A little old lady traveling solo has questions about splitting time between Universal and WDW

[aboveH20]

I guess there are two kinds of titles. Those that are cleverly catchy to draw you and and mine -- lays it all out there hoping the right people will find it

I love solo trips to WDW but am thinking of changing it up a bit by going to Universal for a few days this year. I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that so am looking for some input. Usually I go to WDW for a week because I feel just a little guilty leaving my husband home in the snow so I'm trying to add just a day or two to my usual week.

Here's what I'm thinking . . . Fly to Orlando on Saturday stay at a US hotel and go to US on Sunday, Islands of Adventure on Monday and then take a taxi to WDW. Knowing how the crowds are at Disney that would give me Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (weekdays at WDW) before the dreaded weekend. I'd probably fly home late Sunday. Two nights at US and six at WDW. How might US be on a Sunday?

I haven't been to US in years so it will basically all be new to me. I've heard so much about Harry Potter I'm curious to see that and could certainly fill the day there. My understanding is that Islands of Adventure is basically "thrill" rides so (since I'm a little old lady) I don't think I'll need as much time there.

Q1: Will two days at Universal satisfy me or will I wish I had more time.

Q2: I never quite got into Harry Potter. I saw the first movie years ago with my sons, maybe even saw the second one. If I were to watch one movie or read one book in prep, what do you recommend.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

You will be able to see most things in two days. My first trip, we did one really long day with extended hours, and we saw most everything (didn't ride the big coasters). If you stay in one of the hotels with Express Pass, two days is plenty.

The Harry Potter stuff really builds on itself, so I think I would start with the first book. That will be the best introduction to the world and the characters. There is stuff from all the books though. The main ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, is primarily through book 4. Hogsmeade - the Islands of Adventure area - is introduced in book 3. The Escape from Gringotts ride is based on events from book 7 (it also is found in the the 2nd part 7 movie). So, if you have a while, you could start at the beginning and see if you fall in love - you might just end up reading them all. If not, Book 1 is a quick read and will familiarize you with the main players. The parks are based more on the movies, but I think the experience from reading the books is better.

Have a great trip!

 

[hdnwaters]

A few weeks ago, I just did my first trip in 18 years to US/IOA with my adult daughter. We did 2 days, a Wednesday & a Saturday. Saturday was noticeably more crowded. We stayed the whole trip on International Drive (husband was working) so flipped between WDW and US. Being a "little old lady"....Do you ride thrill rides? I'm not young and after riding everything at WDW & US/IOA (as long as it didn't go upside down) I had to have some serious chiropractic work! My Doc is a Disney Fan and she understood! She just said I need to take her with me next time for nightly adjustments!

I don't know anything about Harry Potter but loved the theming in both parks. Definitely the most crowded areas. We had intended to watch the movies but never did. The 2 actual rides, Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts are just awesome! More high tech than anything at WDW. They are considered "thrill rides" a combo of real motion and visual simulation. Imagine Soarin or Star Tours on steroids! Spiderman, Transformers, Minions, The Simpsons, and Shrek all are 3D motion simulators.....some just not as intense as others. So it depends on how many things you plan to ride whether you spend 2 days there or not.

IOA also has the water rides.....2 with big drops....like Splash Mt. Bilge Rats is similar to the Kali Rapids but everyone gets totally soaked! I would judge the temperatures and then ride depending on clothing and how it would fee to be wet for awhile!

If you have any other questions let me know. I can give the "old lady" perspective!

 

[macraven]

What are your dates of stay ?

I leave mr Mac home and do solo trips each year for 19 days
and have no guilt

 

[aboveH20]

You will be able to see most things in two days. My first trip, we did one really long day with extended hours, and we saw most everything (didn't ride the big coasters). If you stay in one of the hotels with Express Pass, two days is plenty.

The Harry Potter stuff really builds on itself, so I think I would start with the first book. That will be the best introduction to the world and the characters. There is stuff from all the books though. The main ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, is primarily through book 4. Hogsmeade - the Islands of Adventure area - is introduced in book 3. The Escape from Gringotts ride is based on events from book 7 (it also is found in the the 2nd part 7 movie). So, if you have a while, you could start at the beginning and see if you fall in love - you might just end up reading them all. If not, Book 1 is a quick read and will familiarize you with the main players. The parks are based more on the movies, but I think the experience from reading the books is better.

Have a great trip!

Ideally I would like to stay three nights at Universal because that's actually only two full days at the parks. I don't want to cut myself short and wish I had more time. If I stay just the two nights, I wouldn't get a full second day at IOA. I suppose I should check the winter hours. I forget that it gets dark around 5 PM

That's a good idea to start with the first book. I did actually read part of it years ago.

A few weeks ago, I just did my first trip in 18 years to US/IOA with my adult daughter. We did 2 days, a Wednesday & a Saturday. Saturday was noticeably more crowded. We stayed the whole trip on International Drive (husband was working) so flipped between WDW and US. Being a "little old lady"....Do you ride thrill rides? I'm not young and after riding everything at WDW & US/IOA (as long as it didn't go upside down) I had to have some serious chiropractic work! My Doc is a Disney Fan and she understood! She just said I need to take her with me next time for nightly adjustments!

I don't know anything about Harry Potter but loved the theming in both parks. Definitely the most crowded areas. We had intended to watch the movies but never did. The 2 actual rides, Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts are just awesome! More high tech than anything at WDW. They are considered "thrill rides" a combo of real motion and visual simulation. Imagine Soarin or Star Tours on steroids! Spiderman, Transformers, Minions, The Simpsons, and Shrek all are 3D motion simulators.....some just not as intense as others. So it depends on how many things you plan to ride whether you spend 2 days there or not.

IOA also has the water rides.....2 with big drops....like Splash Mt. Bilge Rats is similar to the Kali Rapids but everyone gets totally soaked! I would judge the temperatures and then ride depending on clothing and how it would fee to be wet for awhile!

If you have any other questions let me know. I can give the "old lady" perspective!

Sadly I've stopped doing some of the "thrill" rides in recent years, primarily because they seem so jerky to my old skeleton. I haven't gone on Space Mountain the last couple of trips, and last year I thought even Star Tours might be on my no fly list. I hate to cross stuff off, but I don't wobble back and forth as easily as I used to.

Could you list the top five to eight rides a little old lady would like at UA? And I'm wondering if I actually need to visit IOA if I'm avoiding chiropractor specials there. My trip would be easier to plan it I just did US and not IOA.

What are your dates of stay ?

I leave mr Mac home and do solo trips each year for 19 days
and have no guilt

Probably the beginning of March. I usually go the end of February but after three VERY cold and wet Februaries I told myself to go a little later in the year.

You're my hero going for 19 days. I think ideally I would like to do 10 if I'm going to add Universal, 3 at Universal and 7 at WDW. A couple times I've gone to WDW for less than seven and it seems like I'm checking out as soon as I get there. Last year I did a last minute trip in December to do the Christmas stuff for the first time ever. I went for only three nights and it was not very satisfying, but at least I finally got to see the Christmas lights, Candlelight Processional, and MVMCP.

I solo trips.

 

[macraven]

I think all old ladies should take ten day solo trips a year to Orlando.........
Suggest to do Disney at the beginning of your trip and end with UO last

Your pace is slowed down and you can have some down time to relax and enjoy the hotel, city walk, pool, etc

Early March starts spring break for some school in the US, one of my sons had spring break March 5 one year

 

[hdnwaters]

Take a look at the link below. It gives you a comparison to some of the WDW rides. The HP areas are really unique. If you get the park to park ticket you can ride the Hogwarts Express to and from the HP lands. It's a different experience each direction. I really enjoyed just walking through IOA. For the older bones, I may would avoid Forbidden Journey but you can walk through the castle area and then exit before loading the ride. There are also a couple of shows Sinbad and Poseidon.

At Universal there are several shows to see plus Terminator 3D & Twister. ET is very calm. Almost everything else is 3D simulators or coasters of some sorts. Minions and Shrek have the least movement and should be fine for you. Both are really cute.

My favorite rides were Escape from Gringotts, Mummy, Transformers, and Forbidden Journey. But as I said earlier....my chiropractor, whom I go to every 2 weeks anyway, said I was way out of alignment! I did ride Everest, Thunder Mt, and Tower of Terror at WDW also!

http://wdwprepschool.com/a-disney-world-freaks-guide-to-universal-orlando/

 

[aboveH20]

I think all old ladies should take ten day solo trips a year to Orlando.........
Suggest to do Disney at the beginning of your trip and end with UO last

Your pace is slowed down and you can have some down time to relax and enjoy the hotel, city walk, pool, etc

Early March starts spring break for some school in the US, one of my sons had spring break March 5 one year

Good points, because while I keep getting older for some reason I don't seem to keep getting littler. Interesting about doing WDW first. I had thought about the opposite, but I see your point.

Take a look at the link below. It gives you a comparison to some of the WDW rides. The HP areas are really unique. If you get the park to park ticket you can ride the Hogwarts Express to and from the HP lands. It's a different experience each direction. I really enjoyed just walking through IOA. For the older bones, I may would avoid Forbidden Journey but you can walk through the castle area and then exit before loading the ride. There are also a couple of shows Sinbad and Poseidon.

At Universal there are several shows to see plus Terminator 3D & Twister. ET is very calm. Almost everything else is 3D simulators or coasters of some sorts. Minions and Shrek have the least movement and should be fine for you. Both are really cute.

My favorite rides were Escape from Gringotts, Mummy, Transformers, and Forbidden Journey. But as I said earlier....my chiropractor, whom I go to every 2 weeks anyway, said I was way out of alignment! I did ride Everest, Thunder Mt, and Tower of Terror at WDW also!

http://wdwprepschool.com/a-disney-world-freaks-guide-to-universal-orlando/

Thanks for the link and detailed suggestions.

Often as I walk through WDW I wonder how overwhelming it must be for first timers. When we started going it was just Magic Kingdom and Epcot, so we got to learn the lay of the land over a number of years. I feel the same way about tackling Universal. The other thing I'm constantly aware of is how expen$ive it is for families. I sometimes think my dinner for one is pricey, I can't imagine paying for four -- or more. When our kids were young we had a shoestring budget!

That being said, if I'm looking at two nights (still working up my courage to add a third) it looks like
Cabana Bay with two day park to park pass for $615 or
Royal Whatever Itis with two day park to park and front of the line thing for $981.
Does that sound right? (end of February). I'm NOT saying money is no object but if I'm trying to maximize my experience, I'm guessing I should bite the bullet and do the Royal? My mind tends to think that the $350 difference would pay for airport shuttle, WDW taxi, and meals. Opinions?

I have to say again, I appreciate the help.