EPCOT vs. Universal

[Juliet25]

I’ll preface this with saying that EPCOT is my favorite park and I can’t imagine not going to it when I’m in WDW, but…

I went in Oct. 2020 and it was a half day park. So much was boarded up. I know Remy is new, but is there anything else new?

I already have a 3 day park ticket, so I’m probably going to go. I haven’t, however, purchased my family’s tickets. My daughter has 5 days left on a non expired pass. My husband has one day left and my son doesn’t have any days. So I’m basically paying by the day, and I’m not sure EPCOT is worth $500.

So I’m thinking of sending husband, son and daughter to Universal for the day and me doing EPCOT by myself. Kids are 11 and 13 and have never been to Universal (neither has my husband or I).

What would you pick: day in EPCOT as a family or day in Universal for the three of them? They didn’t seem to care either way, so I’ll probably make the decision for them.

And the more important question… which Universal Park? They’re Harry Potter fans.

 

[CarolynFH]

Harry Potter fans would definitely enjoy UOR, and your kids are the age to really enjoy the rest of the Universal parks, assuming they like roller coasters and thrill rides. Unfortunately, to get the most out of the HP lands, they need a 2-park or park-to-park ticket so that they can ride the Hogwarts Express and visit both Hogsmead/Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. Really, it would be unfair to see only one or the other.

PS Is there any way you could swing a one-night reservation at one of the Universal deluxe resorts? You'd still have to buy the tickets, but everyone on the reservation (could be just the three of them, and they don't even have to sleep there) would get the Unlimited Express Pass included for both days (check in through check out) and could also park at the hotel for less than parking in the Universal garage (hotel parking is charged by the night, garage by the day). Do the math - here's the website! https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us. We've done it twice, but only with adults, so there was an extra charge for the room that you might not have to pay for the kids - I don't know.

 

[Marthasor]

Given the current state of EP, I would probably send them to Universal. Don't get me wrong - EP is also my favorite park, but unless you have a lot of affection for that park right now or really enjoy just walking around WS, I don't know if it holds a lot of appeal. I, myself, really do not enjoy walking around the construction walls in FW right now - it really takes a lot away from the experience.

If you do send them to UO, I highly recommend getting a park-to-park pass so they can ride Hogwart's Express and see the Harry Potter areas in both parks.

 

[Erzengel]

I love Epcot but Soarin, Test Track, Remy, Frozen, Mission Space and Spaceship Earth, if you didn’t go during one of the food festivals or are not big into shopping, you could probably be out of the park by mid afternoon.

 

[Nabas]

We love Epcot as adults but have never considered it a full day park, especially for someone who has been there before or who is just focused on rides.

At ages 11 and 13, your kids are the perfect age for a Universal trip. The toughest decision is deciding which one. Islands of Adventure has the better roller coasters (VelociCoaster, Hulk, and Hagrid's) but Universal Studios has a better mix of attractions and the better Harry Potter land. As Harry Potter fans, I recommend Universal Studios.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

My daughter and I are just the opposite of some of the other opinions. I had even asked her if she wanted to go to Universal to see Harry Potter and she said no, she would rather have another Epcot day. We are going there for 3 days our next trip. We can totally stay there the whole day.

 

[Juliet25]

Thank you all! Lots to think about…

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I'll chime in and say if you can't do a park to park at Universal, even single day, don't do it. Do both HP lands together. We love to suggest first time visitors who are Harry fans to follow his path in the first book. Enter in to Diagon Alley from Studios side, check out the wand store, robe store, do the ride then hop the train to Hogsmeade, including "running through the wall" on platform 9 3/4, then exploring that side. And I'd hate to say send them and you not go. You should go see their expressions and experience it too.

I'm with you on loving Epcot. My reason for not really loving it at the moment is not really the construction, though that's part of it, it's the lack of the cultural representatives. It's just not the same when my waiter at Via Napoli is Joe from Orlando. I loved talking with the kids about their experiences and why they chose to do the program, how long they've been here, have left, etc. Even the shopping is extremely limited right now. Was shocked last week when we went to stop in Karmel store in Germany to see half the usual treats.

So I suggest you all head to Universal for a day, do a single day park to park ticket and yes, get a night at one of their hotels that includes Express. With Express you can easily get through pretty much all the rides in both parks in a single day. We just did it last Monday, so at a busy time.

 

[gharter]

At the age of your kids, there isn't a lot they will enjoy at EPCOT. I would go to Universal. While doing both Universal parks is better to get both halves of Harry Potter, picking one still works.
When we do Universal, we always stay at one of the resorts with free Express pass. That will let you do most of the rides you want in 1 day and get in early.