Trip to Disney World/Universal Studios in Florida?

Question

Hi, I am planning a vacation in Orlando in December. I am going to be there for 7 days. We want to go to Disney World and Universal studios but we aren't sure how to plan our days. How long do you need at Disney World and how long at Universal? Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party worth it? What about the candelight processional? We are a travel party of 3 young adults. Any other special things going on in the Orlando area I should know about? We are staying at disney's port orleans riverside resort. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

If you are going in early December, crowds won't be too bad. If you are going around Christmas, it will be terrrible! So everything will take longer than normal/expected.

Disney - I have been many times. Since you are staying on property, you might like to check out the Extra Magic Hours, where resort guests get to spend one extra hour in the morning or three extra hours in the evening at a selected park. Disney has this info on their website.

I always plan 2 days at Magic Kingdom because it is the busiest and has the most rides (and some of my favorites that I like to do more than once). However, if you do the Christmas Party, you may not need this much time. I enjoyed the Party, but I didn't really do any of the special stuff. I just wanted to ride as much as possible with the short lines! I hear that the special things they do are really good, too. Lots of info on Disney and the Party at http://www.allearsnet.com

Epcot - I really enjoy walking around the countries in the back section, the World Showcase. Epcot is huge, so plan lots of walking time! If you want to thoroughly explore the Showcase, you can easily spend 2 days at Epcot. Otherwise, you might want to do the front section (Future World, where most of the attractions/rides are), and just do a quick run-through the countries. But still, you will need at least a full day.

Disney Studios - I really like this park and always plan a day in it. I like to do pretty much everything here more than once. However, you could do it in a half-day. It is a smaller park.

Animal Kingdom - same thing, could be a half-day park. If you want to spend a lot of time really watching the animals, you might want to plan longer.

Universal - you can easily do either park in a day. I can actually do both parks in one day, but I don't like very much at Universal.

Answer 2

Great choice in hotel. It's my favorite. My hubby, myself and our two kids are going in November. You will need to set aside a park for each day. The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM and Universal are huge! We always start out early and come home late on the days we go to the parks and sometimes that isnt enough time to see everything so you may choose to go back to a particular park if you have a 4 or 5 day hopper. I am not sure about the Mickeys Very Merry Christmas party because I have never gone in December but anything put on by Disney at the park is going to be awesome. They have the best shows and events. Its such a wonderful experience. I cant even describe it. It really is Magical.

I also recommend you go to Sea World. The shows, the shark encounter, and all the other attractions are so neat.

Have a great time and email me if you have any questions!

Answer 3

There are so many touring options that you can do for both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. I would check out either wdwinfo.com or allearsnet.com for your best options. They both give you detailed information on what to expect for each parks. As for Disney World, I would say about 4 to 5 days would be good, depending on what you like....if you like shows, rides, parades, shopping, etc, I would go with 5. Just remember that Disney is so huge that you could spend 2 weeks there and still not see everything. What I always do is make a list of everything that you want to see and plan accordingly. As for Universal Studios, we went in June and did 2 days, afterwards we decided that 1 day would of been just fine for us (half day at Islands of Adventure and half day at the Studios side), there was not as much for us to do there as Disney. The Christmas Party at Disney is so popular and fun that I would say that it is definately worth going. There is a special parade and fireworks show, they give out hot cocoa, and everything is decked out in Christmas, however I have never been to the Candlelight processional so I can't give you any good feedback on that, but if you are interested in it, then go. A word to the wise, December can be pretty crowded especially around the holidays. Definately use fastpass and map out what you want to see and do while at each of the parks, also I would get the Hopper pass option for your tickets (if you haven't already done so) because if one park gets overcrowded, then you can hop to a not so crowded one. Plus the Extra Magical hours is a wonderful perk....you can go to the park having it in the morining, ride the popular rides then come back to your resort for a bit of R&R then return for dinner and more fun. Hope this helps you out some and have fun.

Answer 4

I've been there several times, though never in December. The special events there are usually pretty fun, but always crowded with families. However, if you are a party of 3 adults, you may want to skip it and just do the rides and other stuff they have.

Personally, I think you need about 5 days at Disney to get through all the parks and everything. 2 days at Univeral Studios is all you really need. That's how I usually spaced everything out when I've been there and it always worked out great.

Answer 5

I usually spend one day in each of the Disney World parks so that is 4 days. Since this trip will be my first to visit Universal/Islands of Adventure, I cannot help you there.

As to MVMCP, this is well worth it. You get snow on main street, special shows, fireworks, and a cool parade. The characters are dressed up for the holidays.

I LOVE the Candlelight processional. It is the retelling of the Christmas Story with famous guest narrators. There is a mass high school/cast member choir and orchestra. I'm sad that I will not be able to attend this year.

Answer 6

You can go through each Universal park in a day at most. I would plan your days around the Disney parks. Check at your hotel for the extra magic hours for each park and take advantage of them. That will give you more time to enjoy the parks with less crowds. The Very merry Christmas party is absolutely worth is. On your downtime, try Downtown Disney for nightlife and shopping.

Answer 7

Hi, me and my bf went together the last 2 yrs and again this Oct. We're in our early 20s. Here is what i recommend: Get the "park hopper w/ waterparks and more" and definitely do the extra magic hours. Check www.disneyworld.com for park hours in Dec. and click on any extra magic hours and it'll take you to a page with all the dates and parks for Early and Evening hours. Magic Kingdom has tons to do -even for adults-do everything atleast once. However, it'll be packed during the day but they often have LATE extra hours into the wee hours of the morning like 3am. The park will be mostlly empty and rides wont have much of a wait -if any. We went Jan1-9 the first time and it was like this. -also in April. So as far as setting aside a whole day for MK i would say dont, if you get the park hopper, do another park during the daytime-like MGM, or Animal, Epcot....Animal Kingdom is awesome, go on the new Expedition Everest coaster!! Do all the rides you can. You can get through all of Animal Kingdom if you go when they open and stay til they close (5pm). MGM -same thing. Epcot -may take a whole day. -head to MK on Extra Evening hrs afterwards. You can end up being at MK for most of your evenings. Dont forget about the two waterparks -AMAZING! they're top in the country! Tons for adults! look them up at disneyworld.com We do the waterparks when they open (10am) and finish about 2-3pm. Since it opens late, it's great to do a character breakfast somewhere....you can eat at hotels even if you're not staying at them. Try the Ohana dinner at the Polynesian and their character breakfast. The Grand Floridian's character meals are great too. Make your dinner reservations asap -plan things around extra magic hours- you'll find most times are already booked up...they go 180 days in advance...get them asap (call Disney). Read restaurant reviews at www.allearsnet.com they also have reviews on Mickey's Christmas Party. -sounds great, i'd go! Never been to Universal..cant help you there. Dont miss the 5 floor indoor arcade at DownTown Disney-you can get in for free w/ the park hopper and more tickets. Same thing with the nightclubs. Busses go from hotel to parks, not park to park. If you wanna park hop, go from one park to a random hotel and then get on another bus to your next park. Bring lots of film and a DVD cam if you have one! You'll need sunscreen and shorts! Have fun! Do your research -plan plan plan....allearsnet.com is great so is disneyworld.com Hope i helped u. :)

Answer 8

You are staying at a Disney property so here is what I would recommend: Because you are staying at a Disney property you are entitled to enter the parks I think 30 minutes before the general public. So you head to the Magic Kingdom one day really early and head for the most popular attractions. Hit as many of the most propular rides and attractions and about 11-12 noon head back to your motel and have some lunch by the pool, and then go inside for a nice hour power nap and head back out to the park around 3 p.m. and by then a lot of the crowd should be thinned out. My son told me that Animal Kingdom is overrated. He loved Epcot. The nightime activities I can't speak to but you should be able to find plenty of folks who have been there. I would highlly suggest going to Sea World.... and they are affiliated with Busch Gardens in Tampa about a 90 minute drive from Orlando (they just widened I-4 from Orlando to Tampa so the ride is a quick one). Busch Gardens is without a doubt the best bang for the buck plus they have Adventure Island which is a water theme opark right next door. 3 Park passes are available for Sea World, Busch, and Adventure Island. I would suggest getting a room in the Tampa area (not too close to Busch as it is not the best part of Tampa) and then after a day at Busch/Adventure you can take a cab ride to Ybor City in Tampa which is loaded with nightclubs and what not. Plus if the weather is going to be warm Tampa is about 30-40 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico.. Clearwater Beach is very nice but touristy ... I prefer St Pete Beach behind the TravelLodge is the Swigwam Beach Bar. A must see if you come this way. Another idea if the weather is not beach warm go over to Kennedy Space Center as they have a brand new ride that simulates a shuttle launch. You are only 45 minutes from the Space Center. The possibilities are endless. Hope this info helps. If yoiu take any side trips I suggest a website called www.beartraps.com as it will tell you where the police like to hide. Remember this... come to Florida on vacation, leave on probation, return on violation, end up with incarceration. If you are of drinking age make sure you take a cab or have a designated driver. Florida Highway Patrol and even worse the County Sheriff's have NO tolerance for misbehavior. Don't ruin your vacation in Orange County or any other jail. Hope the info helps and if you make it to the Swigwam ask for Gary.
The amount of time at each attraction depends completely on what rides/attractions you like and if you want to do some in-state travel. Check the llinks below (Disney, Busch, and Kennedy Space Ctr.) as they might help you plan. ENJOY!!!!

Answer 9

From what I hear, this year's Very Merry Christmas Party is a can't miss ... not sure why, but that's what I'm hearing ... Also, the candlelight processional is always worth seeing, either by just waiting in line or getting a dinner package ...

Answer 10

You'll need about a day at each section of Disney, Universal can be done in 2 days. I'm an older adult and prefer Universal.
As far as Disney is concerned, I prefer Animal Kingdom and Epcot. Take your appetite to Epcot, you an eat your way around it.