Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando?

[mystic96]

Katrina and I took our kids to Disney World 2 years ago for Xmas Break.

It was one of the coolest things I've ever gotten to do. The lights all over the park (magic kingdom and hollywood studios) and they make it snow in the downtown magic kingdom section.

The weather when we were there was actually pretty cold. It got down to the mid 30s the two nights we were visiting the park. We were there from 12/25-12/31. Stopped in Pensicola on the way down, walked on the beach and it was so freaking cold we couldn't stay out for more than 10 minutes, but driving home we went up to Daytona and were in bathing suits and the kids played in the water for a couple hours.

[Z06killinsbf]

If you drive there, stop at Don Garlits museum in Ocala.

[Rick Modena]

If you drive there, stop at Don Garlits museum in Ocala.

This, its worth the stop and right off of I-75. If you like drag racing and its history there is no finer place...

[2K2 LS1]

Not driving with a 7 and 9 year old! lol We will be flying no doubt....

[Steve]

We just came back from there a few weeks ago. We go to Disneyworld and Universal every year now. Yes, it's worth it to go to Universal as well. Keep in mind there is TWO parks at Universal and you will need an entire day for both. The ride at the Potter park inside Hogwarts is one of the best rollercoasters I've ever been on! If you stay on the Disney property a taxi will cost about $40 bucks each way to get to Universal. BUT, if you talk to the concierge when you get to your hotel and tell them you are planning to go, they will help you get a ride.

Always keep in mind, at Disney they are all about service. If you have any questions, ask. They always go out of their way to help out. There is a reason why every major corporation in the world goes to Disney training seminars to improve their services!

DO NOT do the dining plans at Disney, they are a rip off in my opinion. Between needing reservations for every sit down place which you need to make in at least 6 months in advance or get lucky finding a cancelation. We don't eat much while on vacation. With all of that walking around the last thing you feel like doing is loading up on food.

Depending on how old your kids are, you can try to get a reservation for a character breakfast. It's a good photo op and a good time, though a lil pricey. The Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort or Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort are the better ones.

If you have real little ones, Fantasyland is where you will spend alot of your time at the Magic Kingdom and currently it's under construction. They are doing a major expansion to it and looks amazing. We can't wait to go back next year to check it out.

DO take advantage of the Fast Pass's, but plan them right so you aren't walking all over the place back and forth.

DO take advantage of the PhotoPass. You can register online to get a big discount on getting a CD for all your family pictures. There are places all over the parks with photographers for scene shots and character greetings. If you do it when you get there, the CD will be like $150 bucks, if you do it at home before you leave it's more like $100 for all the pictures you guys care to take.

Again, depending on the age of your kids, you may not want to use a day at Epcot. Younger kids tend to get bored at Epcot because there isn't alot there to do. They really need to update that park. It's a much slower paced park and more of scenic stuff, shopping and eating.

If you stay on the property, they have constant bus services that make getting around really easy. The buses run every 10-20 minutes. Depending on what time of the year you go the crowds really vary. Stay away during Spring Break time. (March-April) But after April, be prepared for the heat. It gets hot in Florida! lol.

[Rick Modena]

Not driving with a 7 and 9 year old! lol We will be flying no doubt....

Its not too far from Orlando (less than an hour) and worth the trip. If you go and don't like it, Ill buy you some drinks Brad...

[Steve]

Its not too far from Orlando (less than an hour) and worth the trip. If you go and don't like it, Ill buy you some drinks...

I rather take an icepick to the eye than drive in Orlando. Those people are fuckin crazy down there with their driving. lol

[mystic96]

Not driving with a 7 and 9 year old! lol We will be flying no doubt....

Shoot....we drove down with our kids when they had just turned 2 and 4...lots of driving at night and load up on movies for them to watch. They didn't complain half as much as I did LOL

[2K2 LS1]

We just came back from there a few weeks ago. We go to Disneyworld and Universal every year now. Yes, it's worth it to go to Universal as well. Keep in mind there is TWO parks at Universal and you will need an entire day for both. The ride at the Potter park inside Hogwarts is one of the best rollercoasters I've ever been on! If you stay on the Disney property a taxi will cost about $40 bucks each way to get to Universal. BUT, if you talk to the concierge when you get to your hotel and tell them you are planning to go, they will help you get a ride.

Always keep in mind, at Disney they are all about service. If you have any questions, ask. They always go out of their way to help out. There is a reason why every major corporation in the world goes to Disney training seminars to improve their services!

DO NOT do the dining plans at Disney, they are a rip off in my opinion. Between needing reservations for every sit down place which you need to make in at least 6 months in advance or get lucky finding a cancelation. We don't eat much while on vacation. With all of that walking around the last thing you feel like doing is loading up on food.

Depending on how old your kids are, you can try to get a reservation for a character breakfast. It's a good photo op and a good time, though a lil pricey. The Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club Resort or Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort are the better ones.

If you have real little ones, Fantasyland is where you will spend alot of your time at the Magic Kingdom and currently it's under construction. They are doing a major expansion to it and looks amazing. We can't wait to go back next year to check it out.

DO take advantage of the Fast Pass's, but plan them right so you aren't walking all over the place back and forth.

DO take advantage of the PhotoPass. You can register online to get a big discount on getting a CD for all your family pictures. There are places all over the parks with photographers for scene shots and character greetings. If you do it when you get there, the CD will be like $150 bucks, if you do it at home before you leave it's more like $100 for all the pictures you guys care to take.

Again, depending on the age of your kids, you may not want to use a day at Epcot. Younger kids tend to get bored at Epcot because there isn't alot there to do. They really need to update that park. It's a much slower paced park and more of scenic stuff, shopping and eating.

If you stay on the property, they have constant bus services that make getting around really easy. The buses run every 10-20 minutes. Depending on what time of the year you go the crowds really vary. Stay away during Spring Break time. (March-April) But after April, be prepared for the heat. It gets hot in Florida! lol.

We did the whole sit down dining plan and it was great for us. We ate at the Kona(sp?) cafe and several other places along with the character breakfasts etc. It is a must in our books this trip as well.

We took the Disney resort buses to the parks and plan on that again. The photopass was cool; and we even got a complimentary hardback bound photo album once we got back.

Looking like we will stay 3 days at the Disney resort with 2 park days like this past year, and then 3 days at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal with 2 park days.

[2K2 LS1]

Shoot....we drove down with our kids when they had just turned 2 and 4...lots of driving at night and load up on movies for them to watch. They didn't complain half as much as I did LOL

Right......I think its more for my wife's sake then anything to do with the kids lol. A couple hours on the plane versus hours on end in a car is worth it to me as well. More time for fun activities that way too

[Rick Modena]

You are gonna want some alone time from your wife and kids. I would say I'll be right back and go to Ocala and see Big Daddy's place for some 'Brad time'...

[GeorgeG.]

Shoot....we drove down with our kids when they had just turned 2 and 4...lots of driving at night and load up on movies for them to watch. They didn't complain half as much as I did LOL

Yup, we drove there twice now...it's a beating for sure but way cheaper than flying + renting a car.

[2K2 LS1]

Yup, we drove there twice now...it's a beating for sure but way cheaper than flying + renting a car.

18 hour drive each way and roughly $500 in fuel(round trip) vs 4 hours in the air and rental car for whole trip is roughly $2200

[ALLAN]

I rather take an icepick to the eye than drive in Orlando. Those people are fuckin crazy down there with their driving. lol

You get use to it.

[mk5.0]

Little kids go to Disney , teenagers and adults universal.