First Trip to Hogwarts

[Tardisblue]

We've been to WDW several times over the past 7 years. This year we just couldn't bring ourselves to go back with everything under construction. So, we decided to book a trip to Universal this year, staying at Cabana Bay and hitting the parks for 4 days, which may be overkill in May.

Part of me feels like we're cheating on Disney, but my kids are super jacked up about Harry Potter and Cabana Bay looks like an awesome hotel. Can't wait to check it all out.

Cheers!

 

[Jays2013]

Similar story here! Younger DS is mad for Jurassic Park and Harry Potter right now, older DS likes Spiderman and I'm a huge HP fan. (DH will roll with anything.) Seemed like a good time to go.

I also wonder if four days in late April will be overkill. I tell myself that maybe it will actually let us relax a little on vacation! But it's weird, but (1) I also feel like we're cheating on Disney and (2) I love Disney planning and I'm used to the whole meticulously-planned-days-with-dining reservations-made-180-days-in-advance routine.

I don't know what to do with myself. Planning is FUN for me!

(Love the screen name.)

 

[damo]

You guys will love it. It is a really special place.

 

[kohlby]

Have fun! We did 6 park days during our last two trips - the last one being this past Nov/Dec. The one before was about the same time of year two years prior. We have a trip planned for Cabana Bay in mid April but just 3 park days. I'm guessing there's a chance we'll upgrade to 4 days.

 

[RMulieri]

4 days is awesome..We do 4 parks days and a week total..Gives us loads of time to relax, enjoy the parks leisurely, re-ride things we love and enjoy the resorts and pools ...I actually leave vacation feeling like I HAD a vacation Vs .my Disney trips where I need a few more days at home to unwind

 

[schumigirl]

4 days won't be overkill.........

 

[dixonsontour]

Sounds like a great plan. I also have a potter mad daughter.

Do make time for the pools, movies by the pool, s'mores and bowling at the resort.

We did 7 nights at cabana when DD was 8 and 10 nights last year when she was 9.

Links to my 2 trip reports

http://www.disboards.com/threads/sh...october-2014-universal-food-complete.3418576/

http://www.disboards.com/threads/he...-10-added-universal-section-complete.3471391/

 

[billlaurie]

Same here. First time at US for us. We love Disney and feel a little sad about being in Orlando and not stopping by, but are ready for a change, especially with the new fastpass/magic band system. I like planning but it is too much at WDW having to book meals and now the fastpasses months in advance and being tied to that park as a result. We are wild for HP and the teen-agers are more into the thrill rides so US/IOA seems like the best choice this year.

 

[redrosesix]

The only problem with going to US is....
the WDW rides seem really tame after that. Seriously, after ForbiddenJourney Soarin for me was just meh.

The theming in each section of IoA is pretty much over the top, and I just am so under-enthused by DHS now that I've been to US (which is basically the same but better and with more to do). I used to like DHS,now it's by far my least favourite park and I would easily skip it.

Love WDW, but I'll never again to a WDW and a US day back to back.

 

[Squirlz]

We just got back from a week at Universal and I'm already planning another week in September. We're giving WDW a couple years to finish stuff up. It's so refreshing not to have to plan everything!

 

[Seeker615]

You will have a blast. We did 5 nights and I wanted more. We really got take our time and really explore everything. The rides are amazing as well as the theming. Plus the resorts are so nice that you will want time to hang out there as well. Citywalk is a lot of fun too! It's such a nice vacation and it is so nice to be so close to everything as well. It's a short walk between parks so no waiting in line for a shuttle.

On a side note: I don't really understand why people feel like they are cheating on Disney. I plan numerous vacations every year and of course have my favorite places to visit but i never felt like I was cheating on one place when I went to another.

 

[Jays2013]

Well, speaking for myself, because we can't do multiple vacations each year, but only one every few years or so. (Or more rarely. When we went to Disney in 2013, it had been seven years since the last time.) Disney is a very special place for us. When we manage to swing a real vacation, it's always been our go-to spot. Choosing not to go there ... when I have no idea when we'll be able to vacation again, although I hope for 2017 ... is a big decision.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

You guys will have a lot of fun. As for doing 4 days, definitely not overkill. We bought 14 day tix this last trip, even though we were only there for a week (Cost about the same as the 4 day tix at UT; not upgradeable to AP). I think we made it to the parks 5 days, but we didn't feel like we had to stay all day, every day. Usually we got there at opening and stayed until 2pm. Did everything we wanted to, and the things we really liked we did every day. We took a day off to go to Kennedy Space Center, which was a blast. Spent time in the condo unwinding (we were offsite). It felt really good not to have to cram a lot of stuff into our week and drive home feeling tired.

 

[Tardisblue]

Sounds like a great plan. I also have a potter mad daughter.

Do make time for the pools, movies by the pool, s'mores and bowling at the resort.

We did 7 nights at cabana when DD was 8 and 10 nights last year when she was 9.

Links to my 2 trip reports

http://www.disboards.com/threads/sh...october-2014-universal-food-complete.3418576/

http://www.disboards.com/threads/he...-10-added-universal-section-complete.3471391/

Thanks for the links - great info. Looks like you had a great time and mixed it up so you didn't get bored.

 

[CinderellasKastle]

We've been to WDW several times over the past 7 years. This year we just couldn't bring ourselves to go back with everything under construction. So, we decided to book a trip to Universal this year, staying at Cabana Bay and hitting the parks for 4 days, which may be overkill in May.

Part of me feels like we're cheating on Disney, but my kids are super jacked up about Harry Potter and Cabana Bay looks like an awesome hotel. Can't wait to check it all out.

Cheers!

It's an overwhelming experience. I just went for my first time this past weekend for A Celebration of Harry Potter and I was there for 3 days, all day. Even then, I feel like I missed SO much. But I also had other things to focus on like panels, demonstrations, and expos. So you may have a different story than mine.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

We are Disney Vacation Club Members {DVC} and have been a huge Disney fans for years. But, a certain magical boy drew us to Universal and we bought APs last year ...we upgraded our 3 day tickets to the power pass AP on the last day. We just did our 2nd trip in January and are planning one more over Presidents Day weekend before the APs expire. The Harry Potter sections are AMAZING!!! We are huge Potter fans and all though the Potter sections are small, they are amazing! We stayed at Cabana Bay and were quite impresses. I also liked their bus system. Much faster than Disney and much short ride from the resort to park. Plan to arrive early (take advantage of the early entry ) and download a wait times app on your phone. In Hogsmead, go straight to Forbidden Journey and ride it first and in Diagon Alley, ride Gringotts first as these lines get loooooooong mid day! Enjoy!