I'm planning a Florida trip!

[CoasterCrazy]

I'm going to Florida during winter break, I will be in Florida 12/23-12/25. I'm going to BGT and Cypress Gardens. I haven't been to any parks in Florida since 2003. I would like information on any discounted tickets and advice that will make my visit to these parks better. I don't want to go to WDW because I will be going there next year but I might go to USF so that I can ride ROTM. How bad will the lines be at USF/IOA on xmas, will be it be anything like lines at DLR on xmas?

 

Here is my current plan, I'm not going to be staying at the parks all day unless I have to:

 

BGT- 12/23

9:00 am - 7:00 pm

 

Cypress Gardens- 12/24

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

 

USF/IOA - 12/25

 

I would also like some recommendations on hotels near the parks and is it reasonable to stay at one hotel the whole trip?

Edited November 15, 2005 by CoasterCrazy

[Erik Johnson]

While I have never been to USO/IOA on Christmas day, I know that Christmas day may be the busiest day of the year for Walt Disney World. BGT maybe somewhat busy on the 23rd, just make sure you get there before the park opens and head on over to SheiKra first thing. Cypress Gardens should be ok.

[CoasterCrazy]

Can you get fast passes at USF/IOA without staying in a resort? Does BGT have any type of fast passes?

[Erik Johnson]

Can you get fast passes at USF/IOA without staying in a resort? Does BGT have any type of fast passes?

 

Yeah you can buy express passes for both USO and IOA. You can use em once for each listed attraction. They cost about $15.00 a person or $25.00 a person if you need them for both parks that day. They are only good for the date purchased. BGT does not have a fast pass system.

 

Here is a link to the Express pass page:

 

http://themeparks.universalstudios.com/orlando/website/ticket_landing.html?__dest=ticket_landing.TOP

[CoasterCrazy]

Does BGT open it's front gates at 9:00 am or do they let you the park early without rides operating yet?

[SharkTums]

Keep in mind that Universal changes the price of their Express passes. During the busy season expect to pay $35/per person/per park! Still worth it though if you have to go during that time of year!

 

As for BGT, they almost NEVER open gates early.

[CoasterCrazy]

Will I need the whole day at Cypress Gardens?

[SharkTums]

It will take you 45min - 1hr to get there, 1 hour at the park, 45min-1hr back to the good parks!

[CoasterCrazy]

^I will be able to do the park that fast even though its xmas eve! :shock:

[SharkTums]

YES

[DerekRx]

Yup, seeing how "far" off the beaten path Cypress is from Orlando, the only major people you'll see at the park are the locals, who will most likely spend the day gawking over some trees and flowers that have been there for years. As far as the rides go, you shouldn't have much problem at all riding everything in less than an hour. It should be a nice change from the hectic crowds of Universal and Busch though.

[BoardwalkandBaseball4Ever]

^I will be able to do the park that fast even though its xmas eve! :shock:

 

Well, if you are just going for ride credits -- you could probably do the park in about 2 hours...

 

If you want to actually see anything -- the rides, exhibits, shows, etc... It will probably take the whole day. Definitely check out the animal show, ski show and skating show. The pirate show and barnyard show are kinda lame.

[BarryH]

As for Cypress Gardens, check out the ski show at least. The skate show is kind of ghetto.

 

As for a hotel, you can stay at one hotel for the length of your visit. If you want to stay within walking distance, try the Holiday Inn on Kirkman Drive. You can probably walk to the parks in 15-20 minutes. I think they have a shuttle to Universal too. There are many hotels along International Drive and Kirkman Drive that have shuttles. If you're going to CG or Disney, you might want to rent a car.

 

I don't think the parks will be too busy before Christmas. It's usually the week between Christmas and New Year's that will be busy. Christmas Eve is usually pretty quiet.

[CoasterCrazy]

I was looking at UniversalStudios.com and all I see is regular 2 day hopper tickets, I don't see any tickets with fast passes.

 

I know I'm going to need fast passes since I will be visiting the park on the eve of xmas and xmas day.

[coasterzak]

Coastercrazy, I'll be arriving in Florida on the 25th and staying until the New Year. Post some pictures or a TR so I can know what kind of holiday craziness I'm in for down in Florida.

 

Zach, who has only done the Disney parks, but will now attempt Universal,IOA, BGT and Sea World

[CoasterCrazy]

^I'm going to be posting daily Photo TR's! 8)

[Gregory DG]

CG can get especially busy on concert days or if a celeb is visiting. Don't believe me?

 

Dec. 24 is a Saturday, and there is no scheduled concert, so it probably won't be too busy for you.

 

And you can ride the rides in an hour, but see everything in the entire park? I don't think so.

[CoasterCrazy]

While I was mapquesting my trip I found another park that I can hit and it has two credits! I'm going to go to Old Town since its less than 20 minutes from IOA/USF. I should be able to do Old Town in about a hour. I can't wait to ride Sheikra and ROTM!

 

http://www.old-town.com