Anyone Ever Go to US/IOA & WDW On Same Vacatiion?

[Pink Flamingo]

Wasn't sure where I should post this question, but I figured I start here. If I should post elsewhere, feel free to let me know.

We are interested in going to US, IOA, & WDW on our next trip down to FL. We've always just gone to WDW, but would like to venture out a little the next time. We are thinking of staying at one of the US resorts for a day or 2 & then heading over to stay at a WDW resort, but I'm not sure if that's the best way to do it or not. Also, not sure of the best transportation option.

Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas, etc. on how to combine the 2 trips would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PattiPB]

If it's a peak time, you might want to switch it and do WDW first. Once you stay at a UO hotel with FOTL, it'll be tough to stand in line at WDW!!

JMO!

 

[No11's Mom]

We did that two years ago (2 years ago this week actually). We spent the first 5 nights at Disney and then switched over the US for 4 nights. I totally agree with Patti - make WDW the first part of your trip, because the FOTL perk at US will totally spoil you. At WDW we were at the All Stars, then we moved over to Hard Rock, which we only paid like $40 more per night for. We all felt that the real vacation started when we got to Hard Rock. You are just able to relax and see so much more, and everything is so convenient.

I'm sure you will have a great time, whatever you decide.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have to agree with PattiPB. I have stayed onsite Disney & have gone to Universal. If you are going to pay the money to stay onsite at Disney, you may as well pay for Universal's onsite resorts for the Front Of the Line!!! I learned my lesson and now, when money permits LOL, I stay onsite Universal instead of onsite Disney for a Universal trip. Then again.... I have stayed offsite...halfway between each place & gone to both

 

[benebire]

We have done both WDW/Universal /IOA for the last 3 trips. You must do WDW first because once you ha ve experienced Front of the line access at Universal its hard to stand in line at disney. Both places are awesome you will have a great time.

 

[webray]

we used to do this all the time when kids were little.

Universal/IOA and sea world first..then over to disney.

Now, I would do it opposite...disney first..then Universal. Because....of the front of the line access at Universal, when staying at a universal resort. You will be so spoiled..waiting in lines at disney will be a disappointment after going to the front of the line for two days at universal.

 

[laso82]

We spent the first 5 nights at Disney and then switched over the US for 4 nights. QUOTE]

This is exacty what we're doing in just a couple of weeks! Based on what everyone here has said, I'm glad I planned it this way!

 

[Meagansmom]

We always do all of the parks! I have to agree, save US/IOA for last. FOTL is the Best!!!!

 

[4greatboys]

We split the two every vacation. We love Disney and Universal. We normally spend 1 or 2 nights and 2 park days at Universal and then 5-7 nights at Disney. I try be at Universal during the busiest times (like the weekends) since with FOTL we wont be waiting in line.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

But you can't mention WDW in the Universal area of the boards...

Our first Universal trip was combined with WDW. We spent a few nights at the Swan, a few at Universal (Hard Rock Hotel) and then a few at Animal Kingdom. It was hard being back at WDW after having the FOTL, but it worked out ok. I think it's good to stay at WDW for that portion of the trip and a Universal hotel for that part.

T&B

 

[cdpa4d]

We do WDW, USF, and IOA every trip. I couldn't imagine doing a trip to Orlando without all three. You will love it. We plan on going for 10 days on our May trip. That should give us enough time to do all three and a few days in between to do other things, i.e, hotel hopping, swimming, relaxing, shopping, etc.
ADP

 

[wendypooh]

Just my 2 cents.......... we do this also, and do wdw first..... usually at the all stars......( my little one LOVES toy story) and then us/ioa....... as stated by everyone else........... fotl is the BEST, and you will be spoiled!!!!

Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MandaMom]

I agree with all the above posters. My family and I have been doing both WDW and USF for the last 5 years. You must as others have suggested do Disney first and then IOA. We have had the most relaxing vacation at RPR we love Loew's resorts. We love FOTL, it is so stress free not having to take the parks commando style.

Have a great time.

MandaMom

 

[TinkKel]

I made my ressies at DW resort over a year ago, for the whole week. We'd planned on doing WDW/IOA/US. After reading so many posts about the wonders of FOTL, I finely bit the bullet and changed my last two nights to Hard Rock Hotel. Now I think I'm looking forward to it more than I am DW! I saved the last part as a surprise for my DS's, they are going to be so excited when we pull up to the HRH!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

Thank you all so much for the info. ! You've convinced me to do US/IOA at the end of our trip rather than at the beginning.

Will 2 days be enough to navigate & do everything at USF & IOA since we have never been there before (actually - DH & I went on our honeymoon, but that was quite a while ago & there was no IOA )?

Do you all rent a car? If not, how do you work transportation?

You guys are the best ~ thanks so much!

 

[Selina]

Coming from the UK and staying minimum of 2 weeks - we see all the parks. Arrived at the HRH Saturday afternoon and went to IOA and citywalk in the evening. Sunday IOA. Monday we went to Seaworld, Tuesday Magic Kingdom, Wednesday Universal, Thursday MGM (or sometimes Epcot or Animal Kingdom), Friday IOA/Universal/shops, Saturday A.K., Sunday - free day relax by the pool, Monday Busch, Tuesday IOA/Universal, Wednesday Epcot, Thursday IOA/Universal, Friday Magic Kingdom (or Kennedy Space Centre), Saturday IOA/Universal!! So as you can see - we alternate most days between "park" or IOA/Universal. Took cabs to the other parks - cheap and quick if you are in a party of 6.

 

[pigby]

Planning to do both in October. Just ordered the Entertainment Book, hopefully to get a decent rate at RPR. Looks like we may have to arrange this with WDW first as the Entertainment book expires end October and we only leave on 4th November. I don't suppose that, if we check into RPR on say 30th October, they will give us the Entertainment rate for the whole stay?

 

[damo]

I think they probably would.

 

[bjakmom]

We've also been combining WDW/USF on the last few trips and will definitely continue- it's the best of both 'worlds' ! Staying at USF for us depends on the days of our trip - we try to spend the weekend (or holidays) at USF on-site so we can take full advantage of FOTL on the days lines are the longest. It has worked well for us both ways, when we start at USF we get a couple of days to relax in front of our WDW time (and recover from pre-trip chaos and lack of sleep, travel, etc) - at the end of the trip it's just great to relax and recoup before going home. Either way, the Loews on-site hotels are so convenient (no buses!!) and FOTL is such a plus that it has always been the most relaxing part of our vacation - of course there's much less to see/do at USF than WDW - that always takes some of the pressure off, too!

 

[BriarRose59]

We are planning on going to both WDW and USF/IOA in November. We are planning our trip a little opposite of what has been suggested here, but there is a reason for my decision. We are going over Thanksgiving week and will be staying at RP first then moving over the SSR for the remainder because the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT starts the Friday after Thanksgiving. It will be easier to be onsite at WDW to get to EPCOT that night. My children are teens now, so we should be okay with FOTL then fast pass at WDW.

One year we did WDW, USF (pre-IOA) and SeaWorld. We rented a car so it would be easier to get around and stayed at OKW for the entire 2 week trip. It was great!