Orlando spring break

[Reclaimer]

I'm thinking about trying to do a vacation to Orlando over spring break in March and was wondering if anybody had suggestions as to how and where to find good deals for hotels and tickets. I mostly want to check out Universal/IoA, as I've never been to those parks before...though I wouldn't mind checking out Mission: Space, Expedition Everest, and have to go to MGM as well if I can afford it. As you can tell, I'd like to visit a lot of parks in a short amount of time while being cheap as well.

If Disney really adds to the cost, I could probably do without...but Universal and such are musts as I've never checked them out.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks a bunch!

[The Interpreter]

Get your Universal tickets on line, preferably before you go. You can usually go to both parks for as many times as you'd like in a week for less than it costs to go to either for two days. Just be sure to buy them from Universal itself...

There is much to be said for staying on property, but it IS expensive. I frequently stay over in Kissimmee, which is far less expensive and not all that inconvenient. I've also often stayed at a longer term hotel, like Extended Stay, sometimes over by the convention center in Orlando itself, but be prepared for heavy traffic over there.

At Disney, a park hopper option on your ticket is a MUST. I always pay the little bit extra to get nonexpiring tickets, too...as you never know when your plans will change.

And don't forget Tampa is just a bit over an hour away. For my money, the best coaster in Florida lives over there (Kumba).

And I can't even write this short reply (got to go work soon) without putting in a plug for the best flat ride in America (if it is a flat ride!), Tower of Terror at MGM!

Enjoy!

[Avatar]

Recaimer: a lot of your cost would depend if you were going with a group or family, I have done a lot of research in that area as it relates to cost. Sadly spring break is a very busy time of year and discounts are hard to find for that time (that whole supply vs. demand theory applies here). As far as cost goes and a place that usually finds the best deals and is highly respected in that part of the world and I think it will get you to the right advice that your looking for here Mouse Savers

I'm pretty sure you can purchase a fast pass at universal that is a must if you don’t like lines. Also the fast passes at Disney have times that you can return on them and 90% of the guest thinks that that is the only time they may return, that is incorrect the time on the ticket is a suggested time and you may return anytime after the fist time stamped on the pass . One more thing ( most important advice) get there for rope drop and go to the main ride and get a fast pass first then ride it and then for the rest of the day when your next fast pass time is available go get another fast past for another ride, then by early afternoon you will have enough fast passes for the rest of the day while others are miserable standing in line.

If you are going to have a nice dinner while your at the parks you need to make a reservation NOW or you will be stuck with, before 4 or after 930pm dinner (trust me here).

A lot of people will spend thousands of dollars to go to Orlando but will not pay $17-$20 to get the inside scoop. They come back and complain about crowds and the $ they spent and only stood in lines the whole time. Then when you suggest a pay for advice site they quickly respond with "O I would never pay for inside advice I can get free advice online!" and they were just complaining about everything a miute earlier with the free advice they got. I truly pity them for wasting their time and money. The site that is the best is a guy who worked at Disney for many years and was in charge of showing Disney's VIP visitors around, he knows his stuff and I would have gladly paid him 5 x what I did to know how much better our vacation was going to be with his advice. Types of advice given is; where to sit on certain attractions, where are the best and least crowded spots to see the parades and fireworks. Plus he gives you best days to go to which park as it relates to the current events around that time, he also gives you a touring guide as to which rides to go to in what order such as one ride might take 30 min to get through that would mean the lines would be building else ware therefore use a fast pass at that ride later and get the fast loaders done first. I can get you a referral discount if you need one I don’t receive anything for it. this is great advice if your tyring to get alot done in a short amount of time. he does go into all the Orlando parks.

This site is called Tour Guide Mike

Also the largest and best forum for Orlando Parks is: DIS forum for all that free advice stuff.

I have alot more info if you need it.

I hope you have a good time! (if you end up with TGM, I'll change that to "I know your going to have a great time!")

[Reclaimer]

Thanks a ton Avatar!

I just spoke to a friend of mine and it looks like it'll either just be 2 of us, or a group of 4...depending on if the other 2 guys can make it. My friend that I talked to also has family in Orlando, so it appears as though our lodging will be free. Can't beat that!

I may have to check out the Tour Guide Mike site...but will probably wait a month or two before doing so as I've got to make sure we're for sure going.

Thanks again for all the info.

[jzarley]

I went to Orlando in early May and stayed onsite at the Royal Pacific. It was a great experience--better than any of my experiences staying on Disney property. Mostly because of the smaller nature of the resort, so everything is a pretty easy walk, and Universal Express. (I also think Loews is a bettter hotelier than Disney...)

I can't speak highly enough of Universal Express...that single element made the parks 100x more enjoyable. When Spiderman, Mummy, etc. all had hour waits it was an easy walk-on with Universal Express. Even to the point of when we were leaving for the airport we popped into the park and rode Spiderman on the way out.

I booked the whole thing as a package through Universal (hotel, park hopper tickets, etc.). I don't remember the exact amount now, but I think it was around $1200 for two people for four days.

[Captain Picard]

I agree with you on the Express Pass. I will not go to Universal without one and I don't care about the cost.

[Avatar]

If you guys end-up only going to Universal Studios or to IOA then I think you’ll be ok if you purchase the Express Pass and you won’t need the other pay advice information. But if you decided to include the Disney parks I must say please spend a little $ and get the paid advice especially if there are four of you, that would only make it like $5.00 a piece for great inside scoop information.

Other families may read this thread so I’m going to add a couple little stories on how the Tour Guide Mike advice helped us in creating a most memorable vacation.

When we were in the parks and we knew that it was getting close to a show in front of the castle or the start of the parade, we were lucky enough to know before hand where to go to get a great UN crowded seat and exactly what time to arrive at that spot to see the event. Instead of guessing at it and arriving too early wasting valuable park time or too late and be forced to watch from behind a few rows of guests.

For the past couple decades Cinderella has been taking reservations to have breakfast with her and several of her other princess friends inside the Royal Castle at Magic Kingdom. Well if anyone knows a little one that looks up to these bigger than life icon role models will do just about anything to get that opportunity for their little one to experience. For that reason alone, it has made that reservation the most sought after breakfast reservation in the world, if you don’t call at the precise time and within 5 minutes after that time, I’m sorry, so don’t promise your little one until you have met the required steps to ensure this magical moment can indeed happen for them. On top of that and you may ask what more could there be? If you would like (and most do) to arrive one hour early at the front gates of Magic Kingdom to be let in and to walk down Main Street towards the Royal Castle with virtually no one around to take pictures and to drum up the special experience for that little one.

You’ll haft to make that call within that 1 minute of the exact time in history that they accept a reservation for that 1 hour early breakfast with the entire Princess Court inside the Royal Castle.

Wait there is another advantage to getting that early breakfast! They usually have you done with breakfast within a few minutes before 9 am when the park opens, which now puts you right in the middle of the park as it opens and not with the large mass crowd at the front gates. Which is great because the children’s section is right behind the Royal Castle and The newly deemed princess will get at least two of their favorite attractions in before the eager masses roll into the area called Fantasyland.

As you can see no crowds around in this picture of a newly deemed Princess.

Everyone has the same and equal chance to make this dream come true for their little one as it is truly a dream come true for the one’s who have did everything possible to have an experience like this become a reality.

How much would one pay to get the inside scoop and to find out ways to increase their odds on making this happen?

I followed Tour Guide Mike’s advice on this endeavor and as a testament from the pictures above was successful. That experience and advice was worth more than money could buy we felt like all the other advice and in fact the rest of the trip was just a mere bonus.

So I say to all of you if you are going to go on a long awaited vacation or looking forward to having a memorable vacation try to take the steps necessary to give you the odds on making your expectations become reality. Even if it cost you a few extra dollars ahead of time.

[Reclaimer]

Great advice!

About the express pass @ Universal. I looked at their website and it appears that the only date they are allowing it that week is March 17, which is when we'd probably be leaving...if not the day before. Looks like that's out. I can't believe they only make those available one or two days out of a week, if at all sometimes.

edit: Never mind, I didn't see they had different tiers for different days. Looks like instead of shelling out $50, we'll only have to pay $35.