TOTALLY GEEKED!

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

RE: Let's talk vacation! More importantly DISNEY WORLD!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
From the website -

Day Resort with Dolphin Swim
Reserved dolphin swim experience. Children must be at least 6 years old to swim with dolphins. Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult who is also participating in the dolphin swim experience.
Freshly prepared breakfast and lunch, plus unlimited snacks and beverages throughout the day.
Complimentary use of snorkel gear, wetsuits, towels, lockers, sunscreen, showers, changing rooms, and all day self parking.
Unlimited access to The Grand Reef, Serenity Bay, Explorer’s Aviary and Wind-Away River.
Unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando for 14-consecutive days around your reservation date.
All prices and price ranges are subject to change until purchased.

Have you actually been to Discovery Cove LL?

Nope - tried to go once, but I was pregnant and they wouldn't let me swim with the dolphins without a doctor's note saying it was ok. And since then, we got Baby J,a nd are now waiting until she is old enough (you have to be 6). But I researched it all for when we planned our last trip with a group of friends to decide which parks to do. Another option is the Orlando Flex Ticket - it is $335 and includes Universal, Islands of Adventure, Wet n Wild, Sea World and Aquatica, and you can add Busch Gardens for $20.

This was my spreadsheet for our options in October 2013. Of course, prices have gone up since then.

Theme Park(s) Cost Days Parking per day

Discovery Cove $259 ($179) 14 Included

SEAWORLD $15

AQUATICA $12

+ BUSCH GARDENS $ 22 $15

NOTE: Free shuttle available to Busch Gardens but you arrive late and leave early.

Total package amount - (the day at Discovery Cove is all inclusive with meals)

Universal – Wet n Wild Combo Ticket $190 ($176) 14

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS $16

ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE $16

WET ‘N WILD $12

Family locker rental $11

Orlando Flex (5 park) $298 ($279) 14

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS $16

ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE $16

SEA WORLD $15

AQUATICA $12

WET ‘N WILD $12

+ BUSCH GARDENS $ 42 ($ 41) $15

Disney – (base) $184 ($172) 2 $15

Park Hopper Option + 55

Add-on day -

Blizzard Beach $ 53 ($45) 1 Free

Legoland $ 81 ($74) 1 $14

*Possible Disney Add-on w/ Universal

Mickey’s Not so Scary Halloween party $62($57) 1 $15

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

We enjoyed Discovery Cove much more than Disney. That was our favorite part of the whole trip.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Last time we went to Disney the kids were 9, 7 and 5. So there was a lot they didn't get to ride. Didn't do because they were just too young to really enjoy it.

They will be 20, 18 and 16 this time. Able to do the bigger rides and go to the water parks and really enjoy the parks and resorts. And I don't have to be right with them all the time.

Discovery Cove would be great. But it is too expensive and we would still have to get lodging and food and, to me, isn't worth the price. Not now anyway.

I really want a room with a kitchen at Disney. So while I like the AoA resort, the cabins are looking like the best bet. But the pool is not zero depth entry.

Some of the villas have kitchens. I am still looking.

Of course this is all still in the thinking about it phase.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Last time we went to Disney the kids were 9, 7 and 5. So there was a lot they didn't get to ride. Didn't do because they were just too young to really enjoy it.

They will be 20, 18 and 16 this time. Able to do the bigger rides and go to the water parks and really enjoy the parks and resorts. And I don't have to be right with them all the time.

Discovery Cove would be great. But it is too expensive and we would still have to get lodging and food and, to me, isn't worth the price. Not now anyway.

I really want a room with a kitchen at Disney. So while I like the AoA resort, the cabins are looking like the best bet. But the pool is not zero depth entry.

Some of the villas have kitchens. I am still looking.

Of course this is all still in the thinking about it phase.

The AoA suites have little kitchenettes with a microwave and fridge. I just don't think I'd be in the room enough to cook. We try to do the dining plan when we go. It's expensive when you have to pay for it (we try to go when it is free) but it takes care of the food and you get to eat in nicer places than you would if you were paying out of pocket. But, you need to make reservations for the good places way ahead of time.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

To go on a vacation, and have to cook meals?

Really????????????

Hell no. I'd stay home.

Vacation is all about, eating out. And having fun.

JMHO.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

We like having a kitchen. We don't really like being rushed to get out to eat breakfast in the mornings.

A lot of the time we have lunch in the room.

And I can put something in the crock pot and it does the cooking for me.

We like the convenience of a kitchen.

It helps save money for other things we want to do. We will eat out maybe twice.

And while everyone is cleaning up from the day, dinner can be made and then you can just relax the rest of the evening.

I don't mind cooking. To me, it is worth not dealing with the crowds at dinner time.

And if we plan right, we get to be in the parks riding rides while others are having meals.

There is a method to my madness.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

lilyofcourse wrote:
We like having a kitchen. We don't really like being rushed to get out to eat breakfast in the mornings.

A lot of the time we have lunch in the room.

And I can put something in the crock pot and it does the cooking for me.

We like the convenience of a kitchen.

It helps save money for other things we want to do. We will eat out maybe twice.

And while everyone is cleaning up from the day, dinner can be made and then you can just relax the rest of the evening.

I don't mind cooking. To me, it is worth not dealing with the crowds at dinner time.

And if we plan right, we get to be in the parks riding rides while others are having meals.

There is a method to my madness.

This is so me. Do 5 hours of parks come back to the condo and relax Nuke a pizza, etc. The one thing I don't get is the tickets to Disney were something like 160/day per person, a bit less per day if buying a 3 day pass. Where are you getting your numbers from? Maybe they are a lot cheaper in the summer?

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

Yeah, they just raised prices.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
We like having a kitchen. We don't really like being rushed to get out to eat breakfast in the mornings.

A lot of the time we have lunch in the room.

And I can put something in the crock pot and it does the cooking for me.

We like the convenience of a kitchen.

It helps save money for other things we want to do. We will eat out maybe twice.

And while everyone is cleaning up from the day, dinner can be made and then you can just relax the rest of the evening.

I don't mind cooking. To me, it is worth not dealing with the crowds at dinner time.

And if we plan right, we get to be in the parks riding rides while others are having meals.

There is a method to my madness.
This is so me. Do 5 hours of parks come back to the condo and relax Nuke a pizza, etc. The one thing I don't get is the tickets to Disney were something like 160/day per person, a bit less per day if buying a 3 day pass. Where are you getting your numbers from? Maybe they are a lot cheaper in the summer?

A one day base ticket is about $100 - I think tomorrow they go up to $105. They only get that expensive when you add on park hopper and other options. And to me - park hopper is not worth it. Switching parks during the day takes up too much time, I'd rather add extra days and just spend a day in each park.

It costs about $65 to add park hopper to a one day ticket.

-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Wednesday 25th of February 2015 07:58:15 PM

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lawyerlady wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
We like having a kitchen. We don't really like being rushed to get out to eat breakfast in the mornings.

A lot of the time we have lunch in the room.

And I can put something in the crock pot and it does the cooking for me.

We like the convenience of a kitchen.

It helps save money for other things we want to do. We will eat out maybe twice.

And while everyone is cleaning up from the day, dinner can be made and then you can just relax the rest of the evening.

I don't mind cooking. To me, it is worth not dealing with the crowds at dinner time.

And if we plan right, we get to be in the parks riding rides while others are having meals.

There is a method to my madness.
This is so me. Do 5 hours of parks come back to the condo and relax Nuke a pizza, etc. The one thing I don't get is the tickets to Disney were something like 160/day per person, a bit less per day if buying a 3 day pass. Where are you getting your numbers from? Maybe they are a lot cheaper in the summer?
A one day base ticket is about $100 - I think tomorrow they go up to $105. They only get that expensive when you add on park hopper and other options. And to me - park hopper is not worth it. Switching parks during the day takes up too much time, I'd rather add extra days and just spend a day in each park.

It costs about $65 to add park hopper to a one day ticket.

-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Wednesday 25th of February 2015 07:58:15 PM

Well I had free passes to Disney and Epcot (that I blew Off) and they were $159 each had I paid. I get I was there the most expensive time of the year. Universal was similar in price. I understand why Lily is going during the hot months. It is off season so things are cheaper. i could not have afforded my vaca if not for all the reduced rates and freebees I got because of family connections. Well I could have afforded it, but it would have hurt in other ways.

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

They charge the same for admission no matter what. The hotels have better offers in the off months. You can usually get a sweet deal at one of the resorts that includes admission and meals off season.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
We like having a kitchen. We don't really like being rushed to get out to eat breakfast in the mornings.

A lot of the time we have lunch in the room.

And I can put something in the crock pot and it does the cooking for me.

We like the convenience of a kitchen.

It helps save money for other things we want to do. We will eat out maybe twice.

And while everyone is cleaning up from the day, dinner can be made and then you can just relax the rest of the evening.

I don't mind cooking. To me, it is worth not dealing with the crowds at dinner time.

And if we plan right, we get to be in the parks riding rides while others are having meals.

There is a method to my madness.
This is so me. Do 5 hours of parks come back to the condo and relax Nuke a pizza, etc. The one thing I don't get is the tickets to Disney were something like 160/day per person, a bit less per day if buying a 3 day pass. Where are you getting your numbers from? Maybe they are a lot cheaper in the summer?
A one day base ticket is about $100 - I think tomorrow they go up to $105. They only get that expensive when you add on park hopper and other options. And to me - park hopper is not worth it. Switching parks during the day takes up too much time, I'd rather add extra days and just spend a day in each park.

It costs about $65 to add park hopper to a one day ticket.

-- Edited by Lawyerlady on Wednesday 25th of February 2015 07:58:15 PM
Well I had free passes to Disney and Epcot (that I blew Off) and they were $159 each had I paid. I get I was there the most expensive time of the year. Universal was similar in price. I understand why Lily is going during the hot months. It is off season so things are cheaper. i could not have afforded my vaca if not for all the reduced rates and freebees I got because of family connections. Well I could have afforded it, but it would have hurt in other ways.

Those would be park hopper passes. A one day park hopper pass is now $165, without park hopper - it's only $105. The price of the tickets change across the board - not by busy season - that's the hotels.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

There is a special right now if you book by March something - percentage off the room and an extra day free if you buy a 4 day pass.

disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/rooms-discount/

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

BTW, Lily - do you have a Disney travel agent? I have a good one. Yes, I COULD do it myself, but why, when she'll do the work, make a commission, and it doesn't cost me more?

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

My Florida friends get annual passes at resident rates. They even get annual parking passes. They just go a few hours here and there. They also go for all the special stuff like Dapper Days and go to downtown Disney just to have dinner sometimes. I'm so jealous.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

OooLL is so good at the Disney thing Lily, not kidding, have her make your arrangements.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I got my numbers from the Disney World web site. Under the tickets tab. It has all the options.

A lot of time, if you re staying in the park, the daily cost includes the room for that day. Per person.

We like the hopper pass because we don't spend the whole day at a park. We like to do some things in the morning, like the outside things.

Then when it gets hot you want to be where the stuff is mostly inside.

And then Animal Kingdom isn't even open after 6 or 7 so we want to go to another park we can.

And any time, you can take a break and go to the water parks.

Also, the parks don't close when the fireworks are over. They have magic hours and you can stay and play when all the others are leaving. We spent a lot of time doing that. You didn't even have to wait in a line. You just walked up and got on.

If we want to leave the park and go back later to another park, we cant do that without the hopper.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Southern_Belle wrote:
My Florida friends get annual passes at resident rates. They even get annual parking passes. They just go a few hours here and there. They also go for all the special stuff like Dapper Days and go to downtown Disney just to have dinner sometimes. I'm so jealous.

Me, too.

We should do a geek meet in Disney. But not in the summer. I love Disney, and I want to keep it that way.

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

Lawyerlady wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
My Florida friends get annual passes at resident rates. They even get annual parking passes. They just go a few hours here and there. They also go for all the special stuff like Dapper Days and go to downtown Disney just to have dinner sometimes. I'm so jealous.
Me, too.

We should do a geek meet in Disney. But not in the summer. I love Disney, and I want to keep it that way.

I'd do it Oct-March. I know better the other months, lol.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
OooLL is so good at the Disney thing Lily, not kidding, have her make your arrangements.

I can't. She likes to do everything I'm against - summer visit, park hopper, cook. I just couldn't. wink

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

Late May, early June stinks too because that's when all the people are there for senior trips.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Southern_Belle wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
My Florida friends get annual passes at resident rates. They even get annual parking passes. They just go a few hours here and there. They also go for all the special stuff like Dapper Days and go to downtown Disney just to have dinner sometimes. I'm so jealous.
Me, too.

We should do a geek meet in Disney. But not in the summer. I love Disney, and I want to keep it that way.
I'd do it Oct-March. I know better the other months, lol.

And NOT Thanksgiving week or the week between Christmas and New Years.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Southern_Belle wrote:
Late May, early June stinks too because that's when all the people are there for senior trips.

The BEST week I've gone is the last week of September. They had our fall break really early that year, so we were able to get free dining, and the parks were practically empty.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

No. No travel agent. Not yet.

Mom got a Disney credit card the other day. It has lots of perks with it to.

I think we will spend a great deal of time touring the Epcot countries area. J is learning several languages and is planning on majoring in Linguistics. So he can "visit" these other "countries" and practice what he has learned. Maybe be even more fired up about it.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lawyerlady wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
My Florida friends get annual passes at resident rates. They even get annual parking passes. They just go a few hours here and there. They also go for all the special stuff like Dapper Days and go to downtown Disney just to have dinner sometimes. I'm so jealous.
Me, too.

We should do a geek meet in Disney. But not in the summer. I love Disney, and I want to keep it that way.
I'd do it Oct-March. I know better the other months, lol.
And NOT Thanksgiving week or the week between Christmas and New Years.

evileye

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

LOL!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
No. No travel agent. Not yet.

Mom got a Disney credit card the other day. It has lots of perks with it to.

I think we will spend a great deal of time touring the Epcot countries area. J is learning several languages and is planning on majoring in Linguistics. So he can "visit" these other "countries" and practice what he has learned. Maybe be even more fired up about it.

Well, PM me if you want mine. She does it all through email.

The secret to the card - you get 6 months interest free on all Disney vacations, so pay it in installments before the trip, and it will come due over time. For example - pay the $200 deposit now, then wait until the last minute to pay the balance - 45 days prior to your trip. From now, that will give you until about November to pay it without interest.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
My Florida friends get annual passes at resident rates. They even get annual parking passes. They just go a few hours here and there. They also go for all the special stuff like Dapper Days and go to downtown Disney just to have dinner sometimes. I'm so jealous.
Me, too.

We should do a geek meet in Disney. But not in the summer. I love Disney, and I want to keep it that way.
I'd do it Oct-March. I know better the other months, lol.
And NOT Thanksgiving week or the week between Christmas and New Years.

Hey - I told you way before your trip you were nuts.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lawyerlady wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Southern_Belle wrote:
My Florida friends get annual passes at resident rates. They even get annual parking passes. They just go a few hours here and there. They also go for all the special stuff like Dapper Days and go to downtown Disney just to have dinner sometimes. I'm so jealous.
Me, too.

We should do a geek meet in Disney. But not in the summer. I love Disney, and I want to keep it that way.
I'd do it Oct-March. I know better the other months, lol.
And NOT Thanksgiving week or the week between Christmas and New Years.

Hey - I told you way before your trip you were nuts.

Hello???? I had an awesome time. Stayed in a 5 * resort, free tix etc!

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

The first time we went, was the week of the 4th of July. The park was new and nearly empty.

The second time Epcot had just opened. Everyone was there and Magic Kingdom was nearly empty.

The third time was the last week of May and they were hosting a triathlon and a some TV show.

Everyone was watching that and not in the parks.

If you plan correctly, pay attention to what is going on, you don't have the crowds to deal with.

Another thing we do is not go and stand in those lines before the parks open. We wait about an hour after the parks open and then we go to the back of the park and work our way to the front.

We only do a few hours and then when we start to get tired, short tempered, whinny or other wise grump, we go back to the room. That's usually around 1 or 2. Have lunch, go swimming, take a nap, play in the arcade. Then we shower and go back to the parks about 5ish.

People generally make their dinner reservations between 6 and 7 and the others are leaving cause they are tired or lining up for the fireworks.

The best way to see the fireworks is from one of the boats. Especially if that is your way home. You sit out in the boat, about 20 people and you are comfortable. Watch the fireworks and then you are the first off the boat and on the buses to go to the rooms or cabins.

If you wait at the park till the fireworks are over, you need to find something to do for about an hour. maybe 2. But pay attention cause you don't want to miss the last chance to get home. But waiting means you are not standing the piles of people who are soured and cranky from the day.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
No. No travel agent. Not yet.

Mom got a Disney credit card the other day. It has lots of perks with it to.

I think we will spend a great deal of time touring the Epcot countries area. J is learning several languages and is planning on majoring in Linguistics. So he can "visit" these other "countries" and practice what he has learned. Maybe be even more fired up about it.
Well, PM me if you want mine. She does it all through email.
The secret to the card - you get 6 months interest free on all Disney vacations, so pay it in installments before the trip, and it will come due over time. For example - pay the $200 deposit now, then wait until the last minute to pay the balance - 45 days prior to your trip. From now, that will give you until about November to pay it without interest.

I will PM you for sure when we make a solid decision.

And that is really cool about the card.

You also get those magic things and pictures and such with the card.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Ok, those are just soooo cute! lol

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

Oh yummy!