Disney or Universal?

[ToyStory]

We are doing Universal this time around instead of Disney. This trip to Florida is a beach / Universal trip.

When we go to Disney we like to stay at least a week. One day Epcot, AK and DHS, two days for MK and one day for a water park (mid trip for a relaxation day). We enjoy the dining plan. My kids talk alot about the restaurants they have eaten at (Chef Mickey's, Sci Fi, etc.)

Our first trip to Universal we stayed for 5 days and were getting bored towards the end. It was more relaxing then Disney since we stayed at the Hard Rock and had FOTL. I will admit we did make comments this isn't Disney, but we did enjoy our trip.

We enjoyed both parks but for longer trips I prefer Disney, shorter trips we like Universal.

 

[Metro West]

You mean it's not the extreme heat, giant insects and rapidly declining real estate values?

Well those too.

 

[dd50]

You mean it's not the extreme heat, giant insects and rapidly declining real estate values?

Hey, you don't have to rub it in!

 

[TallandGoofy]

We're doing both!

Next week, in fact!!

5 nights

4 days at WDW and 1 day at US/IOA with Express Passes.

We love 'em both. DW and I have been down to Orlando 5 times together and we can never get enough. Our kids love them too. (well, my DD3 hasn't been to US/IOA yet but DS8 has)

 

[francie57]

We do the same as a few of the pp have stated. We go to Universal at the beginning our yearly trip and then head over to Disney. We stay on-site at the Hard Rock and having the unlimited express pass is the greatest thing around. We love walking to a park in the morning, head back for a swim, have dinner at City Walk and then go back to a park. As others have stated, you can't compare Disney to Universal - they are completely different experiences. Each has their own unique experiences to offer. Universal and Islands of Adventure definitely offer more thrill rides than Disney does. You won't be disappointed with Universal.

 

[cajunprincess]

Thanks for all the help everyone! I don't know if I can completely skip WDW, but we will see if I can convince my hubby to pay a little extra to do both.

 

[ducky_love]

The correct answer is both!

They both have really unique attractions. When we were vacationing here before we moved we loved Universal! The only thing to be aware of is that most of the rides are intense. Our problem is that I can't do coasters and my hubby can't do simulators so we don't get to enjoy many things together at Universal.

Here is our typical morning: Race to WWOHP, I ride FJ while he rides Dragon Challenge. Meet in the middle for FOH. If we head toward Toon Lagoon I wait for him until we get to Marvel (nothing in Toon Lagoon or JP I can ride). Then I ride Spiderman without him (it makes him sick). So keep in mind if you don't like the same kind of rides you may not be spending the day together.

I didn't mind when we were vacationing but it has been tough with year passes there. We are letting them expire in September not because we don't LOVE Universal but just because we want to go to a park where we can do more together. More times than I can count we end up just walking around together at Uni!

 

[jarrdisney]

I agree with NYTIMEZ. Go ahead and experience USO/IOA before you have children. It will be very hard for you to return or have much for them to do until they're at least 5 years old. I know people like to go on and on about how USO has plenty of stuff for the little ones, but they just can't hold a candle to WDW as far as that's concerned. To me, USO/IOA are more adult themed parks. I get more nostalgia (movies/etc), than I do at WDW most the time. I guess that's why I miss Back to the Future and Ghostbusters stuff.

Oh. Halloween Horror Nights! THE. BEST. EVENT. IN. ORLANDO. Hands down!