Cheaper to do US this trip then WDW parks

[vinmar4]

Hello,
In taking this really unplanned trip to our home resort in AKV for 5 nights. I'm wondering if doing US for 2-3 days and buying their meal plan could be cheaper since we just did all the parks this past April. Not that we got to see everything at all since it was our first trip ever to WDW. We are driving there, so transportation would not be a problem. I just feel that maybe the kids once we get there would want to go back to the 4 parks!
thanks for any input!

 

[twinboysmom]

I love Universal but wouldn't recommend their dining plan. I think you can do better to just pay cash. You certainly get a wider variety of food options. Also I don't know the ages of your children but would not recommend it for young kids or children that don't like thrill rides. Just my opinion but I hope it helps.

 

[BigTigger]

I'd only stay at Universal Studios if you really want front of the line access for Harry Potter and some of the other big attractions. US and IOA joint tickets are cheaper than Disney hoppers, but the onsite benefits of US are much less valuable. Food is OK, but more limited as you have only three hotels and a few City Walk locations to choose from outside the parks.

 

[vinmar4]

thanks,
We would stay at our home resort AKV and drive there 3days.

 

[Anthony1971]

I would go to the Disney parks...
yes US is cheaper
you have not seen anything if this is only your 2nd trip....
if you are planning on going once a year and not going to parks everyday buy 10 day non expire. tickets.
Also you can find a lot to do at AKV without going to the parks and for that fact any Disney resort but more so at the DVC and deluxe resorts.

 

[Crystal_27]

We are doing something similar in December. We are staying at BLT from December 18-January 1 but are actually going to spend one night at Universal so we can do its parks. Since you receive front of the line access for both your check-in and check-out days, we are going to actually stay at Universal for one night to receive the perk, and just let our BLT room sit empty that night. If you are planning on going to US for 3 days, so you can get front of the line access, I'd just book there (although their meal plan stinks - - its a CS plan all the way. You can actually use your AMEX or AAA card for discounts at almost everything at US).

 

[Disneyhappy]

We are doing something similar in December. We are staying at BLT from December 18-January 1 but are actually going to spend one night at Universal so we can do its parks. Since you receive front of the line access for both your check-in and check-out days, we are going to actually stay at Universal for one night to receive the perk, and just let our BLT room sit empty that night. If you are planning on going to US for 3 days, so you can get front of the line access, I'd just book there (although their meal plan stinks - - its a CS plan all the way. You can actually use your AMEX or AAA card for discounts at almost everything at US).

Highly recommend this option. We have done this as well but mot of the time add US to the end of our trip and stay on site. I also agree I wouldn't do their meal plan, especially if you are going during a time period when park hours are shorter. Over the last 5 years or so with the DDP and the changes in the menus, we now find that we enjoy the restaurants better at USO. Food is great and at a more reasonable price. At IOA, I highly recommend Mythos. Try to make reservations the day before of the day of. If you have a room onsite, your room key will give you priorty seating. The food is fabulous and the prices are very reasonable, especially compared to WDW standards. They have won the best restaurant in a them park (no amusement park) for something like 4 years runing. Will you be dissappointed with US? It depends on how much of a die-hard WDW fan you are. They are two different types of resorts, each offering something different. The age of your children will likely make a difference. We always enjoyed both resorts but as our son got older, he seemed to enjoy USO more to the point where we take separate trips to USO liek this summer and then we are returning to WDW in October and adding a weekend for USO again.
Good Luck!

 

[yitbos96bb]

I love Universal but wouldn't recommend their dining plan. I think you can do better to just pay cash. You certainly get a wider variety of food options. Also I don't know the ages of your children but would not recommend it for young kids or children that don't like thrill rides. Just my opinion but I hope it helps.

Unless they like Harry Potter... I think just walking around Hogsmeade would be cool for many small kids.

 

[dgaston]

And remember to visit the Universal Boards here on the DIS. There are terrific ideas and suggestions there.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

Don't know when you plan on going to US, but til the end of the year, it should be packed cause of the harry potter stuff is new. And it should die off once the new movie is out in Nov then it should get packed again. Just thought I would let you know.