First timer trip in December, planning advice

[hjlawton]

We are planning our first trip to Universal next December. I have been able to get many of my questions answered by all the helpful information here on this forum, but still need some guidance.

We are DVC owners and will be staying at Disney during the first two weeks of December. I am debating staying on-site at Universal for 1 or 2 nights for greater convenience. From what I have read, although the express pass would be nice, it doesn't seem to be a necessity this time of year? We will have a car so transportation between Disney and Universal isn't an issue either.

Based on the cost of a 2 day park to park, I am also considering just getting APs. Our 6 year old loves to ride and should be 48" by that time. Do you think that there's enough to see at UO/IOA that we could conceivably opt to commute over from Disney for additional days in the park? How much traffic is there typically during a weekday with this commute? I also figured this way I could also look at the AP rates for Universal resorts if we decide to stay on-site.

Any advice is much appreciated, TIA.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do you think that there's enough to see at UO/IOA that we could conceivably opt to commute over from Disney for additional days in the park?

I find there to be enough. Though I often just want a butterbeer.

Follow the AP rate thread, and when December rates come out, see if it makes sense for one person to upgrade to an AP to get that rate. If so, buy the AP for one adult in the room. Get tickets for the others. Once you're there, see how much you like it. If you like it enough, upgrade their tickets to APs. I believe Preferred is the lowest AP that gets you free parking at the citywalk/themepark lot (you won't use this lot while you're there onsite, but it's for when you come from offsite), so keep that in mind.

We always find unlimited Express Pass to be necessary. Even if it's saving just minutes per ride, those minutes add up. We love unlimited EP.

And your trip is sounding like our first Orlando trip. 2 weeks, DVC, though we stayed 3 nights at RPR...had partial day checkin, two full days, and anticipated just leaving to go over to Jambo, but they had to drag us out of there that 4th day. ONLY the Sanaa reservation we had got us into the car. And then the EP we'd had made FP just so clunky and sad...

 

[hjlawton]

I find there to be enough. Though I often just want a butterbeer.

Follow the AP rate thread, and when December rates come out, see if it makes sense for one person to upgrade to an AP to get that rate. If so, buy the AP for one adult in the room. Get tickets for the others. Once you're there, see how much you like it. If you like it enough, upgrade their tickets to APs. I believe Preferred is the lowest AP that gets you free parking at the citywalk/themepark lot (you won't use this lot while you're there onsite, but it's for when you come from offsite), so keep that in mind.

We always find unlimited Express Pass to be necessary. Even if it's saving just minutes per ride, those minutes add up. We love unlimited EP.

And your trip is sounding like our first Orlando trip. 2 weeks, DVC, though we stayed 3 nights at RPR...had partial day checkin, two full days, and anticipated just leaving to go over to Jambo, but they had to drag us out of there that 4th day. ONLY the Sanaa reservation we had got us into the car. And then the EP we'd had made FP just so clunky and sad...

Thanks so much for the reply. I think Universal will be very enjoyable and a nice break from the over planning that's generally required with our Disney trips.