Disney or Universal?

[cajunprincess]

So my husband and I are planning to make a trip to either Disney or Universal in October 2012. I am a HUGE wdw fan and my husband is happy doing whatever if it's vacation. I've never been to Universal and have recently started considering this as a possibility.

We both love rides, but I also like the shows. I love WDW with staying on site (at affordable prices), the dining plan, and the "magical-ness" of Disney. However, maybe Universal would something different to try?

My biggest worry is that by going to Universal, I might be let down. This will be our last trip to Orlando until after we have kids and they are old enough to go. I don't even really know where to start when it comes to looking Universal. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[dtum]

Was sort of in the same boat. We booked our house at WH with plans to go to Disney (not staying onsite because it's too pricey). Then my kid's families decided that since we always go to Disney they wanted to try Universal. I don't ride rides so I guess I'll be holding bags most of the time. I will probably miss WDW the most (found myself thinking about Hollywood Studios today), but it's time to try something different and GS really, really like Harry Potter. The hardest thing for me is going to be trying not to compare it to Disney because I know it's different, but if you never go and see for yourself, you'll never know what it is like and if we hate it, we won't go back. I think if you ride big rides you will like it a lot from what I've read hear people say a lot of the rides are like Disney only "more." Good luck in your decision.

 

[damo]

If your preference is rides where you sit in a vehicle that just travels through scenes but doesn't do much of anything, you won't really like Universal as much as Disney. Universal combines great rides with great theming. It isn't a sit and watch type of park.

How long are you going for and what are your dates more specifically in October? I'll check to see what kind of deals are available for you, to help you with your decisions.

 

[RMulieri]

Try something new..It's not like Disney is moving to MARS or something..We decided that this year we are taking our 7 yr old to Universal/IOA and Seaworld.We are skipping disney and are HUGE disney fans.But we want to experience Universal, and want to give it its fair chance and not tag it on as an add on to a disney stay.Disney will always be there,and we will go once The Fantasyland expansion is done

 

[glocon]

Universal is not magical like disney, but its still awsome. It's very different and you need to expect it to be very different. I must say, having stayed both on site and off, it is a totally different experience staying on site. Then it is magical because you can do so much more than you ever could at disney, and you don't ever have to drive or take a crowded bus, because you can walk or take a boat or a bike thing-a-ma-jig thing. And the hotels are all deluxe level for much less than disney deluxe! And the pools are really good too! Love universal and the wwohp.

 

[Badge]

I was once a huge fan of Disney as well, but we slowly started visiting Universal when we came down to Disney, and now we rarely visit Disney anymore.

Sure, Universal does not have that "magic" that Disney does, but Universal has its own kind. Staying on-site at Universal, while it is more than some hotels at Disney, its not as bad as the Deluxe hotels at Disney. I also think the hotels at Universal are BETTER than the Deluxe at Disney when it comes to comfort in the rooms. All three on-site hotels have great pools, theming, etc. Also, you get the amazing benefit of the Express line at nearly every ride in the park. This Express line works like Fastpass...without having to wait for a return time! Simply show your room key to the TM at the front of the line and you will get to enter the Express line and be riding the ride in about 5-10 minutes. Such a great perk!

As far as rides go, it depends on what you like? Do you like thrill rides like Tower of Terror, Rock in Rollercoaster, Everest, Splash Mountain? Or do you like rides more tame like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Soarin? If you enjoy the thrill rides, Universal is for you! Universal has only a few rides where you simply sit in a car and move from room to room to see a scene (like Haunted Mansion). Instead, universal takes that concept and expands on it. Take a ride like Star Tours, place it on a flat track that moves 360 degrees, toss in some fire and water, and you have a Universal ride like Spiderman. The rides all have a lot of theming and story telling just like Disney, but they are geared more for an "older" crowd and not designed for the younger kids like Disney.

Also, since you will be going in October, Halloween Horror Nights will be going on. If you enjoy going to your local haunted house during this time of year, this event at Universal will blow you away! It is a very intense event that takes place in the whole park with roughly 8 haunted houses and some extreme themeing.

Overall, it really depends on how long you want to travel for and what type of rides you enjoy. Both places have shows, mild rides, and thrill rides, but Universal has more of the thrill rides. If you do go, you really need to stay onsite. The express pass alone makes it worth it, not to mention not having to drive or ride buses. Simply board the boats that dock right outside your hotel and enjoy a nice boat ride to Citywalk where it is only a short walk to either park.

If you are going to be in Orlando for a week or more, consider doing Universal for 2 or 3 nights and Disney for the rest. With the express pass, you do not need many days to see both the parks. This will allow you to do both places and let you test out Universal. We started with just one day, which quickly changed to 3 days, and then a bunch of trips for four nights. The next trip will be 7 days, and I can't wait.

 

[damo]

I don't get the magic at Disney at all. I do get it at Universal though. Interesting.

 

[nytimez]

WDW has so much more for babies and littler kids than Universal does.

What I'm saying is, go to Universal now -- because while it'll be easy to go to WDW with babies/children of any age... Universal is really much better for kids when they get a little older (they can start to enjoy some of the attractions at 4 or 5... but there's still a lot that's off-limits to them even at that age).

Also, you've been the WDW. Try something new. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[mikkiwikki]

Was sort of in the same boat. We booked our house at WH with plans to go to Disney (not staying onsite because it's too pricey). Then my kid's families decided that since we always go to Disney they wanted to try Universal. I don't ride rides so I guess I'll be holding bags most of the time. I will probably miss WDW the most (found myself thinking about Hollywood Studios today), but it's time to try something different and GS really, really like Harry Potter. The hardest thing for me is going to be trying not to compare it to Disney because I know it's different, but if you never go and see for yourself, you'll never know what it is like and if we hate it, we won't go back. I think if you ride big rides you will like it a lot from what I've read hear people say a lot of the rides are like Disney only "more." Good luck in your decision.

WE are staying at WH for our Christmas trip...let me know what you think as it is our first trip there.!

 

[LUVIOA]

I agree with Damo. I don't understand when people talk about how "magical" Disney is. I've even tried to get friends to explain it to me and they just get defensive and say it just IS. Is it the increase in heart rate when you walk through the gate? Is it the feeling that you could cry because you're just so happy to be there? Is it that hearing the theme music from areas of the park make you giggle spontaneously? Yeah I get ALL that at Universal!!

 

[2tink4u]

My sincere belief is that Disney is for everyone. Kids will go on to wanting more thrills and Disney will be much less popular for a long time....until they have their own kids then Disney will be popular again.

Then somewhere later in life, when you start to have health problems arthritis, bad neck, knee whatever, Disney gets popular again. Then you can still enjoy some of their rides and the Food and Wine Festival and the Flower Festival and so on. You can take the Grandkids and manage most of the rides ect.

I don't see many older grey haired folks on the Hulk, you know what I mean?

 

[aubriee]

I think it would depend on how long you are staying for. If you are there for a week or more I'd do two nights at Universal and the rest at WDW. I made my first trip over to Universal last May and fell in love with it. Since I go to WDW several times a year, I really don't know why it took me so long to give Universal a try. I was just satisfied with Disney and just never had any interest in trying it until I heard Harry Potter was opening up. I was staying at WDW, but went over there two days (even though HP wasn't opened yet). I loved it so much that on the first day I upgraded my 7 day 2 park ticket to an AP, because I knew I'd be returning. Even though I already had reservations to go back to WDW in Oct and Dec, as soon as I got home from the May trip I immediately made reservations for a Universal only trip for late August/early Sept. I wanted to really take my time exploring the resorts and parks, looking at all the little details. I stayed at RPH and loved it, but have to admit that after about the third day I started getting bored. With front of the line passes and being able to walk quickly to both parks, you get alot more done quicker than you possibly could at WDW. When I went back WDW in Oct we used Mears and went back over to Universal for a couple days. We enjoyed it, but those two days were enough to get everything done. In Dec I was at WDW solo and planned to spend another two days over at Universal. I got there early, there were no crowds, and I was able to do everything I wanted in both parks in one day, so didn't go back the second day. About 2 1/2 weeks ago we were at WDW again, planned to spend two full days at Universal, but again due to very low crowds and getting there before opening, were able to get both parks done in one day. I've renewed my AP, even though I'll probably just be spending a day or two over there several times a year during my WDW trips. I love Universal, but there's just so much more to do at WDW. I really wish Universal would open another park.

I don't know why people think they have to put down one park, just because they prefer the other. I love both Universal and WDW and think both do a fantastic job with their themeing and all the details they put into their parks. CM at both parks have always been fantastic and in fact some of them work at both parks.

 

[cajunprincess]

If your preference is rides where you sit in a vehicle that just travels through scenes but doesn't do much of anything, you won't really like Universal as much as Disney. Universal combines great rides with great theming. It isn't a sit and watch type of park.

How long are you going for and what are your dates more specifically in October? I'll check to see what kind of deals are available for you, to help you with your decisions.

I'm thinking Oct. 16-21/22. I can really do any time after Oct 15 (when tax extensions are due). So we are flexible. Does Universal offer any kind of dining plan?

 

[Badge]

Universal only has a Meal Deal but it is not really worth it. Unlike Disney, universal does not have a ton of table service meals inside the parks. We normally just have a counter service lunch and then depending on what we feel like will either do a different counter service for dinner, or enjoy a nice meal on Citywalk or at the hotel.

I suggest getting the soda cup while you are there. It costs around $6 or $7, but you get $.85 refills for life! Its makes meals a lot cheaper once you have the mugs and don't have to spend $2 or $3 everytime you want a drink, and they are big, so you can get one or two and just share them.

 

[ktlm]

Our last pre-kid trip, we stayed a week at a WDW resort. We spent one day in each of the WDW parks and then drove over to Universal and spent a day there (we park hopped, but it was pre-Harry Potter, now I am guessing you would want a day at each park). We loved Universal! (WDW will always be our favorite, though). I don't think you need to change hotels and stay at Universal unless you just want to. I would recommend doing both sets of parks if you can. Now that we have DD, Universal is not that great until they get older, so I would go now when you have the chance!

 

[damo]

I'm thinking Oct. 16-21/22. I can really do any time after Oct 15 (when tax extensions are due). So we are flexible. Does Universal offer any kind of dining plan?

Rooms at the Royal Pacific are $186/night. There are no annual passes rates out yet. Often when you are staying for as long as you are, purchasing an annual pass (about $50 more than your 7 day ticket) will get you room discounts that make it very worthwhile.

I wouldn't recommend the dining plan. It is only available for specific counter service restaurants. There are so many better restaurants available at the parks and at Citywalk and the hotels that I would suggest limiting yourself to counter service.

Remember that Citywalk, the parks and the hotels are all within walking distance. So this gives you a ton of dining choices.

There are two table service restaurants in each park. There are 9 table service restaurants at Citywalk. There are 3 table service restaurants at RPR, 2 at HRH and 3 at PBH. Then there are the many excellent counter service eateries as well. There are over 50 places to eat, so you don't want to be limiting yourself.

 

[jacksg@l]

Universal is not magical like disney, but its still awsome. It's very different and you need to expect it to be very different. I must say, having stayed both on site and off, it is a totally different experience staying on site. Then it is magical because you can do so much more than you ever could at disney, and you don't ever have to drive or take a crowded bus, because you can walk or take a boat or a bike thing-a-ma-jig thing. And the hotels are all deluxe level for much less than disney deluxe! And the pools are really good too! Love universal and the wwohp.

Wonderfully put.

 

[Metro West]

What's the best thing about visiting Universal in October?

Halloween Horror Nights of course.

It's the only reason I still live in Orlando!

 

[nytimez]

What's the best thing about visiting Universal in October?

Halloween Horror Nights of course.

It's the only reason I still live in Orlando!

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

 

[Planogirl]

Universal is very special and unique. It does its own thing and does it with a tongue-in-cheek, adventurous style that we find refreshing. This is what keeps us coming back for more. We still go to that other place but we will never miss Universal during any trip.

In fact, I'm working on a trip to Universal for this August. I'm mulling over whether to visit any Disney parks since it will be a short trip. It boggles my mind that I at one time couldn't imagine going anywhere but WDW.