5 nights too long? 1st timer.

[Rapunzel29]

We have 3 children 9 (turning 10 there), 7, and 4. We are planning 5 nights so really 4 days in the park. I see a lot of threads on doing 2 parks in 1 day and worried maybe our trip is too long. Thoughts?

 

[jfoofj]

I worried about this myself. We are going for 6 nights, leaving next week. That gives us 5 park days. I've "done" Disney in 5 days before, but it was rushed, chaotic, and we still didn't see or do everything we wanted too. Heck, I've been to Disney 10+ times in my life and I still haven't seen and done everything.

While I've never been to Universal before, and it is much smaller than Disney, this is what I asked myself... what kind of a vacation am I looking to have? A harried, rushed vacation, or a relaxing vacation. Believe me, I get it that sometimes you have to fit everything into the shortest time possible, but I decided I want to slowly tour the parks, not freaking out if there is a long line on an attraction, we can come back later. I want to experience the parks, especially WWoHP. I want to enjoy the hotels, checking out all of the onsite hotels and their grounds and gift shops and restaurants and pools. SO, I'm planning on spending 6 nights and 5 days at Universal with no rental car, just doing the parks and City Walk. I don't think I'm going to be bored .

 

[Rapunzel29]

I like how you think!

 

[RMulieri]

5 nights is great..We do 4 park days and spend alot of time relaxing!We are going 8 days in November

 

[Rapunzel29]

I'm excited. Don't mind my 900 questions the next few months.

 

[RMulieri]

I'm excited. Don't mind my 900 questions the next few months.

No problem! If you are used to WDW, I will tell you that a trip to Universal is NOTHING like that.It does not require the commando touring, planning your dining or rides 6 months in advance.On our first trip we were hoooked.It was what Disney used to be many years ago.Relaxing, fun .I came home from vacation feeling like " I HAD a vacation". I get home from Disney and I need a week to recover.

 

[damo]

5 nights is a vacation!!!! Go for it!

 

[Rapunzel29]

No problem! If you are used to WDW, I will tell you that a trip to Universal is NOTHING like that.It does not require the commando touring, planning your dining or rides 6 months in advance.On our first trip we were hoooked.It was what Disney used to be many years ago.Relaxing, fun .I came home from vacation feeling like " I HAD a vacation". I get home from Disney and I need a week to recover.

So awesome!

 

[schumigirl]

No........definitely not too long

I would never want to try and do both parks in one day as a first timer especially.

There is so much to see and do in both parks and Citywalk is a lot of fun, you also have the resorts themselves.

It's so nice to be able to chill and relax during the day in the pool if you wish.

Spend some time just enjoying the parks as you don't need to rush around doing everything commando............sit and watch the Mystic Fountain in IOA........very funny..........take your time and enjoy the sights and sounds the park has to offer.

We just had 17 days and we're never bored at Universal......we don't spend all day in the parks. We always have a car and like to mooch around Orlando........spend time at the hotel relaxing, never do Disney though, just Universal.......we honestly never get fed up.

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time

 

[Siriusblack]

We always do a week and get plenty of relaxing in. Still very busy as we like to do the rides many multiple times! I never understand the peeps who want to do two parks in one day.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I honestly think 3 days is plenty. But, if you want to hang out a lot at the pool and really just relax, then you should be fine. We just do a day at each park.

 

[glocon]

Rapunzel- When are you going? Diagon Alley is opening some time this summer so there will be huge crowds, and it will take longer to tour.

And although you could do both parks in a couple of days, you won't have to. You will have time to explore all the little details, pool hop to all three resosrts, eat at all three resorts it you want to- just take your time and relax.

We have gone for a week and not been bored. We like pool time, my DH and DS like the gyms, I like to walk thru the resorts and absorb it all. You can do mini golf and BMG. Even take in a movie if something good is out when you are there.

Each resort has shopping and places to snack. All the pools are quite different. There are luaus and Velvet Sessions.

A lot to do and no need to rush.

I hope to be planning a trip soon!

 

[Seeker615]

We did 5 nights in November and had a great time. I would have liked another night actually.

If you are staying onsite you have the advantage of coming and going all day between your resort and the parks as well as Citywalk.

We typically left the hotel a 9 and walked to Citywalk for breakfast and then hit one of the parks. We left the parks in the afternoon and went back to the hotel to freshen up and relax and then went back for either to one of the parks or Citywalk for dinner.

Everything is so close together and easy to get to. No long waits for shuttles!

Also there is a movie theater, a great mini golf course and the Blue Man Group on Citywalk!

 

[Rapunzel29]

Rapunzel- When are you going? Diagon Alley is opening some time this summer so there will be huge crowds, and it will take longer to tour.

And although you could do both parks in a couple of days, you won't have to. You will have time to explore all the little details, pool hop to all three resosrts, eat at all three resorts it you want to- just take your time and relax.

We have gone for a week and not been bored. We like pool time, my DH and DS like the gyms, I like to walk thru the resorts and absorb it all. You can do mini golf and BMG. Even take in a movie if something good is out when you are there.

Each resort has shopping and places to snack. All the pools are quite different. There are luaus and Velvet Sessions.

A lot to do and no need to rush.

I hope to be planning a trip soon!

Sept 7-12th, Labor Day is Sept 1st this year.

 

[SweetJesus]

5 nights is enough depending what you are doing.

Parks are very tiring so 5 nights even more is enough

I normally do 4/5 nights

Both universals
Aquatica
sea world
Busch gardens,


Id live there if i could

 

[momofboyz3]

Hi! I'm right there with you. Planning a summer trip for 7 nights,never been and had the same concerns. I'm excited that we will have some time to do nothing but relax as a family by the pool & take it all in. Doing 4 park days with breaks between.

 

[Rapunzel29]

Hi! I'm right there with you. Planning a summer trip for 7 nights,never been and had the same concerns. I'm excited that we will have some time to do nothing but relax as a family by the pool & take it all in. Doing 4 park days with breaks between.

Yeah it sounds ideal! Nice and relaxing. I'm from Rhode Island, howdy neighbor!

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I'm doing the same this year. After 6 trips to Disney, we need a change and are doing a week at Universal, Sea World, etc. Staying onsite and ready for the change of pace!

 

[Lisa0806]

We just got back and we went to disney for 5 days (wish we would have stayed longer) and then we did universal 2 full days and then a third day until about 3 pm when we had to leave for flight. We stayed on property so we had the express pass. We traveled with our 5 year old and two year old. We were able to take advantage of parent swap on rides my two year old couldnt ride, which also helped us to move through the park a bit faster. Our first day we went to universal studios and stayed till close. I felt that we could have spent a bit more time there as we ran out of time for a few of the attractions there. Our second day we went to Islands of adventure and took advantage of early park opening for harry potter world. We felt that we did everything atleast once and somethings even twice and left the park that day at 5 pm and went swimming at the hotel. The third day my husband wanted to go back to islands of adventure for harry potter again and we didnt have park hoppers so we stayed there. I felt kind of bored by lunch time to be perfectly honest. But we didnt feel like paying extra for park hopper to go back to studios. I think if i were to go again I would do three days if you got a deal like costco sometimes has where you dont pay extra for hopping, otherwise I felt that two days was enough. However, this was with us taking advantage of early park hours and express and parent swap, and crowds werent too bad. We were just there January 10-12. If going when more crowded I could see doing three days.

 

[momofboyz3]

Yeah it sounds ideal! Nice and relaxing. I'm from Rhode Island, howdy neighbor!

Hi!!!! Awesome weather... I hear no more snow for us until next winter I'm just reading everything I can here. We plan to go after the HP addition around the 4th of July so I think the extra days will be put to use. I was thinking of just going to the Cape or Maine for a week. But, I think my 3 boys would get a bit bored of sooooooo much relaxation. I think Universal is a good in between. You have the 2 parks... Citywalk... Then downtime at the resort. Love disney, and will go back in 2015. But, I think Universal will be the best of both worlds