what to do?

[jen5400]

Hello, I am hoping to get some suggestions about what we can fit in to our vacation beginning July 4 through July 11. We are staying on site at Universal the entire trip at RPR.We are driving straight through beginning at 9 PM July third ( 14 hours according to google). Myself my DH and DD13. My daughter and I have been to Universal before and love it. We have never been anywhere else in Orlando and would like to check out SeaWorld and my DH would like to check out the Kennedy Space Center. We have never been to Disney and I am thinking about checking out Disney however not sure if time will allow during July and all the crowds that are mentioned, what parks would you suggest for first timers if one or two is all we can fit and in your opinions would it be worth it for a first time visit?

 

[csjordan]

Hello, I am hoping to get some suggestions about what we can fit in to our vacation beginning July 4 through July 11. We are staying on site at Universal the entire trip at RPR.We are driving straight through beginning at 9 PM July third ( 14 hours according to google). Myself my DH and DD13. My daughter and I have been to Universal before and love it. We have never been anywhere else in Orlando and would like to check out SeaWorld and my DH would like to check out the Kennedy Space Center. We have never been to Disney and I am thinking about checking out Disney however not sure if time will allow during July and all the crowds that are mentioned, what parks would you suggest for first timers if one or two is all we can fit and in your opinions would it be worth it for a first time visit?

Welcome to the Dis Boards!

We have done all of the parks, and if your DD likes thrill rides, I would suggest a day at MK and a day at DHS. She will get her fill of thrill rides at IOA, and DHS has Tower of Terror and Rockin Roller Coaster. If you've never visited Disney, MK is a must-do for all of it's magic!! We usually do Univeral in a couple of days, one park per day. This Summer, we are going 3 days, as it was crowded at IOA last August when we were there. That gives us an extra day to get all of our must-do's in.

Have a great trip!!

 

[angelmom27]

During that time SW will be open late and its not a park that you really have to plan for like the others. You could easily go and be able to do everything. If you want to avoid highest crowd levels after the 4th is best. Still busy with summer crowds but not as bad. Since the park is mostly shows a lot of people can attend them at once. Unlike waiting in line for rides.

 

[jen5400]

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

July is going to be hot. Very hot . Have you considered a day at one of Orlando's waterparks?

If you are considering a SeaWorld trip (which is awesome......SW is a fantastic park ) then adding Aquatica would be a good choice. Its a great waterpark with something for everyone.....wave pools (two), a traditional lazy river, a tubeless lazy river with a crazy current (called Roa's Rapids....the best waterpark attraction ANYWHERE, IMHO), lots of slides big and small, a great interactive kids area, and even Commerson dolphins. It would be an excellent compliment to the SW portion of your trip.

Kennedy Space Center also looks fabulous, but I have never been. Would be great to combine with some beach time at Cocoa Beach.

Me personally, I would avoid Disney as the crowds around July 4th will be huge. Its difficult to find the "magic" of the Disney parks when its shoulder to shoulder AND hotter than the face of the sun .

 

[Lynne G]

Lots of us do either a non Disney vacation or a only Disney vacation. Those that do both tend to stay more than a week.

That week at Disney will be crowded, very crowded. To really enjoy, I would go at a different time of year, or stay closer. You will love staying at RPR. I love the unlimited express and the much less stressful touring of the USO parks.

SW is a great park to visit, and can be done in one day. Check the website, as you can get a ticket with free dining or other discount. The coasters are great there. If you do not want to drive, free bus from RPR with a reservation. Check the Universal board here . I think there is a free bus to Busch Gardens Tampa that also goes from RPR and the bus riders get a free ticket to that park. Some nice coasters there and a great park to spend a day in too

The Space Center is also something to see and a really neat place to explore. You most likely will not need more than a day, and it would be fun to eat dinner at Fish Lips at Port Canaveral. You can see the cruise ships leaving around 5pm or so.

If you like the beach, go to Cocoa Beach and then go down to the port to see the ships.


For me, I would not do Disney too. I would go to DTD one night to enjoy a Earl sandwich and take in my Disney fix. What ever is right for you, I hope you have a great vacation!

 

[jen5400]

Thanks so much. I have decided a non disney trip this time especially since we have never been, which means I will be planning an all Disney vaca even before this one is underway. lol. So as far as our Universal and more vaca I have decided to do Sea World and Aquatica as well as Kennedy and Cocoa Beach thanks to your suggestions. I was also thinking of visiting DTD for an evening as well as the Boardwalk. Does anyone know how much time we will need for Kennedy? Thought we could combine this with Cocoa Beach and make a day of it. We really would enjoy seeing the cruise ships as well. Thanks again. You have all helped me.

 

[Lynne G]

I think you could do the Space Center in the morning, get there when first opens and have lunch. I think we left not much after lunch. Then I would go to the beach and head to the port when you had your filll. The Space Center is not far from the beach or port. Check google maps to give you a better idea of the distances. Check the SW website, I think Gina said there is a combined ticket to SW and Aquadica for $119.00.

It is great you are planning a Disney trip too. The parks are fun to explore for the whole family and you will see how spread out the parks are to each other.


That is the best thing about an Orlando trip, there is so much to see and do, you can return many times and find more to do. As my kids are a tween and teen, and the tween is a ride junkie, we love USO and Disney and the Busch parks. We are also history buffs and enjoyed the Space Center and the Orlando Science Center.

Hope you enjoy all that is new to you and all that is fondly remembered.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Check the SW website, I think Gina said there is a combined ticket to SW and Aquadica for $119.00.

Yes ma'am, there is. Here's the link:

http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-orlando/Book-Online/Tickets/AllTicketsTourists

 

[iitzant15]

swim with the fishies

 

[RabFlmom]

July is going to be hot. Very hot . Have you considered a day at one of Orlando's waterparks?

If you are considering a SeaWorld trip (which is awesome......SW is a fantastic park ) then adding Aquatica would be a good choice. Its a great waterpark with something for everyone.....wave pools (two), a traditional lazy river, a tubeless lazy river with a crazy current (called Roa's Rapids....the best waterpark attraction ANYWHERE, IMHO), lots of slides big and small, a great interactive kids area, and even Commerson dolphins. It would be an excellent compliment to the SW portion of your trip.

Kennedy Space Center also looks fabulous, but I have never been. Would be great to combine with some beach time at Cocoa Beach.

Me personally, I would avoid Disney as the crowds around July 4th will be huge. Its difficult to find the "magic" of the Disney parks when its shoulder to shoulder AND hotter than the face of the sun .

Haven't checked it this year but usually a 2 park(SW/Aquatica ticket gets you unlimited admission for 14 days from the first day you use it.