Do many of you go to Universal while at WDW?

[luckytso]

Hi,

I was on the Universal's Board and it seems that the Hard Rock Hotel is a lot of fun.

I am wondering if many of you do go to Universal and buy another annual pass. We will have WDW's AP next year and not sure if we should spend the extra $$ to buy Universal's park tickets since my kids are 4 and 1.

Is it worth it at this point? Or should I wait for another couple of years when the kids are a little older.

I am thinking about maybe using Universal for the weekends when DVC points are higher and maybe the kids will appreciate the change. Not sure though if it is worth the hassle to change resorts and all that, plus extra $$ for the park passes, plus the extra transportation cost (we always rely on Disney's transportation, no car rental). Most importantly, I am concerned if they are too young for these parks.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Lisa D]

Just returned Monday from 8 wonderful days at BWV - for the first time we also visited Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. My children are 7 and 10, and most of the attractions at both parks seem to be geared toward older children and teens. Seuss Landing is the only area of IOA that is geared toward pre-schoolers. There is also one area at Universal with a few attractions (i.e. Barney) for the very young, but the vast majority are for older kids. Mine were just about the right age this trip and we had a blast, but I really think WDW parks are better geared for preschooler.

 

[VMS]

I agree with your children being a bit young. We were down there at the end of August, and we spent 4 nights at the Royal Pacific at Universal (saved on the weekend points) and then Sun -Thurs. night at the VWL. My kids are 6, 9, and almost 12. Universal is more geared for older kids. We split up time to spend with the then 5 year old at Seuss Landing. This was the first time we did Universal with the kids (except for a 1 day visit on our last time to WDW when my husband took the two older ones there). It's best to wait until they are a bit older.

 

[Dancind]

We have done weekends at US/IOA twice in the past year, using 2-3 day passes each time. The first time we stayed at HRH (great), and PBH (even better). With FOTL we saw everything we wanted to see at both parks in two days, and did many attractions multiple times. We will probably do a couple nights at PBH (I hope) on our next trip, and just one day at the parks since we have a day remaining on our passes. I think we'll be able to see all the new stuff and visit some favorites in one day, and enjoy the resort on check-in and check-out days. The hotels are a splurge since we have DVC, and I don't think we would want to go to the parks there without FOTL. To make this long story short, we wouldn't buy AP's. My DD is a coaster lover, but once or twice on each is enough to make her happy for a while. Diana

 

[MarkRG]

We went to Universal Studios on our last trip. Parts of it were neat, such as Twister, Earthquake, and the MIB ride, and the T2-3D show was superior to the 3d ones at Disney. However, a lot of the rest of the rides were motion simulator rides and they were overly violent. I would rate Back to the Future as nastier than Body Wars in Epcot. I would also agree that the target audience for Universal is Teens, not older or younger. This falls back to my opinion of such parks(Six Flags pops to mind) that the only attraction Teens have for these kinds of rides is what I tongue-in-cheek call the 'Near-Death Experience' and I wouldn't recommend Universal Studios at least to younger kids. A small area for them with Barney, but not much else.

 

[luckytso]

Thanks for all your input.

My 4 year old is very timid and still does not like to go on any rides on her own. Judging from all your responses, I think I will hold off on booking HRH. I got a decent rate and from its own website, I can get AP for $90 with some black out dates.

But I guess we should wait a couple more years. Thanks very much.

 

[NCRedding]

To add my 2 cents worth regarding the transportation issue. I have never done Disney without a car, and plan to always have a car there. This October, we stayed at HRH for the first time: I parked the car on Sunday, and didn't move it until check out day on Wednesday. Staying at Hard Rock is SO convenient. The variety of restaurants in City Walk make it so easy to dine. You could quite easily do a town car service to Universal, and not have to rent a car. I do agree with the other posters as to your children's ages--I'd wait a little while.

 

[twinglefam]

We also went to US/IOA for the first time this past spring. DH and I were alone and purchased annuals at that time for 99$. There were NO lines so didin't even need FOTL. In less than three weeks we'll stay at PB one night and BCV after for a week. After much debate we're only going one day to WDW parks for MVMCP and purchasing annuals for the kids for US/IOA. They are 8,8, and 10. I would say that more than half of the rides are for kids over the ages of yours. IMO I'd save the $ and enjoy your resort and some relaxation with the little ones in the pool, etc. Save the big stuff for another 3 or 4 years down the road.

Just a footnote....it was fun at US/IOA and I'll enjoy the rides again in Dec., but there's just no majic. WDW is just one of a kind.