Disney or Universal: Which would you visit FIRST?

[mill4023]

Do Disney first and save Universal for last. FOTL will spoil you and you will hate waiting in the lines at Disney. Universal is so much more relaxing with FOTL and it would be a great way to end you trip!

Lots of people say this, but we didn't find it to be the case at all. We used TGM and never waited longer than 10 minutes for any attraction at Disney. Yes, it's a little less convenient to be restricted by Fast Pass return times, but it wasn't a big deal. With smart park touring, you really shouldn't be waiting in long lines at Disney. I liked doing Universal first and having pure Disney for the rest of the trip.

And for those who aren't familiar with it, FOTL is a bit misleading. There is no front of the line access. Instead, it's the same thing as Fast Pass. There's a separate "Express" line that is given higher priority than the stand-by line and has shorter waits. The real advantage that on-site Universal guests get is that they don't have to print out a ticket and wait for a return time. What's referred to here as FOTL is basically equivalent to having unlimited access to the Fast Pass line.

 

[LEO_Magic]

We save the best for last, so we do Universal 1st & then Disney!




"I'm loosing to rug!"
--Genie....."Aladdin the movie"--

 

[Got Quattro?]

been going to disney twice a year since 1993 and still have not made it to Universal. I only go to Seaworld and Busch Gardens here or there because my dad works for AB and I get in free.

 

[Laurabearz]

We just got back from a HRH/BWV trip. I booked HRH first since we thought downgrading from a 2 bedroom to a Kids Suite at HRH would be hard, and while that may be true, it really sucked going from unlimited express pass to the fast pass system. Big time.

 

[cocowum]

I've done both. One trip with Disney first, one trip with Universal first. I have to say that doing Universal first is much better. When we did Disney first, getting to Universal, the people there are just not as friendly and polite as those at Disney. It took all the magic out of our trip!

When we did Universal first, we enjoyed the parks but when we got to Disney, we realized how much better it was.

Just my 2cents. Enjoy your trip!

I agree.

Last year, we went to Disney first and USO at the end of our trip and we couldn't help but compare the difference. USO has great rides but that's it. IMHO. Go to Universal first have a blast and then go to Disney. You'll have an awesome time.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I would do Universal first-I prefer to end my vacation with Disney!

 

[RC Fan]

While I am not a big fan of the Studios side, IOA is AWESOME! It is my favorite theme park thus far! That having been said, I personally would go to Disney first, and then go to Universal.

Probably the best advice I could give you is to approach both parks with an open mind. Both parks have their strengths!

I hope you you a great trip!

 

[Mainebound]

We will be going to both next June but not sure which one to go to first. We will be staying onsite at both if that helps, but just 2 nights at Hard Rock.

You will love the Hard Rock and you will love FOTL. We went to Universal the last two trips (March 04 and March 05). In 2004, we stayed at HRH after a week onsite at WDW and it was awesome not to have to worry about lines. You really realize how much all the intensive planning we do for our WDW park days is stressful when you go to Universal and don't have to do it! You can walk to the parks from the HRH in LITERALLY 5 minutes. No messing with buses, monorails, boats. It is awesome. Your room key also gets you right into restaurants -- no ADRs to mess with, except for a couple of high demand places (Emerils). The 3 days onsite at Unversal felt like more of a vacation than the 7 days at WDW.

This past March we stayed in a pool home in Kissimmee, a wonderful choice for us, and bought the 5 day bonus passes for Universal. We also purchased the FOTL booklets (gets you 1 FOTL on each ride in the park). It was no hardship driving to Universal, so we mixed our WDW and Universal days (with a Sea World day thrown in for good measure. Our family motto seems to be: leave no theme park unturned!.).

FYI: My kids are preschoolers, and we also travel with my 68 year old mother, and of course, my DH. Everyone loved the Universal parks.

So, I would say: do Universal at the end for relaxation, as long as you are staying on site. BUT -- if you choose otherwise you will still have a great trip.