DVC/Universal Stay

[SandyinMonterey]

We've been saying for years that we'll head off to Universal during our Disney stay but haven't done it yet. Going to Disney in March for daughter's birthday and really trying to make it happen this year. She's most interested in How to Train Your Dragon and, of course, Harry Potter. Neither me or my daughter have been to Universal and my husband only once because he fit it into a business trip. It is possible to go to Harry Potter and How to Train Your Dragon in one day? It is my understanding is 2 lands? Needing 2 different tickets and then needed another ticket for How to Train Your Dragon? Really don't won't to book a hotel at Universal. Anyone tips, advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[LuvOrlando]

There are 3 parks, Universal and IOA are next door to each other parks and both have some wonderful Harry Potter rides and if you have park to park access you can ride the HP train in between which we really liked. The HP stuff was strikingly gorgeous to us, and we are all big fans but were still totally blown away at IOA and Universal. Meanwhile EPIC is a brand new park not in the same place, haven't been yet, tickets were just released within the past 2 weeks or so. I suspect the minimum that could work would be to do 2 days multi park tickets with EPIC scheduled for the morning of day 1 at least, maybe both mornings because of crowds and move on to Universal IOA in the afternoons. We did both WDW and UNI IOA for ages and Universal IOA is in no way a step down, while you may not change favorites I can say we always loved combining both. You don't need to book over at the Universal hotels, there is a perk regarding access with the top 3 hotels but they have become so pricey I'm not so sure it is worth it like it used to be. That said we really liked the room arrangement at the Endless Summer Dockside so we are heading there for our trip towards the end of winter 2026, for us it was all about proximity and value, the pricey on-sites seem to have shed all their perks so they really don't hold up to me these days.

There is an Unofficial Guide to Universal being released soon and I preordered it for extra tips on EPIC so that plus some vloggers might go a long way to assist in your planning.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

There are 3 parks, Universal and IOA are next door to each other parks and both have some wonderful Harry Potter rides and if you have park to park access you can ride the HP train in between which we really liked. The HP stuff was strikingly gorgeous to us, and we are all big fans but were still totally blown away at IOA and Universal. Meanwhile EPIC is a brand new park not in the same place, haven't been yet, tickets were just released within the past 2 weeks or so. I suspect the minimum that could work would be to do 2 days multi park tickets with EPIC scheduled for the morning of day 1 at least, maybe both mornings because of crowds and move on to Universal IOA in the afternoons. We did both WDW and UNI IOA for ages and Universal IOA is in no way a step down, while you may not change favorites I can say we always loved combining both. You don't need to book over at the Universal hotels, there is a perk regarding access with the top 3 hotels but they have become so pricey I'm not so sure it is worth it like it used to be. That said we really liked the room arrangement at the Endless Summer Dockside so we are heading there for our trip towards the end of winter 2026, for us it was all about proximity and value, the pricey on-sites seem to have shed all their perks so they really don't hold up to me these days.

There is an Unofficial Guide to Universal being released soon and I preordered it for extra tips on EPIC so that plus some vloggers might go a long way to assist in your planning

Thank you for the information. So, there are 3 parks....Universal, IOA and now Epic? We will need 3 separate tickets? I was thinking of just one day there but now doesn't seem possible.

 

[muppets3d]

Thank you for the information. So, there are 3 parks....Universal, IOA and now Epic? We will need 3 separate tickets? I was thinking of just one day there but now doesn't seem possible.

There is harry potter stuff at all 3 parks, and how to train your dragon stuff at two parks (IOA and epic). Check Universal's website, maps, etc., for the attractions at each park and determine how much time you'll need to visit the parks.

I think you can do Universal Studios Florida (the original park) along with IOA in one day (honestly outside of Diagon Alley there really isn't much worth seeing at the original park in my view), but if you want to visit Epic as well I would add on a second day for that park. There is much more HTTYD at Epic than at IOA.

 

[pzw90]

There is harry potter stuff at all 3 parks, and how to drain your dragon stuff at two parks (IOA and epic). Check Universal's website, maps, etc., for the attractions at each park and determine how much time you'll need to visit the parks.

I think you can do Universal Studios Florida (the original park) along with IOA in one day (honestly outside of Diagon Alley there really isn't much worth seeing at the original park in my view), but if you want to visit Epic as well I would add on a second day for that park.

Oh man, universal is going in a different direction

 

[muppets3d]

Oh man, universal is going in a different direction

I hate when my computer autocorrects my typos. I should disable that, LOL.

 

[pzw90]

I hate when my computer autocorrects my typos. I should disable that, LOL.

happens to everyone, i find the phone keyboard to be the worst offender

 

[LuvOrlando]

Thank you for the information. So, there are 3 parks....Universal, IOA and now Epic? We will need 3 separate tickets? I was thinking of just one day there but now doesn't seem possible.

For 2026 you don't need three tickets, the two day visit can be multi-park for the three parks and will act like two day hoppers ,they just don't call them hoppers.

The whole ticketing structure was just changed for 2026 and the tickets were just released so it is a little bit messy. If you read anything about tickets for 2025 visits they may not correlate to what you are doing in 2026. Take a peek at the website and you'll see what's cooking.