Disney / Orlando / Florida - Itinerary opinions please

[tickingthebox]

I am just battling with deciding what to do... anyone?? I should add we like to be active and are fair skinned so will probably do multiple things in a day - can't spend too long at water parks or beach.

How many days does it take to "do" the theme parks with kids? - When I was younger DH and I did them all in 4 days!

PLAN A
5 nights at a Disney Hotel (or more? 6)
5 Nights relaxing on the coast / beach (inc kennedy space centre)
5 Nights at a universal hotel (or less? 4?)

PLAN B
Book an Orlando villa for 10 nights - missing magic hours but more flexabilty
Go to the coast for 5 nights (inc kennedy space centre)

PLAN C
Spend the whole time in Orlando with trips out to Kennedy space centre etc.

Ah lovely! We're having 2-3 years off now as I'm due in April!

@Unihorn who do you book with?

Direct with Disney for hotel and tickets then search flights on Skyscanner, or check Thomas Cook/Thomson who occasionally have cheaper summer flights. We fly indirect to save money, so usually Delta or US Airways.

yes - sums done already, I have fallen off my chair and got back on again

We have flights with BA, and will be booking direct with Disney to get the dining free (but need to book today or tomorrow hence the post!!!)

At the moment I am thinking (we have 15 nights)

7 or 8 Nights Disney
4 or 5 nights Kennedy space centre / coast / downtime
3 or 4 nights Universal

They are Harry potter fans so prob 7/4/4

Sounds like a great plan, although I would lean towards 8 days in Disney to make sure you cover as much as possible!

Unihorn I originally agreed with DH we would do 7/7 half theme parks and half coast - I think he might have a heart attack of i go to effectively 12/3!!

I'm pushing it will 11/4!

Haha good luck! My dad took persuading the first time went as it was my mum's idea originally. Now he's the one who plans their trips and they stay onsite at Disney every year with no children! He may surprise himself when he gets there

I would happily stay at Disney for the whole time! Although have to say I am pushing the boat out a bit - I'm going to book us in to Animal Kingdom Lodge.... we just had a sad event in our family that has made me realise life is for living! However that said I'd struggle to pay for 2 weeks there!

I've been 12 times now to Orlando/Disney. I'd recommend a version of A.

Sunday flight to Orlando; 6 nights in a Disney Hotel, One day in each of AK, MK, Hollywood, Epcot and a waterpark mid-week. Get up early to do parks and leave mid-afternoon. Sunday flights are better as the parks are often slightly quieter mid week.
Then 5 nights by the coast, we like Sanibel/Captiva and Sarasota.

3 nights at Universal Hotel

Touring plans and fast passes are a must at Disney Hotels, less so at universal if you stay in one of their hotels that allows free universal express.

Animal kingdom was my favourite park, so staying there would be amazing

Animal kingdom my favourite park too but the pool at the beach club resort is fantastic and it's a few mins stroll to boardwalk, epcot and studios so suited us

Yes definitely go for AK lodge in that case! Yacht and Beach are my favourites but that's a huge splurge and probably about £4k more than the cheaper deluxes!

Beach and yacht club work out at £1500 more for the dates we want...

Oh dear that is tempting..! You can walk to both Epcot and the Studios which is why we loved it. And there's a mini lazy river and lots of jacuzzis hidden amongst the rocks.

DH has just confirmed he is happy to drop the 'coast' part of the trip....

Oh no the coast is fantastic!

Unihorn sooooo - 15 nights in Orlando - what to do!

As long as I get a dinner at "be Our Guest" i'll be happy

actually would be happy with

2014newme - we did in our youth do a whole 4 days at Disney AND universal AND the water parks then drove to the Keys and spent 4 days diving, then flew home.... we have changed with kids!

Unihorn - maybe if you have a spare 1.5k you can sub me? I can swap it for

Excellent news

I would say 10 nights of solid Disney then the rest Universal/shopping/miscellaneous I Drive stuff.

We split our Disney days so would do morning Magic Kingdom evening Epcot for example. But in total I would probably suggest:
2-3 days Magic Kingdom
2 days Epcot (world showcase is nice for a wander on its own)
1-2 days Studios (depends on Toy Story opening!)
1-2 days Animal Kingdom
1-2 days Disney Springs/water parks/mini golf/exploring resorts

Definitely look at the menus on the Disney app before you book your restaurants. You will need to book 180 days in advance to secure the popular places. Alternatively book to eat at weirder times (before 6pm or after 9pm) and you'll have more luck.
www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-world-restaurants-guide/ is awesome for restaurant reviews. And EasyWDW is good for slightly more scathing reviews. Our favourites are:
Teppan Edo, Boma, San Angel Inn, California Grill, Le Cellier, Hollywood Brown Derby, Hoop Dee Doo, Cape May, 1900 Park Fare and Yachtsman Steakhouse.

Disney Springs has opened about 20 restaurants since our last visit however and loads of those look amazing. I would say maybe do one breakfast and only one or two buffets as they mostly have the same food and it's a bit of a waste.

I've done Be Our Guest three times but the most recent visit wasn't very good sadly and a few others have said the same. It does have a great atmosphere though so it's probably still worth doing the once!

I'm fairly sure we went to Hollywood Brown Derby in 2002...and a Japanese restaurant in epcot....

I may book a Disney princess restaurant just to see the look on the DS's faces!!

Teppen Edo looks great - that is a definite! We have definitely not been there!

Teppan edo is good