I haven't heard of any deals like that. If you're staying on site at Disney I think you get free parking. I'm not sure if that's the same for Universal.
You pay for parking at the hotel onsite at universal. You're right that parking at all parks is free at Disney if you stay onsite.
Parking at the waterparks/DTD is free no matter where you stay
Upgrading 1 ticket would get you free parking and discounts on purchases, before the latest price increases it would have been easier to save money upgrading, now it could be as much as $250 to upgrade, less likely to save.
With APs there is now no difference in price between adult and child for APs so if you do make sure you upgrade an adults ticket otherwise the cost will be even more.
Thanks Debbie, glad to be back! Haven't been to WDW for quite a few years, and really looking forward to returning (especially as it was a relatively lastminute decision to do so). Hoping to get lots of info from the DIS Boards, once again
Full on planning mode: flights booked, villa booked, car booked, just thinking about tickets and crossing the days off the metaphorical calendar! It's a real Disney year for us as we've already been to DLP in February, and we'll be heading back for a long weekend there just a few weeks before we head to Orlando. Even drove past Tokyo Disneyland in January, but wasn't able to stop for a visit. Hopefully next year...