Walt Disney World

[Brianfo]

My wife and I will be taking 2 small children to Walt Disney World in Florida in 2 weeks. I get to go as a bonus thru my work. We are staying at the Hilton. My question is what is the weather like down there in January? Any good ideas on what to see and do with twins that are 2 years old? I am kind of looking forward to it. A chance to get out of Iowa in January. Oh well, enought blabbing. Any responses are greatly appreciated.

[Kellerfox]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Boom. Almost a 2 year bump on a 15 year old thread.

Going to be in Orlando for a couple days next month and thinking about spending one day at a park. Wanting to do something different from Disney. We've never been to Universal Studios and was hoping to get some input from those of you that have.

I'm hoping to have one day at a park and one day of relaxing or doing something NOT park related - but it looks like to experience everything at Universal, you have to get through both Universal Studio's and Island of Adventure. Is that a 2 full day deal or is that something you can get through in one day?

If we ultimately decide to NOT do a park, what are some other things to do that teenagers will enjoy as much as teenagers can enjoy anything?

Any suggestions on good hotels to stay at?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Both Universal parks are great, and I’d argue more enjoyable than Disney for Teenagers. Island of Adventures has more of the big thrill rides (roller coasters, etc.) while the original park is more about 3D/4D/VR/AR effects incorporated into rides... but thematically enjoyable. My wife is also a Harry Potter addict (I hate everything to do with the stories). We both really enjoyed The Harry Potter zone and rides. Corny as hell, but my wife bought the $30 wand and ran around the zone doing all the magic tricks alongside the kids (they have dozens of interactive stations where you can use the wands). I’d recommend doing both parks, but you can still be happy doing one or the other. Just look at the ride list and go with the one that interests your kids more. You won’t be able to do both in 1 day.

As far as other things to do: NASA’s Kennedy Center was awesome... but I haven’t been in 15 years.

[Spott]

If you get into Hollywood Studios, definitely do the new Rise of the Resistance and the Millennium Falcon rides. It’s tricky to get on Rise of the Resistance because you literally have to check in the second it opens up to get a slot on the ride. Both of the Universal parks are great. I assume the water park is a blast, too. The Harry Potter area at Universal is definitely worth it, and the new Hagrid’s ride has great reviews.

Delmonico’s has great authentic Italian food and it’s my favorite restaurant in Orlando. Via Napoli at Epcot is an excellent pizza place. Toothsomes Chocolate Factory at City Walk is pretty cool, too. If you are going to eat in Disney or Universal, you may want to check the hours of the restaurants because the Disney ones were all closed at 7:00 last weekend because of covid. They may be opening up more now with some of the restrictions being lifted but I would definitely check it out.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

I love Disney. I've probably been 20-25 times in my life.

Amateur..... 😁....

I know everyone is telling you to avoid the Disney bubble, but I would disagree.

Also...I guess I am not as impressed with the Dolphin ir Swan as others.

If I was going to recommend anything other that Disney property I would say the hotels near Disney Springs. Let's you walk to Disney Springs but also have quick access to the Interstate to head to all the other attractions that have been mentioned.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

I saw they were going for $300+ per person lol **** all that!

That's why you're better off booking one of the premier resorts. $400-500 per night is expensive but Express Passes for your whole family kinda makes it worth while.

For Plow, I might also recommend staying at Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls or Endless Summer. Those are all pretty good. They're not premier so no Express but really great properties with awesome pools and amenities.

Yea. Stayed at Cabana Bay about 5 years ago. It was great. Staying at Sapphire Falls this trip.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

I knew I was asking a loaded question that could come with hundreds of answers. But, wanted to get some peoples "top choices" outside of Disney.

I love Disney. I've probably been 20-25 times in my life. With such a quick trip (get in on a Thursday morning, leaving Saturday morning), I wanted to get some ideas of things other than parks to do.

We're driving down to Miami for work and then stopping back in Orlando on the way home, so we'll have our own car to move about anywhere we please.

Does anyone know if the Harry Potter stuff is worth seeing at Universal? Wife is really interested in it.

If you are thinking of Universal on a one day option it can definitely be done if you get the park hopper option. No one will be able to do everything in one day but the teenagers can ride all the thrill rides and you and your wife could pick and choose some while still seeing all of Harry Potter world. Remember that Harry Potter is part of both parks so seeing it all needs either two park tickets or a park hopper, but it and Universal is small enough to have a good experience in one day.

Even non fans will enjoy it given the thorough theming and complete submersion into the world. They took every page out of Disney’s playbook creating it from the theming and experience but also in the line queues and rides in Harry Potter world. They are all very good. You can’t see any of the other parts of the park while in it. Every building and detail contributes to the feeling of being part of that world. The dragon shoots fire every so often which is cool. Just a lot of details you can otherwise only find in Disney.

I highly recommend the slushy style butter beer. We tried it, the ice cream, and the regular drink with the slushy version being by far the best.

In short, as a big Disney fan you are, you will both definitely find the appreciation, value, and enjoyment of Harry Potter alone given it’s Disney inspiration, but adding in the rest is just a nice bonus. There is plenty for others to do as well. The City Walk can be good as well with the Chocolate Emporium being a really cool place with good shakes, candies, and desserts.

As for where to stay, anywhere near Disney is too far from Universal. There are plenty of good options from reliable national chains along International Drive.

[Mr. Plow]

Thanks for all the info guys. There is a LOT to digest. Going to re-read it all and then I'll ask all the kids what they want to do. Once I get the 3 "I don't care" answers from them, I'll make the decisions myself.

[Mosbonian]

I agree with everything mr. tegu said save for one thing.....I am not a big fan of staying on International Drive. But that is more personal taste than anything else.

I agree that Universal went all Disney on Harry Potter and I am not a Potter fan and still enjoyed it.

[alpha_omega]

What about the cable skiing (and whatever else they offer)? I always see the place right off the highway, but have never done it. Any good?

https://www.orlandowatersports.com/

[Holladay]

Book an airboat ride through the wetlands to see some gators and other wildlife. Had a blast doing it a few years ago.

This.

I find a hole in the wall out fit, not one that can seat 20 people. We found one that sat just our family (4). The guide was great. We went to an island and he wanted to find "Old Gatter". He did some sort of grunting, and this huge gatter popped up right in front of us. He was surprised, he hadn't seen Old Gatter for a number of years.

Scared the crap outta me and the kids, even though we were on a board walk of sorts.

[jallmon]

We were there the weekend preceding the Challenger disaster. It sure a **** was cold then (late January, 1986). In the 20s, remember the seals on the solid fuel boosters got too cold. So, it can get down right frosty in Orlando in January. Don't know how rare it is for that to happen, but it sure did happen.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

I agree that Universal went all Disney on Harry Potter and I am not a Potter fan and still enjoyed it.

Yea, not a potter fan either, but the Potter stuff is pretty fantastic.

Universal has sort of evolved over the years for sure. It’s barely even a ‘studios’ anymore like it was originally intended. I guess they had to adapt or die.

[arrowheadnation]

Cannot wait for the new Universal Park to complete in a couple years (Epic Universe)...specifically Super Nintendo World!



*EDIT....ouch, looks like opening is delayed to 2025 due to Covid.

[RedRaider56]

I took our family to both places about 5 years ago. Had a great time at both. Each park offers different things, so you don't get bored. (at least we didnt')
We used the park pass at Universal to go back and forth between the parks all the time. You really have to if you want the true Harry Potter experience (which our entire family enjoys)

At Disney World we purchased the Park Hopper pass and ended up never using it. We ended up spending the entire day at whatever park we started in.
Also paid the extra $$ for the Disney Photo Pass. Well worth the $$. Pictures were great and we were able to get into photo opportunities we never would have otherwises

[Spott]

Originally Posted by arrowheadnation

Cannot wait for the new Universal Park to complete in a couple years (Epic Universe)...specifically Super Nintendo World!



*EDIT....ouch, looks like opening is delayed to 2025 due to Covid.

I had heard about that but hadn’t seen any visuals of it. That will be amazing.

[mr. tegu]

Nintendo World is supposed to open at Universal Studios Hollywood first which is planned for ‘22 or ‘23. It just opened in Japan this year and you can see videos on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/63UtzXfN15s