Philrad71 Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 Well, after having to cancel our request for a time share swap in New Orleans for Mardi Gras (nothing available), we had to use our week before April 30th so we spent the past two days checking into what was available in RCI. Today we made it official...we will now be spending our week in Orlando from March 15-22! Now that we are officially booked, we have some very difficult choices ahead of us as we only have Sunday to Friday to play with... Option #1: * Buy a 4 day Disney park hopper with the water park add-on. Positives: * Drink around the world at Epcot (never tried) - any takers to show us the ropes if we choose this option? We'll even buy the first round! Believe me, we are seasoned drinkers so this (hopefully) shouldn't be a problem for us! * Never visited the Disney water parks. * Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, Test Track, IllumiGAYtions, new FantasyLand, overall theming, parades and we love the great Disney atmosphere. * Less traveling/driving around. Negative: We would miss out on all of the other cool parks in Orlando (and Tampa). Option #2: * Buy one of those Orlando 6 park flex passes (Universal/IOA/Sea World/BGT/Wet-N-Wild/Aquatica). Positives: * All of the theme parks are awesome. * We have never been to either water park. * We want to show our support for Sea World by visiting after the stupid Blackfish thing * Sheikra, Kumba, Kraken, Manta, Hulk, Simpsons, Montu, Dragons, Mummy, Cheetah Chase - need I say more? Negative: As a true TPR adult, I really want to try to drink around the world at Epcot! I love all of these theme parks and we have never been to any of the water parks in Orlando, so I am having a very difficult time processing which option to choose as they both have their upsides and (not really) downsides. It looks like both are comparable in price, but I'm just not sure which would be the better option...should we just flip a coin or does anyone have anything to add or share? I know it would be very expensive to split the visit up into multiple company-owned parks & that is why I broke the two options out. I'm just so torn...HELP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djcoastermark Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 If you have been to the Disney parks before, why not try the others. The flex pass does really offer a wide variety and will give you a whole different and memorable experience. It would be a great chance to try something different to say the least. Some of the rides at the other parks have quite the WOW factor, and shouldn't be missed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor6 Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 The wife and I chose the Orlando Flex Ticket option when when visited in December. The Flex Ticket has more rides and coasters that we want to experience. Also, I last went to Universal over 10 years ago and they have added a whole bunch of new rides since I last visited, so that was a major deciding factor for us. City Walk is also a lot fun with all the bars, clubs, restaurants, and shops. We spent a lot more time than when thought in the City Walk area. A couple of questions for you: Where are you staying in Orlando? When was the last time visited these parks? Are you planning to visit Orlando in a year or two? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodie Warrior Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 You could always get the Flex Pass and then try to find a discount ticket for EPCOT or just pay the full one-day admission. You'd still get a good deal for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggernel Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Well you can probably knock off new rides, because I doubt Diagon, Falcon's Fury, 7 Dwarves, or the new Aquatica slides will be open. Either way you'll have a fun time, which I'm guessing you know. Those extra couple of days you'll get with the Flex Ticket may help sway the decision. Not sure if you have other things you'd like to do outside the parks if you do go for the shorter Disney option. Have you done Potter or Transformers yet? That would automatically sway me towards the Flex Ticket, more than New Fantasyland or Tron Track would sway me the other way. And how leisurely are you planning on taking this? All four Disney parks, plus both water parks in four days is gonna be kinda hectic, especially during Spring Break time. Though there's really no substitute for Drinking Around the World with the Flex Ticket, if you like animal interactions that would go the other way. It's really all up to you on this one; it just excites me that this is even a question. Five years ago no one would have even considered skipping Disney when in Orlando. The times, they are a changin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 It sounds like a win win for you, just decide what you're in the mood for on this visit and go for it! The one thing I will tell you would be to NOT count on the water parks for a Mid-March visit. March is a really temperamental time in Florida. It could be 32 degrees one day, 86 the next, pouring and storming the day after, and bright and sunny after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted January 10, 2014 Author Share Posted January 10, 2014 Thanks for the helpful tips, folks! To answer some of the questions: Where are you staying in Orlando? We will be staying at Vacation Village at Parkway which looks to be fairly central. Anyone ever stay there? We were trying to go for Orange Lake because we stayed there a few years back and really enjoyed it. But this resort fell into the "points system" for swapping out our Cape Cod time share week and Orange Lake would have been an additional upgrade charge. When was the last time visited these parks? Our last visit was January 2010. Are you planning to visit Orlando in a year or two? Not quite sure of that yet...depends on how much we see this year and what new attractions are built in the coming years! You could always get the Flex Pass and then try to find a discount ticket for EPCOT or just pay the full one-day admission I have thought about that and we may ask AAA if they have one day discount tickets to EPCOT. Have you done Potter or Transformers yet? That would automatically sway me towards the Flex Ticket, more than New Fantasyland or Tron Track would sway me the other way. And how leisurely are you planning on taking this? All four Disney parks, plus both water parks in four days is gonna be kinda hectic, especially during Spring Break time. Though there's really no substitute for Drinking Around the World with the Flex Ticket, if you like animal interactions that would go the other way. They were still building PotterLand in 2010 although we're not really big fans of the Potter movies. We haven't been on Transformers nor have we seen the movie. The big draw for Universal for me would be the new Simpsons area. As far as leisure, there will be a couple of down days in between the theme parks just to break it up and give our feet a rest. I see there is a golf course near where we are staying and we hope to bring our clubs and at least get out for one round of golf. The other lounge day could be at poolside or a drive around the area. The one thing I will tell you would be to NOT count on the water parks for a Mid-March visit. March is a really temperamental time in Florida. It could be 32 degrees one day, 86 the next, pouring and storming the day after, and bright and sunny after that. Ahhh...I was wondering about the weather and what that might mean for the water parks. When we visited in 2010 it barely got above 40 the first few days we were there. It was so cold that the animals wouldn't even come out of their lairs on the safari at Animal Kingdom! Luckily, we all had our western NY gear so we were prepared and it was nice because the parks had short lines because of the cold! I suppose if we have one of those 85 degree days, we could just bite the bullet and pay full price to go to one of the water parks. What would people consider the best out of all of them? I have reviewed the websites and they all look good, with Wet-N-Wild looking like they would have the most waterslides? Thanks again, everyone...we're definitely getting excited about the trip! This will be home base for the week. It looks like Fun Spot isn't too far away, so we might have to check that out too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 ^Wet n Wild by far has the most slides, but it also has a very different 'vibe' from all the other parks. I've also never had a visit to that park without stepping or swimming up next to some sort of band aid, feminine product, or something else horrifying. You're hearty northerners but remember an 85 degree day after a bunch of colder days means the water WILL be cold. The parks all claim to heat it, but it's still not 'warm' and you'll be freezing while waiting for the slides. Here's how I'd break down the Orlando Water Parks: Blizzard Beach - Best overall. Good mix of slides, pools, theming, food, etc. Typhoon Lagoon - Most like a real tropical resort, amazing if you're into fish and tropical resort type places. Aquatica - New kid on the block, needs to grow into itself a bit more. Typical type slides and park with a bit of extra theming. Wet n Wild - The SFMM of water parks. Tons of slides and extreme stuff, but little else to write home about. There are also at least going to be one or two slides down for maintenance during the more 'off season' times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I always tell people.... If you're a "theme park" person, go with the Disney park hopper. If you're a "roller coaster" person, go with the flex pass. I'm a "theme park" person and I would choose a week at Disney over a week at any of the other area parks if I was forced to make a choice, but that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 ^Wet n Wild by far has the most slides, but it also has a very different 'vibe' from all the other parks. I've also never had a visit to that park without stepping or swimming up next to some sort of band aid, feminine product, or something else horrifying. You're hearty northerners but remember an 85 degree day after a bunch of colder days means the water WILL be cold. The parks all claim to heat it, but it's still not 'warm' and you'll be freezing while waiting for the slides. Thanks for the breakdown on the water parks, Elissa...most appreciated! I am not one for really cold water/exposed skin, so not sure if I would react well in that situation. I would have assumed that all the pools in sunny Florida would have been heated and warm, so I appreciate you noting this for me. And I would also not react well if I saw a feminine product, or some other gross thing floating in the water! When we went to Waldameer with Michael's grandkids this past August, I got into the lazy river and it was like ice water. During the float, I started feeling my feet start to itch and by the time I made one circuit, I had hives all over my back & feet. Thinking that I just had a reaction to the chlorine or pool chemicals, I went and took a hot shower, changed back into my street clothes and got a Benadryl from first aid (which cleared it right up). About a month later, I had another episode with cold water so I went to the doctor and she said that it's possible that I have cold urticaria, which is an allergy to extremely cold water and air. I know it sounds funny living where we do, but I just make sure that I bundle up well in the cold weather (or stay indoors) and so far this winter, it hasn't been an issue. It's interesting that warm water pools and hot showers are not a problem for me (thank God!). We went to Myrtle Beach and I swam in the ocean (about 74 degrees) and heated pool in September and had no issues. So I guess that maybe I might be better off skipping the water parks unless there has been an extended warm streak and I know that the water isn't going to be ice cold or I won't be freezing when I get out of the water. I always tell people.... If you're a "theme park" person, go with the Disney park hopper. If you're a "roller coaster" person, go with the flex pass. I'm a "theme park" person and I would choose a week at Disney over a week at any of the other area parks if I was forced to make a choice, but that's just me. Agree 100% with that analogy, Robb....it's just hard for us because we love both and appreciate both kinds of parks for what they are! One thing that I have been thinking about since I posted this thread is the age of my partner. He is 70 now and while he still loves riding coasters, there is going to come a time where he won't be able to enjoy them anymore (although he says Boo on that!). When that time comes, I think that we will likely gravitate towards the theme parks like Disney, Epcot and Animal Kingdom where the thrills are tame to moderate and it's more about the overall experience versus high energy coaster thrills. So after reading some of the feedback from you guys, I think that I might lean towards the flex pass and do Universal, IoA, Sea World and Busch Gardens (full blown coaster/ride fix mixed with great theming and animals) - and probably skip the water parks. I think that I will also look into that one day pass for Epcot so we can still drink around the world...and my offer still stands if anyone would be up for joining us on this challenge. PM me if interested! Thanks again, everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Sounds like a good plan! Live life while you can! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 ^Yes...that has always been our motto. Live life to the fullest and have as much fun as you can, while you can! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor6 Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 If you are planning to get the Orlando Flex Pass and don't really intend to visit the water parks, it might actually be cheaper to buy individual tickets. A 3-Day Ticket to Universal Orlando is currently $146.99 (park to park admission) or 125.99 (single park admission). Sea World also has a really neat deal: Get an admission to Sea World Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa for only $99 total! As an awesome bonus, if you buy a Multi-Day Park-to-Park ticket purchase (it's one per order, not per ticket purchased... the wife and I found this out the hard way in December!), Universal is also giving you a coupon booklet full of really good deals including 4 buy-one get-one alcohol coupons! The other coupons are nothing really special, but with free booze, does it really matter? Also, pretty much every vender at the parks and City Walk give you a 10% AAA discount. https://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/General-Admission.aspx?intcmp=buytixnav seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/Book-Online/Tickets/2for99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philrad71 Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 ^ Thanks a lot, Donald! I really appreciate all of the help/recommendations that you and the others have provided for us. I like the sounds of the separate tickets and you're right...who in their right mind would turn down free booze? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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