Does anyone ever visit Universal while using DVC points?

[IMADSNYLOVR]

Just curious-we like to spend a day or 2 a universal when we go.

 

[LIFERBABE]

every trip after that includes theme park visits.

We are US PAP holders and I think DVC and Universal is a really good way to get in a first class budget trip. DVC for the theming and magic and US for the thrills. We currently use hoppers for WDW parks.

US/IOA has some really good deals on passes and we renewed for $99.

 

[IMADSNYLOVR]

so do you still stay at WDW and then cab it over to Universal-what do you do?

Sarah

 

[dhudson1]

We sometimes spend a couple of Days at Universal, we usually have a car while staying at DVC

 

[SheriB]

My kids prefer US/IOA. Granted, they are 17 and 13, but we always visit there and buy Park Hoppers for WDW. Since we don't visit the parks every day, we like the fact that the PH's don't expire. We can recycle them for the next trip, if necessary. We also like to do Sea World every other year, and did Discovery Cove 2 years ago (awesome). All roads in Florida may lead to Disney, but there is so much more to do there than just Disney. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love WDW, but $$ wise, there are alternatives. Have fun!

Sheri

Edit: We rent a car so we can stay where the magic is, but wander off-site whenever we want.

 

[stings]

We always make two trips in consecutive years so that we can maximize the PAPs that we buy. As we live in California going once a year is the best we can work out. I always rent a car. And we always include two days, out of a two week trip, at Universal. Driving there takes less that a half hour, and we think it is well worth the trip. Disney does have an advantage regarding quality, both in rides and resorts. But Universal is catching up quickly.

 

[kylie]

...and they know how to look after pass holders. Discounts off food and stores in the parks

 

[disneycrazed139]

I've been to IOA twice, and I think it's nice to do once, but the second time, I was bored. I had seen it all and had no desire to see it again. With the exception of the Spider-Man ride, I had no desire to do anything again. I think it's nice to check out all the different lands there if you haven't but because it lacks the atmoshpere of Disney, there wasn't any interest in returning for me.

I like Universal Studios better than IOA and don't mind going there multiple trips. IOA though is just too commercial for me. Still I'd love to try out the Royal Pacific resort.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Last year, our first visit since joining DVC, we went to Sea World by way of Mears. It was just DH and myself. This trip, our kids are going, and we plan on going to Sea World, again, but by way of Tiffany towncar. I think the cost is $45 roundtrip + tip.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Dh refuses to be anywhere without a vehicle, (my compromise) so if we dont drive we rent a vehicle.

We really enjoy US/IOA and they have added many attractions in the last few years.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

We will be working other Orlando attractions into our future trips and may not be visiting the WDW parks as often after our current APs expire. DVC is great, but Disney could do much more "discount wise" for it's repeat guests. Disney appears to care the most for the once in a lifetime trippers for their bread and butter. WDW fans and other frequent visitors are just viewed as cash cows IMO

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We usually go to US/IOA but we stay there for one of the weekends of our trip. Yes it saves points but it also gives you front of line access to all rides and that is the best reason to stay there. We always go during busy times of the year so it's worth it for us to do it that way.

HBC

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

We usaully go to US/IOA every other year when we stay at OKW. Sometimes we don't go to any parks and just enjoy the Florida

and DD to get away from the Ohio winters

in Feb.

 

[Maria395712]

We stay at BwV for 10- 14 days and go to universal the last 2 or 3 nights Fri . Sat and Sun., we have premium annual passes at Disney and universal. we go in july and xmas this xmas will stay at hard rock on Dec 25 -28 and check in at BWV on Dec 28- Jan 7, we also have a rental car each time, don't like to ride the buses.
I njuly usually me DD 20 DS 18 and she brings 1 or 2 friends and DS brings a friend at xmas me Dh, DD, DS and a friend and her son who is my DS friend that goes he July
maria

 

[LoveToDisney]

We're staying at DVC and with two teens, they like to hit US/IOA for the thrill rides. Annual/Seasonal passes are very reasonable so it's easy to include it. I'm looking forward to seeing what the "Mummy" ride is like. I love Spider Man. We will rent a car so we can just drive over for part of the day (usually morning on the days we go) and then back for lunch, cool-down, swim and off to Disney parks in afternoon/evening using annual passes.

 

[goofy4dvc]

We go to Universal on most of our trips. We have not stayed there yet, but plan to on week-end sometime to save on points. We go to CityWalk alot, love the clubs and restaurants MUCH more than Disney's westside or Pleasure Island. PI is SO dated. We love CityWalk. We do the US/IA parks every time we take grandkids with us. We rent a car every trip, so it's easy for us to travel there.

 

[Muushka]

We also hold USF AP's. We always drive over there from WDW or we will spend a weekend there. If we are using WDW hoppers we definately take a day or 2 away from WDW to visit Universal.
Much more rea$onable for APs and we (or should I say I ) really enjoy IOA and their great coasters.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

We're headed for BWV in less than a month. Other than the 3 in our family, the other 7 in our party haven't been to Disney in years, so we're doing WDW exclusively.

HOWEVER - on our next trip, we'll do the "Everything but Disney" plan. We'll get the combo ticket that includes IOA, Universal, Sea World, Wet and Wild, and Busch Gardens (even includes free transportation to Tampa). And it's a whale of a deal.

Heresy? Maybe so, but darn, I'll still be getting in a DVC fix.

 

[Kewz1]

We haven't but will be in January! We'll be at the BWV and then switch to one of the US hotels for a few days at the end. Our WDW passes will have expired so we are going with US/IOA that trip. Looking forward to it!

Kristen

 

[tiggerguy2000]

My july 4th trip is part Disney and part universal.We are starting at the french quarter for 2 nights and then over to the hard rock for 4 nights and back over to the polynesian and using our points to stay concierge for 4 nights.We do the split trip every other trip to Disney.
tiggerguy2000