Orlando for 5 nights in January - wwyd?
Sep 6th, 2016, 01:00 PM
#1
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Orlando for 5 nights in January - wwyd?
We are trying to plan a surprise trip for our kids Christmas present that we would take in January.
Orlando is one of the ideas on the list. We were thinking of driving there (about 12 hours for us) and spending around 5 nights. We are not big theme park/Disney people but my kids have never been to Disney and I kind of feel like it's one of those things we should at least try to see if they like it lol.
Here is my question. What would you do - it would be me and my husband, our kids - 13, 9, and 6 and probably my parents. We were looking at staying in Windsor palms because my husband can get great rates through his work site.
Some ideas we had - 2 days at Disney, 1 at universal, maybe one drive over to Daytona or cocoa beach for the day?
Would you do more or less at any of the above? Something different?
Sea world?
Any advice or suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance!
Orlando is one of the ideas on the list. We were thinking of driving there (about 12 hours for us) and spending around 5 nights. We are not big theme park/Disney people but my kids have never been to Disney and I kind of feel like it's one of those things we should at least try to see if they like it lol.
Here is my question. What would you do - it would be me and my husband, our kids - 13, 9, and 6 and probably my parents. We were looking at staying in Windsor palms because my husband can get great rates through his work site.
Some ideas we had - 2 days at Disney, 1 at universal, maybe one drive over to Daytona or cocoa beach for the day?
Would you do more or less at any of the above? Something different?
Sea world?
Any advice or suggestions would be great. Thanks in advance!
Sep 7th, 2016, 08:16 AM
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It's hard to know without ideas on your kids interests whether they would like Disney parks vs Sea World, Universal, etc.
I guess I don't consider myself a "theme park person" either as I have little interest in places like 6 Flags, Universal, Busch Gardens, etc but I make a big exception for WDW! We took our 6 and 8 year old last spring for a week and despite ideas to go to Sea World (have been before) or other places, they had so much fun in the Disney parks that we spent the whole week in WDW parks (they ranked the parks in order of 1) Magic Kingdom; 2) Epcot (was tough call between it and #3); Animal Kingdom. They had no interest in Hollywood studios but I suspect a 13 year old would. Sea World is nice if they are really into marine animials, otherwise I would skip. Could consider the Space Center?
So, without knowing anything about your kids, I would guess at those ages they would love WDW. Universal was too "old" for my 6 and 8 year olds although I realize it may be fine for others (mine are not into movie characters beyond friendly Disney characters). Key to success with WDW is to play ahead carefully for any extra activities (firework boat ride, any restaurant reservations, etc) and for fast passes to maximize your time.
January certainly wouldn't be warm enough for me to want to be at the beach (avg temp around 68-69F)but I'm sure lots of people who are usually landlocked would enjoy it!
I guess I don't consider myself a "theme park person" either as I have little interest in places like 6 Flags, Universal, Busch Gardens, etc but I make a big exception for WDW! We took our 6 and 8 year old last spring for a week and despite ideas to go to Sea World (have been before) or other places, they had so much fun in the Disney parks that we spent the whole week in WDW parks (they ranked the parks in order of 1) Magic Kingdom; 2) Epcot (was tough call between it and #3); Animal Kingdom. They had no interest in Hollywood studios but I suspect a 13 year old would. Sea World is nice if they are really into marine animials, otherwise I would skip. Could consider the Space Center?
So, without knowing anything about your kids, I would guess at those ages they would love WDW. Universal was too "old" for my 6 and 8 year olds although I realize it may be fine for others (mine are not into movie characters beyond friendly Disney characters). Key to success with WDW is to play ahead carefully for any extra activities (firework boat ride, any restaurant reservations, etc) and for fast passes to maximize your time.
January certainly wouldn't be warm enough for me to want to be at the beach (avg temp around 68-69F)but I'm sure lots of people who are usually landlocked would enjoy it!
Sep 7th, 2016, 11:33 AM
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Thanks for the replies so far!
No we have never been. I have held off because they get terribly carsick so we've never done rides beyond carousels and Ferris wheels lol.
We love to go on trips, they are awesome traveling but we are boring and go to either the gulf coast beaches or to the smoky mountains. I would love to surprise them with something awesome.
As far as interests the boys (13 and 9) aren't really into any Disney stuff/characters anymore but my daughter who is 6 of course loves princesses.
They are all big animal fans so I think they'd really enjoy animal kingdom.
I guess I just worry about the rides (but Dramamine in the car and they're fine so maybe it would work for rides??). I'm not a fan of giant crowds but of course I would do it for the kids
plus according to what I've read Disney in January has some of the lowest crowd times of any. So that's a plus!
No we have never been. I have held off because they get terribly carsick so we've never done rides beyond carousels and Ferris wheels lol.
We love to go on trips, they are awesome traveling but we are boring and go to either the gulf coast beaches or to the smoky mountains. I would love to surprise them with something awesome.
As far as interests the boys (13 and 9) aren't really into any Disney stuff/characters anymore but my daughter who is 6 of course loves princesses.
They are all big animal fans so I think they'd really enjoy animal kingdom.
I guess I just worry about the rides (but Dramamine in the car and they're fine so maybe it would work for rides??). I'm not a fan of giant crowds but of course I would do it for the kids
plus according to what I've read Disney in January has some of the lowest crowd times of any. So that's a plus!
Sep 7th, 2016, 06:54 PM
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Skip Daytona or Cocoa beach, they don't have anything extraordinary. Spend 4 days at Disney World, one at each park, they are all different, your kids will love it.
Hope this helps.
Have a happy and safe journey.
Hope this helps.
Have a happy and safe journey.
Sep 7th, 2016, 07:44 PM
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I agree with the last post. There is so much to do at Disney for everyone. Also, Disney is AWESOME for kids who get carsick. It was the first theme park I'd ever been to that the core rides were rideable without being too kiddy. There really are very few Disney rides that are vomit/thrill rides. Disney also has waterparks- and Animal Kingdom is partially a very well themed zoo. And dining, golf, bowling, etc. I did 6 days on property- I am not a theme park person but I probably could have done a few more and been happy.
To be totally honest about Universal. I did take Dramamine. It usually solves the problem, but there was just so much at Universal that made me horribly sick. That includes most of the Harry Potter rides. But HP "lands" are super detailed and if you have an HP fanatic, they would be thrilled. The interactive wand stuff alone is worth a day with little HP fans.
However, I will also say that there are different degrees of motion sickness and I don't know where your kids fall. There is not a single road trip I can remember from my childhood that did not involve heaving my guts. I can ride in the car now, but not in the back of a city bus. As a kid, all I could ride at the county fair was the Ferris wheel and the kiddy coaster. As an adult, I can actually ride thrill coasters. BUT I have a very difficult time with spinning rides and simulations- I still can't ride tilt a whirl and I can't watch other people play 3D video games, for instance. So I consistently get sick on a few Disney rides and many of the Universal attractions. Universal is disproportionately simulations. If your kids can handle that sort of thing, then they'd probably love Universal. Either way, they'll love Disney
To be totally honest about Universal. I did take Dramamine. It usually solves the problem, but there was just so much at Universal that made me horribly sick. That includes most of the Harry Potter rides. But HP "lands" are super detailed and if you have an HP fanatic, they would be thrilled. The interactive wand stuff alone is worth a day with little HP fans.
However, I will also say that there are different degrees of motion sickness and I don't know where your kids fall. There is not a single road trip I can remember from my childhood that did not involve heaving my guts. I can ride in the car now, but not in the back of a city bus. As a kid, all I could ride at the county fair was the Ferris wheel and the kiddy coaster. As an adult, I can actually ride thrill coasters. BUT I have a very difficult time with spinning rides and simulations- I still can't ride tilt a whirl and I can't watch other people play 3D video games, for instance. So I consistently get sick on a few Disney rides and many of the Universal attractions. Universal is disproportionately simulations. If your kids can handle that sort of thing, then they'd probably love Universal. Either way, they'll love Disney
Sep 8th, 2016, 05:02 AM
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P.S. There are many restaurants inside Disney parks as well as their hotels where your kids can meet the characters. They are pricey but worth it. You don't need to stay at their hotels to eat at one of their restaurants, but I'd recommend to make a reservation.
Sep 8th, 2016, 07:00 AM
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I think you may be underestimating the interest your boys may have in "Disney" characters which now include Marvel super heroes and all of Star Wars. Star Wars has become a HUGE part of the WDW experience outside of the Magic Kingdom, which is still strictly Disney-oriented. And Animal Kingdom has real animals in addition to the Disney characters.
Universal has a lot more 3-D motion rides and roller coasters than WDW, so that may prove to be a thornier stop for you. But if your kids have any interest in Harry Potter, I don't think you can miss Universal.
Universal has a lot more 3-D motion rides and roller coasters than WDW, so that may prove to be a thornier stop for you. But if your kids have any interest in Harry Potter, I don't think you can miss Universal.
Sep 8th, 2016, 10:49 AM
#12
<held off because they get terribly carsick>
I grew up in southern California. I was terribly carsick as a kid.
But there was always PLENTY to see and do at Disneyland! I don't think that needs to be an issue if you choose your activities carefully within the theme parks.
I grew up in southern California. I was terribly carsick as a kid.
But there was always PLENTY to see and do at Disneyland! I don't think that needs to be an issue if you choose your activities carefully within the theme parks.
Sep 8th, 2016, 11:31 AM
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Walt Disney World in particular in full of tame rides, especially in the Magic Kingdom. Universal less so, particularly at Islands of Adventure. And if the kids are really into wildlife, there's also Busch Gardens in Tampa, which is about 2 hours away, not to mention Gatorland. There's also an interesting giraffe preserve farther away in the hinterlands north of Tampa.
Sep 8th, 2016, 11:31 AM
#15
There's loads of low key rides, exhibits, things to see & do. NOt everything is Space Mountain ;-)
I'm more familiar with Disneyland than Disneyworld, but some of the old-timey things that were my favorites as a kid - Tom Sawyer island, Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, Wild West, and so on.
I'm more familiar with Disneyland than Disneyworld, but some of the old-timey things that were my favorites as a kid - Tom Sawyer island, Pirates of the Caribbean, Small World, Wild West, and so on.
Sep 12th, 2016, 03:55 AM
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We have been to both parks numerous times. Since you are going in January, be mindful of potential ride closures at all parks. You can look on allears.net for listings. Hollywood Stufios, in particular, is under a ton of construction. But there will probably be low attendance and there will still be lots to do in all the parks. But if you are going for a particular ride or experience and it is closed, you may be disappointed. Also, my kids love Disney and Harry. Right now they are all over 10 years old and like Universal much more. But ticket prices will probably have you making the choice between Disney and Universal. IMHO, Universal blows Disney away in terms of theming its two Harry Potter parks. Truly magical for any Harry Potter fan. But Disney also has tamer rides and more shows.
Have fun!
Have fun!
