Disney/Universal--how many days at each?

[have2getaway]

We went in January to Disney and had a great time, but because we had a package that included dining, and paid quite a lot for the resort (Polynesian), we didn't end up including Universal. Our kids will be close to 9 on our next trip and I thought it would be neat to stay a few days at both, or at least go to both. My question is, for those who stay at both resorts, how many days fo you stay at each? Trying to decide if we should simply stay at Disney at Bay Lake Tower for the entire trip, or try PFB for a 2-3 nights?

We are a party of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids) so that will be a factor in where we can stay. I know we would be giving up ME if we move to Universal for transport home, and a kitchen, as we are staying in a villa this time.

 

[bchbetha]

You just did Disney...I'd try something new. I'd do 3 days at Universal and stay onsite. I think you'll all really like it. It's not Disney so go with an open mind about the differences. It'll be a great trip.
You can easily take an UberXL to the airport for not a lot of money.
Cabana Bay has kitchenettes but not included express passes. I'd choose one of the resort's that come with EP unless going off season.

 

[HairyChest]

2 nights at universal. 7 or more nights at Disney. ive also done 1 night at universal but had almost 2 full days at the parks and then went to my Disney resort at night which was good too but I didnt have kids with me so it was easy to do.

 

[have2getaway]

You just did Disney...I'd try something new. I'd do 3 days at Universal and stay onsite. I think you'll all really like it. It's not Disney so go with an open mind about the differences. It'll be a great trip.
You can easily take an UberXL to the airport for not a lot of money.
Cabana Bay has kitchenettes but not included express passes. I'd choose one of the resort's that come with EP unless going off season.

We are going the second week in January. Is this considered off-season?

 

[angryduck71]

My son loves Universal now more than Disney. This time, we're going to 3 days of Disney (well, we have a free pass to a day at a water park there too, so I guess 4 days) and I had to fight to get that extra 3rd day, and 5 days at Universal. It all just depends. I am only doing Disney, honestly, because I can stay at Shades of Green and can get military passes. Otherwise, each time I'd try to stick with one theme park as it's so much cheaper to do it that way. If your kids are into Harry Potter, I'd really just do Universal. But, that's my two cents. My son thinks 5 days is the best. Of course, this time we're going early June and Volcano Bay is also open, so we probably will not be spending as much time as he'd like there!

 

[bchbetha]

We are going the second week in January. Is this considered off-season?

Depends if it overlaps with MLK day. Busy if it does, not if it doesn't.

 

[macraven]

We are going the second week in January. Is this considered off-season?

I went the last week of January and crowds were low and rooms had discounts
Stayed at Disney then moved to UO feb 3
Parks not crowded there also

All my trips I do both parks
Start with the motherland and then move to the darkside hotels

Trip in October will be the first time ever will be one park/UO only for my vacation

 

[kohlby]

I agree that since you just did Disney, focus on Universal. That doesn't mean you need to just to Universal, but just use Disney the number of extra days you have for your trip. I'd plan four Universal days and the remainder for Disney. Keep in mind too that the more days you do at one, the cheaper it is. We used to do both every trip doing one day per a park. (So that would be four Disney and two Universal and one Seaworld or one legoland). But increasing prices changed that. We changed to just Disney or Universal/legoland.

 

[nighttowll]

I'm going to be the exception here and recommend staying at Disney and just going over for a day or so to check it out.

My reasoning is that people seem to either love or hate Universal, and with your kids being younger it is iffy how much you would actually be able to do with them. Since you've never been before, it could be a long 3 to 4 days if you get there and decide it isn't for you. With the ages of the kids, I'd check into height restrictions and the scare factor on the different rides before deciding. Some 9 year olds don't want to or can't do very much at all. Others will ride the thrill rides all day long and never be scared of anything.

If you guys try it out and love it, you can always plan a longer trip for the future.

If I'm misreading and you've been before, definitely stay longer. If you're sure the kids can and will want to do most everything, then again definitely stay longer. I'd stay at least 3 days. You'll love it. Portifino Bay is my favorite deluxe. I think that's the one you were referring to staying at.

 

[Parker Clan]

Our yearly tradition started at Universal 2 nights, Disney 7. Now it's Universal for 3 nights, Disney 7. We say Universal is like the appetizer to the main course Disney lol But since Universal keeps adding things we will probably increase our time there.
I do agree with previous posters though - since you've never been to Universal and just went to Disney, you should do Universal! It's really got a ton to offer... How long you stay depends on your budget I guess. For us it's just two adults so it's not that expensive but with a family I don't know. Me and hubby always say too that elementary to teenage age kids must absolutely love Universal.. I remember I liked it more than Disney growing up. Enjoy!!

 

[damo]

I honestly think that if you are visiting Universal, you should stay at Universal. It always takes away from the experience when you have to fight the parking garage crowd, fight the inspection booths, rush around from ride to ride because you only have a short period of time and then fight the parking garage once again.

Stay onsite for two nights minimum. Enjoy EVERYTHING there is to offer. Take your time to eat at a nice establishment. Take your time to visit all the little nooks and crannies. Take your time and ride the boat into the park each morning. Take your time and visit all the shops. Take your time and purchase an interactive wand and do all the spells at both Diagon Alley and Hogmeade. Take your time and visit the amazing playgrounds where kids and adults don't want to leave. The Jurrasic Park Discovery Centre and Camp Jurassic can take up 2 hours just on their own. The Curious George ball factory is a hoot as is Me Ship the Olive. Then there is the fact that you can pool hop at Universal. So many great pools!

Spend a bit more money and stay at one of the three deluxe hotels that include unlimited express access. What a wonderful feature this is. Think of express pass that you use whenever you want.

There really is a lot to do but people who only go for a day end up missing so many of the good parts and then complain because they didn't take the time to explore all the cool things there are to offer!!!

 

[angryduck71]

I honestly think that if you are visiting Universal, you should stay at Universal. It always takes away from the experience when you have to fight the parking garage crowd, fight the inspection booths, rush around from ride to ride because you only have a short period of time and then fight the parking garage once again.

Stay onsite for two nights minimum. Enjoy EVERYTHING there is to offer. Take your time to eat at a nice establishment. Take your time to visit all the little nooks and crannies. Take your time and ride the boat into the park each morning. Take your time and visit all the shops. Take your time and purchase an interactive wand and do all the spells at both Diagon Alley and Hogmeade. Take your time and visit the amazing playgrounds where kids and adults don't want to leave. The Jurrasic Park Discovery Centre and Camp Jurassic can take up 2 hours just on their own. The Curious George ball factory is a hoot as is Me Ship the Olive. Then there is the fact that you can pool hop at Universal. So many great pools!

Spend a bit more money and stay at one of the three deluxe hotels that include unlimited express access. What a wonderful feature this is. Think of express pass that you use whenever you want.

There really is a lot to do but people who only go for a day end up missing so many of the good parts and then complain because they didn't take the time to explore all the cool things there are to offer!!!

THIS.

 

[kohlby]

As for ages - there is lots to do at Universal for younger kids too. We started taking our kids as babies. The range we've taken kids is 2 months old through almost 16 years old. Always found plenty. One of our 6 park-day trips had kids ages 4, 7, and 10 and we easily filled it.

 

[smooreo]

We're currently planning a WDW/Universal trip for this December. We're planning 5 WDW days (the last day we'll check out early, go to a park, then get to universal late to check in), then have a day off to rest/swim/take it easy, and then will spend 2 days at Universal. We're also a party of 6 and our kids will be 13 and (almost) 11.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I honestly think that if you are visiting Universal, you should stay at Universal. It always takes away from the experience when you have to fight the parking garage crowd, fight the inspection booths, rush around from ride to ride because you only have a short period of time and then fight the parking garage once again.

Stay onsite for two nights minimum. Enjoy EVERYTHING there is to offer. Take your time to eat at a nice establishment. Take your time to visit all the little nooks and crannies. Take your time and ride the boat into the park each morning. Take your time and visit all the shops. Take your time and purchase an interactive wand and do all the spells at both Diagon Alley and Hogmeade. Take your time and visit the amazing playgrounds where kids and adults don't want to leave. The Jurrasic Park Discovery Centre and Camp Jurassic can take up 2 hours just on their own. The Curious George ball factory is a hoot as is Me Ship the Olive. Then there is the fact that you can pool hop at Universal. So many great pools!

Spend a bit more money and stay at one of the three deluxe hotels that include unlimited express access. What a wonderful feature this is. Think of express pass that you use whenever you want.

There really is a lot to do but people who only go for a day end up missing so many of the good parts and then complain because they didn't take the time to explore all the cool things there are to offer!!!

Amen! Almost 9 year olds will love the Universal parks! With the way pricing is now set at Disney/Universal and the size of your family, I would recommend some form of Universal AP for your trip and spend 5 days at Universal (2 days for each main park and 1 at the water park) and then I'd get single day passes to MK (for a week long trip). There's no price advantage on Disney tickets through 4 days, so just pick the best park and enjoy it. And with your family size, I would recommend a rental car and an offsite accommodation (WAY cheapest and comfiest option). Having extra time for the Universal parks will mitigate the need for EP and your kids will likely enjoy most of the rides that don't "need" it (and HP doesn't use it).

Then, next year, you could revisit more Disney and fit in some "free" Universal days b/c you'd still have your APs...

 

[have2getaway]

I'm going to be the exception here and recommend staying at Disney and just going over for a day or so to check it out.

My reasoning is that people seem to either love or hate Universal, and with your kids being younger it is iffy how much you would actually be able to do with them. Since you've never been before, it could be a long 3 to 4 days if you get there and decide it isn't for you. With the ages of the kids, I'd check into height restrictions and the scare factor on the different rides before deciding. Some 9 year olds don't want to or can't do very much at all. Others will ride the thrill rides all day long and never be scared of anything.

If you guys try it out and love it, you can always plan a longer trip for the future.

If I'm misreading and you've been before, definitely stay longer. If you're sure the kids can and will want to do most everything, then again definitely stay longer. I'd stay at least 3 days. You'll love it. Portifino Bay is my favorite deluxe. I think that's the one you were referring to staying at.

Thank you! I have been before--years ago, and my older son more recently with his Dad. We didn't go this trip specifically because we knew they did not meet the height requirements for the two big roller coasters. Two of our triplets LOVE thrill rides, but one does not at all. He hated Dinosaur, freaked out during "It's Tough to Be a Bug", and had a panic attack while he and I (only 2) tried the mild version of Mission Space. We didn't make it through the doors. He started to cry on Tower of Terror, but fortunately his big brother calmed him down. I honestly don't see him enjoying
Universal. I also found most of the simulator rides made me sick to my stomach. That said, the other 3 boys will love Spider-Man & Transformers. My older son loves Harry Potter, but the younger ones just aren't into it yet. They still really like Mickey and the characters, which makes me think we should wait a bit longer. DH keeps saying it's going to be a few years before we go back, but...we're already going back a year later. Lol. Pretty sure Universal will still be there when they are in Middle School and might enjoy it more. Anyway, I could be completely wrong. We have thought about Lego land, but pretty sure my 15 year old can't do anything there. So...I'm leaning toward just staying put, but now thinking I at least should consider s split stay at an Epcot it AKL resort if we do.

 

[have2getaway]

I honestly think that if you are visiting Universal, you should stay at Universal. It always takes away from the experience when you have to fight the parking garage crowd, fight the inspection booths, rush around from ride to ride because you only have a short period of time and then fight the parking garage once again.

Stay onsite for two nights minimum. Enjoy EVERYTHING there is to offer. Take your time to eat at a nice establishment. Take your time to visit all the little nooks and crannies. Take your time and ride the boat into the park each morning. Take your time and visit all the shops. Take your time and purchase an interactive wand and do all the spells at both Diagon Alley and Hogmeade. Take your time and visit the amazing playgrounds where kids and adults don't want to leave. The Jurrasic Park Discovery Centre and Camp Jurassic can take up 2 hours just on their own. The Curious George ball factory is a hoot as is Me Ship the Olive. Then there is the fact that you can pool hop at Universal. So many great pools!

Spend a bit more money and stay at one of the three deluxe hotels that include unlimited express access. What a wonderful feature this is. Think of express pass that you use whenever you want.

There really is a lot to do but people who only go for a day end up missing so many of the good parts and then complain because they didn't take the time to explore all the cool things there are to offer!!!

Wow! I didn't realize you can pool hop at Universal. That is a nice perk! It sounds like they have added quite a bit since I went. I didn't realize they had so many playgrounds for younger kids.

 

[pcstang]

It's a whole different ballgame at USO compared to the mouse. Stay deluxe, get express and childswap is way better than WDW. More relaxing, pool hopping if you choose and just an overall relaxing vacation. Don't sell it short! Also, I've been taking my kids since they were two. Currently 12, 7 and 5.

 

[have2getaway]

I'm still torn after reading all the reviews. If we do stay at Universal, we'd probably want either PBR or Hard Rock. At Disney, we are renting a 2 Bedroom at Bay Lake Tower. Just wondering which would be the best? HR or PBR? Pretty sure my 15 year old would prefer the Hard Rock hotel.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

We love HR hotel and DS8 is almost as excited for the slide at the pool as he is for the parks. In October we did 3 park days at USO and upgraded our tickets to Seasonal Passes. We stayed at HR for 3 nights and I was wonderful. Then we did 3 park days at WDW and 4 nights at the Swan (preferred HR by far).
DS8 much prefers Universal to WDW with the thrill rides. DD4 was scared of most things at Universal and DS2 was too small for most. DH and I enjoyed something new and we are excited to return to USO in March, but WDW rides are more my speed.
We are going back in a couple weeks and will have 2 nights and 2 days at USO/HR. Then 6 days at WDW. My younger 2 love WDW still but my oldest has kinda outgrown it at least for now.
I think EP and early entry for HP make staying on site worth it at Universal. DD rode Flight of the Hippogriff 30 times or so over 3 days so EP was very nice. Not sure if it is necessary for January though.