Best way to visit WDW, Universal and Seaworld?

[monica9]

Back to planning.
We usually stay at WDW and have left for the day to visit Seaworld but looking to do a split vacation this time.
We are thinking 3 nights at WDW, 3 at universal and a day at Seaworld only if Sesame World is open.
I don't mind 2 different resorts because we enjoy our disney resorts and amenities and would like to try a Universal resort but are open to a really nice resort in the middle and staying there the whole week.

What are the perks to stay at Universal?
Perks to stay offsite and where?

Has anyone been or heard about the new resort at Universal?

 

[kathy884]

Last we visited (DH had a conference at Portofino Bay), the pricier Universal resorts (Hard Rock, Portofino, maybe others) offer an unlimited fastpass to various rides except the two popular Harry Potter ones (Gringotts and Forbidden Journey) and offer one hour early entry to HP areas. I could see that being a nice perk at crowded times. Except for the HP areas when we were there we really would have not needed this perk as nothing else was that crowded. Check out the Universal website. They have all the info about the perks. Also, it's nice too that from the Universal Hotels, most of the them, you can walk to Citywalk for dining.

Usually when we are going multiple places we rent a condo from an owner at a timeshare resort for the whole week. We usually use the website Redweek.com or TUG2.net to find a rental. This though IMHO is a great option, but only if you don't mind driving and have a car or will be renting a car. We have rented most often at the Sheraton Vistana Resort and at Cypress Pointe. Perks are a two bedroom condo, kitchen, washer/dryer, living room/dining room area to hang out, nice balcony to hang out, lovely pool/hot tub, tennis courts, etc. all for around the cost per night of a Disney value.

For shorter stays, if I'm not doing the condo, I often stay somewhere like the Marriott Residence Inn SeaWorld (sort of in between Disney and Universal) // again best if you have a car. On my next trip I am staying here and actually doing ubers vs. car, but it's just four nights and one day at Disney, one at SeaWorld, and one doing the Titanic on I drive and hitting Disney Springs. As a SeaWorld partner resort, I get a fastpass for each SeaWorld attraction (typically not needed, as lines typically aren't bad). The SeaWorld Residence Inn includes breakfast. We are staying in a studio that has two queens, a little sitting area, a little table area, and a mini kitchen. Hey -- I have a 22 year old that likes to heat up snacks, make stuff at late times, and love having a kitchen even if we aren't eating in for that. It has a nice swimming pool and hot tub areas with palm trees.

 

[monica9]

Last we visited (DH had a conference at Portofino Bay), the pricier Universal resorts (Hard Rock, Portofino, maybe others) offer an unlimited fastpass to various rides except the two popular Harry Potter ones (Gringotts and Forbidden Journey) and offer one hour early entry to HP areas. I could see that being a nice perk at crowded times. Except for the HP areas when we were there we really would have not needed this perk as nothing else was that crowded. Check out the Universal website. They have all the info about the perks. Also, it's nice too that from the Universal Hotels, most of the them, you can walk to Citywalk for dining.

Usually when we are going multiple places we rent a condo from an owner at a timeshare resort for the whole week. We usually use the website Redweek.com or TUG2.net to find a rental. This though IMHO is a great option, but only if you don't mind driving and have a car or will be renting a car. We have rented most often at the Sheraton Vistana Resort and at Cypress Pointe. Perks are a two bedroom condo, kitchen, washer/dryer, living room/dining room area to hang out, nice balcony to hang out, lovely pool/hot tub, tennis courts, etc. all for around the cost per night of a Disney value.

For shorter stays, if I'm not doing the condo, I often stay somewhere like the Marriott Residence Inn SeaWorld (sort of in between Disney and Universal) // again best if you have a car. On my next trip I am staying here and actually doing ubers vs. car, but it's just four nights and one day at Disney, one at SeaWorld, and one doing the Titanic on I drive and hitting Disney Springs. As a SeaWorld partner resort, I get a fastpass for each SeaWorld attraction (typically not needed, as lines typically aren't bad). The SeaWorld Residence Inn includes breakfast. We are staying in a studio that has two queens, a little sitting area, a little table area, and a mini kitchen. Hey -- I have a 22 year old that likes to heat up snacks, make stuff at late times, and love having a kitchen even if we aren't eating in for that. It has a nice swimming pool and hot tub areas with palm trees.

Sounds great. Yes, SeaWorld lines aren’t every that long but the rides are the best at any park! We went in November and the new one is amazing (forgot name) and now my new favorite.
I don’t like renting only because I fee it takes away from the vacation magic. I love staying in all the action. I would definitely do Uber if I were you too.
We rented a car because we had our then 12 month old with us and thought it would help plus we were staying all week at AKL but going to SeaWorld one day. Once my husband and toddler left on the car to go from AKL to magic kingdom and my older dd and I took the bus to see who would get there first. We ended up there half hour before him. And that was from AKL! It’s just takes too much time to park and wait for cart and then take monorail. What a pain. We ended up only using the car for SeaWorld after that

 

[kathy884]

AKL is amazing. Love that resort. Enjoy your vacation wherever you choose to stay. There are so many good options in Orlando and that's what makes it hard.

 

[verleniahall]

actually, i think the express passes cover hp rides now

 

[Derrrit]

actually, i think the express passes cover hp rides now

Can confirm that they do, they've been since last year.

 

[BigredNole]

Best way? Stay at a Disney onsite hotel, then switch to a Universal hotel that gives the front of line pass (HR, Portofino, Royal Pacific), then off to a hotel that gives you front of line at SW (Renaissance for example). You cannot beat going to the front of lines when they are over an hour long.