston. All three are great hockey towns, and there are a lot to do in those towns. Between the three cities, I'd choose Chicago...best hockey team, period. (Actually, Tampa Bay is way up there among teams).

 

[Rhombus]

I'd ditch Disney all together and take a tour of NHL arenas. Fly to NY, catch games in Manhattan, Newark, NJ, and new this coming season: Brooklyn. Hit Philadelphia, Washington, DC, and Raleigh, NC on the way to or from Florida. See games in Tampa and Miami area while in Florida.

 

[charmed59]

Don't forget the Hockey Hall of fame in Toronto. I know, not the US, but not too far from Buffalo. You get to see Niagra falls as a bonus.

 

[gem21]

If you're looking for atmosphere don't go to Florida to watch an NHL game... (I'm biased but Montreal is the best city for hockey! However if you want to stay in the USA, NY, Boston, Detroit or Chicago are your best places)

 

[Lilminx]

Thank you all for your replies. I'd love to do a U.S. Tour of hockey! But the 9 year old would be gutted not to get to WDW so that may be something to do when the kids have flown the nest

 

[ForeverAlice]

Let's go Caps!!! (sorry had to throw that in) Have a nice trip whatever you decide!!!

 

[chartle]

Ok have to ask

We live in Germany so will most likely be flying from here.

What are your alternatives, walking and swimming?

 

[Lilminx]

No we could fly from the UK