Split stay- options for offsite sightseeing

Hi all,

Well I am slowly making progress for our first (and likely only) trip in Sept/Oct. We are staying one night at Pop after landing quite late in the evening then transferring the next day to 5 days at Bay Lake Tower. Traveling with husband and 9 year old daughter. We have a few more days after this in the Orlando area before moving to Universal for a few days

Cannot decide whether to stay in the Disney resort area and do day trips to other sites or save some $$ and stay offsite... WE are looking to make this an memorable holiday for our daughter so looking at maybe adding another day or two of Disney magic of an evening.
Considering adding one night at AK in a Savannah room and make that our checking out AK day/night- it is pricey but looks pretty amazing?
Other options at present are AoA as she loves the theming and is looking for a fun pool.

Unless we go with the AK option we are unlikely to be hitting the parks on this extra time but heading out and about instead.

Anyone care to tell me I am crazy or have any great ideas??

It sounds like a lot of moving to me! For a first WDW trip I would recommend 2 days MK, 2 days Epcot, 1 day DHS & 1 day AK.
So, I'd add another day at Wdw for a 6 day park ticket and another night at BLT.

For Universal are you planning on staying at one of the universal resorts? We've stayed at Portofino and Hard Rock, both were great and gets you their Front of the Line perk included with your stay.

To avoid too many moves packing & unpacking, I'd just move from WDW to where you plan on staying for Universal.

Farawaymouse said:

Hi all,

Well I am slowly making progress for our first (and likely only) trip in Sept/Oct. We are staying one night at Pop after landing quite late in the evening then transferring the next day to 5 days at Bay Lake Tower. Traveling with husband and 9 year old daughter. We have a few more days after this in the Orlando area before moving to Universal for a few days

Cannot decide whether to stay in the Disney resort area and do day trips to other sites or save some $$ and stay offsite... WE are looking to make this an memorable holiday for our daughter so looking at maybe adding another day or two of Disney magic of an evening.
Considering adding one night at AK in a Savannah room and make that our checking out AK day/night- it is pricey but looks pretty amazing?
Other options at present are AoA as she loves the theming and is looking for a fun pool.

Unless we go with the AK option we are unlikely to be hitting the parks on this extra time but heading out and about instead.

Anyone care to tell me I am crazy or have any great ideas??

Click to expand...

I don't recommend more than one resort change on a first trip. If you're set on including a Universal resort for this trip, then I recommend choosing only one Disney resort to stay at, and not switch around. You'll be exhausted enough with everything you'll be doing in this "one and only" trip as it is, without adding lots of packing and unpacking, checking in and out, transferring luggage, etc.

Instead of juggling Pop and BLT, maybe spend all of those days at a Contemporary Garden Wing room. That will be cheaper than Bay Lake, but still part of the Contemporary complex and a great room.

There is lots to do outside of the parks if that's what you're looking for. Cirque de Soleil in Disney Springs is great (better than the non-Disney Cirque de Soleils I've been to), and Fantasia mini-golf is nice (we went in the evening, and watched the Fantasmic fireworks explode in the sky while we played). There is horseback riding in Fort Wilderness (reserve in advance), and a great comic dinner show there: Hoop Dee Doo Revue.

Disney's two waterparks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, are also great destinations.

Eh, we did 4 resorts on our first Orlando trip. Only mistake was not just staying put once we got to Universal; we nearly had to be pried back over to our AKV reservation...no one wanted to leave Uni or Royal Pacific. (though a standard room there was a bit painful after the 2 bedroom at OKW LOL)

From my family's perspective, if I'm willing to spend the big bucks, I'll go up to Portofino Bay and do day trips from there. Though I'll be honest and say those day trips would turn into more days at Universal and at their pools there (they encourage pool hopping!).