Elissa, Robb, KT, or ANYONE! Help me decide!

[MrMorgan]

OK, so we are planning a trip to Orlando Oct. 31 - Nov. 4. We have the flights already, (we'll be in MN first, so we not flying all the way to Orlando from Germany for 4 nights, just to clear that up ), now we are just trying to decide what to do. Here are my two possible itineraries.

 

Just Disney

Staying at the Caribbean Beach

It's Food & Wine Festival, so that is a bonus too, and we would have the free Dining Plan.

€991 Total.

 

Sea World, Aquatica, Busch Gardens

Staying at the Hilton Grand at Seaworld

We would have the "Dining" plan for counter service for 3 days, (once at each park).

We would also have a rental car.

€593 Total.

 

Before I make a list of pros and cons, let me mention that, after almost a year of waiting, Youtube has finally accepted me into the full "Monetization Program", which is like one step before the Partner Program. I can now choose to put ads on all my videos, which brings in a tiny bit of extra money every month. Of course, the more videos I make, the more clicks I get, the more money. Oh, and just in advance, we did 4 days of Universal and HHN last year, so we're done with that for now. That said, here we go:

 

Just Disney Pros

The total price is higher but, because we have the full dining plan, (except for a t-shirt and a few glasses of wine), I think we will most likely not spend much MORE money than that.

Food and Wine Festival!

We love Disney and I know we will have a great time!

Free Magical Express, not rental car stress necessary.

Disney videos are really popular on Youtube and get lots of clicks.

 

Just Disney Cons

I feel like we should wait until next year when the new Fantasyland is ready.

In general, there is nothing "new" for us at Disney.

I already have quite a few Disney videos and would have to come up with some new "concept" to make something interesting again, (but I do like a challenge...)

 

Sea World etc. Pros

We have never been to Seaworld or Aquatica, and haven't been to Busch since Cheetah Hunt or the new Gwazi trains, so lots of new credits.

The Hilton Grand looks Posh!

We would have a rental car for more freedom when we want to do "non-park" stuff.

It would be a lot of new material for my "Very unOfficial Guide" video series, which is good.

 

Sea World etc. Cons

Well, it's not Disney.

No Food and Wine Festival

As far as I can tell, all the parks close at 6, which is a short day and would mean eating dinner outside of the parks, which means spending more money.

Gas expenses.

If it's raining, we're screwed because all 3 parks are mostly "outdoors", with very few dark rides or indoor attractions.

 

So, those are my thoughts. Part of me says, "Hands down, just go to Disney!", but another part says "Morgan, you still have never been to Seaworld, Cheetah Hunt looks awesome, and it is probably cheaper!" And now I just can't deciiiiiiiiiideeeeeeee!

 

I would be grateful for anyone's input, advice, or anti OCD medication.

[The SETGO Guys]

Sea World is a great park! Espically if you haven't been there I think you would really enjoy a day there.

 

I find that I can see and do everything at Sea World in a day, same with BGT.

 

HOWEVER, I feel (no matter how often I visit) I can never see EVERYTHING at 1 Disney Park in a day.

 

The other plus to staying on Disney Property would be that you get Extra-Magic Hours allowing you to visit the parks earlier and later without the crowds.

[BeemerBoy]

I find that I can see and do everything at Sea World in a day, same with BGT.

 

HOWEVER, I feel (no matter how often I visit) I can never see EVERYTHING at 1 Disney Park in a day.

While I agree about the Disney parks, your point is somewhat subjective regarding Sea World. I've never been able to do everything in one day at Sea World.....but that's because I'm an "ocean dork," and like to take my time at each exhibit. Heck, I can easily sit and watch an aquarium for an hour. Sure, you can rush through Sea World and do everything there is to do, but even then, I've still always found it to be a pretty full day. Just scheduling all the shows to fit the way you see the park can create a challenge.

 

Morgan, in your situation I vote hands down for the Sea World option. And believe me, I hear where you're coming from regarding Disney. I'm wrestling with the fact that I may miss a Food and Wine visit next month, but only because I've yet to do Discovery Cove and Aquatica. It's tough to think I'll be in town and miss my favorite park.....and I'm not even traveling all the way from Germany like you. There's just never enough time and money for everything!

 

Also, congrats on the YouTube "promotion." I think Sea World is a great choice for your video talents as well. Besides all the shows, there's great interactive feeding opportunities to capture that would play well on film (sting rays, dolphins, and sea lions). On top of that, Manta and Kraken are top notch rides, and I've always thought the counter service options at the Busch parks were pretty good. While I haven't stayed at the Hilton Grand, I've heard nothing but good things. And finally, I wouldn't be too concerned about rain washing out your days at that time of year.

 

Hope that helps a bit!

[SharkTums]

Disney.

 

We loved the dining plan when we used it for the first time last year (during food and wine as well!).

 

Sea World is nice and stuff, but...DISNEY FOOD AND WINE!!!

[dragonskeep]

The weather for your trip should be pretty nice, as long as there isn't a hurricane, in which case you're screwed either way.

 

I would do the Seaworld etc. trip. First off, it's a chance to get some new video, and that will have value. I get the impression you already have some Disney stuff. There are also other things to video within a very short driving distance. Star Flyer, Sling Shot, Skyventure, and much more are within a couple miles and are open late. Your unofficial other things to do on I-Drive guide.

 

Seaworld is a very cool park in my opinion. If you enjoy animals, it will be a very good experience. The coasters are top notch and Journey to Atlantis is a good ride as well. The shows are what Seaworld is about. I like to see the last whale show of the day, it's a cool encore and the whales seem to be more playful. If I was making a video on Seaworld I would use a water proof casing and sit in the splash zone for Shamu's show. For splashing, the left and right sides are better. Blue Horizon's is cool for the blue and gold parrots and the finale, have your camera rolling and sit at least halfway up. Stingray feeding is something I do a lot, it's my tradition, and it's pretty freaky. The dolphin feeding is almost always to busy for me to still be having fun but it would make very cool video. All of the animal exhibits have under-water viewing, don't miss those. Penguins and Puffins smell bad.

 

If you go to BGT my only concrete advice would be to see Cheetah Run and be ready to pan quickly. They have been doing it sometimes only once a day, usually at 11:30. Perhaps in October they will be running more so be sure to find out the times. She will come from the left and run to the end of the enclosure and back, it's not gonna take very long so be ready.

 

Either choice would be fun, have a great time.

[MrMorgan]

First of all, thank you all SO MUCH for taking the time to read my blabber and then write well thought out, logical responses. I really, really appreciate it!

 

In a strange twist of events, Markus just got a surprise "10 Year Bonus" from his production company this afternoon, (kerching!!!), afterwhich he came home and exclaimed that he doesn't care how much money we spend now, so let's go to Disney, stay in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and pig out with our free dining plan at Food & Wine. Can't argue with that! I'm psyched.

 

After reading all your advice, though, I think that sometime around this time of year next year, we will probably head to Orlando again for another "everything but Disney" trip, and then maybe spend a day in the Magic Kingdom to see the new Fantasyland.

 

Thanks again!

 

PS. We booked a "normal" room at the AKL, (a Savanna view is just ridiculously expensive, even if it's not my money!). We have eaten at Jiko and Boma before and will most likely again, but does the AKL have any other hidden special things that we can explore? OH, and has anyone ever experienced getting a Savanna view even without having booked it?

[SharkTums]

^When we had our 'wedding consultation' (basically signing everything and paying a crap ton of money), we were bumped up from a cheap room to a Savahna view room.

 

I've heard it happens from time to time, but don't get your hopes up. I know AKL has a lot of interesting resort guest only options so make sure to ask about everything when you check in.

[moinab]

Late to the game, here, but we stayed in a savannah view room at Kidani Village, last year (a friend gave us DVC points that were going to go to waste.) It' was cool, but not worth paying extra, IMO. I haven't been to AKL, but at Kidani, there were plenty of common areas where you could take in the view, and LOTS of stuff to explore and do.

[MrMorgan]

Late to the game, here, but we stayed in a savannah view room at Kidani Village, last year (a friend gave us DVC points that were going to go to waste.) It' was cool, but not worth paying extra, IMO. I haven't been to AKL, but at Kidani, there were plenty of common areas where you could take in the view, and LOTS of stuff to explore and do.

 

Wow, I wish I had a friend with some extra DVC points laying around! I also think that spending a ton of money on a hotel room with a view is really quite a waste, unless there is something really special about the view and you plan on spending A LOT of time in the room. The only vacation where I think I spend less time in my room than while at Disney is while cruising, and that is saying something!

[moinab]

Todd and the kids just spent a night at Old Key West, last week, thanks to another friend with expiring points. Living in FL, we're able to take advantage when these situations pop up, every once in a while!

[guifol]

Sea World, Aquatica and Busch Gardens! Cheetah hunt is kind of fun, but Gwazi isn't so smooth (for me). But Disney is much more magical... But, as you said, it's better to wait to the opening of Fantasialand, with Cinderella's coaster!

[ernierocker]

^Major reading comprehension fail. The OP has already taken this trip!

[MrMorgan]

^Major reading comprehension fail. The OP has already taken this trip!

 

 

And it seems like yeeeeears ago!

[MrMorgan]

^When we had our 'wedding consultation' (basically signing everything and paying a crap ton of money), we were bumped up from a cheap room to a Savahna view room.

 

I've heard it happens from time to time, but don't get your hopes up. I know AKL has a lot of interesting resort guest only options so make sure to ask about everything when you check in.

 

 

Oh, and by the way, we also got a free Savanna view, just like that without even asking!

[guifol]

Sorry (laughs) I didn't noticed that te trip was over a year ago!