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When are the best days to visit Universal Studios Florida and Seaworld?

I'm planning a trip to Orlando Florida and would like your thoughts about my intinerary.?

  • My Trip will be 12 days and 11 nights at Orlando. Day 1: Arriving Orlando Int'l on 12/29/08 6am from LAX. Getting a rental car from Thrifty Rental Car. Will be visiting Holy Land Experience and Gatorland. Check in Hotel and visit Walmart/Publix for groceries. Day 2: 12/30/08 Visit Universal Orlando Theme Park. I have 2 day 2 park pass which allows me to park hop. Day 3: 12/31/08 Visit Magic Kingdom for New Year's Celebration Day 4: 1/01/09 Relax from long day at MK. Perhaps hit the local malls if they are open. Day 5: 1/2/09 Visit Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa bay. Day 6: 1/3/09 Visit Seaworld Day 7: 1/4/09 Visit Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Park closes around 6pm. Will go to Downtown Disney afterwards. Day 8: 1/5/09 Visit Disney Hollywood Studios Day 9: 1/6/09 Visit Epcot Day 10: 1/7/09 Visit Epcot day 2. Day 11: 1/8/09 Make up Day. Just in case we couldn't visit one of the theme parks during that day Day 12: 1/9/09 Open (6:40pm flight)

  • Answer:

    I would have to agree with Mom there and skip the drive to Busch Gardens. It is a long ride with little reward. I would spend the extra time in one of the Disney parks, because as Mom said, Disney and Universal will be PACKED! You will have a hard time seeing everything you want to see in the days you have listed. My advice is to skip Busch Gardens, and to plan something for after the Sea World visit. Sea World you can do in less than a day. I also wouldn't spend more than the two days at Universal or IOA. In my opinion Universal and IoA are overrated. I have been there a few times, and each time the parks were dirty, the employees are less than helpful, almost grouchy. Plus they seem to cater more towards the thrill rides rather than the all around family experience that Disney offers, I would much rather spend my cash at Disney, but that is my opinion. Another suggestion is to add a character meal to your itinerary. Disney has a whole bunch of them, with just about any character you can imagine. Our favorite is Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. It is an easy way to see Mickey and the rest of the gang, who come up to your table and sign autographs and pose for pics. If you have not made reservations yet for the whole trip, I would strongly recommend that you stay at a Disney resort. You can still visit all of the other attractions very easily, and you also get the benefits of the outstanding Disney service and PERKS! Disney takes great care of their resort guests, like free shuttle service to and from the Orlando Int'l airport. I know you said you were renting a car, but with the shuttle service you wouldn't need to rent one the whole time, saving you some money. They offer Extra Magic hours, where one park is open early and one late for resort guests only. That was a blast when I took my kids this past March, my 8 year old got to ride the rides he loves more. There is also the unlimited use of the free transportation system. Now, that doesn't sound like a lot, except for the fact that the off site places only have limited shuttle service, it is not door to door like the Disney transportation, and in many cases costs extra. Plus driving to the parks everyday, especially at that time of the season, is a nightmare. If you have not already made your arrangements I would highly recommend one of the Disney resorts, they have a resort to fit any budget. I know that being from L.A. you probably visit Disneyland, but trust me this is NOT Disneyland. WDW is a whole city by itself, and an experience 10 times the size of DL. Don't try to compare the two. I know there are similar rides and attractions at DL and WDW, but that is where the similarities end. I hope this helps, I think that with the exception of Busch Gardens you have a heck of a trip planned. I hope you can get it all into the 12 days you have listed. If you want some more good info on all of these attractions, especially Disney, check out the disboards. It is a free message board type website that has a ton of info for you, from resort reviews, restaurant reviews, tips, advice and all from people who go often and know what they are talking about. I put the link below.

G Lo at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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Are you going to drive to Tampa? Dude, thats a looong drive. I just got back from Tampa yesterday, and i live in Orlando. I was exhausted ! and all those parks are going to be PACKED. You're not going to be able to see everything in one day. and do you seriously want to visit so many parks continuously? You're feet are going to be killing you with so much pain !

Skylar

Just my 2-cents, but I'd leave out Busch Gardens [that's a lot of driving in one day] and maybe Seaworld. Also the two attractions on your first day. Disney World and Universal are going to be PACKED, so it will take a long time to do any of the attractions and fighting the crowds will be exhausting. I'd add a couple of days of doing only half days at the parks or just relaxing at the hotel. This is affected by my loathing of huge crowds and distaste for rushing around - YMMV. Have fun, whatever you decide to do.

MomSezNo

your 12 days is very packed, i went to Paris and London for 12 day and I wasn't that packed. I don't think you are going to have time for all the things. Unviersal and Disney really should be two differnt trips differnt times, They are giant theme parks with many etractions to pick form. I suggested you stay in Kissemee, Floridia. Because that is the same city the parks are in. All in all I hope you have a great trip. :]:]

Maddie.Klonsinski

When you goto the Florida Mall use the link below and you can print out a free coupon worth $300 in savings!

Mouse House Man

It sounds like a very packed fun filled trip!! You can do it all... make sure you get lots of sleep though. bring lots of water everywhere and healthy snacks that give you energy, not the ice creams and potato chips and coton candy at the parks. You can do it all! ive know lots of people that did all that and went to the beach too. You have 2 extra days that you can work with if something doesnt happen when it should have. I hope you have fun! Disney at new years is amazing! its really fun! =)

Emma W

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