Enough time?

[BrerMama]

We're debating 2 options for our trip next year.

Option 1: Stay on-property at Disney, then move to HRH for 3 nights. This would give us the better part of 4 days at US. We'd move to HRH around noon on our first US day, then on our last day, our flight doesn't leave until 8 pm.

Option 2: We'll be at Nick Hotel for 11 nights, then move to HRH for our last night. We're planning to buy the 7 day ticket, and will go to US for a day during the 2nd week of our trip (before we move to HRH), mainly to pick up our tickets and get "the lay of the land." Main purpose of that first trip won't be riding a lot of rides, but rather to get a plan of attack for when we have FOTL access on our last 2 days. Then we'll check in to HRH early on our "moving day", hit the parks that day and most of the next day.

My husband has his heart set on the Universal parks and can not wait to have FOTL access. Does Option 2 give us enough time to enjoy everything? We're leaning towards #2 right now (for a variety of reasons), but have reservations for #1 also.

 

[damo]

It all depends on when you are going.

 

[BrerMama]

That would be helpful, wouldn't it? We're going the last week in May and first week in June next year. Universal would be towards the end of our trip, so really the first full week in June.

 

[damo]

So that is Memorial Day time? It will be very busy. I suggest you stay on site at least one night and arrive at your hotel bright and early in the morning so that you will get two full days of Unlimited Express Pass. We've been there the week before Memorial Day and the parks were very busy. The good thing is, the weather is gorgeous and you really appreciate the water rides.

 

[aztecgoods]

I personally think 3 days is needed to really do U. I usually take 4. If ya'll are going for a full 2 weeks I would suggest a 4 day venture at U and the rest of the time at dis. That still gives you about 8 days at Dis and that's plenty to do their parks. Just a thought. I think your idea is doable, but as damo stated, it will be really busy that memorial day weekend. I imagine the thursday and maybe friday leading up to it may not be as bad, but I'm guessing from at least Sat-Mon will be packed.

 

[BrerMama]

We're not arriving until Memorial Day (and then doing Disney and Sea World first), so I'm actually talking about the week of June 2-9... I don't think I was clear enough in my 2nd post. For option 1, we'd be doing Universal parks June 6-9, for option 2, at least one day between June 2-7, and then the 8th and 9th. I don't think Memorial Day will be a factor, but rising crowds for summer vacations might.

OK, back to the drawing board....

 

[aztecgoods]

Oh ok, gotcha now, that sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[robvia]

I vote for option #1.

You want to stay onsite at Disney and USF so you "feel" like you are part of the action the entire time, even if that means reducing the number of nights you stay.
If you were to stay at the Nick hotel for 11 nights, you have to take their shuttle over, which takes a lot of time compared to the Disney busses and it's not the same feeling.

Where are you staying at Disney?