DisneyLand vs. Univseral Studios Park

[westjones]

We are going to California in April and we are trying to set our itenary.

I had thought about buying the 5 day park tickets at DL and just staying there for the week we are in that area (we spend the next week in San Diego at a conference). Then we read a little about the Universal Studios park and thought we might like to see that too. We have never been there before.

The US Park is offering a special online, Buy 1 Day Get a Year Free. Which means we could go there for 2 days for the price of one (really don't need a year). But if we do that, then we would probably just go with the 2 Day Park Hopper Tickets at DL.

Will that be enought at DL? Will we want to spend 2 days at Universal Studios? Is it a nice park, like Disney?

I really have mixed feelings. I am a BIG Disney fan and love Disney. But I am also a 'movie' fan and would love to see sets and items from movies and go on the back lot tour at Universal.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!
DJ

 

[cuterlt]

I think you can probably do Universal in one day and be happy that you saw everything and did everything. Because Disneyland has DCA too, I think 2 days isn't enough to see it all. We just got back from a real short trip - about 1-1/2 days and I wish we'd had more time to spend. Universal has some fun stuff, but I prefer Disneyland. Make sure you do the backlot tour, the Jurassic Park ride (my favorite!), ET, and the Back to the Future ride.
I'm sure whatever you decide, you'll have a blast!

 

[mobetsy]

I think one day at Universal is enough; it really is designed as a one-day theme park and works well enough. It is nice, but doesn't have the same "entering another world" feel of DL. Also, depending on when you are coming in April, it may not be all that busy, so you'll be able to move around more easily and quickly. Many schools here have the week before Easter (which is 4/11 this year) off, some will have the week after Easter off, and others will be off a few weeks earlier altogether. So, late April--which is generally a glorious time of year in So Cal--would be a good bet for all of your trip, if you have the freedom to pick your time. I think 2 days at DL is quite do-able, but 3 would be nicer.

 

[Grog]

ET is no longer at USH. They closed it permanently last March. We went to USH specifically because my SO is a big ET fan and found out we missed it by about three weeks. They are building the new Mummy ride in the building where ET used to be. The Mummy is supposed to be open around the end of June I believe.

I agree on Jurrasic Park. We rode it three times when we were there last. It's in the lower section of the park, so you may want to head there first as it takes a while for the crowd to get there. We did JP as a walk on all three times in the first two hours the park was open. I also agree on the backlot tour. Very cool.

 

[cuterlt]

ET is gone???? Nooooo.... I was gonna list that as my favorite ride but I was afraid I'd get laughed at. How terribly sad. Last time we went to Universal (2 or 3 years ago?), I begged my DH to go on the ride. He finally went, but not without a lot of begging.

 

[Alison Wonderland]

Definitely go to Universal Studios, but one day will be enough. It is a nice park--different from Disney, but nice. Just the setting was awesome to me--seemed like it was practically on the side of a mountain. I'd recommend getting there early and by the afternoon you will have seen almost everything.

 

[westjones]

Alison, that sounds good. Sounds like I could still go to Disney that evening if we go to US in the morning and afternoon.

My kids would probably enjoy US better than the Warner Brothers tour (they are 10--twins). I will see what DH says. I really want more than 2 days at Disney though. DH says 2 days is enough, but I doubt that we make it back to DL again (at least not for a very long time). We live in the east, and go to WDW a lot. We are only going to DL because he is going to a conference in San Diego in April.

DH says that Disneyland is just like Magic Kingdom, and since we go there all the time we won't need more than a day to see DL. But I think we will find enough to enjoy to keep us happy for a longer visit.

Anyway, this is a 'he wants / she wants' debate here , and I am trying to find a plan that makes us all happy.

Thanks so much for your input! I think DH thought US would be as big as DL and take as long (or longer) to see.

DJ

 

[pamkass]

Hi westjones,
If you have the chance, look in to the front of line pass at US park. We went in Nov. and got that. It cost a little extra, but at EVERY attraction they have a spiecal gate to go in, so no waiting and at the shows , you can walk strait to a spiecal seating 2 min before the show. And after the show lets out you get to meet the actors.
Pam

 

[westjones]

Oh that does sound good! Since time is an issue, it sounds like it might be worth it! Thanks for the tip!
DJ