Nakia Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I'm planning to take my oldest dd to Universal to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter next month (her Christmas present). We were planning to drive down one day, do the park the next, then drive home the next day (torture!). We recently found out we can fly down Thursday night and come home Sunday for less than the price of gas. Sooo...that leaves us with 2.5 days there and no car (I'm not a fan of renting cars). I know I can get a hotel room with a shuttle service to Universal, no problem. I am trying to figure out what to do the other 1.5 days that won't break the bank. I really don't want to visit another park because I don't want my little ones to miss it. Epcot or Hollywood Studios might be okay because I don't think the youngers would miss that. But that's another huge expense. I'm nervous about eating out since we won't have a car. I know it will be so unhealthy and expensive to eat out every meal. This is turning in to more than I had planned. At this rate, it will be her Christmas and birthday gifts...for the next 2 years. Any suggestions? ETA: If you know the best place to buy park tickets, let me know. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I don't know what the cost difference is betwen buying a one-day, one-park pass for Universal and getting two days, but in your position I'd consider getting two-day passes and taking your daughter to Universal Studios in addition to Islands of Adventure. I don't think Universal Studios is especially younger-kid friendly, and if you're thinking you wouldn't mind having the little ones miss Disney's Hollywood Studios, I don't think Universal should be guilt inducing. I don't know where you're staying, but from Universal you're not far from International Drive, which has a variety of (sometimes cheesy and/or a little bit grungy) smaller attractions and activities, as well as tons of places to eat. They have everything from fast food to nice Indian restaurants. You might also consider taking time to browse Universal's CityWalk and/or Downtown Disney, neither of which require admission fees. There are movie theatres at both, as well as at Pointe Orlando, which is on International Drive. What kinds of things does your daughter like to do? And do you have any inkling yet where you'll be staying? We live locally, and my husband works for The Mouse. I'll be happy to share any info I can brainstorm if you'd like to pass along a few more details to help me narrow down options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 :bigear: I have been wanting to take the kids here, too. There is a slim chance that I might have the money to do it this year at some point, so I'd be interested in tips, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 I don't know what the cost difference is betwen buying a one-day, one-park pass for Universal and getting two days, but in your position I'd consider getting two-day passes and taking your daughter to Universal Studios in addition to Islands of Adventure. I don't think Universal Studios is especially younger-kid friendly, and if you're thinking you wouldn't mind having the little ones miss Disney's Hollywood Studios, I don't think Universal should be guilt inducing. I don't know where you're staying, but from Universal you're not far from International Drive, which has a variety of (sometimes cheesy and/or a little bit grungy) smaller attractions and activities, as well as tons of places to eat. They have everything from fast food to nice Indian restaurants. You might also consider taking time to browse Universal's CityWalk and/or Downtown Disney, neither of which require admission fees. There are movie theatres at both, as well as at Pointe Orlando, which is on International Drive. What kinds of things does your daughter like to do? And do you have any inkling yet where you'll be staying? We live locally, and my husband works for The Mouse. I'll be happy to share any info I can brainstorm if you'd like to pass along a few more details to help me narrow down options. Thanks for posting! We've been to Disney once (5 years ago), but we flew down, took the Mickey shuttle everywhere, and we never left the Disney property. Because of that, I have no idea where anything is in relation to anything else, lol. How far is Universal from Downtown Disney? We did go to DD when were there; I remember it was fun, and we ate at a great sandwich place. I don't know where we're staying. I'm trying to figure that out too. I have found no less than a bazillion hotels that have shuttle service, and I can't narrow it down to a good location because I don't know where anything is, haha. There seem to be lots of hotels within a two mile radius of Universal that would work. My dd is not a girly-girl. She's not a big shopper. She's really outdoorsy. She'd love a hotel with an indoor pool, which is something I'm not seeing a lot of. Seeing a movie would be good. She would like to just walk around Downtown Disney, I think. I'll look up CityWalk. Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Thanks for posting! We've been to Disney once (5 years ago), but we flew down, took the Mickey shuttle everywhere, and we never left the Disney property. Because of that, I have no idea where anything is in relation to anything else, lol. How far is Universal from Downtown Disney? We did go to DD when were there; I remember it was fun, and we ate at a great sandwich place. I don't know where we're staying. I'm trying to figure that out too. I have found no less than a bazillion hotels that have shuttle service, and I can't narrow it down to a good location because I don't know where anything is, haha. There seem to be lots of hotels within a two mile radius of Universal that would work. My dd is not a girly-girl. She's not a big shopper. She's really outdoorsy. She'd love a hotel with an indoor pool, which is something I'm not seeing a lot of. Seeing a movie would be good. She would like to just walk around Downtown Disney, I think. I'll look up CityWalk. Thanks!!! WDW and Universal aren't terribly close. It looks like they are about 10 miles apart, actually. I was thinking that most hotels anywhere in the area probably have shuttles to both resorts, though? Not too many indoor pools locally, but it's not unheard of for it to be warm enough to swim outside by February, as long as the pool is heated. (We're supposed by have temps in the 80s this week.) It does look like CityWalk charges admission for some portions? The last time I was there, it was free to walk around and browse shops, though. I prefer Downtown Disney, but CityWalk would be more convenient for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 If you stay onsite at Universal you do get into WWoHP early. We thought it was worth the add'l expense and I'm a cheapskate :) That will also fill up the rest of your time; as someone noted, you can go to CityWalk which is kind of neat and lounge around your hotel pool. It was def warm enough when we went (end of Feb) to swim. You can also go visit the all the onsite hotels, which we did not get to do, but I really wanted to. Portofino looks so nice. We stayed at the Royal Pacific and were impressed w/the quality and service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I would check the prices of the onsite hotels. They come with free fast line passes. There is coffee and tea in the rooms. We take granola bars and snack stuff for breakfast but you can get bagels and muffins reasonably at the hotels or at citywalk. Your citywalk admission is covered, the pools are lovely and we like the shuttle boats to citywalk where the parks are. If your dd is a real Harry Potter fan you can't beat the extra hour of early admission. You can go right over and get into the ride or just enjoy looking around without so many people. It's fun to feel like you are in the book/movie. Ds likes to sit outside behind Hogs Head and the Three Broomsticks. You can share meals at the Three Broomsticks. If you buy a butterbeer or fizzy pumpkin juice in a souvenir cup you can refill it cheaply all over the park and bring it back the next day. Your purchases can be sent to your room or a pick up place on your way out. If you stay off site I would still go to the parks for 2 days. There are many food choices, it's not all fried food. We love the Portofino. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I agree with staying onsite and getting the early admission to Harry Potter and the fast passes. I would also consider the two day ticket and just enjoy staying on site. We stayed at the Royal Pacific in late November. The pool was heated and the kids enjoyed swimming in the evening and watching the poolside movie. We walked to Islands of Adventure and City Walk from the hotel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 I don't think staying on site is an option. From the research I've done, it's outside of our budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeemama Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I would definately get the two day pass. We went last month and bought the two day passes even with a high threat of rain for our only available second day. It was about $17 or $18 more. Luckily it only sprinkled on us in the afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share Posted January 8, 2013 Gahh!! I hadn't thought about getting from the airport to the hotel. I just looked up some information, and it's around $46 for a taxi from the airport to the hotel. I've only ridden in a taxi once, and I had no idea what the cost would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coffeemama Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Some hotels have airport shuttles. Worth looking into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted January 9, 2013 Share Posted January 9, 2013 Gahh!! I hadn't thought about getting from the airport to the hotel. I just looked up some information, and it's around $46 for a taxi from the airport to the hotel. I've only ridden in a taxi once, and I had no idea what the cost would be. Check that you've got the right airport. With the deal you got, I'm wondering if you are flying into Sanford and not Orlando. It's considerably further away. If you aren't talking about Allegiant air, then you should check it out - but then you may need to add in a rental car . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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