The year before, we had done Disney World. The children were 6 and 8 years old, we had fallen in love with Florida, and we had promised ourselves to come back. This time, we wanted to discover something else: Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld, and Legoland Florida. And we resumed our best logistical trick from the previous year: leaving from Plattsburgh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We found flights for around $250 $ per person round trip from Plattsburgh, New York. This isn't always the price you'll find, but in our case, it was a real bargain. With 9 days ahead of us, children aged 7 and 9, and a fairly ambitious itinerary, we were hoping for a great trip. We had an excellent trip. The flights from Plattsburgh to Orlando can sometimes be very competitive, especially when compared to departures from Montreal during more popular periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This guide is exactly what we would have liked to read before leaving: the truth about skipping the lines at Universal during the holidays, the pleasant surprise that was Legoland, and the decisions we would make exactly the same way again.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you live in Montreal or the surrounding area, always compare Plattsburgh before booking your flights. The airport is small, simple, easy to manage, and in some cases much cheaper than YUL. Prices vary enormously depending on the dates, but there are indeed very low-cost options on certain routes to Orlando.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why do people like Plattsburgh<\/strong> :<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 Practical tip: Always check the final price including luggage, parking, and gas before concluding that Plattsburgh is cheaper. However, in many cases, the difference remains very advantageous. Comparison sites show that flights to Orlando can vary greatly between Montreal and Plattsburgh depending on the time of year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We settled in Kissimmee, like the previous year. Same winning strategy: a small off-site family resort with a pool, arcade, and restaurant for backup. The location was good for getting around to the different parks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honestly, 9 days is a very good minimum<\/strong> to comfortably enjoy these three parks without feeling like you're always rushing. The pace was well-balanced, with enough time for the major parks, an unexpected weather event, and a truly more relaxed day at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the holidays, Universal Orlando is extremely busy. Wait times climb quickly, especially in the most popular areas. Universal sells different versions of its skip-the-line passes, called Universal Express or Universal Express Unlimited, and this is where our opinion becomes very clear: during a peak period, with young children, it is no longer a luxury. It's the difference between a pleasant day and one spent waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our children were 7 and 9 years old. The youngest was not yet comfortable or tall enough for all the more intense attractions. The older one was, but not consistently. As a result, in several cases, we used the Rider Switch system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The problem is that even with Rider Switch, if a parent has to wait 75 minutes in line, the day melts away before your eyes. With Universal Express, these waits were drastically reduced, and all the family logistics became easier. Instead of experiencing three long waits in a day, we experienced many more attractions, much more calmly. Universal strongly promotes its skip-the-line options as the main tool for avoiding long queues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, it's expensive. But if you're already traveling during the holidays, you're already on a costly trip. At that point, investing in skip-the-line can completely transform the experience. For us, at Christmas or during spring break, Universal Express goes from an \u00abinteresting option\u00bb to an \u00abalmost essential expense.\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If this supplement doesn't fit your budget, I would sincerely advise you to aim for a less crowded period rather than experiencing Universal at its most crowded. Universal sells different packages and prices depending on the dates, parks, and level of access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honestly, we were going to SeaWorld with pretty modest expectations. We told ourselves it would be just another good day on the trip, nothing more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, it was one of the best days of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SeaWorld's strength for us lies in its shows and pacing. It's a park that can be experienced differently. If you plan your day well around the show schedules, you'll enjoy much more than you think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our children were captivated from beginning to end. And for parents or older children, there are also very big rides. It's this mix of family-friendly content, polished shows, and thrills that surprised us the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pick up schedules at the entrance or check the app before you arrive. Structure your day around the shows, then fit in the rides between them. It's really the best way to enjoy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One full day was enough for us, but a real day, arriving early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before this trip, if you had asked me what I was least looking forward to, I would have said Legoland. Two adults, we found it a bit juvenile as a concept. A Lego park, well, okay...<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legoland Florida gave us two of the most enjoyable days of the trip. This is probably the most underrated park in the Orlando area.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we left, if we had been asked which park excited us the least, we probably would have said Legoland. We thought it would be nice, but nothing more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We were completely wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legoland Florida was one of the trip's best surprises, and probably the most underestimated park in the area for families with elementary school-aged children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legoland is designed for children aged 5 to 12. This is exactly where the magic happens. The rides are accessible, the atmosphere is relaxed, and children can do much more without constantly being turned away due to height or intensity restrictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The big favorite for us was Miniland USA. The reproductions of American cities in LEGO bricks are impressive, lively, full of detail, and captivating even for adults. We had a great time just looking everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For us, two days were perfect. One day would have been too short. With two days, we were able to enjoy the park without rushing, re-ride our favorite attractions, and take in the park at our own pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \ud83d\udca1 If your children are approaching adolescence, don't wait too long. In my opinion, the ideal window for Legoland is around 6 to 12 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legoland Florida is located in Winter Haven, so it's farther from Universal and SeaWorld. It's best to group your days well to avoid unnecessary back and forth trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like for our trip to Disney the previous year, we used the exact same food strategy. And it worked very well again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grocery shopping upon arrival, headed to Walmart. We bought everything we needed for the week's breakfasts: cereal, fruit, yogurt, bars, juice. It's fast, economical, and most importantly, it allowed us to be in the parks at opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We ate in the parks, usually at a counter-service restaurant. It's not cheap, but it saves time on going out, coming back, or looking elsewhere. On a park day, time counts almost as much as money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the evening, we would go to supper in the Kissimmee area. That is where we found several simple and very decent family-run restaurants, far from the more standardized atmosphere of the ultra-touristy areas. It was also our time to slow down, talk about the day again, and recharge for the next one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this strategy, we kept a reasonable food budget for 12 days without feeling like we were depriving ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let's be frank: this trip is cheaper than a big Disney holiday stay, but it's not a small budget either. Universal can quickly add up, especially if you add the express pass, whereas SeaWorld and Legoland are often more affordable in comparison. Ticket prices in Orlando vary greatly depending on the dates, but we see that Universal starts around $119 $ per day, SeaWorld around $67 $ and Legoland around $54 $ depending on offers and periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In total, we're talking about a realistic budget of around 8,500 to 13,500 $ CA<\/strong> For a family of 4, depending on flights, tickets found, hotel level, and especially on your decision to purchase or not purchase the skip-the-line pass at Universal. The real budget-busting item is Universal Express. Prices displayed for Express start around $99.99 $ for some dates and go up more during busy periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to estimate what it would cost for your family, our calculator can help you get a clearer picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe Plattsburgh thing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nOur 9-day program \u2014 Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Here's how we organized our trip:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nUniversal Studios \u2014 why is the Universal Express Unlimited not optional during the holidays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why the fast pass changes everything<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Our verdict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSeaWorld<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What surprised us<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLegoland \u2014 the underrated park that stole the show<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why Legoland Is Magical for Kids Aged 5 to 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why does it work so well<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How many days should I plan for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nEating without breaking the bank \u2014 the same system that works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lunches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Midi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Soups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe budget for 9 days \u2014 Universal, SeaWorld, and Legoland for the family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Approximate budget for 9 days \u2014 family of 4<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Completely realistic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n