Will this be enough time?

[ekatiel]

We are headed to Universal for the first time, just before Thanksgiving. We have booked a cruise Thanksgiving week, so we're going to do Universal for a few days before the cruise. Here's what I'm thinking time-wise. I'd like our kids to miss as little school as possible while still getting to see most of Universal. We are mainly interested in Harry Potter, but I'm sure we would like to see what else Universal has to offer as well.

First Option:

Wed, Nov. 19: Pull kids from school at noon. Drive 8 hours from Houston.
Thursday, Nov. 20: Get up early, drive remaining 8 hours. Check in at on-site hotel, go to park from 5pm-9ish.
Friday, Nov. 21: Go to park all day.
Saturday, Nov. 22: Go to park until about 4pm, then drive to Ft. Lauderdale.
Sunday Nov. 23-Sunday Nov. 30: Cruise, drive 8 hours on Sunday Nov. 30th after cruise
Monday, Dec 1: Drive 8 hours. Arrive home mid-afternoon.

Second Option:
Wed, Nov. 19: Leave after school, drive 5-6 hours.
Thursday, Nov. 20: Drive remaining 10 hours. Stay in cheap off-site hotel.
Friday, Nov. 21: Check in at on-site hotel early in the AM, all day at parks
Saturday, Nov. 22: All day at parks (Check out of hotel or not?!-- I know this will be cheaper, but it also sounds like a hassle) Stay in Orlando until the morning of Nov. 23
Sunday, Nov. 23: Drive to Ft. Lauderdale and board cruise. Same as above for remainder of trip.

What do you guys think? Which option would work better? Is there another option I'm not seeing that would still have the kids missing only 3-4 days of school (they get the entire week of Thanksgiving off)?

 

[buckeev]

Howdy Neighbor! ( B-Town here...)


A lot depends on the kids ages, and their traveling tolerance levels.
We've done the drive in several different fragments before, and like to try to put as many miles behind us as safely possible on the first day. If you can make it to Tallahassee, or even a bit farther, then you can be in the park by lunch the next day and still have a decent amount of park time on the first day. Get to bed early that night to have energy to attack HP early on day two...and beyond.

Ideally, We prefer flying, leave Hobby, and usually walk into the park within a few hours! Work that SWA Rapid Rewards program and watch for sales!

 

[PrincessJo]

Another Houston person here!!

I envy you that you can drive. We have to fly because after a few hours in the car we'd strangle each other. We fly out of IAH early on the 21st, so we'll be there when you are

Good luck on your journey... safe travels!! Whatever you decide, you're going to have a fabulous time

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for the advice, guys. We drove to Yellowstone last summer and nobody killed anybody else, so I kind of feel like we can conquer the world on the driving thing right now! I have looked at flights, but they are PRICEY, being around Thanksgiving. The SW card bonus points would only get us all there, and then we'd be looking at $800 to get us back, plus a rental car from Orlando to Ft. Lauderdale, plus a taxi or shuttle from the airport to the hotel in Orlando, and a taxi or shuttle from the pier to the Airport in Ft. Lauderdale. It almost seems like driving is easier than arranging all that transportation, although I'm sure I will beg to differ with you when we have been in the car for 16 hours!!