Last Minute Florida Help

[SLY]

I've just found out that I'm being sent to Florida for business and will have some leisure time. I have a basic itinerary planned and am looking for suggestions. Additionally, the Orlando parks (as we know) can quickly add up $$$ and I want to make sure I'm not missing out on any ticket specials or packages. Any help is appreciated.

 

I arrive in MCO on Monday early afternoon. I plan to get to Birthday World as soon as I land, then off to the Disney Parks with a hopper. Hopefully I can also squeeze in Old Town before they close at 11PM.

 

Tuesday's plan is Sea World, and both Universal Parks. (Which first?)

 

Tuesday night I will be driving to Tampa to stay. I will be able to hit BG sometime between Wednesday and Friday. Also plan to get to Celebration Station.

 

Saturday I drive down the west coast and will stop at Kidstar Park, King Richard's, and then over to Uncle Bernie's and Boomers. (What about Zoomers?)

 

Ticket options are my biggest concern. I don't want to double up or spend more than necessary. The Orlando Flex Ticket Plus would give me Sea World, Universal x 2, and Busch Gardens for $299. Is this the best idea?

 

I also have a friend who is FL resident. Are they able to purchase tickets for guests?

 

Thanks much for the help...sorry for posting a last minute plan!

[Brad]

Tuesday's plan is Sea World, and both Universal Parks. (Which first?)

 

Definitely hit up the Universal Parks first (my suggestion is Universal Studios... head to Rockit first if open, if not go to Mummy and get a few rides in).

 

Ticket options are my biggest concern. I don't want to double up or spend more than necessary. The Orlando Flex Ticket Plus would give me Sea World, Universal x 2, and Busch Gardens for $299. Is this the best idea?

Do NOT go with the Flex Ticket... especially since you are just hitting each park once. SeaWorld/Busch Gardens have an online special to get both parks (1 Day each) for $99.

 

Universal Orlando tickets will run you $109 to visit both parks on the same day. The Flex ticket is great for when you will be in Orlando for a week or two, but not for one visit to each park.

[Homeboy23]

^ I don't know about the Universal before Islands of Adventure if going alone and not getting the front of the line access. If you are going alone Universal has single rider lines which can get you into Mummy and MiB in no time. (Don't know how that line works with HRRR). I would suggest getting to Hulk and Spiderman first.

[SLY]

Thanks for the help so far.

 

Does anyone know the official answer for FL residents buying tickets for guests? My friend will actually be with me so it's not as if she's just forking them over to me.

 

Are all these parks doable in short time this time of year?

 

Anyone know about the status of the coaster at Zoomers?

[beyondthepalace]

As for the FL res ticket thing...they are going to start cracking down on fl res purchasing for non fl res, but that is something they have been promising for a while now so....i dont see a problem as long as your buddy is going with you. also...check your private messages.

[larrygator]

Anyone know about the status of the coaster at Zoomers?

 

I don't think that thing ever opened.

[technfxrick]

That coaster never opened, my company has an office right up the road from the park and so i go down there every 3 month or so. Last time i passed it the coaster had been dismantled and was sitting in the parking lot. Its a shame, because it actually looks like it had a nice Go-Kart track for those who are interested in those things. As far as Kid Star Park, and King Richards both are barely credit worthy, but they will let you on. I did a similar trip to you last year when i drove from DC and did a full loop around Florida to get everything.

 

On a side note if you are planning to get the credit at the Tampa Zoo, when i went and explained that i wanted to go just to ride the coaster, the lady at the front desk was very understanding (even asked if i was an ACE member) and let me in for free as i was only going to be there for like 10 minutes. This was nice because otherwise it was $24.99 to get in and its then like $4 to ride the coaster, so it would of been a very expensive kiddie credit.

[SLY]

Thanks for the tip on the zoo!!!

 

beyondtheplace -- Replied to your PM.

[beyondthepalace]

SLY - returned the PM

[crazydaveh]

Remember that the Universal parks close at 6PM this week and SeaWorld closes at 7. Sure, it will be slow so you shouldn't have to wait for anything, but take that into consideration in your planning.

 

Being a Florida resident, the parks now ask for I.D. for everyone you're trying to get tickets for to prove they too live in Florida. Disney is really hard about this, Universal is so/so, and SeaWorld is starting to get strict as well.