1st time at Universal -- how many days??

[scootert]

DH and I hope to combine a trip to Universal and WDW next year. We've never been to Universal --we're hoping to stay at Portofino Bay. I'm thinking we will spend three nights there and then move to WDW. Will this give us enough time to enjoy Universal at a reasonable pace (ie: not commando)?? Thanks for your help

 

[Princess Michelle]

I think three days is a good amount of time for Universal/IOA. I'll be there for three days at the end of this month so I will know for sure after that but I think it would give you plenty of time in each park and time for City Walk activities too if you'd like. You should be able to see everything or close to it and still keep a pretty relaxed pace. Apparently having FOTL privelages saves a lot of time for you as well.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

A typical trip where we combine Universal and Disney...starts with three nights at HRH/RPR or PBH... followed by 6-10 days at Disney.

In fact, that is exactly what we are doing starting July 2nd.
3 nights at Hard Rock and 7 at Grand Floridian.

We purchase the 5 for 2 pass to Universal online, and of course use the FOTL access. Your plan of three nights at PBH should be enough time for US/IOA at a nice enjoyable pace.

Enjoy!

 

[highlander447]

3 days will give u a very nice time enjoy

 

[SpideyHulk24]

It's more than enough, but beware, you may like it so much that you may want to stay longer....LOL....

Seriously, we stayed 3 nights last year and enjoyed it so much that we are staying for 5 this year!

Can't wait!

 

[scootert]

Thanks everyone ... I knew you folks would have the answer!!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

You are very WELCOME!

Start one of your days at The Hulk followed by Spider Man!
(I'm sure that "SpideyHulk24" will agree!)

That will really get your day off to a FAST Start...

Enjoy your trip!

 

[antmaril]

I would like to make a suggestion. You may want to do WDW first and then to Universal just because FOTL is so awesome. Once you've experienced it, you will be spoiled. If you go to WDW first, you have FOTL at Universal to look forward to.

Just my two cents.

You will love Portofino Bay!

 

[RescueRanger]

Originally posted by antmaril
I would like to make a suggestion. You may want to do WDW first and then to Universal just because FOTL is so awesome. Once you've experienced it, you will be spoiled. If you go to WDW first, you have FOTL at Universal to look forward to.

I have to agree. Put Universal at the end of your trip. FOTL makes for a more relaxing ending to your vacation. No running around trying to squeeze everything in. If you go to Universal and experience FOTL first, the lines at Disney will feel even longer than they already are.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Originally posted by WDW LifeLong Fan
You are very WELCOME!

Start one of your days at The Hulk followed by Spider Man!
(I'm sure that "SpideyHulk24" will agree!)

That will really get your day off to a FAST Start...

Enjoy your trip!

I definitely agree! That's a perfect plan!

 

[pixie dust gal!]

This is so true!

We used to split our stay between Disney and Universal; A week at Disney and 3 days at Universal.

Then, as the kids got older, it went to 5 days at Disney and 5 days at Universal.

This is our fourth year spending all 10 days at Universal! Every year I get so worried thinking, "what am I going to do for 10 days"? "This will probably be my last year". Well, we still look forward to it. It has become a true vacation for me. I get so much downtime at the pool and no more "commando" vacation with FOL. We do rent a cabana for our whole stay and just relax. I know most people look at what they can do with that extra $100. I look at it as a "must have". We go every July when the hotel is sold out for the first week and it is HOT! We spend half our day at the pool and we don't worry about finding a chair or running back and forth to cool off. We tend to go off site now and explore more restaurants too. We visit places recommended in Kelly Monaghan's book that we normally would never have the time to do.

Don't worry about "too much time" spent at Universal - to me, there never seems to be enough time.

Hope this helps.

PDG

 

[Eclpz314]

Pixie Dust gal, glad to hear someone else is spending 10 nights at US!!!! I was really wondering if it would be too long this July. Last year we stayed 7 nights at RPR and did the cabana one day. We're probably not doing Sea World or Wet n' Wild this year. We had also spent a full day at Discovery Cove which we're also not doing. We do plan to go offsite and do an airboat ride one day and also explore I-4 area a little. Do you have any ideas of places to see offsite w/ 15 & 18 yr. old boys? It was their idea to go back this year and stay longer, but even my 15 yr. old might get tired of riding MIB (after about 300 times maybe ) We plan to tour the parks in the first 3 days while my mom is there. After that........who knows. Actually, I could be happy sitting by the pool quite a bit, but want to explore a little. I've read about a place called "Fun Spot" that has go karts and the kids want to check that out. Do you have other suggestions? Thanks!!

 

[Teris]

Last August we did 8 days at Disney, staying at the WL,, then I had arranged 4 nights at the RPR, to take the girls to Universal for the first time. I arranged the Universal part last, because I went there in January, and knew that once the girls went there,, the days of going to Disney would be in the past for a while. I knew they would be very impressed with FOTL. I was correct, and we aren't going to Disney at all this trip. (quietly sobs) But I give them a year or so, and I reckon I can get them back to Disney along with Universal as a split trip again

 

[Prince Eric1]

Three days is good I think. It gives you one day for each park and a day to go back and hit the rides and shows you missed or want to repeat.