Epcot vs Universal

[RJstanis]

So it appears we will probably have an extra day for our trip, due to significantly cheaper flights for flying in two days earlier than planned. Extra day will be a Thurs, Dec 14th. We will prob stay off-site Wed and Thurs night to maximize savings no matter which park we choose. It will be me, DW, DS5, and DS7.

We've never experienced Christmas activities at Universal or Disney before (we travel in Sept usually), and the kids have never been to either park (We have gone to Universal Hollywood). This will be our 5th or 6th year in a row to Disney and we have always skipped Epcot bc of limited rides for kids, which really doesn't apply anymore (both are 42" plus now). For our Disney trip we will be doing MK, AK, HS, and Xmas Party.

Originally we were going to skip Disney this year and try Universal (blasphemous I know), but family friends decided to go to Disney for first time so we decided to host them.

DW and I would enjoy Candlelight Proc and the Xmas storytellers and would want the kids to as well, but realistically they'd be down for about 30 min tops of the processional, and hit or miss on the storytellers (prob bored after first one or two). Epcot was my favorite park when I was a young teen in the early 90s and I haven't been back since (we only do and ride what the kiddos want to ride or do).

Both kids are super hero freaks (theyre my kids so I can call them what I want) and lovvvvved Universal Hollywood (so did DW and I) which doesn't compare to the vastness of Orlando's (DW and I have been to Universal Orlando together before kids).

Other than the price of park hopper tickets being so expensive at Universal I'm thinking that should be our choice, or should we bite the bullet finally and try out Epcot?

 

[amytaylor2]

My kids ages 11 & 6 would say Universal hands down. They enjoy certain things at Epcot but we can be finished there in a few hours. They LOVED Universal. it's a must for at least 1 day every trip.

 

[danielocha30]

Universal all the way! EPCOT still laks of that wow factor for kids

 

[bumbershoot]

Both kids are super hero freaks (theyre my kids so I can call them what I want) and lovvvvved Universal Hollywood (so did DW and I) which doesn't compare to the vastness of Orlando's (DW and I have been to Universal Orlando together before kids).

Do it!!!

 

[CAS239]

Universal. Especially if you guys love Harry potter.

 

[Planogirl]

Universal without question.

 

[crazylady]

If money is not a factor, Universal. My kids loved the meet and greet with the minions, super heros and transformers. Spiderman, minions, Shrek, water rides were all great at that age for my kids.

 

[DOOM1001]

Disney Christmas events have become less and less appealing over the years,Epcot got rid of the lights of Christmas arches and the tree lighting show,the Osborne lights are gone and while that projection show was nice as a replacement it was a definite downgrade.AK has never been had big Christmas appeal and the main event for MK is an upcharge.

At Universal the Grinchmas show is great,I remember when it was new I ignored it but for like at least 5 years now I never miss it.The Macy's Holiday parade is awesome and I hear for the first time both Potter areas are getting Christmas decorations and there will be a projections and fireworks show at Hogwarts castle.In my opinion the best park at Christmas is Sea World,their O Wondrous night show is amazing as is the Sea of Trees and the Winter Wonderland ice skating show,plus the amount of Christmas lights and decorations throughout the park make it at least for me the best for Christmas.

 

[nicolej92]

I would definitely say Universal! We didn't get there on our last Christmas trip, but our next one I want to go for sure!

 

[Parker Clan]

Universal is excellent in Florida! Don't get me wrong we LOVE Disney.. But when I was a teenager we used to go to Universal all the time! And now with the Harry Potter lands you get that magical feel you get at Disney too.
We have done both Universal and Disney the last six years, can't go to FL without doing both lol

 

[amberpi]

If you're going to stay offsite anyway and decide to go to Universal - seriously consider staying on their property. With the hotels I've stayed at you get the Express Pass and its SO worth whatever they're charging. FWIW, Portfino Bay (Lowe's property) is probably the nicest theme park hotel in the game - just MHO. I also enjoyed the Royal Pacific. Both hotels had some top notch dining - Bice is a must do when I'm over there. Mythos at IOA I think would wow the kids, but I haven't been with children to Universal, so its just an impression.

 

[amberpi]

That said - Epcot became my favorite park as a child, until today, but I also enjoyed Universal. Its a good problem to have

 

[CAS239]

Universal this year is also doing a Harry Potter Christmas show where their lighting up the castle and playing music, it looks amazing. But that would be at Islands of adventure so you would need the park to park ticket but it's well worth it

 

[HopperFan]

Disney Christmas events have become less and less appealing over the years, Epcot got rid of the lights of Christmas arches and the tree lighting show, the Osborne lights are gone and while that projection show was nice as a replacement it was a definite downgrade. AK has never been had big Christmas appeal and the main event for MK is an upcharge.

At Universal the Grinchmas show is great,I remember when it was new I ignored it but for like at least 5 years now I never miss it.The Macy's Holiday parade is awesome and I hear for the first time both Potter areas are getting Christmas decorations and there will be a projections and fireworks show at Hogwarts castle.

In my opinion the best park at Christmas is Sea World,their O Wondrous night show is amazing as is the Sea of Trees and the Winter Wonderland ice skating show,plus the amount of Christmas lights and decorations throughout the park make it at least for me the best for Christmas.

THIS ^ on all counts!

 

[CAS239]

http://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/universal-orlando-holidays-2017/

 

[Disney_and_Wine]

Piling on. If cost is not a concern...Universal. An "extra" day tacked on to Disney is relatively cheap. A single day at US (especially for a 2 park pass to see all of Harry Potter) is a big bite to swallow.

 

[ols386]

Universal for sure.

 

[luvmy2boyzz]

Another vote for Universal.

 

[RJstanis]

Well I'm pretty sure that makes it unanimous. Thank you so much for the replies. It solidifies my decision then.

If a discount is offered like last year we plan on staying onsite. If not we will have to crunch the numbers since a park hopper there is like $175 (yowsers).

 

[DisneyOma]

Depends on the height of your kids - how many attractions can they go on (that they want to go on) at Universal? Are they into Harry Potter? If the kids are on the smaller side or don't do HP, I'd pick EPCOT. If they are tall enough to do the thrill rides, and like HP, do Universal.