Costwise, is Universal really worth about the same as Disney?

[tfoster]

We recently went to Disney and had a GREAT time, but we're thinking about the next trip to Florida being to Universal. We'd go after HP opens as we're huge HP fans. We're also big Dr. Seuss and Scooby fans, so if things are done well, I think we'd love it.

However, I was originally thinking a benefit might be that it would cost a little less than Disney. Now that I'm starting to look at things in more detail, it seems it will cost about the same and perhaps even a little more. We like staying on site and because there are six of us, it looks like we'd have to stay in two rooms at Universal. The cheapest rate I was able to (pretty quickly) find is $131/room, and for two rooms it would cost what we just paid rack rate at Disney for a FW cabin. However, with our paying rack rate at Disney, we got free dining, which we wouldn't get at Universal so we'd have to pay for our food.

And while the Universal tickets are at a great price, we wouldn't spend all week in just two parks, so I imagine we'd be paying to go to Seaworld (transportation and tickets).

Renting a car is not a Disney expense for us as we easily go without one, so it looks like we'd have to pay for transportation to and from the airport too.

Am I thinking about all of this correctly? Are the costs more comparable than I originally assumed?

TIA!

 

[damo]

To us it is certainly worth it. Not sure why everyone automatically thinks that it is inferior. We find it superior. We find the food better, the attractions better and the hotels better. Also, since you are staying onsite, it means NO LINES!!!

Since we always stay at Universal we are members of Loews Youfirst. Our platinum status gets us free internet, a free upgrade to a suite and a $100 food and beverage credit for each stay. We have annual passes that we get every year for just over $100 renewal and that gives us great discounts.

 

[Rip]

We recently went to Disney and had a GREAT time, but we're thinking about the next trip to Florida being to Universal. We'd go after HP opens as we're huge HP fans. We're also big Dr. Seuss and Scooby fans, so if things are done well, I think we'd love it.

However, I was originally thinking a benefit might be that it would cost a little less than Disney. Now that I'm starting to look at things in more detail, it seems it will cost about the same and perhaps even a little more. We like staying on site and because there are six of us, it looks like we'd have to stay in two rooms at Universal. The cheapest rate I was able to (pretty quickly) find is $131/room, and for two rooms it would cost what we just paid rack rate at Disney for a FW cabin. However, with our paying rack rate at Disney, we got free dining, which we wouldn't get at Universal so we'd have to pay for our food.

IMO, the hotels at UO are far superior to anything on Disney property. Aside from the FW cabins, you'd have to get either 2 rooms or a suite at Disney as well. The "free" dining at Disney is a promotion and as of now you would not be getting it if you went back to Disney on whatever dates you're currently looking at UO, so it's not really a fair comparison. The hotels at UO are more expensive than the cheapies at Disney, but far less expensive than the deluxe hotels and, IMO, are much closer to what an actual "deluxe" resort should be. As previously mentioned, you also get unlimited express passes with your room keys, which by themselves make staying onsite worth it.

And while the Universal tickets are at a great price, we wouldn't spend all week in just two parks, so I imagine we'd be paying to go to Seaworld (transportation and tickets).

Renting a car is not a Disney expense for us as we easily go without one, so it looks like we'd have to pay for transportation to and from the airport too.

Am I thinking about all of this correctly? Are the costs more comparable than I originally assumed?

TIA!

I believe you can get a flex pass that covers Seaworld, Wet-n-Wild, and UO. As far as I'm aware, you will have to catch a Mears shuttle from the airport, though.

 

[WWEDUDE]

They do have a Orlando flex ticket for Universal, Islands of Adventure, Sea World, Aquatica, and Wet-and-Wild. For 2 weeks it is about $230 for an adult (there may be cheaper, that I just found quickly by googling).

A two day Disney pass with park hopper and water parks is more than the price of two weeks at five parks.

 

[damo]

Forgot to add that Universal often has a kids eat free program when Disney is running their free dining thing.

 

[tfoster]

Forgot to add that Universal often has a kids eat free program when Disney is running their free dining thing.

Thanks. I'll be keeping my eye out for that.

DH and I talked about it quite a bit today and we'd like to see it happen where we stay at Universal and also do Seaworld. The more I think about it, the more excited I get. We haven't been to Seaworld in years (since we started staying on Disney property) and looking at their website reminded me how much we loved it. And I am getting more and more excited about visiting Universal too! We really want to stay on-side to utilize FOTL, so hopefully we'll get some sort of deal or promotion that will make it possible for us.

 

[rpbert1]

after our first visit to Disney and Universal, we have always stayed at Universal resorts since then. Find they are far superior for the money you would have to pay for a Disney deluxe resort. The amount of time you would spend queing at rides, staying onsite cuts this down to virtually nil, giving you more time to savour the resorts you are staying at, and a lot more time for other things, making it more of a vacation than an endurance test

 

[damo]

Thanks. I'll be keeping my eye out for that.

DH and I talked about it quite a bit today and we'd like to see it happen where we stay at Universal and also do Seaworld. The more I think about it, the more excited I get. We haven't been to Seaworld in years (since we started staying on Disney property) and looking at their website reminded me how much we loved it. And I am getting more and more excited about visiting Universal too! We really want to stay on-side to utilize FOTL, so hopefully we'll get some sort of deal or promotion that will make it possible for us.

Remember that there is free transportation from the Universal resorts to SeaWorld as well.

 

[francie57]

We always do Universal as a part of our annual Florida vacation. We love the HRH. We get two connecting rooms since we are traveling with two in their 20s. We have had good luck using our AAA membership. We get a room discount on both rooms, a discount on the tickets, and if you show your AAA you get a 10 percent discount at the restaurants in the parks and most of the ones at City Walk.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

On a food/beverage note for savings....the Universal hotels have WONDERFUL in-room coffee as they use the Keurig machine with coffee/tea pods from the Emeril product line. You will not have to buy coffee from the expensive coffee centers like at Disney since we all know Disney in-room coffee is horrid. Also, the counter service food is much tastier and very large portions. You will most likely find it more economical to split some CS meals.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Not only is it "worth it" but it is better than what you get at Disney for the same money! In other words, you get more bang for your buck in Universal than you do Disney all around.. rooms included For what you pay for the Royal Pacific, you would be staying at a Disney moderate.. and to me, Royal Pacific wins hands down. Just the fact that you have indoor halls is a winner compared to Disney's mod's!!!!

 

[tfoster]

Not only is it "worth it" but it is better than what you get at Disney for the same money! In other words, you get more bang for your buck in Universal than you do Disney all around.. rooms included For what you pay for the Royal Pacific, you would be staying at a Disney moderate.. and to me, Royal Pacific wins hands down. Just the fact that you have indoor halls is a winner compared to Disney's mod's!!!!

Thanks, all, for the feedback. I'm starting to get nervous that we won't be able to go though. I started writing down some preliminary prices and it looks like it'll cost a fair amount more than it just cost us to go to Disney. Yes, I realize that for a family of six (3 counting as adults), we got a good deal with Disney's free dining promotion, but had it not been for that promotion (or with one of the countless others they offer during value seasons), we wouldn't have gone.

It doesn't even look like I can get us down to match what we paid for Disney this year without our eating a lot of meals in the room(s) and I'm not sure how I feel about that. In my preliminary budget, I have us down for spending $150/day on food. Given that we are very average eaters (who do not purchase alcoholic drinks), do you think that amount is reasonable for Universal and the on-site hotels? We would probably want to have a sit-down meal once a day.

<pause>

Okay, I just looked and see that allears has the Universal menus posted too, so I'll start looking at those. Question though - will my 14-year old be able to order off the kids menu at the restaurants if he wants to? It sounds silly, but he has very little interest in growing up and often chooses to order from the same menu as the other three kids just so he can fully be "one of the kids".

 

[MyBubbles]

I always giggle a little when I hear people say that Disney is better than Universal and visa versa.... I love both...alot. Next trip I have choosen to stay at Disney due to half price hotel at SSR and free dining but will be spending quite a few days of our 2 weeks vacation at US and IOA.

Tickets wise... I find Universal to be really great value - we buy the 4 park- 14 day flex tickets and it really works for us because we get the added bonus of Sea World for so much cheaper than the Disney Tickets.

To me, both parks are completely different and can't be compared really but I honestly believe you will get value for your money at Universal!! Enjoy!

 

[torinsmom]

Maybe you could stay 1-2 nights onsite to get FOTL and then stay the rest of your nights at an offsite hotel? We stayed at Hyatt Place Universal right across the street in July. You could walk to Universal or they do have a shuttle that runs 2x am and 2x pm. They are very large rooms with 2 queen beds and a sleeper sofa, so you might even be able to make do with one room. Free continental breakfast and wi-fi as well. We got it for a steal of $30/night through Priceline, but the rack rate is $69 for most nights. We are hoping to get Hyatt Place again for our summer 2010 trip, but we'll see what Priceline gives us. Might do one night onsite just to get FOTL for two days, but we will see about that. We don't tend to spend much time in our room, so I don't need the luxury of onsite.

Honestly, we did not stay onsite at all, and just made sure to be at the parks when they opened. It was July, and we did pretty well without FOTL. We would hit two of the big rides first thing and then stood in line for some of the others. We utilized the single rider lines on MIB and Mummy. With kids, just have one adult go first and one at the end. I swear we rode MIB 8 times in an hour that way, when the standby line was 35 minutes.

The Flex ticket sounds just right for you and you could even do the Give a Day, Get a Day promotion Disney is doing and have a free day of Disney. We are doing that and buying 2 more days at Disney, then doing the $99 Universal tickets, staying 10 days, budget is $2500 including air and everything else. Did it for less last year ($700), but we drove, stayed only 6 nights and did not do Disney(won 2 Universal passes)

Marsha

 

[czycropper]

You may want to check through AAA - you can really get some great deals through them. We got an upgrade room at RPR with meals (@CityWalk), park tickets for IOA, US & Sea World for a family of 4 for less than $2,000, oh we were there for 4 nights and it was in June. On that same trip we went to Disney for 4 nights and my DH said that his vacation really started when we got to RPR and that the FOTL was worth the price-he was really tired of all me having to strategize the FastPasses

Good luck!

 

[mykidsand_i]

To me, I always laugh when people say "disney is better...Univ. St. is better..." Both are great parks and they offer different experiances, different 'deals' different options. Yes, Universal Studios has cheaper tickets...I mean- just from the tickets standpoint, it is cheaper. I found that the food in both parks ends up costing about the same, but I am a huge fan of restaurants at Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Royal pacific's Tchop chop- there are good restaurants in all the parks, but to me there are far more choices of good restaurants in Disney.

We just spent a week at Universal's Royal pacific. Compared to our last Disney trip it was more laid back, relaxing and not so 'timed out' with were we were going on what day, where we were eatting and what shows we had time for.

Universal/IOA for a week has far less to plan and prepare for, because there is simply less to do at the parks. We did IOA in a day...then, we repeated many things again and again that we enjoyed and it was what we wanted for this trip. Universal can also be done in a day, but really should have 1 1/2 or 2 full days to enjoy it all...The parks at Disney are larger...There is no way my family can do Magic Kingdom, Epcot or Hollywood Studios happily in 1 day. So, when we're at Disney, we find ourselves waking up early, getting to the parks, going hard ALL DAY LONG just so we can do everything in a week that we want to.

And yes, the cheapest hotels on Universal property are more expensive than "disney value hotels' but, I feel that we spend more time at the hotel when we're at Universal, because there's les to do in the parks (DON'T GET ME WRONG, I LOVE DOING UNIVERSAL!!!) Univ. is more of a relaxing vacation for my family more than Disney ever can be...But sometimes we don't want 'relaxing' and we want to enjoy Disney and all that it has to offer- Disney is not a relaxing vacation by any means for us...it's FUN, but not like we go there to sit around the pool for 1/2 of the vacation.

So, for me Universal resort vs. Disney resort has nothing to do with money. Because we spent pretty much the same for a week at Univ. compared to a week at Dis...it has to do with WHAT you want out of your vacation. Do you have a week? Do you want to jam it all in and have total fun? Do you want to have a ton of fun and relax for part of your vacation? Everyone is different. I would NOT recommend Universal for families with kids that are younger/shorter than mine though (I have a 5 and 7 year old who loved and got to enjoy ALL rides at IOA and Univ. except for Rip Rocket and Mummy, Hulk, dueling dragons) If you're kids aren't old enough to enjoy most of what Universal has to offer or are scared of 3-D, 4-D motion simulated rides, it would be a horrible place to go! My kids would have hated to go there last year! This year, it's the perfect vacation!

For us we have to mix things up, we could never do back to back Universal- we'd be board with it. Just like Disney- we'd get board with back to back Disney too. BUT, I certainly have fun at BOTH of them!

 

[tfoster]

Lots to think about - it's a good thing I have almost a year!

The Give a Day/Get a Day is something to consider. We'd still have to buy a ticket for my youngest (because he's under 6 years old and so can't participate in the promotion), but that would be okay. It might even work for us to spend the first night at Disney (maybe in an ASMo family suite) because then we'd get free transportation from the airport and would be able to use fastpasses at MK. Then the next night, we could take a taxi to another hotel.

I've looked at Hyatt Place as well as a couple hotels near Seaworld. Unfortunately, the more I look at the Universal hotels, the more I want to stay at one for the entire time!!

Again - lots to think about - will we really want to switch hotels (I'm the type who needs a "base" and unpacks as soon as we check in)?, how many parks do we want to fit in?, maybe we do just want to do parks 1/2 the time and relax the other 1/2 , how much is FOTL worth to us?, what room discounts will be coming out? <sigh> Like I said, it's a good thing I have a while. . .

In any event, I think we'll go ahead and do the Disney promotion just in case we decide to visit MK. Many thanks for the suggestions!

 

[macraven]

Thanks, all, for the feedback. I'm starting to get nervous that we won't be able to go though. I started writing down some preliminary prices and it looks like it'll cost a fair amount more than it just cost us to go to Disney. Yes, I realize that for a family of six (3 counting as adults), we got a good deal with Disney's free dining promotion, but had it not been for that promotion (or with one of the countless others they offer during value seasons), we wouldn't have gone.

It doesn't even look like I can get us down to match what we paid for Disney this year without our eating a lot of meals in the room(s) and I'm not sure how I feel about that. In my preliminary budget, I have us down for spending $150/day on food. Given that we are very average eaters (who do not purchase alcoholic drinks), do you think that amount is reasonable for Universal and the on-site hotels? We would probably want to have a sit-down meal once a day.

<pause>

Okay, I just looked and see that allears has the Universal menus posted too, so I'll start looking at those. Question though - will my 14-year old be able to order off the kids menu at the restaurants if he wants to? It sounds silly, but he has very little interest in growing up and often chooses to order from the same menu as the other three kids just so he can fully be "one of the kids".

at universal, anyone can order off the children's menu and it is never an issue.
trust me on this, as i do it myself.

the hotel rates will depend on the dates you plan to go.

i do the motherland and then the darkside on every trip to orlando since 1993 and stay onsite at both resorts.

last year, disney prices went up for me.

i stayed at the value resort and paid $125 plus tax for the weekends and $119 plus tax for weekdays.

that is a lot of money imo for the sports resort.
when i left the motherland, i checked into rph at the darkside.

i had a 650 sq ft king suite for $147 plus tax per night.
i used the super saver rate which is valid for 3 nights or more stay.

the Super Saver rate is available for the general public.
AAA will save you up to 35% on the onsite room rates at UO.
discounts for military, ap holders also available.

to get the best rates for your stay, call and book over the phone.
the TM's will give you the best rate available at the time you book.

if rates drop, all you do is call and have your rate modified and get the cheaper rate.

you can cut back on food costs by buying one of those $4 styrofoam chests to keep in your room.
fill it with ice and leave the ice chest in your tub in the room.
use it for perishable snacks and soda/water.

if you bring in a couple of cases of water/soda, etc, you will save a lot of money.

both disney and universal have high prices for beverages.
since there are 6 in your group, you will save $$ then.

i bought a dueling dragons mug over 10 years ago.
i take it back with me each trip and use it in the parks.
i pay the refill cost of about $.74.

any mug you buy at the UO parks are valid for life to be reused in the parks.
it is not valid for refills at the hotels though.

food costs run about the same as all the parks.
there is more of a variety at the counter service places at UO though.
many order from Flippers for pizza/sandwich delivery to your hotel.
you could go offsite for a sit down dinner in the area once the parks close in the evening. there are buffets not fare from the park.

you will get a 10% discount off food and merch in the parks if you show your AAA card.
many places at city walk also honor the AAA card for the 10% discount.

if you can, stay a couple of nights on site at the darkside, then move to offsite to a cheaper hotel.
your hotel key cards are valid for fotl perks for all in your group while you stay at the hotel and also valid for the day you check out of the hotel.

the transportation is free from the UO hotels to Seaworld, Aquatica and Wet and Wild.
there is a $10 rt fee if you use the travel busses from the hotel to busch gardens.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have to laugh myself that others find it funny or what ever that one can find one themed area to have "better" deals over the other. I am not talking experience in themes.. but money (cost effective..deals). You really cannot compare themes, they're different. They have different thrills, but the prices you can compare and one is higher than the other.
I go to both parks, I have stayed onsite at both places and have many comparisons to make. So when I say one has a "better" deal, that is my opinion based on what I have paid. When I can pay just about the same for a room and get more sq footage and inside halls, and thicker towels you better believe I am going to say that is a "better" deal That goes for any resort, not just Disney vs Universal. However, only Disney vs Universal was questioned.

I am a Fl resident. I can pay $117 (with tax) for a renewal on the Universal AP for 2 parks.. or pay $355 for the Disney renewal for 4 parks.. price wise.. Universal is "cost effective" in my opinion and I believe that was one of the OP's questions....

 

[A Mickeyfan]

at universal, anyone can order off the children's menu and it is never an issue.
trust me on this, as i do it myself.

the hotel rates will depend on the dates you plan to go.

i do the motherland and then the darkside on every trip to orlando since 1993 and stay onsite at both resorts.

last year, disney prices went up for me.

i stayed at the value resort and paid $125 plus tax for the weekends and $119 plus tax for weekdays.

that is a lot of money imo for the sports resort.
when i left the motherland, i checked into rph at the darkside.

i had a 650 sq ft king suite for $147 plus tax per night.
i used the super saver rate which is valid for 3 nights or more stay.

the Super Saver rate is available for the general public.
AAA will save you up to 35% on the onsite room rates at UO.
discounts for military, ap holders also available.

to get the best rates for your stay, call and book over the phone.
the TM's will give you the best rate available at the time you book.

if rates drop, all you do is call and have your rate modified and get the cheaper rate.

you can cut back on food costs by buying one of those $4 styrofoam chests to keep in your room.
fill it with ice and leave the ice chest in your tub in the room.
use it for perishable snacks and soda/water.

if you bring in a couple of cases of water/soda, etc, you will save a lot of money.

both disney and universal have high prices for beverages.
since there are 6 in your group, you will save $$ then.

i bought a dueling dragons mug over 10 years ago.
i take it back with me each trip and use it in the parks.
i pay the refill cost of about $.74.

any mug you buy at the UO parks are valid for life to be reused in the parks.
it is not valid for refills at the hotels though.

food costs run about the same as all the parks.
there is more of a variety at the counter service places at UO though.
many order from Flippers for pizza/sandwich delivery to your hotel.
you could go offsite for a sit down dinner in the area once the parks close in the evening. there are buffets not fare from the park.

you will get a 10% discount off food and merch in the parks if you show your AAA card.
many places at city walk also honor the AAA card for the 10% discount.

if you can, stay a couple of nights on site at the darkside, then move to offsite to a cheaper hotel.
your hotel key cards are valid for fotl perks for all in your group while you stay at the hotel and also valid for the day you check out of the hotel.

the transportation is free from the UO hotels to Seaworld, Aquatica and Wet and Wild.
there is a $10 rt fee if you use the travel busses from the hotel to busch gardens.

You have explained it very very well....