1st Universal Vacation!

[kmb584]

I'm not new to Universal. US opened when I was 6 and from then until I was 18 we visited at least once during our Disney vacations. IoA opened when I was 16 and I've spent a considerable number of days there too.

What I am new to though is the idea of a US/IoA ONLY vacation. My daughter is 4 and as of right now we visit WDW every April and October. I love it, she loves it, and it makes for the perfect Mommy/Baby bonding time as I tend to work 12-16 hour shifts as a nurse. I've been a huge Harry Potter fan since HPatSS was released the summer before my freshman year of high school - I remember my aunt buying me the book and me thinking "this sounds boring.." and then read it cover to cover in one night. Ever since WWoHP opened I keep saying that I'm going to take ONE day of one of our Disney vacations to visit but nope, I never do it.

The only way I am going to do it is by taking a proper US vacation, and right now my plan is to visit during the first week of June 2014. As of right now I'm set on 5 days but that's all that I'm set on. So, I've come here to ask for a bit of help!

My daughter will be a newly minted 5-year-old and while I know that she'll eat up Suess Landing, I'm slightly scared that she'll be "disappointed" with everything else as she is so accustomed to the child-oriented Disney. In a bit of a prep attempt I've started reading the Sorcerer's Stone to her at bedtime and so far (3/4 finished) she's not only held interest but is continously asking for me to continue reading. I know she won't pitch a fit as she's just happy to go on vacation but I don't want her to be bored either. Are there any "been there, done that" tips?

Resort choice is next. I've never stayed on-site at Universal so not only am I hopelessly lost here but each resort looks perfect in its own way. The soon-to-open Cabana Bay Beach Resort is intriguing to me as I absolutely LOVE the look and feel of what I've seen and the family suite idea is very practical for us (I'm a single mom). It'd also be "different" as when we stay at Disney, we opt for either renting DVC points or staying in a deluxe. With the word deluxe in mind, PBH and RPR seem to be more like what we've become accustomed to. I'm a huge fan of club level too. Favorite resort? Pros and cons of each resort? Is club level worth it?

Now I have to ask about payment. With Disney, if we're staying on-property and I have a free dining pin, I book a package 5-6 months in advance and have until 45 days prior to our trip to pay in full (I say with free dining because we're AP holders so if it's not being offered, I book room only). Does Universal offer something similar? I can certainly pay in full at the time of booking but I like spreading my payments out as it provides leeway in case an unexpected cost pops up between the time of booking and final payment.

Is a 5 day / 6 night vacation realistic? We would take 1 of those days to visit SW too. I haven't been since I was little (and in the Shamu show!) and my daughter would just love it. We're animal people.

If you read through all of this, thank you! If you have any insight to offer, thank you again! I'm excited to visit the "Dark Side" so expect to see more of my face lurking and posting on this board as I plan this trip.

 

[macraven]

check out the website www.universalorando.com and see the height requirements for the rides.
at age 5, there will be some she won't be able to ride.

i'd check out some of the stickies and some of the threads from other newbies.
many have info that would help you.
there are also some threads about the new dining plan that the darkside has started.

first week of june should be a good time to visit.
hp2 as of now, will be open summer '14.

 

[Planogirl]

The new resort looks cute but keep in mind that you don't get Front of the Line if you stay there. With that in mind, I think that RPR might be best for kids. They have a cool water play area but you can also pool hop of course.

 

[RMulieri]

I agree with the previous 2 posters ( I am also an RN ) I would look at the deluxe resorts if you are interested in having the resort guest express pass.The newest resort Cabana Bay will NOT have this privelage and will only have the early entry .You can't go wrong with any of the 3 deluxe ones ( I am partial to Portofino bay but they are all nice)

 

[DorianDonP]

Summer 2014 will be an interesting time to visit considering phase 2 opens then. I imagine the parks may be unbearable without express passes.

 

[RMulieri]

Summer 2014 will be an interesting time to visit considering phase 2 opens then. I imagine the parks may be unbearable without express passes.

it all depends on WHEN the expansion opens.OP said she was looking to travel the beginning of June.Universal hasn't said when the expansion will be done only Summer 2014.But I agree once it does open, it is going to bring in large crowds

 

[ArwenMarie]

I asked some similar questions on a recent thread on here called "Universal for Kids?" Here is the link...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3154474

My kids are a little older than yours, but scaredy-cats! Anyway, I got lots of good answers on that thread so check it out too!

We decided to stay at Portofino Bay and are looking at February 2014. Anyway, after talking here with folks who were kind enough to share their experiences and reading more in general, I'm excited now.

Looking forward to reading this thread too, have fun planning!

 

[wiigirl]

it all depends on WHEN the expansion opens.OP said she was looking to travel the beginning of June.Universal hasn't said when the expansion will be done only Summer 2014.But I agree once it does open, it is going to bring in large crowds

Definitely.

 

[kmb584]

Thanks everyone!

I didn't realize until I researched Cabana Bay a bit more on the night that I made my original post that it didn't include the Express Pass. It was definitely a huge disappointment as, like I said, the resort just looks so fun to me! Maybe we'll visit so I can soak up some 50's love.

Selecting a resort is the hardest part of this entire process. HRH was knocked off of the list from the get-go as it just doesn't seem to "fit" us. CBBR is now gone too as if I'm going to be spending a considerably higher sum to stay on-site then the inclusion of the EP is a must. That narrows the list to 2, RPR and PBH, both of which are intriguing to me. While RPR will allow me to bank more money with an average savings of $40/night, PBH will give us an extra 115 sq ft. Decisions, decisions...

The dining plan - how does one obtain this? I came across it mentioned multiple times while researching but when I was quoting vacation packages, the dining plan is on the vacation add-on page but not listed as an option when customizing vacation details. When I click on "Change Activities" the "Meal Deal" is an option but alas, no dining plan. Does anyone know how to add it to a package? Having a DP isn't a deal breaker but it'd be one less thing to worry about!

I wasn't aware that the WWoHP expansion was set to open summer '14 and while I, of course, would love to experience it, I'm hoping that it won't open during our stay (as of right now, we arrive on 6-1 and leave on 6-7). I purposely selected those dates hoping for lower crowds before the summer season starts in earnest!

Once again, thanks for reading through all of this! I'm hoping to book by the end of month. Oh, one last question: does Universal ever offer resort discount PIN codes like WDW does? I'm all for saving money if possible!