Disney / Universal Split. Info Please!

[Grendalynn]

We are in the beginning stages oif planning our March 2008 family vaca to Florida. DH and I had to take a little road trip yesterday and talked about it and all the planning etc...

We had a thought about splitting our 9 days with Universal. 5 ro 6 at WDW/CR and the rest at Univeral Studios Orlando. While our heart belongs at Disney, our little Boys very much like the Super Heros and all that jazz and want to be sure hit it at the right ages and not miss out.

I honestly know almost nothing about USO. Is it similar to Disney - time wise I mean? How long/how many days does it take to go through each park? How mnay parks are there exactly? Is it worth staying at their onsite hotels? We will have an 8 yo, 5 yo and 18 month old - what attractions will fit their ages at USO?

Thanks so much!!

 

[keishashadow]

Def. worthwhile to visit Universal .

Superheroes all over the place; esp. Spiderman; your ds will luv it. They have a charactar breakfast too in the parks (sometimes @ onsite hotels too; depending on season, etc.)

I don't ride the "killer coasters"; still find plenty of other fun attractions.


Even though we own DVC, we try to work it in for a few days.

The onsite perc of FOTL is fantastic ; my family won't consider visiting without it. You are able to enjoy the privledge both the day of check-in & the day you check out. Effectively, a 2 night stay, gives you 3 days

Currently, the RPR hotel is the most economical; especially w/AAA rates.

Be sure to visit the Universal boards. Also a wonderful source of info is Universal Orlando by Kelly Monaghan; very comprehensive. The Unoffical Guide also has brief mention & tourning plans.

Good luck!

 

[Darcy03231]

Definitely worth the trip. My kids love it. Just keep in mind its not WDW. If you go don't try to compare the two. Just enjoy it as another park and , you'll have a wonderful time. My kids like it so much that this year we're not doing WDW at all (well maybe we'll sneak a day in), they just want to do Universal! Its also much less expensive for the tickets. Right now there's a sale on for 7 days unlimited admission for $85.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

There are two parks - Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. It is definitely worth it to stay on-site - the hotels are very nice, and the front of the line access is a huge perk. You can do both in two days with FOTL access and still have time to swim in the pool.

Islands of Adventure has Seuss Landing, which all of your kids will probably love. There is a One Fish, Two Fish ride that is like Dumbo with an addictive theme song, a Caro-seussel that is wonderful, an indoor track ride themed to Cat in the Hat (my DD4 did not like this - too dark and spinny for her), and the Seuss Trolley Train Ride, which we rode no less than 30 times. (Which is why FOTL is so important - I didn't want to wait in line 30 times!) There is a very cute Seuss playground. IOA also has the big thrill rides and the Spiderman ride (DD4 did not like this one either!)

Universal has the movie and TV themed rides - Shrek, Jimmy Neutron, Back to the Future, Terminator. It also has the Barney show for your little one - it is very cute. There is a wonderful Curious George playground that DD7 and DD4 loved - bring extra clothes!

There was not much at Universal Studios that DD4 liked (but she liked IOA)- we wandered around while big sis and daddy rode rides, but we also went back to IOA to do more Seuss rides. The parks are close enough together to walk from one to the other, unlike WDW. It is easy to split up, and you can take your rental stroller (if you have one) from one park to the other.

WDW is still a better fit for my kids at their age, but we enjoyed our Universal trip. There is not as much for the littlest ones, but the price is right and it was a nice change. We got tickets for all four of us for $200 (up to five days, but we only used two) when they ran the kids play free special last summer. It was a nice budget long weekend trip.

The Universal board is wonderful - I learned so much from the experts over there!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

We are planning a split stay for our trip this August. We are doing it "backwards", because Universal is the preferred part of the trip for my dh. Most folks will tell you to visit Universal first then Disney, because Disney will be the highlight. It just depends on your family.

My ds loves Disney, and he loves the movies/superheroes. It's all a big thrill for him. We going to do our SeaWorld day from USO, because it's a quicker commute than Disney.

You will find different attractions based on the ages of your guys. The littlest one will love A Day in the Park w/Barney. They should all enjoy Seussland at ISO. There are great playgrounds in both parks. The younger ones will probably be too short to ride Spiderman, but your older son will love it.

There are plenty of things for all of them -- Jimmy Neutron, Shrek 4-D, Animal Actors show, Jurassic Park discovery area, Curious George spray ground, Fievel's playground, E.T., I could go on, but I think you get the idea. You should go to the universal website and check out the names of particular attractions. That will give you a good idea of how much there is to interest your guys. We have taken ds9 at ages 7 and 4. He was interested in different things each time, but always found fun things to do. There will be times when you will want to just take the little one for a snack and stroll by the lake, which is fine. Obviously, he's not going to be able to ride all the rides, just like Disney.

I also concur that you should stay onsite if possible. FOTL is priceless. The lines get long quickly, and if you can avoid that, you will all be happier. If you stay on site, you can go as many times as you like, and always in the Express Lane. When you have younger folk along, that always helps.

 

[Dawn414]

I can't speak to staying on-site, but if it means the Disney version of "Fast Pass' then it may be worth it. I will say though that Universal often has 'deals' going on...last year, they had a deal...2 days, 2 adults $99 each adult (so basically $200) with one child free per adult plus an extra an extra 3 days free...so 5 days for the four of us for $200. This year, they're running another special although I don't know what it is.

The parks are side-by-side although separated...you can walk from one to another. March is a tough month...could be crowded, but if you're on-sight, probably less of an issue. My children are too young to enjoy much more than Cat in the Hat, shrek and a couple others I don't recall...but my husband and I both LOVED...

At Universal Studios---Mummy, Back to the Future, Men in Black, Twister
At Islands of Adventure---basically everything....spiderman, the hulk, dueling dragons, sinbad, jurassic park, the water rides...

Have fun either way!!!
Dawn

 

[BTDTGB]

We normally do a Universal trip every other year, a nice inexpesive trip that allows us to save for our next Disney trip. Two years ago we stayed on site and loved the front of the line badges. We usually do 5 days, but it only takes two days to see everything. We spend the other 3 days doing or favorites over and over.

One last bit of advise, make sure you ride Spiderman!

 

[bless7ings]

I was thinking of going here. We went to Disney in fall 2005. I am trying to go this fall. My three oldest want to go to Universal.(ds18, ds17, dd13) My youngest want to go to Disney and mom!(dd11, dd4, dd2) Dad says Disney and baby Micah is pretty easy going and just laughs at everybody!

This could be inexpensive option to Disney, but what about the little ones? They are looking forward to Disney again! I can't believe my 2 and 4 year old still remember going, but then mom brings it up alot! They remember the cake that pops up in minnies stove.

Tell me more!! Can split ages really enjoy Universal? What is there for the little ones? Will they enjoy it or is it more for older kids? My oldest want to go for the thrill rides. One of my sons was disappointed with the tameness at disney.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I was thinking of going here. We went to Disney in fall 2005. I am trying to go this fall. My three oldest want to go to Universal.(ds18, ds17, dd13) My youngest want to go to Disney and mom!(dd11, dd4, dd2) Dad says Disney and baby Micah is pretty easy going and just laughs at everybody!

This could be inexpensive option to Disney, but what about the little ones? They are looking forward to Disney again! I can't believe my 2 and 4 year old still remember going, but then mom brings it up alot! They remember the cake that pops up in minnies stove.

Tell me more!! Can split ages really enjoy Universal? What is there for the little ones? Will they enjoy it or is it more for older kids? My oldest want to go for the thrill rides. One of my sons was disappointed with the tameness at disney.

We went to Universal when ds9 was 7 and 4. Each time he found different things he loved. at four, he had a great time at the Barney show, Curious George splash area, Fievel's playground, E.T., and the Hanna-Barbera ride, which has since been retooled into Jimmy Neutron in Universal Studios. at 7, he was no longer interested in Barney, but still enjoyed all of the above plus the animal actors show, Beetlejuice graveyard review show, Back to the Future, Men in Black, Shrek 4-D, Jaws, and Earthquake. They have roaming characters, and when he was younger he met Scooby and Shaggy, Shrek and Fiona, and SpongeBob. On our next trip he wants to take the Nickleodeon studios tour.

Islands of Adventure does definitely have more for the older set. At 4, ds loved all Seussland -- Cat in the Hat ride, One Fish Two Fish ride, the Carouseussel, the play areas, and now they have a ride that goes above the other Suess stuff, like the one at Disney that goes through Space Mountain and Buzz. He also liked the Sinbad show, all the Jurassic park stuff -- ride, play area, pteranodon flyers, flying unicorn roller coaster in the mythos area, the Popeye & Olive ship play area, the Storm ride (T-cups on caffeine). At 7, he added Spiderman, the water barge and falls rides, the experience with the battling gods (not really a ride, not really a show).

I think this would be a good park for splitting the family at some point. Let the older ones do the Hulk, the falling tower, etc., and let the younger ones stay in Seussland.

I'm not sure how much the 2 and under set will get out of this park, but I think they would enjoy looking around, and the music that is always playing.

I encourage you to go to the Universal threads and read descriptions. Also allearsnet.com now has tons of info and photos of Universal!

 

[java]

If you stay onsite 2 nights is more than enough. With the front of the line access you can easily do both parks a day each. There is not a ton of stuff for your youngest- although Jimmy Neutron has a non-motion seat area that you can bring the baby onto. And there is the Barney show- and the curious george water area. In IOA there is a Seuss area that he will be able to go 2 things at. The older 2 will find a reasonable amount of stuff to do- men in black, back to the future, shrek, Spiderman, ect... but if you will be avoiding the "big" rides I really think 2 days is plenty.
The hotel rooms blow disney away imho- even their "budget" hotel the Royal Pacific is really nice- big rooms. That was the big shocker for us when we went from US to Disney-the dramatic difference in the rooms.
If it were me I would do 7 disney days and 2 ioa/us days.Are you going to go to Seaworld?

 

[billcsho]

I am going there this weekend for one whole week and will visit both US and DW. I have already bought the tickets (7d unlimited pass for US/IoA and 6d MYW basic). Since the way DW and US calculate the number of days differently, here is my plan. I'll visit IoA the first half day and then go to MK in the afternoon. Since the US/IoA ticket is good for 7 consecutive days, I can go back anytime during my trip (For instance, we finish one DW theme park early or found it too crowded). So it is kind of like having a hopping option. After visiting all 4 DW major theme parks in the 2nd through 5th day (yes, we'll go back to MK for one whole day), we'll go to US and spend the 6th day there. In the very last day, we have the option to go back to any park as we have one day left for the DW and it is the 7th day of the IoA/US ticket.
If you are going to stay in Orlando for longer than 7 days, get a MYW ticket for n-1 or n-2 days and the 7day US/IoA pass. It is like using the money for DW hopping option to purchase the US/IoA 7 day pass.

 

[Nicole786]

Universal is great but it's definitely marketed to a more mature audience. They have designated things that would pertain to little ones (suess landing, some stuff at universal) but for the most part its for teens + up. Not to say little kids dont enjoy it! Watch the expression on their face when they step into a dr suess book or a themed area that looks like you just walked into a cartoon (the people who designed the little 'islands' in IOA must be ex-imageneers!) the place blows you away. In Marvel Super Hero island, its as if you just walked into a stan lee comic book.

check out my pics!

and definitely do it, its something everyone should experience.

 

[amyup]

We went last January when my boys were 3 (almost 4) and 5. The kids had a blast! We thought we wouldn't go back on our next trip, Nov 07, but the boys really want to. So our plan is to stay the first 2 nights at Royal Pacific and the next 8 nights in Disney. We're planning on buying the promo tickets that kids get in free with an adult ticket.

We now have another baby boy (he'll be 10 months) and we'll just switch off on the rides. I'm sure he'll have a great time looking at all the colors of everything.

One warning, on IOA it seems like at least half of the rides try to get you wet. Even the dumbo type ride we got soaked on.

Amy

 

[Grendalynn]

We now have another baby boy (he'll be 10 months) and we'll just switch off on the rides. I'm sure he'll have a great time looking at all the colors of everything.

One warning, on IOA it seems like at least half of the rides try to get you wet. Even the dumbo type ride we got soaked on.

Amy

Thanks for the adice! A change of cloths for sure - Can you dod the Swap thing on the rides lke you can at WDW?

Are you going to go to Seaworld?

Thinking about it.... Still as hood as it was in the 80's? We haven't been there since we were kids!

 

[Mainebound]

We went last January when my boys were 3 (almost 4) and 5. The kids had a blast! We thought we wouldn't go back on our next trip, Nov 07, but the boys really want to. So our plan is to stay the first 2 nights at Royal Pacific and the next 8 nights in Disney. We're planning on buying the promo tickets that kids get in free with an adult ticket.

We now have another baby boy (he'll be 10 months) and we'll just switch off on the rides. I'm sure he'll have a great time looking at all the colors of everything.

One warning, on IOA it seems like at least half of the rides try to get you wet. Even the dumbo type ride we got soaked on.

Amy

My boys are hooked on it too. We have had to go every year since the first time we visited. If they had to choose between WDW and USO, they woudl choose USO, eventhough that breaks their mother's heart! they both have their picture of them with Spiderman framed by their beds. they LOVE Universal.

And the perks of onsite? Wonderful. Not to mention those are first class hotels, from which you can walk to two theme parks. amazing!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We've done a split stay twice. Staying on-site is soooo worth it. We always stayed at Hard Rock (kids love the pool). I would suggest spending three nights there. One day for each of the parks, one relaxing day, and one 1/2 day to do over things you really liked. The younger kids liked the Barney Show, Woody Woodpecker's rollercoaster, ET, Curious George Water area, Jimmy Neutron, Shrek and the animal show. They liked eating at Margarittaville and the Hard Rock Cafe.

 

[lailah]

Where is the promotion for buy an adult ticket and get a child's ticket free? I see the $85 special but not that one.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Where is the promotion for buy an adult ticket and get a child's ticket free? I see the $85 special but not that one.

They ran that special last summer - we got two adult and two child tickets for five days for $200 total. I think it ended last fall - we went in August last year. The specials change from time to time - it could be back!

If you decide to stay on-site, be sure to check AAA rates - they are about the best out there.

 

[kat08]

I really think you can see everything at Universal in 2 days. It sounds like on site is best. I have heard that some of the hotels nearby are not so great. I always give people who are splitting their vacation between Disney and other parks the same advice: Do the other parks first, then move over to Disney. Disney just knows how to do it right and you may be disappointed if you do Disney first and then go over to the other parks that are not always as on the ball as Disney. A pp is right, don't try to compare the other parks with Disney - they are very different.

Having said that, I really do think that Universal is definitely worth seeing. Have fun!

 

[BTDTGB]

I always give people who are splitting their vacation between Disney and other parks the same advice: Do the other parks first, then move over to Disney.

Good advice. We really enjoy Universal, but I can't help comparing it to Disney and Universal just doesn't supply the magic that Disney does. That being said, we always enjoy our trips to Universal.