My older girl (12) broke my heart by telling me she didn't want to go to WDW for our 2018 trip. Something about.. "but we've done it every year for the last 5.. getting tired of it and there's not enough new stuff". I may have shed some tears when no one was looking.. but decided to quickly regroup and see what we could do about it.
New plan.. time for Universal Orlando. Kids have never been and last time my wife and I went was about 16 years ago. Kids are psyched. It's going to be a fairly short trip (4 nights - likely 3 full days plus a few hours the day we get there since we will land early afternoon.. will probably head home early on the return travel day). Debating between week of President's Day (likely using President's day as a travel day so we don't deal with day of crowds), or week of April 16 (Patriot's day up here in Boston area).
I'm thinking April is better for crowds and weather, but we may have some logistical issues on our end which may push us into the February week. I would be interested into insight into that week with respect to crowds as well as weather (to see how hard I should push for April instead). For crowds, is it less crazy than WDW in that time? I ask only because Touring plans shows UO at an 8 that Monday, while it shows WDW at 10's.. not sure I'm buying it. With respect to that week in April.. crowds look great in Touring Plans (it rates it at 2's and 3's.. again, seems low-ish given the WDW crowds for that time are 4-5's).
Also, currently looking at staying at Royal Pacific. Grabbed a King Suite ... I was debating between that or a kids suite at Sapphire Falls. Would love a little more room or staying at Hard Rock but prices start going past the budget (I'm thinking I'll keep my eyes open for AP deals and go that route if something good shows up.. again, other ideas or tips are welcome).
The kids may be interested in the water park, but I'm not sure about it given I've heard it's chaotic (?).. maybe just a few hours one morning before it gets too crowded?
Any general feedback, advice, etc? As a WDW regular I'm used to coming up with detailed plans, etc.. and I hear UO doesn't require much in terms of planning.. but is it literally 'just show up', or are there touring advice or recommended order, etc?
New plan.. time for Universal Orlando. Kids have never been and last time my wife and I went was about 16 years ago. Kids are psyched. It's going to be a fairly short trip (4 nights - likely 3 full days plus a few hours the day we get there since we will land early afternoon.. will probably head home early on the return travel day). Debating between week of President's Day (likely using President's day as a travel day so we don't deal with day of crowds), or week of April 16 (Patriot's day up here in Boston area).
I'm thinking April is better for crowds and weather, but we may have some logistical issues on our end which may push us into the February week. I would be interested into insight into that week with respect to crowds as well as weather (to see how hard I should push for April instead). For crowds, is it less crazy than WDW in that time? I ask only because Touring plans shows UO at an 8 that Monday, while it shows WDW at 10's.. not sure I'm buying it. With respect to that week in April.. crowds look great in Touring Plans (it rates it at 2's and 3's.. again, seems low-ish given the WDW crowds for that time are 4-5's).
Also, currently looking at staying at Royal Pacific. Grabbed a King Suite ... I was debating between that or a kids suite at Sapphire Falls. Would love a little more room or staying at Hard Rock but prices start going past the budget (I'm thinking I'll keep my eyes open for AP deals and go that route if something good shows up.. again, other ideas or tips are welcome).
The kids may be interested in the water park, but I'm not sure about it given I've heard it's chaotic (?).. maybe just a few hours one morning before it gets too crowded?
Any general feedback, advice, etc? As a WDW regular I'm used to coming up with detailed plans, etc.. and I hear UO doesn't require much in terms of planning.. but is it literally 'just show up', or are there touring advice or recommended order, etc?