Best way to do 2 days at Universal, rest of the time at WDW?

[moopdog]

We've been to WDW 3-4 times, this time we want to add 2 days to Universal. We are flexible with doing it at the beginning or end of the trip. We plan to stay on site at WDW while we are there, and on site at US while we are there. But what is the best/most cost effective (haha, I know) way to do this? There are 4 of us, and we will likely have a rented car.

 

[macraven]

I do both parks and stay onsite

I do a 3 leg transportation set up with private car service

 

[angryduck71]

I've done this a few times now (and will do so again in late May/early June). First, Universal takes a lot less planning than Disney and is a bit more relaxing, so most suggest doing it last. I've done it all ways. I kind of like doing Universal last. I don't know the ages of your group, but my 9 year-old son likes Universal better now than Disney, so saving the best for last also makes sense for us. I suggest since you are only doing two days, staying at a deluxe resort. Royal Pacific is usually the cheapest of the three. I also suggest getting park-to-park tickets. I would try to time it so that you can take advantage of early entry both mornings. I would cut into Disney time to do this, especially since you've been to Disney before (and even more so if you have older kids -- I bet you they end up liking Universal more...)

 

[khgreen]

We are doing a similar trip in September. Staying on-site at Disney 6 nights and 2 nights at Universal. Since we are giving Universal such a small % of the trip we made sure to pick a hotel that gave us Express. Our Disney was booked and paid for in January. Ever since then I've been trying to get a good deal for Universal. The best "deal" I have come up with is using the AP rate to get an upgraded room at HRH for the same price as a Royal Pacific standard room -and the savings covers the cost of one annual pass. Not really a deal-just a (hopefully) better room/location. I looked at Cabana Bay + buying Express for 4 people, but it actually cost more than a Deluxe Hotel. You could try a "Partner Hotel" that offers Early Entry and buy Express...but honestly Cabana Bay isn't that expensive (and it offers transportation) so I doubt the partner hotels will save enough to pay for Express and still be less than a deluxe.

We are staying at Universal first because its a quick stop. We wont even bring in all our luggage until we get to Disney.

 

[damo]

If you stay at a deluxe hotel at US, you'll be very spoiled for going to WDW. I'd do it last.

 

[Anthony1971]

If you let your dates be known some will be able to help you better.
You may not need express passes...
your options will then be Cabana bay or offsite (there is another new onsite but likely 0 availability)
Also remember you will pay for parking at UNI resort the CB is 12 the deluxe are 20 last I looked.
All the UNI resorts are a better value than what Disney has as far as the rooms are concerned BUT they will not have the type of grounds nor theme like Disney does when you compare Deluxe or even Disney Mods.
There really is no cheap way...you can buy your tickets from undercover tourist and maybe stay offsite and drive to the parks depending on when you are going. If you have a AAA membership you will get 10% off most food....
My suggestion would be to stay at universal longer and enjoy it and maybe skip Disney... Or vice versa... I think both Disney and UNI are unique and deserve time to enjoy them rather than rush... with that said you could add Sea world to UNI without a problem as well as UNI is considerably smaller than Disney. Either would be more cost effective and enjoyable. doing both you will pay top dollar for the entry tickets and run around to try to see everything as fast as possible.

 

[macraven]

deluxe parking is at $24.
garage parking is at $20

don't remember if Cbay parking increased.


AAA changed some things around on their discounts.

 

[BeckyThatcher]

We are DW fans and just tried/added Universal in January. We started and ended the trip at DW hotels (Magic Express is too great to turn down). We used Uber to get from our Disney hotel to the Cabana Bay at Universal. So easy, so cheap. Like $20 for the whole family and luggage, and only 15 minutes. I'd suggest not renting a car and just doing Uber. Two or three days at Universal is plenty, in my opinion, and then you just Uber back to your Disney hotel, stay a few days, and have DME take you to the airport.

We loved Cabana Bay. Beautiful, clean, fun, friendly, and a 20-minute walk to the park (buses took just about as long). The bowling alley and lazy river were a big hit, and the cafeteria food was fresh, healthy, and cooked to order. Plus they have Starbucks in the lobby. We didn't need Express passes since the crowds were light. At that time of year our room only cost about $120 a night.

Why only two days? To me Universal was derivative and lower quality than Disney, with the exception of the HP areas. I'm amazed that tickets cost so much, even through Undercover Tourist. A family of four pays $600 for one day and $900 for 2-3 days, yikes! We are probably going back next year, but only for one day. I don't really want to go back at all. We had a fun trip, and it was easy and not as intense as MK, but we don't need to spend three days there. Anyway, have fun! It's worth seeing, and it's affordable if you Uber and stay at Cabana.

 

[kohlby]

What time of year are you going? If it's during a low or moderate crowd time, then you can get away with staying at a hotel without express, like Cabana Bay. Otherwise, spend the extra money to stay at one of the hotels that includes express pass. Royal Pacific Resort has been the cheapest of the ones with express pass every single time we've done it - but I've seen others finding a different one cheaper on occasion so check all three. When checking hotel rates, don't forget to check other websites. I start with the Universal website, as that will let me know what it should cost. Then I check expedia and orbitz - check those two frequently as rates change wildly and quickly. If you book through anyone other than Universal, just put two adults in - not the kids - when booking. (Presuming the kids are under 18). Some of the other websites, like Orbitz, will charge extra if you put the kids on but it's the hotel's policy that you don't pay extra for kids under 18. You can add the kids on when checking in.

*CB parking was $12 a night when we stayed there this past April. Buses were always waiting for us and it would have been longer for us to walk. However, there have been many times walking would have been faster than the boat from RPR, but the boat ride is so relaxing that it's nice to take often even if walking is faster.

I don't think it really matters which you do first - we've done it both ways. Our next trip has two days of Universal sprinkled in here and there.

As for number of days, UT sometimes has buy 2 get the 3rd day free tickets. When checking ticket prices, note that UT has taxes and shipping already in the first price you're shown while Universal doesn't show you the total price until later on.

 

[louanalane]

I have tentative plans for IOA and USF first two days of our October trip. Question is: can we check into Cabana on a Saturday, do the parks Sun and Mon- even after checking into Pop Century on Sun afternoon?
Sat: Check-in Cabana Bay
Sun: Cabana Bay checkout, IOA, then Pop Century checkin
Mon: USF
Tues thru rest of week is WDW, staying at Pop Century

Any advice is appreciated

 

[macraven]

Not sure if I understand your question
So my answer may not be what you are seeking

If you stay onsite at any of the 5 Onsite hotels, you get early entry the day you check in and the day you check out

If you stay at one if the 3 deluxe onsite hotels, you have the hotel perk of free unlimited ep usage

 

[louanalane]

Not sure if I understand your question
So my answer may not be what you are seeking

If you stay onsite at any of the 5 Onsite hotels, you get early entry the day you check in and the day you check out

If you stay at one if the 3 deluxe onsite hotels, you have the hotel perk of free unlimited ep usage

Ok, thanks- it was our agent that said she didn't know if we could use UO tickets on Monday after checking out Sunday. Guess maybe lose early entry for Monday? We are only staying at Cabana on Sat night. Sorry for confusion.

 

[macraven]

If you check out on Sunday, you still get EE Sunday


Monday if you went to UO , no EE for you

 

[louanalane]

If you check out on Sunday, you still get EE Sunday


Monday if you went to UO , no EE for you

Thank you- I'm ok with that. No HHN on Monday, so I'll take the one-hour hit