Park ticket advice

Hi folks. I could use some advice on negotiating the minefield of park-ticket choices please.

First of all, and as strange as it sounds, we are are not planning on visiting the Disney parks. After a hectic year we mainly want to chill out by the pool, but we also want to fit in at least 4 of the more adult themed parks; Universal, IOA, Seaworld and Busch.

I think I've figured out the best tickets combo to accomplish this:

- Universal and IOA - 2 day/2 park ticket $116 (internet only, 7-day unlimited access)
- Busch/Seaworld dual ticket - $100 (14-day ticket, but only 1 entry each park)

These tickets would allow us to spread the parks out with visits Universal and IOA in the first week (ie Universal once and IOA twice?) and then 1 day in Bucsh and Seaworld in the second week. A couple of things I'm not sure about the above tickets however. Firstly, does the Universal & IOA ticket allow unlimited entry to CityWalk? All we'd probably want to do is have a walk round and maybe dinner in Hard Rock Cafe, but I'm still not sure if there are any entry fees to CityWalk and if they would be included with this ticket? Secondly, there's some conflicting info about the Busch/Seaworld ticket, in that it may or may not allow unlimited access within the 14 day period. From the forums website (which we'll likely be using), it suggests it's strictly 1 visit to each park. I guess once would probably be enough as it's a decent drive to Busch but I'd still like to know.

So, do you think this sounds like the best choice of tickets for us? I think so, but would like some expert opinion. We'd also have the option of paying for Disney Hollywood at the gate - if we decided to squeeze in a Disney park.

You mentioned elsewhere that this would possible be your last holiday for a while. Obviously I don't know her but why not make it extra special for your wife and book Discovery Cove for her to to swim with the dolphins? That way you can also get 14 days unlimited access to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens (I think there is an option to include both but it will probably be cheaper to get a single 1 day Busch ticket). At the moment they are offering $50 off per person if you go before 31st March and $30 off if you book more than 100 days in advance.
The full price is $289 for a dolphin swim and $189 without.
It is a wonderful day oout and when we went the food was great, you get a buffet lunch included with your package.
Deending on when you are going, I also like the look of the Twilight experience where it is from around 4 pm and includes evening entertainment. Just trying to find if that is still available.

The usual Sea World/Busch ticket does usually allow a 2nd day free within 7 days to the same park.

The universal pass is unlimited access from the day of first use and includes access to the City Walk clubs (all other City Walk areas are free).
The Busch/SW ticket is a day in each park and you can take those when ever you like (no 14 day restriction). At the momet they give you a day free in each park (as you exit, so keep your ticket).


<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Zaby

I think I've figured out the best tickets combo to accomplish this:

- Universal and IOA - 2 day/2 park ticket $116 (internet only, 7-day unlimited access)
- Busch/Seaworld dual ticket - $100 (14-day ticket, but only 1 entry each park).
[/quote]

Martin
Do you still have to go to guest services before you leave the park to get the 2nd day confirmed? I know that was the case (presumably to stop you giving the ticket to another member of your party or someone else?

At Seaworld when we went in September, we had to go to guest services on our first visit and get another ticket which they put our names on for the second free day. We had to take the free day within a certain number of days of our first visit and adults were told to bring photo id, children under 16 didn't need photo id.

i think that this might be one of those things that you wish you'd kept to yourself but here goes-if you go on the hard rock website and join the access all areas club for next to nothing then you bypass the queue at the cafe-takes a bit of front to walk to the head of the queue and flash your card but it has worked for us every time-even in the uk

Wow, thanks for the quick responses.

So Universal/IOA 2-park/2-day ticket is a definiate. With assess to CityWalk too which is good. Thanks for the tip re Hard Rock Cafe "VIP coming through!!!" lol.

Also great news re the Busch/Seaworld combo ticket. I had seen that the single tickets mentioned '2nd day free' but I wasn't aware the combo included this too. I'd certainly want to squeeze in another day at Busch if we could.

And a nice idea re Discovery Cove. I will be our last holiday for a while and it's actually our 1st year anniversary on 1st June. Swimming with dolphons could be an ideal anniversary present!! Thanks.

Just to clairify if you buy from us you get 7 days access not just 2.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Zaby

So Universal/IOA 2-park/2-day ticket is a definiate. With assess to CityWalk too which is good. Thanks for the tip re Hard Rock Cafe "VIP coming through!!!" lol.

[/quote]

"And a nice idea re Discovery Cove. I will be our last holiday for a while and it's actually our 1st year anniversary on 1st June. Swimming with dolphons could be an ideal anniversary present!! Thanks."


Sounds like a plan. :)