First offsite visit [WH] and now thinking of doing Universal for a couple days...

[TnTWalter]

Those of you that visit both how do you plan it?

And the 7 day passes for $89 seem like a great deal...so perhaps I could do universal in beginning and end and WDW in the middle?? I'm thinking this trip to WDW just MK, AK and maybe a hop from Epcot to Studios...

My kids will be 10,8,6. They have enjoyed all rides at WDW except RnR [height] and loved all but ToT and littlest didn't like Dinosaur.

We're there a week [8days/7nights] in Windsor hills with our van...

Any tips greatly appreciated. I've been looking around here and Universal board for other tips. Thanks.



Trish

 

[TnTWalter]

????

 

[JaxJags08]

If you were staying at a Universal hotel, I would say do Universal last because you get spoiled by their front of the line privileges. But in this case, I don't think it matters all too much.

My suggestion is to check out Universal's height requirements and descriptions for their rides. The rides that you mentioned are some of the more thrilling rides at WDW, and Universal has many similar (and some say scarier) ones. I would hate for you to start off your trip on a disappointing note because some members of your family aren't able to ride certain things or find too many of the rides there too extreme.

As I type this out, maybe you want to stick Universal in the middle of your vacation. That way you can start off and end your trip at places you know you really like.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Those of you that visit both how do you plan it?

And the 7 day passes for $89 seem like a great deal...so perhaps I could do universal in beginning and end and WDW in the middle?? I'm thinking this trip to WDW just MK, AK and maybe a hop from Epcot to Studios...

My kids will be 10,8,6. They have enjoyed all rides at WDW except RnR [height] and loved all but ToT and littlest didn't like Dinosaur.

We're there a week [8days/7nights] in Windsor hills with our van...

Any tips greatly appreciated. I've been looking around here and Universal board for other tips. Thanks.



Trish

Well if you can afford it would probably be worth it. There are a fair amount of rides that are dark and loud and my niece did not like them. Sorta like dinosaur but not the scary factor just dark and loud. I am not sure when you are going so I am not sure how busy it will be. I like to go for 2 days or so it gives me time to see everything good but then again I dont go during high season. Be sure to get there at opening it is usually dead till around 11 or so. Considering your kids dont like ToT they arent much for thrill rides. The water rides could be fun for them IOA has 2 of them, Spiderman is dark and loud and a little scary but your kids will probably enjoy it. They have 2 big coasters and then the ToT like ride but not nearly as good although it has a nice view. They also have jurassic park and 2 shows and ofcoarse Suess land. How do your kids like movies? Thats basically the breakdown for Universal if they have seen the movies and can enjoy it like that its more enjoyable. To be honest as much as I love Universal/IOA you should consider instead doing a waterpark or disneyquest possibly especially if you are going soon when it will be rly hot and rly crowded. Give a little break between the days at Disney. Would also be cheaper then Universal. But only you know what you kids will like. I had to drag my nephew on the rides at Universal he is 7 and the biggest baby in the world. Any other questions go ahead and ask and have a great trip.

 

[FayeW]

We always do US/IOA when we visit Orlando. We buy the 7 day tickets and generally go for 3 days; 1 day for each park, and then a third day to do our favourites. We always stay offsite and have a rental car. This year we are also trying Windsor Hills for the first time. We generally mix and match the days throughout our stay so we don't do all Disney then US or vice versa. We don't have any set formula. We usually do a couple of WDW parks, Disney Quest and then a couple of days at Universal, followed by a pool/relax day, another WDW day, another US/IOA day, etc. Since you aren't staying onsite and have your own transportation there is no reason to finish one group of parks before you start the next.

The only reason you might want to do WDW first is because the kids are going to LOVE the Universal parks, and once they see Revenge of the Mummy, Men In Black, the Simpson's,Spiderman and the Hulk, they might want to spend all their time there! The shows are great, too so don't miss The Rocky Horror Make Up Show and Beetlejuice Revue.

 

[FayeW]

Considering your kids dont like ToT they arent much for thrill rides. .

Lots of people don't like Tower of Terror, but love rollercoasters and other thrill rides!. Some people just don't like the drops. The only ride at Universal that compares to ToT in the drop is Dr Doom's Fearfall.

I will do ToT, but I don't particularily like it. The theming and the back story is great, so I do it. Since I don't like the drop rides I have only done Dr Doom once in 3 trips.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Lots of people don't like Tower of Terror, but love rollercoasters and other thrill rides!. Some people just don't like the drops. The only ride at Universal that compares to ToT in the drop is Dr Doom's Fearfall.

I will do ToT, but I don't particularily like it. The theming and the back story is great, so I do it. Since I don't like the drop rides I have only done Dr Doom once in 3 trips.

Yea that is true I was making a generalization with the little info I had. Like I said at end only she knows what her kids will like. If they do like rollercoasters then yes it would be very beneficial to go to this park depending on the height of your children. Enjoy yourself whatever you decide I was in same situation as you we are leaving in 7 days and I decided to not go to Universal as it would cost more then worth it plus 4 days already at the park in this heat and my sisters didnt think it was worth the price increase. We decided to do a water park instead and save some money. But thats my life story anyway.

 

[TnTWalter]

They loved the roller coasters but not ToT, although 1 would do it again. My son is the youngest and the one afraid of Dinosaur although he went a second time because he thought he would like it that time. Still not so much. LOL. When asked about ToT, he will tell anyone 'I HATED it.' LOL.

My son LOVES Spiderman and Hulk....and they'll be older by a year and a half since last visit which makes a difference. They should all be tall enough for almost everything.

We're heading to the beach for a week after this to RELAX so not worried about going going going.

We've only been to WDW twice but have NOT taken days off. We sometimes are done by early afternoon only to go out again for a couple hours in evening...but we'll be offsite this time so won't have that luxury as much.

Trish

 

[TnTWalter]

We always do US/IOA when we visit Orlando. We buy the 7 day tickets and generally go for 3 days; 1 day for each park, and then a third day to do our favourites. We always stay offsite and have a rental car. This year we are also trying Windsor Hills for the first time. We generally mix and match the days throughout our stay so we don't do all Disney then US or vice versa. We don't have any set formula. We usually do a couple of WDW parks, Disney Quest and then a couple of days at Universal, followed by a pool/relax day, another WDW day, another US/IOA day, etc. Since you aren't staying onsite and have your own transportation there is no reason to finish one group of parks before you start the next.

The only reason you might want to do WDW first is because the kids are going to LOVE the Universal parks, and once they see Revenge of the Mummy, Men In Black, the Simpson's,Spiderman and the Hulk, they might want to spend all their time there! The shows are great, too so don't miss The Rocky Horror Make Up Show and Beetlejuice Revue.

Thanks!
When are you going?
We'll be there May 30-June 6 if that makes a difference.

I was thinking AK, MK, US, maybe day at WH [nice pool there], IOA, Studios, MK. Last day to do IOA/US favorites. I'm still debating whether I get park hopper passes or not for the WDW part because it would be great to throw our Epcot favorites into the STudios day and the 2nd MK day....

I don't want to spend money for water parks this trip. It would be too stressful for me.

Trish