Help needed for visit to Florida may 2013

Hevs53

Hi, I am hoping you can give me some advice for Florida next year. I am taking my 3 daughters who are 17 and 12 (twins) I have booked a hire car for 3 days to visit a friend who lives in Stuart, so I am a bit worried about the driving!! We are then staying on international drive, the metropolitan express. Can you advise which parks are the best for teenagers that enjoy the big thrilling rides!! We would also like to see the magic kingdom, but not sure how many days we would need. I am on a tight budget so can't manage the 14 day passes for all the parks so just wanted to pick out a few and maybe do 2 days at magic kingdom. Any help will be appreciated.:)

thelawnet

Basically the parks all cost around $80-$90 per person per park, but if you go more than once then there's only nominal extra cost.

E.g., for Disney:

1 day $95
2 days $187
3 days $258
4 days $273
5 days $285
6 days $296
7 days $307

For Universal the pricing is:

1 day $88
2 days $120
3 days+ same cost you can get a UK-only pass

The Universal pricing reflects the fact that they have 2 parks, so you pay a lot more for 2 days, but beyond 2 days you don't really NEED to go back so if they get you in then you are just spending your $$$ on overpriced parking, souvenirs and food, so in reality they are happy to let you in for (all-but) free.

Same thing at Disney, but there are 4 parks there.

The reality is the 14-day passes tend to cost the same as visiting everywhere once, because each time you go through the turnstiles you end up spending $$$ in the park so they are priced accordingly. You are probably best off with the 14-day Disney ticket (lots of thrill rides there too) for around £230 each, and then a Universal UK only pass for around £80-90.

Hevs53

Thanks for your help, is it better to buy the tickets when you arrive or in the uk?

meer53

Buy your tickets here, it's cheaper. Your kids will like Universal and Islands of Adventure if they like big rides. Having said that, your daughters will probably love Magic Kingdom too, a day will be enough there, go late and stay for the fireworks. If you're like me, you'll need tissues !

As for driving, once you've been in the car for a couple of hours, you will have no problem. I went on my own the first time and took 3 kids, my 3 year old and two 15 year olds (my own and one of his friends) and hired a villa and a car. It's a doddle. We've just booked out 5th trip for next July.

pelirocco

The best forum for advice is https://www.thedibb.co.uk
Not sure you would want two days in MK tbh , make sure you get park hopper tickets so you can go between the parks on the same day