Disney + Universal

[dlawallace]

Has anyone ever done both? I am seriously considering it. 9 day trip 6 at Disney and 2 at Universal.

How are the crowds compared to Disney parks? If I do this it will be in Sep. or Oct.

How are the Universal parks compared to Disney.

p.s. I am a HUGE Disney fan and have only been to DW 2 times and DL 2 times. I am not big on Six Flags at all either...I am hoping Universal is more like Disney and not like Six Flags.....I have also been to Sea World many times in Texas.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mickeymommy3]

We just did 5 days at Disney, 2 days at Universal and 1 Sea World day. We usually combine 2 days at Universal into each Disney time. And I am a HUGE disney fan, but Universal is great. If you don't expect the same as Disney. The crowds should be great for you in Sept/Oct. I say do it, enjoy.

 

[daannzzz]

I did this a few years ago. I did 4 nights at Universal's Portofino Bay hotel and 3 days at the Uni parks and one at Epcot. Then I moved over to POR for 5 nights. I think the Universal parks are almost as good as Disney though they are a but more 6 flags in that they have more "radical" rides that can cause motion sickness and are for older kids. I did 3 days in the two parks ind it was great. What they offer is different than Disney so it makes for a fine time. If you are staying at Universal than you should get the fornt of the line pass. This thing worked great as it was hot when I was there and the water rides had long lines.
The Portofino Bay Hotel was awesome and easily rivals Disney's deluxe resorts

 

[damo]

Check out their website. There are great pictures and videos for each ride.

http://beta.universalorlando.com/home/home.aspx#

 

[Chelley00]

We did 7 days at WDW and 3 days of Universal last year early November. Crowds were great, weather was really nice. Universal is totally different than WDW, but we still had a great time. It's just a different experience.

 

[scdisneyguy]

We do this every year. Kinda senseless for us to drive there without hitting Universal for 2-3 days. We also sometimes add a day of Seaworld also. We always do Disney last though to savor the moments there. We love both Univeral parks too though.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

We have done both quite a few times also. I love both places-but for different reasons. Disney is more "pleasant" and Universal is more "thrilling". Most of the rides at Universal shake you up a bit. But they are fun! As others have said, don't go to US comparing it WDW...take it for what it is. It, too, has great theming and a lively atmosphere. Enjoy Citywalk in the evening, and eat at a restaurant there. Your kids might enjoy Nascar Cafe or Margaritaville.

 

[WDWCrazzyCunninghams]

Add us to the list of families that have done both parks in one trip! We like to stay at least one night at a Universal hotel so we can get Front Of The Line access for 2 days...the day you check in and the day you check out. You can buy a FOTL pass if you are staying off property, but for our family of 4, it's not much more to stay onsite. Plus, that gives us 2 days of FOTL with unlimited FOTL, not a one time thru the line that you would get by purchasing the passes. As others have stated, USO/IOA is more of a thrilling park. Our boys are teens and love all the theme parks! Have fun!

 

[dlawallace]

what is the best way to get from Disney to Universal or Sea World? I am probably going to be staying at the CBR and doing Universal and Sea World for 2-3 days in the middle. I have heard something about Mears being a good choice????

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Whenever we do Disney, we HAVE to do Universal also!
I have older children and my husband love the rides at Universal. AND we all love Disney!!

they are very different from one another!
Universal parks are much smaller than Disney parks; so if the crowd level is not at peak it is very doable to ride and see a park a day!!! We have always been able to do a park a day and everything! Universal is an exciting place just different from Disney. We always said it was a step up from Six Flags and about two steps away from Disney themeing.

I always do Universal first; so I can enjoy the magic of Disney! we have not done Seaworld in a very long time; I am hoping to add it to our 2010 trip!

My family loves Islands of Adventure for the thrill you do not get at Disney!
I don't think you will be disappointed!!! Just keep in mind they are different and each has its own fun, thrills, and adventures.

I'm sorry can't help with directions; each time we have gone we stay off grounds and take I4! I have heard that it is just as inexpensive to have a towncar drop you off and bring you back to WDW. We stay on grounds at Disney; and usually in a townhouse for the Universal portion of our trip; can't bring ourselves to pay over $200 a night at Universal (we need two rooms).

Happy planning! we are never sorry to do both venues!

 

[curseofcurves]

We just did 6 days at Disney followed by 2 days at Universal. As another poster said, Disney is more "pleasant" and Universal is more "thrilling." I had been to Universal once before as a teenager but my boyfriend had not been. We're in our mid 20s now, so we were able to enjoy the roller coasters and thrill rides. But, if I had been traveling with a few young kids, I'm not sure I would have done Universal at all.

I'm glad we went, but to be honest, we were quite underwhelmed with Universal in general. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that we spent our first 6 days experiencing Disney World for the first time and it was fantastic. Disney parks were cleaner, the employees were nicer, and they were much better organized in regards to lines, directions, and ride management. Universal was awful at filling cars to maximum, so lines were much longer than they should have been.

Single rider lines were a complete God-send. You kind of had to ask around to find them and then access them through the back entrances, usually. But, they were 5 minutes tops instead of 50+ minutes; And more often than not my boyfriend and I got on the same car, if not right next to each other.

We went the first week in August. We did Universal Studios on a Saturday and there was hardly anyone in the park until about 11:30 or 12. However, Islands of Adventures was packed all day on Sunday.

 

[Jessieknj]

We usually do Universal with 2 days at Disney. DH and I were actually married at the Portofino Bay Hotel

Our december trip will be the first time we do Disney as the main and just visit Universal. We have a son now who is 3 so I think Disney is better for him.

 

[bennythepug]

we always do both! we love both