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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
We are planning our next trip to Florida. DH does not want to do Disney. We will do Universal Studios for the first time.
DS gets a 4 day weekend from school Columbus Day weekend.
We prefer Thanksgiving but it may not be pool weather then.
Which do you think is better - Columbus Day or Thanksgiving?
We plan to spend the weekend before Thanksgiving with our families.
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Posted 7/12/15 6:38 PM  |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Columbus Day. Thanksgiving is a zoo around there!
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| Posted 7/12/15 7:03 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Posted by BargainMama
Columbus Day. Thanksgiving is a zoo around there!
My main concern with October was Universal Studios may have scary decorations. Kids went to Kings Dominion, similar to Dutch Wonderland type place in VA, last year and the kids were terrified of the scary stuff they had from the scary night events.
If we went in October, we would definitely have to do one night at Disney for the Halloween party at Magic Kingdom.
October weather would probably be nicer for swimming. DH is clear he does not want to do a Disney vacation. He is open to Universal, LEGOLAND or just pools.
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| Posted 7/12/15 7:10 PM |
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Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
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Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
We did Universal last Columbus Day. It was sort of busy, but not too bad. Having done disney at Thanksgiving, I would say Columbus Day is a much better choice. Halloween Horror Nights are going on, but everything is covered up during the day.(we did not go- I was there with my 9,7 and 3yo. I don't think I would ever go anyway-I am a chicken). Only thing is the parks close early for the event-it was every night while we were there. It wasn't a problem for us since we got there early every morning. I highly recommend staying on property for the free express pass and early park entry(one of the parks opens an hour early each day for onsite hotel guests). We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and really enjoyed it-big zero entry pool with a slide and music and entertainment during the day. It was close enough to walk to the parks and citywalk but there are boats running as well.
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| Posted 7/13/15 10:05 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Posted by Sixofus
We did Universal last Columbus Day. It was sort of busy, but not too bad. Having done disney at Thanksgiving, I would say Columbus Day is a much better choice. Halloween Horror Nights are going on, but everything is covered up during the day.(we did not go- I was there with my 9,7 and 3yo. I don't think I would ever go anyway-I am a chicken). Only thing is the parks close early for the event-it was every night while we were there. It wasn't a problem for us since we got there early every morning. I highly recommend staying on property for the free express pass and early park entry(one of the parks opens an hour early each day for onsite hotel guests). We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and really enjoyed it-big zero entry pool with a slide and music and entertainment during the day. It was close enough to walk to the parks and citywalk but there are boats running as well.
That was going to be my next question - if it was worth it to stay on site. I was originally playing to stay at a luxury resort like Ritz Orlando.
Are free express passes like fast passes at Disney?
Can you walk to the parks from the Lowes or Hard Rock Hotel?
We have been to Disney 5x but this will be our first time at Universal. I actually don't think DH or I have ever been to Universal, even when we were kids.
I think our preliminary schedule will look like this:
Friday, October 9 - stay at Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge and do the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at 4:00pm.
October 10-12 - stay at Lowes or Hard Rock at Universal Studios.
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| Posted 7/13/15 10:16 AM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
For Thanksgiving you are gambling in terms of pool weather (can go either way) and the crowds would be awful.
I would do some research on the Universal decorations (youtube?) and if you think your kids would be ok I would do October.
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| Posted 7/13/15 10:16 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Posted by JennP
For Thanksgiving you are gambling in terms of pool weather (can go either way) and the crowds would be awful.
I would do some research on the Universal decorations (youtube?) and if you think your kids would be ok I would do October.
I went on their website and it looks scary even for me! I am hoping everything will be covered during the day.
We are fine with leaving in the afternoon. We always did that at Disney too. We like to retire to rest and swim.
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| Posted 7/13/15 10:23 AM |
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Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
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Re: Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by Sixofus
We did Universal last Columbus Day. It was sort of busy, but not too bad. Having done disney at Thanksgiving, I would say Columbus Day is a much better choice. Halloween Horror Nights are going on, but everything is covered up during the day.(we did not go- I was there with my 9,7 and 3yo. I don't think I would ever go anyway-I am a chicken). Only thing is the parks close early for the event-it was every night while we were there. It wasn't a problem for us since we got there early every morning. I highly recommend staying on property for the free express pass and early park entry(one of the parks opens an hour early each day for onsite hotel guests). We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and really enjoyed it-big zero entry pool with a slide and music and entertainment during the day. It was close enough to walk to the parks and citywalk but there are boats running as well.
That was going to be my next question - if it was worth it to stay on site. I was originally playing to stay at a luxury resort like Ritz Orlando.
Are free express passes like fast passes at Disney?
Can you walk to the parks from the Lowes or Hard Rock Hotel?
We have been to Disney 5x but this will be our first time at Universal. I actually don't think DH or I have ever been to Universal, even when we were kids.
I think our preliminary schedule will look like this:
Friday, October 9 - stay at Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge and do the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at 4:00pm.
October 10-12 - stay at Lowes or Hard Rock at Universal Studios.
If you are planning on switching resorts anyway then definitely switch to a Universal resort. Front of the line passes are unlimited and let you skip lines on nearly all the rides(with the exception of most of the HP rides. We used early entry to ride those). If you are not staying in a universal hotel you can buy an express pass but they are pretty expensive.
You can technically walk from all 3 (hard rock, royal pacific, and portofino), but Hard Rock is closest. The shuttle boats to all 3 run regularly. We didn't visit portofino but I think it is the most luxurious of the three.
We are going to do something similar in February- stay 1-2 nights at Universal, then move to either the Waldorf or the Ritz for a few nights.
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| Posted 7/13/15 1:36 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Orlandoinformer.com is a GREAT resource for all things Universal.
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| Posted 7/13/15 8:12 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Posted by BargainMama
Orlandoinformer.com is a GREAT resource for all things Universal.
Thank you so much for this website. I just booked our flights for Orlando.
Leaning towards staying at the new Polynesian Villas for the night of the Mickey Halloween Party and Hard Rock for our time at Universal.
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| Posted 7/14/15 10:46 AM |
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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Report back on the new Poly villas! Thinking of staying there next!
Enjoy your trip....Mickey's Halloween Party is sooo much fun!!!!!!!
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| Posted 7/14/15 11:06 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Posted by ThreeforTea
Report back on the new Poly villas! Thinking of staying there next!
Enjoy your trip....Mickey's Halloween Party is sooo much fun!!!!!!!
DH doesn't want to go to Disney. I may just have to force him. I think going trick or treating at MK would be so much fun!
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| Posted 7/14/15 11:12 AM |
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ThreeforTea
Girls just want to have fun..
Member since 5/12 7482 total posts
Name:
Mama
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Re: Orlando - better Columbus Day or Thanksgiving weekend?
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by ThreeforTea
Report back on the new Poly villas! Thinking of staying there next!
Enjoy your trip....Mickey's Halloween Party is sooo much fun!!!!!!!
DH doesn't want to go to Disney. I may just have to force him. I think going trick or treating at MK would be so much fun!
it's soo much fun! So worth the price!
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| Posted 7/14/15 11:25 AM |
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