Florida people...Disney question - Big Big Forums

texasgander · 05-09-2005, 11:23 AM

We are going to Orlando for vacation in July......can anyone tell me if there is anywhere to get good discount tickets for Disney, Sea World, the studios, etc. And if you had to pick 2 to go to, which ones would they be? We aren't doing Disney ALL week....just want to do something a couple of days....we will be there a week, but want to do other things besides just Disney......please email me at

etxgander@hotmail.com

put Disney in the re:

It's too hard remembering to search BBS since we don't get the notifications anymore....

Thanks for any help or suggestions you have about what to do and what must do! Will have 2 12 yr olds with us.

(We are staying at Bluetree Resort at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando if anyone knows anything about it.....through our timeshare)

Kelsey1224 · 05-09-2005, 11:45 AM

Wow...when I pulled up your post...there were popups at the top of the BBS screen showing locations of getting discount tickets. I clicked on a couple of them and they look like good resources.

I work for Disney, so it doesn't cost me to go at all.

However...just keep in mind that there are four Disney theme parks and each one requires at least a full day. (We went back to Epcot three times...so you can spend longer.) Also...the parks are not close to another...you need to drive from one part to another. There are shuttles...but I believe they are for guests of the resorts.

We also used a time share and just rented a car. That worked best for us.

One day we drove to Cape Canaveral. My husband is a "space program" fanatic and it was a dream of his to go there. It is very interesting and something that 12-year olds might like.

If you go to Disney's MGM Studios theme park...then going to the Universal theme park would be much of the same thing. Personally...I found the Disney park kind of boring..a couple of really fun rides...but the rest of it was just "behind the scenes of a studio" stuff. But, I live in S. California and the studio thing is not that big of a deal for me. I'm on the studio lot at least once a week.

I also think Universal does the tour thing of a studio better than Disney. (I know...I'm a traitor...but that's just my opinion.)

Sea World is...well...Sea World. If you have been to one...you've been to them all. I like going to Sea World...but would pick another day at a Disney park anyday.

texasgander · 05-09-2005, 11:51 AM

In looking at the Univeral Studios site, that seems to be something that my son would probably really like. We've never been to Disney World or Disneyland, so I think we should at least go to that 1 day........(I went to Universal in CA about 16 years ago and thought it was good)

Yeah, don't think we'll do Sea World.....

We are driving, so we'll have a vehicle.

Yes, I think Cape Canaveral would be fun for the kids, too.

Thanks for your information.

turbob · 05-09-2005, 11:56 AM

here is what expedia says about the bluetree resort - looks nice http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll...0Buena%20Vista

BTW - say hi to my son - he works at the Perkins on University BLvd in Orlando!

texasgander · 05-09-2005, 12:16 PM

I'm planning on calling them after my reservation gets confirmed and make sure we get a recently renovated unit........hopefully it will be nice

***Willow*** · 05-09-2005, 12:33 PM

It's going to be very crowded and hot in July. Expect long lines. Depending on how popular the ride is waiting time could be up to 90 minutes or longer. My mother used to work at the Grand Floridian before retiring. There are busses that will take you from park to park and as far as I know anyone can use them. We did and we weren't staying at any of the resorts. My step brother and his wife drive the busses that go to the different parks. If your kids are real young they may not care too much about Epcot and MGM Studios.

texasgander · 05-09-2005, 02:13 PM

My son is 12 1/2 and the other kid that is going is 13.......so am now thinking we will do Universal Studios and Isle of Adventure.......

A friend here at work went last year.....she said the lines at Disney were horrible, but at Universal, etc., the lines weren't so bad and moved pretty quick.

Yes, it will be hot....but no hotter than here in Houston....LOL!

mnvdriver · 05-09-2005, 02:14 PM

https://secure.wetnwild.com/the_cart.asp?compid=2

This is for 14 Days of Unlimited Access! The Orlando FlexTicket gives you the flexibility to visit Orlando's most popular attractions when and how you choose. And all at a price that adds tremendous value to your vacation. The 4-Park Orlando FlexTicket provides you unlimited admission to Universal Studios, SeaWorld Orlando, Wet 'n Wild - Orlando, AND Universal's Islands of Adventure.

- Costs less than purchasing individual tickets*.

- Visit the parks as many times as you want.

- Visit more than one park on the same day.

- Parking fee required only once each day at first park visited.

- Free access to Universal CityWalk Venues.

*Based on individual front gate prices. Valid 14 days from the first day of use. Prices and benefits subject to change without notice. Rates valid through 12/31/05.

or for

14 Days of Unlimited Access! The Orlando FlexTicket gives you the flexibility to visit Orlando's most popular attractions when and how you choose. And all at a price that adds tremendous value to your vacation. The 5-Park Orlando FlexTicket provides you unlimited admission to Universal Studios, SeaWorld Orlando, Wet 'n Wild - Orlando, Universal's Islands of Adventure, AND Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

- Costs less than purchasing individual tickets*.

- Visit the parks as many times as you want.

- Visit more than one park on the same day.

- Parking fee required only once each day at first park visited.

- Free access to Universal CityWalk Venues.

- Free transporation** to Busch Gardens with the purchase of a 5-Park Orlando FlexTicket.

*Based on individual front gate prices. **Transportation from select Orlando hotels and participating theme parks, transporation schedule and availability subject to change without notice. Valid 14 days from the first day of use. Prices and benefits subject to change without notice. Rates valid through 12/31/05.

texasgander · 05-09-2005, 02:19 PM

thanks! I'll check it out!

justbeachy · 05-09-2005, 02:57 PM

I stayed at Bluetree last summer and we had a great time. I live close by and my mother-in-law works at Disney so I go all the time.
Magic Kindom is the best Disney park for kids because it has the most rides. Animal Kindom was okay, but I could have went to the zoo for a lot less money so unless you are crazy about animals, you might want to pass. The Disney water parks are fun for the 12 year olds but Bluetree has swimming pools so you can save your money there too.

My kids love both Universal Parks and I prefer them over Disney because the parking lots are so conveniently located to the parks. At Disney it seems like you have to walk forever, take a tram, take a ferry, etc., just to get anywhere. Sea World is fun however again there are only two rides, I have yet to spend a whole day at Sea World anytime I have ever been.

Cape Canaveral is fun but expensive and since 9/11, there isn't a whole lot they will let you see. However, if you are going in that direction, keep going 30 minutes east and spend a day at the beach. Nice, fun and more important, free. The beach is beautiful down there.

Also, Busch Gardens may be another alternative since it is only about 30 minutes away from where you are going to be. By the way, you are maybe 10 minutes from Disney down the shortcut and 10 from Universal and Sea World.

We had a great time at Bluetree and I'm sure you will too.

Sorry, I meant to add that there aren't alot of discounts available to the big parks because they have tons of visitors especially during the summer but you might want to consider spending a couple of hours touring one of the many other timeshares in Orlando because they offer tickets to Disney, Universal and cash as incentives to tour plus you get free breakfast out of the deal.

We usually tour at least one and use the money towards our vacation.

texasgander · 05-09-2005, 03:06 PM

justbeachy...thanks for the info! I'm going to check with our timeshare concierge and see if they have any kind of discounts.......

not sure I can talk hubby into sitting through another timeshare deal...especially with the kid along! LOL!

Glad to hear you had a good experience at Bluetree!