Disney & Universal ????

[tiffanym5375]

Is it possible to only do disney's 4 main parks in 3 full days, and leave two days for Universal main to parks?? We don't have any kids. Please help need advise. When doing universasl we will be staying onsite taking advantage of thier express pass. Same for disney we will be onsite

 

[kilee]

You can fit all 4 parks in 3 days. You'll miss a lot. However, it's your trip and if you want 2 days at Universal-then go for it. Make a list of the "must-do's" and go for it.

 

[hockey mom]

I think it's possible. AK and Epcot can share a day in my opinion with MK and the Studios a day of their own. If you have front of the line at Universal you will be able to go through each of those parks fairly easy with lots of pool time left over at night. Enjoy!

 

[Sandyincanada]

ditto to what hockey mom said. We do it all the time. AK and Epcot is perfect to share. We go offseason (shorter hours) and sometimes will also do MGM first thing in the morn until early afternoon and then Epcot again (its open later). 1 day ea for Universal and IOA is great.

have fun!

 

[Johnfish]

We did Disney in 5 days and US/IOA in 2 days this summer. We loved Disney and thought it was much better then US. We did Disney first and by the time we got to US we were having Disney withdrawal! So if you love Disney go there after doing US. Thats what we are doing to do next time.

As for doing US in 2 days. Try to stay in one of Universal motels. This gives you front of the line access on most of the attractions.

John

 

[Jridou]

Personally, I'd split Animal Kingdom and MGM into 1 day and give Epcot it's own day.

With that front of the line access, we've done each of the Universal parks in a day with plenty of time to repeat favorite rides (A few years ago we did Spiderman 4 times in a row, it is seriously the coolest attraction in Orlando)

Where are you staying at Universal? We love staying on-site there, not just for the front of the line stuff but for the easy commute.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Personally, I'd split Animal Kingdom and MGM into 1 day and give Epcot it's own day.

With that front of the line access, we've done each of the Universal parks in a day with plenty of time to repeat favorite rides (A few years ago we did Spiderman 4 times in a row, it is seriously the coolest attraction in Orlando)

Where are you staying at Universal? We love staying on-site there, not just for the front of the line stuff but for the easy commute.

About the first point - if you have 3 days at WDW - I'd do AK/MGM/MK each day, and finish off the day/night at EPCOT...it's open the latest generally anyway.

we've done IOA/US in 2 days easily (in september - when crowds are low, and we had front of the line passes as we stayed at the Royal Pacific) VERY cool. Spiderman is the BEST ride in Orlando, I totally agree...and the new Mummy rollercoaster is great too!

 

[Cheryle423]

We are hoping to do just this next week.. arriving 12/4 doing disney for 3 days; but concentrating on Xmas activities; then going to IOA/US for 2 days. We are staying at Royal Pacific, hoping FOTL will help out but from what I am reading there shouldn't be much of a crowd then. I'll let you know when we get back next weekend (12/10) how it goes!

 

[WillCAD]

You can see a lot of Disney in 3 days, but you will certainly miss a lot of Disney, too.

Epcot has always been a 2-day park to me, MK a full day, MGM a full day, and AK 1/2 to 2/3 of a day. If you plan well you can see an awful lot of stuff in 3 days; just don't expect to see it all! You will have to cut out some stuff.

I am a big Epcot fan, so I'd spend a whole day in Epcot. I'm a movie buff, so I'd spend a full day in MGM. I'm not a fan of many of the attractions in MK, so I'd split a day between MK and AK.

If I had 3 days, my itinerary would be thus:

Day One: Epcot Future World most of the day, with lunch at the Electric Umbrella (quick counter service) and dinner at one of the World Showcase restaurants, then Illuminations.

Day Two: MGM most of the day. Lunch at Backlot Express (another quick counter service), dinner at Brown Derby or Mama Melrose with the Fantasmic dinner package. If MGM closes way early, go to Epcot after Fantasmic ans continue around the World Showcase.

Day Three: AK in the morning. Breakfast at Tusker House (quick but excellent counter service), lunch at Flame Tree BBQ (another quick but excellent counter service). Not long after lunch, hop a bus to MK. Stay till park closing and pick up the highlights - Space, Thunder, and Splash Mts, Buzz, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Mickey's Philharmagic (DON"T MISS!), maybe Pooh and, if you're brave enough, Small World. If there are fireworks that night, have dinner at 'Ohana in the Polynesian and ask for a table with a view (you will need advance PS to get a dinenr time during the fireworks, they go fast!) After dinner, if it's not too late, back to Epcot. If it is too late, resort hop; explore the lobbies, gift shops, and grounds of the monorail resorts.

Be prepared; this will most likely be an exhausting itinerary, but tons fo fun and very rewarding!

 

[tiffanym5375]

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

We are staying at the hard rock when at universal. We will actually be arriving to Disney 4/23 (Saturday) around 2. We have tickets to cirque du soiel that night. Then will do the Disney parks sun-tues and universal Wed & Thursday, going back home on a Friday. I hope to do a few dinners at epcot in the evening, if this is possible. When will I know if the parks at Disney will open early to resort guest?

Thanks for all the suggestion; it really helps out a lot

 

[bjakmom]

We love ending our WDW visits with a few days at USF !! You'll love the HRH location - much more relaxing for us because we can walk to the parks and by then we're usually tired of dealing with the buses/boats/etc - with FOTL you can do a lot more in less time - and then relax by the awesome pool !! This time we're starting at RPR for 3 nights (we'll rest up from our frantic 'getting ready to go' days) and then over to BWV for 3 nights - either way is great - two very different 'worlds' and we love them both !!

 

[tinkb182]

I think that AK and MGM could be done on the same day. MGM only has 2 thrill rides if that's what you are looking for. It is mostly shows. I wouldn't miss One Man's Dream (about Walt Disney) it is very interesting. Also, start in AK because it closes early, than finish in MGM so that you can catch Fantasmic. MK one day, Epcot definitely atleast one day is enough to see Future World and the World showcase. (I could spend a week in Epcot!) We just went in Sept. and did both Universal parks in one day. (They had a better rate for a one day 2 park pass) The new Mummy ride is a must at Universal. It is an amazing ride! Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

 

[oogieboogie]

As long as you don't set the expectation that you'll be able to do everything and see everything, then you can definitely do 4 parks in 3 days.

I would do AK/MGM 1 day, EPCOT 1 day, and MK 1 day.

 

[dvcgirl]

You can definitely do it Tiffany. You won't see everything, but you can always come back. AK is definitely a 1/2 day park. Depending on how many shows you'd like to see MGM can be 3/4 of a day park.

Personally, I would spend your first day at MK. Start out there, take a mid-day break if you need it and then go back to see Wishes. You won't want to miss that. Day two I'd start at AK...finish there by mid-day, take a break and then head over to MGM and do what you can....finishing the night with Fantasmic. Day three, start at MGM is you haven't seen everything you'd like to see, but head over to Epcot by noon. Start in Future World and check that out...then around 5pm head over to the World Showcase to see that...and finish over there with Illuminations.

You'll have a great time at Universal too! By staying on-site you'll get Front of the Line Access which is priceless!

 

[FIRE ANT]

I think that AK and MGM could be done on the same day. MGM only has 2 thrill rides if that's what you are looking for. It is mostly shows. I wouldn't miss One Man's Dream (about Walt Disney) it is very interesting. Also, start in AK because it closes early, than finish in MGM so that you can catch Fantasmic. MK one day, Epcot definitely atleast one day is enough to see Future World and the World showcase.

I agree with tinkb182! That is the way I would suggest doing it.

( With one full day at Epcot, you will miss out on some of the little shows and stuff, there are a lot of little things to see, but it will still allow you to do most all the rides a get a good feel of world showcase. Skip taking the boat from one area of the park to the other, that will acutally slow you down.)

 

[yeartolate]

This past Monday was so slow at USF/IOA that we were able to hit all the "big stuff" in one day. We only needed or FOTL for after 2 pm - but at that point we had hit all the main things on our to do list, the rest was gravy.

 

[HollyJoy]

We decided to pass on Universal, and do it during another trip when the girls are older (they are 7 and 5). I'm sure it can be done, but I'd feel rushed, and I also feel as though we'd miss too much in Disney.

 

[tiffanym5375]

dvcgirl... i thought your plan over and love it!!! My biggest day is first ( the excitment will help) A bit slower the second day. And i love the thoughts on epcot last Thanks so much

 

[dvcgirl]

You're welcome Tiffany ). I'm glad you like the plan. I live down here now (and still love Disney!), but when we vacationed here we always started our first day at MK. MK *is* Disney. But you can also take a nice break during the day and head back at night. I don't know what your dining plans are, but if you're looking for more than theme park dining, think about an early meal at one of the Monorail resorts....and then head back to the park to finish up. (and don't miss Wishes....it's great).

The second day will be your busy day....try and be there when the park opens. Not a lot of time for rest . Start with the Safari....head right over there and ride. Then I 'd run over to Kali and grab a Fast Pass....and head over to Dinosaur. Then...Tough to be a Bug. Back to Kali to get saoked.....And if at all possible, try and catch The Festival of the Lion King, it will give you time to dry off. Then grab a bus over to MGM and see what you can....grab a fast pass for either ToT or RnRR....wait in one line, but not both. If you have time inbetween, catch The Great Movie ride or one of the many shows. But don't forget to see Fantasmic....maybe even grab a Fantasmic dinner package reservation at MGM.....it will save you from waiting in line.

You may be able to see all of MGM, but catch the rest in the AM of your third day. But I wouldn't stay past noon. You can walk or catch a boat from MGM to Epcot. You may be lucky enough to catch a preview of Soaring in Future World.....so don't miss that. As for dinner....lots of fun places in the World Showcase....and then finish it off with Illuminations. Personally, I love the bridge between the U.K and France or the balcony of the Matsumatsu Lounge for viewing.......

As for Universal....we love those parks too!! Do *not* miss Spiderman or The Mummy....they are really great. I love Disney, but I really think that Spiderman is the best attraction on this coast. The best attraction of all time is Indiana Jones at Disneyland.......but that's another story. If you're a coaster fan....The Hulk and Dueling Drgaons rule. And if you're looking for great dining .......Emeril's restaruants rule.....but keep in mind that you really need to make reservations there a good 6 weeks in advance!

Have a great time!

 

[HappyLawyer]

i think anything is possible, we skip epcot, we don't get anything from it so that leaves us 4 days, i will do animal kingdom and mgm in one day, 2 days at magic kingdom and the last day is a free for all whichever park the daughter decides, we have 1 day for seaworld and 3 for universal and ioa since the tickets were 3 days for the price of 2