15th Wedding anniversary trip -- please help!!

[wdwphanatic]

DH and I are planning a long-weekend trip for our 15th wedding anniversary in Sept. and wondered whether those of you who have been to both WDW and Universal could give us advice as to which place we should go. We've been to WDW already this year, but absolutely love the resort feel of the place and all the choices available there. We've never been to Universal, however, so we don't know what it's like. We have 2 small kids (under 8), so we probably won't be taking them to Universal anytime soon. Do you think we'd enjoy Universal as much as WDW and that it would be a good choice for this kind of mini vacation for the two of us or should we stick with WDW? We want to do the trip sort of on a budget. We were thinking of trying the new Royal Pacific Hotel at Universal or, if we stay at WDW, we were thinking of trying the BCV or returning to BWV.

Thanks for your help,
Sarah

 

[JAP]

I have not gone to Universal in Florida, however, I have read many wonderful trip reports on that board.

If you are not going with your young children you may want to think about splitting your trip and experiencing both parks. I really want to visit Universal some day with and without the kids.

Happy Anniversary and have a wonderful trip!

 

[goofygal531]

I would split your stay. DH and I did that last year. Truthfully, you don't need that much time at Universal. We stayed 4 days and it was too long! Universal Studios is fun, more adult themed than Disney Studios, Islands of Adventure we weren't too fond of. Spiderman ride is the best thing in the park. Aside from the rollercoasters that we don't ride, every other ride in the park was a water ride and I do not enjoy walking around wet.

City walk is NOTHING like Downtown Disney. We had rented a car and DH insisted we head to DD after the 2nd evening. Everything in City Walk is a "cafe type" restaurant. Hard Rock Cafe, NBA Cafe, Motown Cafe, etc... We found no night life. We enjoy Disney's Adventure's Club, Disney Quest, Market Place, etc.. Nothing like that in City Walk.

Also, as far as service at the hotels, you can't be Disney. We stayed at the HRH which was very nicely decorated, but had 2 false fire drills at 4am in the morning and never told us what happened! We were outside on the Lawn in our pjs for 1/2 an hour before my DH cause such a commotion and got an answer that the hotel was struck by lightening. His response was "Disney would have handled this better!" My only complaint about the HRH aside from that, was the hotel set up. There is only one entrance bank of elevators and our room was 5 hall ways around the corner from the elevator! It's set up like your in a Rock Star's mansion. My DH said who ever designed the place never planned on staying there! Not convenient at all! We did enjoy the cabana by the pool. Get the half day, its half price at $35 from 12pm to closing.

I would go just to see what it's all about, but it's not Disney World by any means! So, keep that in mind!

 

[wdwphanatic]

That's pretty much what I expected to hear, but I thought maybe I was being too negative about the idea because I love WDW so much! What I'm looking for is lots of stuff to do in a resort setting with great theming -- NOT a Busch-Gardens or Six-Flags-type vacation (not that there's anything wrong with those, but somehow it just doesn't seem right for a 3rd-honeymoon trip!)... Anyway, since we'll only be able to get away for 3 nights, I don't think we'll have the time or energy to switch hotels. I've gotta commit to one or the other, and it seems so far that you guys would recommend WDW over Universal... Anyone else have any opinions/recommendations??

Thanks,
Sarah

 

[goofygal531]

I didn't realize you have only 3 days. Then go to WDW. If you LOVE Disney, you will be disappointed at Universal. We compared everything while we were there!! We just couldn't help it. Disney just does it right!

Try a different resort and have fun with what you know. I'd go to IOA with your kids, the Seuss Landing is adorable, they would like it.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I'd also do Disney. Last year on our 15th ann (with kids, tho) we had breakfast at Cindy's and got two champagne flutes. We later had dinner at Garden Grill and did the "rehitchen" ceremony. If we were without kids I think we would have made different choices, perhaps gone to a club on the Boardwalk at night.
Robin M.