9 day vacation - Take break days at Disney or go to Universal?

[bbeagle]

We're taking a 9 day vacation to WDW in December 2022. We are going to the WDW parks for 7 days. Non-negotiable.

We have 2 extra non-travel days where we are thinking should we take those days to rest at the pools/Disney Springs, or explore Universal? We've never been to Universal.

1) I wonder if 1 day at Universal is enough if we get a hotel to get the express passes and use the early hours as well. We aren't doing the extreme rollercoasters or Volcano Bay.

.... THEN I looked into the pricing of it.....

2) The cost is VERY EXPENSIVE. Tickets for 1 day 2 parks are $803 for our family of four. (2 day 2 parks is $1100). A one-night stay at the Hard Rock (to get express passes) costs $450, so with tax, we're at about $1300 for ONE day or $1600 for TWO days.

$803/$1100 for tickets only
$1300/$1600 for tickets w/express unlimited passes
Season passes, no matter which kind, won't drop those prices. It seems prohibitively expensive to do a 'side trip' to Universal.

3) Are express passes necessary for mid December? Which is better - 1 day w/express or 2 days w/o express?

4) How are people doing split-WDW/Universal trips? Is there any way to go there for 1-2 days as a family for a reasonable price? Or should we plan a Universal-only trip in the future?

5) A last option would be for 4 Premiere Season Passes. That would be $3000. And would allow us to try Universal in December and then go 'for free' on a second vacation next year. The premiere passes come with an 'after 4pm express pass'. How good is this? It seems lots of people would have that, and it wouldn't have much value?

 

[hhoope01]

Both Disney and Universal are priced to make shorter visits more expensive (per day) than longer visits. So I've decided I will choose one or the other (almost exclusively Universal for the last few years though.) I'd suggest waiting to do Universal in a future trip where you can maximize your experience while minimizing your expenses.

As for whether EPs are "necessary", that is really a personal decision. For us, I like going the end of January/beginning of February and the middle of September (historically the least crowded times for Universal) and I still want EPs. Once you get used to not having to wait in the main queues, you won't want to go back. But can you go, enjoy yourself and hit most of the rides you want without EPs? I'd say it would be tough to do both parks justice in a single day without EPs even on slower days. If you have 2 days, and its not too crowded, you can probably hit everything you want (though you probably won't have tons of down time in there.)

And for your last question, if your staying at a Premier resort, you won't need the "After 4pm, single use EP" with the Premier SP. I always get the cheapest SP possible and then try to schedule the timing so you can get as many trips as possible in within that year.

 

[Mikeb1892]

When we first started visiting WDW we had the "do everything in all the parks we possibly can every day" mentality. Now, we include down days in our schedule to do a little shopping, swimming, and especially resting and relaxing, and I wouldn't do an Orlando trip without the rest days (as long as you have the time) ever again. It took my wife years and years of trips to get her to buy into the rest days, but I think even she would agree they are a wonderful thing now that we've incorporated them into our plans.

I think overall you'll have a much better trip taking a couple days to rest and relax than if you try and put Universal into your plans as well. Hope you have a great time regardless.

 

[disneyseniors]

We usually took 2 days in the middle of our WDW trip and booked a delux resort for the EP's. It worked out great and was a nice, relaxing, no stress break that we needed from disney. Now? We would only do Universal as disney as it presently is doesn't interest us anymore. Universal is like a "real" vacation and a lot of fun.

 

[bbeagle]

We usually took 2 days in the middle of our WDW trip and booked a delux resort for the EP's. It worked out great and was a nice, relaxing, no stress break that we needed from disney. Now? We would only do Universal as disney as it presently is doesn't interest us anymore. Universal is like a "real" vacation and a lot of fun.

Thank you for that comment. Made me realize that I'd rather go to an inclusive park than one which shames people, so I guess I'm not interested in Universal.

 

[keishashadow]

Thank you for that comment. Made me realize that I'd rather go to an inclusive park than one which shames people, so I guess I'm not interested in Universal.

Huh?

Both Disney and Universal are priced to make shorter visits more expensive (per day) than longer visits. So I've decided I will choose one or the other (almost exclusively Universal for the last few years though.) I'd suggest waiting to do Universal in a future trip where you can maximize your experience while minimizing your expenses.

It’s a shame that it’s been structured that way for some time wherein many people are forced to choose between them

where there is a will, there’s ways to accomplish it within anything but a base budget...cut out a few TS meals, less souvenirs, even just do one park at U for a first outing if offsite guests

fyi mid December in one park, especially weekdays, is doable without EP IMO if you rope drop.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

For your first time at Universal, I'd encourage you to stay at least 3 days bare minimum and not short-change yourself. Universal has SO much to enjoy & that way you can really experiance all it has to offer vs. trying to rush & cram stuff in - Just my 2 cents !

 

[Kit Jackson]

I would use your two non-travel days as rest days and enjoy the WDW resorts/Disney Springs. Do a seperate trip in the future that is 3-4 days at Universal Orlando.

 

[Feberin]

We haven't gone yet but are planning on just doing Disney for our trip this month and include a rest day. We're planning to go to Universal in 2024. We considered doing both but the cost for a day at Universal is so much especially with 6 of us. And I know after four days in the Disney parks we'll need a day to rest at the resort.

 

[bbeagle]

For your first time at Universal, I'd encourage you to stay at least 3 days bare minimum and not short-change yourself. Universal has SO much to enjoy & that way you can really experiance all it has to offer vs. trying to rush & cram stuff in - Just my 2 cents !

Sounds like what we'll probably do. Originally I thought we'd be able to 'try' Universal for like $400 for a 1/2 day or day while we're at Walt Disney World, but it doesn't seem possible. It's minimum $800. So, that prices us out.

Looks like we'll plan a 5 day trip of JUST Universal in 2023. WDW in 2024, then another Universal in 2025/2026 when Nintendo world and the new park open.

I saw that they have dual WDW/Universal ticket if you're from Europe. Some include SeaWorld, Legoland and a few others. And those tickets are 14 days (good at either park any of those days) at $700 per person. I wish they made something like that for Americans.

Does Universal ever have a December night event like Mickey's Magical Christmas Party where you can pay just to go at night for 4-6 hours?

 

[disneyseniors]

Thank you for that comment. Made me realize that I'd rather go to an inclusive park than one which shames people, so I guess I'm not interested in Universal.

I laughed because, uh, What? Your snarky remark has nothing to do with what I said. I said I am not interested in disney now. I am also not interested in cruising, bungy jumping, or African safari's. Your comment was uncalled for and obtuse. If you were trying to make a simple remark into something "else", then that's your problem. I'm done and won't answer further "comments", so have a Magical Disney Day!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Does Universal ever have a December night event like Mickey's Magical Christmas Party where you can pay just to go at night for 4-6 hours?

Yes, they have a Orlando Informer meetup, on Dec 2, 3, 9, and 10. It may be more expensive for the one night than you're looking for, but does include food which makes it feel like a better value. There are a few threads going about the Meetups.

 

[bbeagle]

Yes, they have a Orlando Informer meetup, on Dec 2, 3, 9, and 10. It may be more expensive for the one night than you're looking for, but does include food which makes it feel like a better value. There are a few threads going about the Meetups.

Thank you for this information. I originally planned going Dec 9 and 10. Glad I didn’t as the parks close early for normal ticket holders those days.

Much of it is sold out already. Looks like a cool event.

 

[musika]

Just to echo PPs, we have done two 7 day trips to WDW previously with 5 park days and 1 rest day. Honestly with a family, it's too much. Way, way, way too much. Our kids were massively overstimulated and it really did not lead to an enjoyable vacation at the time, though now they love the memories of it (at the time of our last trip, they were 7 and 4).

This time around we'll be focusing on Universal and as much as it pains me to miss out on the new GotG ride at Epcot, we'll be sticking to one set of parks only.

Learn from my lesson - take lots of breaks!! You'll need downtime with 7 park days, especially if you have kids in your crew. Enjoy your trip!