I have a question and would like your opinion.

[JessicaR]

It's been quite a while since we last visited Disney. (sheesh sounds like a confession:p ) We are planning an early December trip back to Orlando. Since discovering Universal and their wonderful resorts its impossible for me to plan a trip and not include it. Over the past few weeks I have been trying to make some plans to split a stay between Disney/Universal. I am spoiled by the Loews hotels and do not want to stay at a Disney Value. I would consider (maybe) a moderate but honestly the rates are on par with Loews so why would I bother? We had planned to stay at Disney 4 days then move over to Universal for 3. The more I think about it the more I want to just stay the whole time at Universal. I was wondering if anyone stayed at Universal and traveled to Disney daily. I think this may be a bad idea for a few reasons. I like the feeling of onsite, the ease of going back to your room midday for a break. If we stay at Universal this is not gonna happen! I worry that we may scrap Disney or part of it if we arent staying there. I just cant for the life of me be happy with paying $$$ to stay inside Disney when I know what I can have at Universal hotels.

So would all you wonderful people please give me some suggestions! Would you just stay at Disney (value, moderate) then move over to Universal? Would you stay at Universal the whole time and make daily trips over to Disney? Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I guess I'm worried if we dont stay at Disney and decide to travel there daily from Universal that we wont experience it the best way possible. Is this silly? HELP!

Thanks:D

[LynnB]

Have you considered staying at the Swan or Dolphin? The location can not be beat and they do offer Entertainment rates.

Here's a link to Dreams Unlimited site if you would like to check it out.
https://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/dreamsres/index.htm * you can even check for ENT rates online.


( I split a stay between The Dolphin and RPR this past June - it was the best of both worlds!) :D

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I think the Swan or Dolphin sounds like a great idea.

I really dislike not being onsite, I feel like I spend too much time traveling. Also, I like to go in the am, take a break, then go back to a different park a t night. But, like you, I would not want to stay at one of the All Stars. I've heard good things about Port Orleans, maybe that is a possibility. If I were you I would stay at Disney first, and Universal last, since it will feel like a step up.

That being said, we were at Disney last December (OKW), and there were not any lines to speak of - so that may make it easier for you. Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

[FeeFeeWhite]

Jessica I sent you a long and quick PM, but I hope it helps.

[gschmerl]

I was also going to suggest going through Dreams Unlimited and trying the Swan/Dolphin. Besides the entertainment rate they also have a teacher's rate, nurses rate, and government employee rate. I don't know if you qualify for any of those, but when I had the teacher rate it was lower than the Entertainment rate. If you book through Dreamsunlimited they will continue to look for discount rates and change your rate if a discount comes through.

[3for Me]

I agree with the previous posters, but also want to point out that if you decide to do a value or moderate instead, do this first THEN go to Universal where you will have a nicer room and FOTL priveledges. I would do this rather than the other way around, that way you have the most luxurious part of your trip to look forward to. Make any sense?

[AlexandNessa]

Hi Jessica! You've been so helpful to me, and I thought I'd chime in. I was lucky enough to have my BF treat me to a week at the Yacht Club on my 30th birthday. We loved that area -- and the Swan and Dolphin are right in the same location. They're not much on theming, if that's important to you, but they put you at an AWESOME location! There's mini-golf within walking distance. We loved taking a break from the Boardwalk one night. We had the most romantic walk over to mini-golf. Since we're competitive with one another, it was a great night!

We're both NBA fanatics, and went to Disney during NBA play-offs where both the Sixers and the Nets (my 2 fav teams) and the Lakers (BF's fave, since he's orignally from CA) were playing. So, we LOVED the ESPN bar. (PS that was the year the Lakers swept the Nets, bummer). We also LOVED Jelly Rolls -- went 4 times in one week.

We went down on a Saturday, and then my mom and my Aunt joined us on Tuesday night. They stayed at PORS. They said the grounds were beautiful and they loved it. They requested a room near the food court and were not disappointed. They loved that you could take a boat to the Market Place and Pleasure Island.

Mickeysavers.com was a big help to me and BF when we were planning our trip. Maybe they'll come out with some good "secret codes" during your visit so you can save the boku bucks.

I wish you the best!

[*Flower*]

Make that mousesavers.com............ :)

[AlexandNessa]

Actually, both will work! If you type in mickeysavers.com, it will show you mousesavers.com. Either way!:p

[*Flower*]

I'd never heard of Mickeysavers.com........

Sorry!

[SpideyHulk24]

This feels weird. You are usually the one giving all the great advice. So of course we will chime in...
Anyway, if it were me I would totally stay at Universal and make the daily trips to WDW. However, if you want to have the same on site "feeling" than I would stay a couple of days on site as well, but as a previous post stated, I would do Disney first and then Universal....(save the best for last!!! :D )

I would check out Port Orleans Riverside or the Dolphin. Both great resorts and comparable in price, even though the Dolphin is deluxe. Have fun no matter what you do!

[Muushka]

As much as we enjoy USF, we must visit Disney in December (and stay on site). I can't imagine driving there, yet I have no problem when staying at WDW to drive over to USF! Go figure.

We own at DVC, so our rooms are pretty much set in stone months in advance. However, without DVC I would agree with others that Dixie Landings (or POR or whatever they call it now) would be a great choice, or Swan/Dolphin because their rates are so low.

[Muffy]

Jessica, I have just the opposite problem! We are spending 2 nights onsite at PBH and 16 nights at the Dolphin. We just cannot force ourselves to stay away from disney. This will be our fist time onsite at US so I just may be wishing for more time there?! I think you should definatly stay onsite at WDW. The Swan Dolphin have some great rates right now. You really can't beat the location. It is on the Boardwalk and close to Epcot and MGM. There are restaurants galore in the S/D vincinity. Sign up for a free membership at www.starwood.com and make sure your membership number is on your reservation. The S/D is great about giving comp upgrades to members.

PS, I sent you a PM with a PBH question.

Muffy

[JessicaR]

A great BIG Thank You to all that replied!! Some terrific ideas for me to ponder! I didnt think about the Swan/Dolphin and will be looking into those rates. I think this may be the way for us to go and of course will stay there before heading to Universal. (Have to end the trip right!) Thanks for suggesting that, 3for Me

Lynn, Thanks for the link and giving me the swan/dolphin idea!

gschmerl, I wish I was entitled to any of those rates but do not. Although I do have the EC so I will check that out!


AlexandNessa, I will look at mousesavers, I always forget about that! Thanks:)

SpideyHulk, the Port Orleans moderates always appealed to me so I will price that out too. Thanks!

FeeFee the PM helped and thank you!


Muushka, we are the same just in reverse! I guess its just a matter of what your used to. If I owned DVC I would do it that way too. I'm going to check out Dixie Landings or whatever they do call them both now!

Muffy, Take at least one more of those 16 nights and add it to Portofino, you will be happy you did! This way you can enjoy a whole day enjoying this resort. It is sprawling and beautiful with LOTS of great places to eat! Thank you for the link and I also agree swan/dolphin does seem the best way to go for us! I also answered your PM, hope it helped you!

Thanks again everyone for all your help, everyone here is so great about helping and offering opinions.

[torismom]

I am staying at OKW for 5 nights then meeting a friend and her children at HRH for 3 nights. We are not doing the universal parks
this time. We will be going back to MK on frfor MNSSHP. I could not get an ap rate at Disney for my dates and I am out of points. LOL HRH looks to be awesome and we plan on just hanging out. We are renting a cabana for saturday. I cannot wait.

If you compare price and amentities I really feel you will get more bang for the buck at Universal than a Disney Moderate.

We are looking forward to our stay and plan do hit us and IOA soon just not this trip.

[mark & sandra]

Hello JessicaR- We usually do a Disney trip twice a year, always staying on-site, bought the AP's, drive to Universal and SeaWorld but home is always Disney. Last year we did Disney, Port Orleans, for 2 days and then moved to HRH for the remainder of our vacation. On our 2nd trip last year, we used the HRH as home base, bought AP's , at 99.00 each thank you very much, visited Disney, our AP's were still good there and from now on we will be staying at a Universal Resort and "visiting" Disney. Once Disney started canceling perks like early entry and E-nights I decided that there must be another place to overpay for a room that gave me some perks. I tried Universal and I'm hooked. I've paid 109.00 for the AllStars during peak season,( to be fair I've also paid 49.00) so paying 125.00 for the HRH was a no brainer. Add the ambience of a Disney Deluxe resort, a 3 min. walk to the park and then the kicker, FOTL, now it's Universal's turn to keep my vacation dollars, at least until they start reducing perks and sending me elsewhere. Don't get me wrong, I still love visiting Disney and will continue to go there, but I could never wait over an hour for a ride again or stand around waiting for my fast pass to become usable. Now I spend my time at Disney doing the more mundane tasks of seeing the parks instead of just going on the rides.

[JessicaR]

torismom, sounds like a great way to just enjoy the resort! I hope you enjoy. We have been doing that lately as well and I could easily spend a few days just enjoying any of these properties.

mark & sandra, see now ya had to go and add my exact thoughts of late. I am so tempted to just book the whole trip staying at one of the universal properties but I just know I wont get over to Disney. My husband keeps saying and thats a bad thing, why? I'm holding out a while longer before making a decision since I cant get the rate I want at Disney yet. If I cant my mind will be made up! Thanks for adding your thoughts:)

[PattiPB]

Jessica you are so amazing! You are helpful to me even when you are asking for help!! LOL!!! Dec. 2004 is our next trip, and we are splitting time between UO and WDW.

I think you absolutely need to make time for WDW because it is the holidays! The parks are so lovely at that time of year (and empty!) so you need to make it a priority! I can't wait to experience the WDW holidays and Grinchmas---it is the perfect metaphor for the difference in the theme parks! LOL!!!

My current thoughts are to go off-site at WDW for 5 nights, then on-site at UO (of course!). My reasons for going off-site at WDW are to save money for the second half of the trip, and with the traditionally low crowds we won't really need the early entry. Also, with the traditionally short hours, we won't be leaving the parks for a mid-day break, anyway! Of course, my current thoughts may not last until I press "submit reply"! LOL!

Patti

[JessicaR]

Patti, glad I could be of some help!

I had been making myself a bit crazed lately trying to make a decision on what to do this December. Finally a couple of days ago I made one...I think ;) Like you that could change before my deposit is due! We were going to split the stay offsite Disney and onsite Universal. Fot the same reasons you stated. Happily I received an email promo from Disney with a code for a deluxe at a great rate! So as of now were starting out at AKL and moving over to HRH to end it at our happiest place! I am so thrilled to experience the holidays at both and am really looking forward to it. Good Luck with your planning for next year and I'll let you know how it goes! :)

[mouseclick1]

It sounds like you ended up with the perfect combination; have a great trip!

[mark & sandra]

Hi JessicaR- Have you stayed at the AKL before? If not you might want to ask for the Zebra trail side of the bldg. It's closer to everything. The Kudu trail side is a much, much further walk to food and pool.

[SpideyHulk24]

Hey. This is the Universal resort page, not Disney!!!!! LOL... Just kidding.

I just wanted to add, that I LOVE the AKL. It really feels like you are in Africa and not in Orlando. Also the rooms are very spacious. Dark, but spacious.

[Motherfletcher]

The last time we split our vacation was in July and we did PBH and Wilderness Lodge. All 5 of us liked the Lodge better. All 5 of us liked USO and FOTL better. I got $114/night rate at WL as a Florida resident (not bad). If WL was in USO it would be the ideal.
AK is nice too. I am partial to Poly for location/restaurant. I think you can find good in any where you stay as long as you don't have to get up and go to work!

[cats mom]

I know you don't need more opinions as you've got everything booked. Looks like a GREAT trip by the way.

Just had to share: last time we went we split our stay. 1st few days at the all stars (2 adjoining rooms) then over to HRH in a kid suite. We really appreciated HRH after coming from the all stars! We ran into a couple who was exactly flip-flopping our itinerary and after talking awhile - they decided they blew it and wished they had ended at HRH.

[JessicaR]

Thank you mouseclick!

mark & sandra,
We have never stayed at AKL. Thanks for the tip on where to request. I am clueless about this hotel and this will help lots!

Spidey, you stayed at AKL? Ya gotta give me the low down man! Even if PM since we are as you say...on a Universal board:p

MotherFletcher, I have a hard time typing that name out and not cracking up! One of my favorite Donkey lines from Shrek! Anyway...I actually tossed around the idea of WL before settling with AKL. Tell me why you all liked it better than Portofino, please.
I have stayed at Poly before and it just didnt do it for me. Thanks!

catsmom,
Thanks for sharing and I agree with you. Doing Disney first and moving over to Universal is the only way for me!

[Motherfletcher]

You will like AKL. It was designed by the same architect as WL. My DD9 and I needed to Father/Daughter bond so we went to WL and I wanted to extend our visit and WL was full. We tried AKL and they took us. We had the best time exploring AKL and actually got a big kick out of watching really old cartoons on the TV in the lobby. The pool at AKL is great and the hot tubs/spas are hidden and relaxing.
Why WL over PBH? We had adjoining dormer rooms (one was a bunk) at WL. Our mousekeeper made towel Mickeys. The waitress at Whispering Canyon remembered my DD9 and made her get up and Hokey-pokey. (Is that what it really is all about?). We found the backwards buffalo on the hallway lamps for our floor. We found all the hidden Mickeys on the list. The Cast Member that checked us in was from Hell. Ohio? I think.
At PBH my DS15 told me he felt out of place. He broke the handle on our suitcase and I thought he was going to die from embarassment. I shared the uncomfortable feeling as did my Mother in Law and wife. I felt like I couldn't wear my Spongebob shorts or my Dudley DoRight hat without stares of disapproval. When we got on elevators with others there was little or no conversation. In fact the only time I could get someone to talk to me was on the water taxi and that was a 3 year old who I must say was impressed with my vast knowledge of the Pokemon on his shirt. Our adjoining Villa rooms were the last ones on the Villa wing. It was a very long walk to the lobby let alone the water taxi. My son and I made the trek to the conceirge to shoot some pool to find that they don't check out the balls after a certain hour. The character meal felt wrong. Too quiet, too empty. The food was great for a buffet. PBH cost me at least twice as much as WL. I have similar feelings about Grand Floridian when we go there. I guess you can the boy out of the country, but....

Have a great time. By the way the guys in the office have chosen JessicaR as their favorite cartoon hottie, followed by Judy Jetson, and Wilma Flintstone. We had one vote for Marge Simpson but that guy likes cats better than dogs.

[JessicaR]

MotherFletcher,

Sounds like you had the perfect stay at WL and I can see why! Thanks for replying. I feel bad that you and your family felt out of place at Portofino. We're a silly and laidback kinda family and dont take ourselves or others seriously (especially on vacation) and I guess we just didnt have the same feelings or experiences when we stayed there. Funny you mentioned about playing pool after concierge was closed we did that too. Except we did end up getting those balls. I have a persistent 10 year old. I do know what you mean about the character meal if the place is empty we did it twice once while it was full and once when we were nearly the only ones in the place and it was more fun with a crowd. I think RPR does the character meal better anyway. I really like the place a lot and a large part is because it is quieter than the others but really never found it stuffy. I like to come back after a crazy day at the parks and just mellow out. I say you shoulda worn that hat and shorts!

We did recently stay at RPR and it was a very different atmosphere and we do like both a lot! HRH is another story didnt really love the place but were gonna try again in December...maybe...I think.
:confused:

You sound like you would be a blast to hang out with on vacation and I bet the family has a ball with you! Thanks again for filling me in.

JessicaR won out over Marge Simpson???....Say it aint so!;)

[Motherfletcher]

Jess-
I haven't been on the DisBoards long but it doesn't take long at all to see that you are our personal travel agent. Alot of the posts take research time/energy and I for one appreciate all you do.
I have been going to WDW for over 20 yrs. I've been accused of having children to justify the number of trips. I've tour guided family and friends on groups up to 8. Our last trip was the first of this month for Mickey's Horror Nights. When we road Jungle Cruise the boat pilot asked if it was anyone's 1st time. It wasn't so I let me 10 yo loose on him. She was able to tell every joke/pun in advance from the 12" to 1', backside of water, your in de Nile, root canal, etc. In addition she pointed out all of the hidden Mickeys as well as the ones that have been removed. We toured on every holiday as well as the slow times. We stayed onsite the day after 9/11, the only time they have closed the park. I'm starting to think we've gone there too much.
Holiday must sees at WDW for me are:
Osborne lights at MGM late at night when everyone is at Fantasmic.
GF and WL decorations. WL feels like traditional Christmas.
Character dinner at Chef Mickey's with Santa Goofy.
Don't be afraid to wander the hallways of AKL either because there are several different viewing areas.

If your kid and mine got together they would kick us out of any resort/park. What with yours cutting through the hedge and demanding the pool balls! Mine would be right there spoiling the shows be telling what will happen next. My 15yo stealing toilet paper!

I'm considering HRH 12/21 and maybe offsite before and/or after.
I want to do PBH Grinch thing(just to get the cookies). I want to watch the fireworks from our room. I want to go to Margeritaville too based on the threads. I want to do Macy's too. How do I schedule these? What room do I need? Pool view?

And Thanks for all you do!!

[JessicaR]

Thanks Motherfletcher! :)

I started going to Disney in the 70's. We always went to Disney for family vacation at least one time a year! My parents were (are) a huge influence for my love of theme parks. I'm positive its rubbed off on the kids. I did have my kids to feed my addiction! (kidding...sorta). I'm amazed and confused how there are some that can take em or leave em. I have a BIL that I am desperately trying to convert! My sister's like myself share this love but he wont have ANY of it! I wish he would knock it off already! He'll learn soon enough that he will go and LIKE it!::yes::

I am really looking forward to our stay in December. Its my favorite time to be there. I was so sad to hear there will be no Osborne lights this year.:( Oh well cant have it all! I took notes and will check out what you listed.

My kids must have been cloned from yours. When we were last there more than a few times I had to tell the kids to stop spoiling the rides and shows for others! When we were on line for Spiderman there was a family behind. You could tell it was their first time and I notice my son picked right up on that too. He just had to start a conversation with them. I gave him a look like if you spoil it for them your in trouble! So he says...I wont tell you all about it....unless you want to know? LOL There biggest thrill is going on Popeyes with people that havent been on it before and when a person asks...do we get wet on this ride, they are SO happy to tell them as we shove off that they are gonna get drenched!


Macys parade is held daily in the early evening. I havent seen this one yet either and look forward to it! As the parks stay open later the time may change. Grinchmas at IOA has a wholiday show in 3 parts thats runs through out the day. If you stay at PBH I would request a bayview in case you can see the fireworks from there. At HRH a poolview should be good for fireworks too. The cookies at the Santa/Grinch reading are the best and I hope they havent changed that! Margaritaville on a Thursday evening offers something new and it sounds like fun. I will be checking that out too. Too bad our trips dont overlap it would have been great to meet you guys!

[SpideyHulk24]

Jessica-

I am so sorry. I just saw your post from 09/25. I know you got some answers, but I want to help you since you always help everyone. AKL is the best!!!! It's secluded as it is the farthest resort from the parks, but it adds to the theming. When we stayed there, we stayed in a savannah view room. IMO, there is no point in staying there if you don't have savannah view. Our balcony faced the animals. And we saw zebras, giraffes.... it was wonderful. And in the evening, sitting on our balcony having drinks and seeing the sunset made it unbelievable. You would love it there!!!!!!!

Sorry again for taking so long to respond.

PM me if you have any other questions.

[JessicaR]

That's okay Spidey...puckerup:

Thanks for the info! We have a savannah view booked. Do you remember what floor you were on? Does it matter? Thanks again!

[SpideyHulk24]

Well we've stayed twice. Once was on the third floor and once on the sixth. The time we were on the third, I enjoyed it more because the animals were closer. I kid you not. One morning I got up and went to the balcony and there was a giraffe at an arms length. Very cool.