For those that have done a split WDW/Universal vacation....

[GaryDis]

We're considering doing Universal first, some time in Sep. 2016. Arrive on a Sat, hit the pool, Sun. and Mon. at US/IOA, Tue. transfer to WDW, maybe hit one of the water parks during the day, and maybe, if things work right, hit up MNSSHP that evening. Then Wed thru Sat for the WDW parks, and home on Sun.

The rationale for Uni first is that Sun and Mon tend to be busy days at WDW regardless. I don't know whether the same traffic applies at Uni, but I expect not. We're mostly interested in the Harry Potter sections, and will probably skip the more intense coasters. So, with no kids, I expect that to be enough. For WDW, we're mostly interested in what's new since our last visit (2001, I think), so again, 4 days should be enough.

 

[Gophers]

We did the split in 2013 with US/IOA the first two day then 5 days at Disney. Two days for Universal is enough and we enjoyed our time there so now it's in the schedule every time we go. The kids are getting older and there are more rides for them. Huge Disney fans and we like going there last. Still enjoy HS even though they are transitioning. MK needs two days IMO as we like to do a lot there and we like the character breakfast and BOG lunch so we take some time there. Epcot and AK could be done in half days but it depends on the times that you like to be there. Will also depend on how many ADR's for dinner you have scheduled. We do Ohana every time and that is usually a AK night. Can't do it on Epcot since we eat like pigs and drink like fish . Depending when the parks open if you have a character breakfast you could be there early enough to get to rides when you are done before the park opens. We rode EE at AK 2 times after breakfast before the crowds started coming.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Thank you all so much. I think we'll be OK with 2 days at US and 4 at WDW. I will get 5 days hoppers just for flexibility/spontaneity purposes and to take advantage of that 5th day on our arrival evening even if it's just for a couple hours. I know we won't see everything and that it will probably just scratch the surface, but I'm OK with that. We are generally not parade, show, or character meal people, so we will see a few but focus mostly on rides. We usually do a few ADRs and mostly eat CS meals, so I will read through the dining threads and decide ion a few top picks that we want to try. I will try to focus at WDW on things we don't experience at DLR or things where the WDW experience is quite a bit different. Can't wait for the Country Bear Jamboree and Carousel of Progress! Since this a makeshift bonus trip, I think the attitude will just be, "We have x time, so what are our priorities?", and plan from there - it will be great! Thanks to all of you for your suggestions - I will be reading through your threads for more tips!

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

Since you go to Disneyland frequently I not sure you need to worry too much about DHS. Most of the "big" attractions are also at DL or DCA (ToT, Star Tours, TSMM) I would think 2 days at Universal with hoppers (for Hogwarts Express), and 4 days at Disney: 2/3 of a day at AK, a 1 1/2 days at EPCOT, 1/2 day at DHS, and 1 1/3 days at MK.

This is dead on. My only advice is that I wouldn't stay at Universal. The majority of your time is at WDW, so stay there.

 

[Planogirl]

This is dead on. My only advice is that I wouldn't stay at Universal. The majority of your time is at WDW, so stay there.

I'm just the opposite. I love being close to whatever parks we are visiting. It's so nice to just walk from your resort into the park plus you can't beat Express if you stay at a deluxe.

 

[Vivianne]

After years of not seeing this park, we did the Universal/WDW split last year. We stayed at the Royal Pacific which was a nice boat ride away from the parks.

I would check out the Universal forum here. Lots of people there with good information. Also, reading some books on it will give you an idea of what not to miss for your group.

Everyone does things differently but we did one park at a time. Universal first, we checked out the Harry Potter section walked around took pictures & dined there. Then we checked out the rest of Universal. My favorite at Universal is the Terminator show. About HP, its best to hit this early in the morning, the line was insane & not worth waiting after the check-in process at the hotel & not knowing what to expect. The HP areas are at the back of the parks. The second day, we went again to Universal, straight to the HP area & did the ride. Got our bags from the locker & went to the train ride for the 2nd park. Then we toured Islands of Adventure at leisure. Time surely goes fast.

 

[johde]

I'm just the opposite. I love being close to whatever parks we are visiting. It's so nice to just walk from your resort into the park plus you can't beat Express if you at a deluxe.

I agree, I've been a split stay person for most of my Universal trip. I've never stayed in a deluxe onsite. But even staying in Cabana Bay, it nice to be able to be back at your hotel so quickly.

 

[angierae]

Our current plan is to go in the fall, and spend two days at Universal - one to focus on Harry Potter, and one for the other stuff we'd like to see. If we finish up with HP stuff early, we'll start on the other stuff.

 

[GaryDis]

I agree, I've been a split stay person for most of my Universal trip. I've never stayed in a deluxe onsite. But even staying in Cabana Bay, it nice to be able to be back at your hotel so quickly.

Plus the early admission is nice, and probably doesn't have the negative side effects that it does at WDW.

And there's the price. I haven't seen anything relating the UO hotels to the Disney hotel tiers, but judging by location alone, it's much cheaper to be within walking distance at UO than at WDW. That's why we're planning our transfer from UO to WDW the morning after we finish up at UO.

 

[KorbensMomma]

Since the kids haven't seen any of Universal or HP I would do a equal split stay 3/3. 3 universal & 3WDW

I personally would skip HS since they keep taking stuff out, but if that is the one you want I would do 2MK & 1 HS.

I woul also do WDW first, then Universal, to me it seems more relaxing.

 

[mmjeff]

2 was a given before harry potter. We are planning on 3 now. Plus, undercover tourist usually has a deal to get the third day free.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

I feel like 2 days is plenty of time for US, especially if you are using the front of the line passes. A split stay would be fun, I've only stayed at universal once, but it was awesome, their hotels are gorgeous.

 

[soniam]

Plus the early admission is nice, and probably doesn't have the negative side effects that it does at WDW.

And there's the price. I haven't seen anything relating the UO hotels to the Disney hotel tiers, but judging by location alone, it's much cheaper to be within walking distance at UO than at WDW. That's why we're planning our transfer from UO to WDW the morning after we finish up at UO.

We have stayed at moderate and deluxe at WDW and stayed at Royal Pacific (deluxe) at Universal for the first time in March. We felt that the Universal hotels offered much more value than the WDW deluxe and moderate. With CheapTickets and Universal discounts, our water view at RPR was about the same as we paid for a garden view with WDW discount at POR (moderate). The Universal hotels are very nice. Since they are run by a real hotel chain, Loews, I got the feeling they understood what's expected in a hotel more than WDW. Plus, our waterview at RPR had a very close view of the parks. We got to wake up and see the sun slowly illuminate the Hulk coaster every morning. We could also see Hogwart's. The proximity of the hotels, parks, and Citywalk is great and really reminded me of Disney Land. I don't like doing split stays, but I wouldn't hesitate to do it between WDW and Universal, even for just a night.

 

[StarWarsJez]

So many great things have need at Universal over recent years that I'd recommend at least two days there if not three. We stay at the HRH for 2-3 nights usually and just love it (as well as the early entry and FoL passes)

We love Disney too - but Universal parks are every bit as good as the best Disney can offer (and better in many instances) - plus US is much better in Florida than LA.

 

[Goddesstree]

I believe the Express pass isn't valid for any Harry Potter attractions though, is it? We spent two days at Universal/Islands this week, and really could have done everything in the Harry Potter sections in one day. We left early each day to go back to WDW for an evening EMH park. We got there at rope drop both days, queued for the ride, explored a bit in the area, got on the Hogwarts Express, ate lunch at the other end, and walked out of the park. The next day we reversed the experience. If we had only one day, we could have done both lands just fine.

 

[Planogirl]

I believe the Express pass isn't valid for any Harry Potter attractions though, is it? We spent two days at Universal/Islands this week, and really could have done everything in the Harry Potter sections in one day. We left early each day to go back to WDW for an evening EMH park. We got there at rope drop both days, queued for the ride, explored a bit in the area, got on the Hogwarts Express, ate lunch at the other end, and walked out of the park. The next day we reversed the experience. If we had only one day, we could have done both lands just fine.

Universal is gorgeous at night particularly the Harry Potter areas and Jurassic Park has a neat mysterious atmosphere. I recommend checking out the two parks after dark if you can catch them staying open late enough.

 

[Imamom2]

That's what we did the first time and the timing was just right. We made sure to do Universal after WDW, tho. Kids will love FOTL and even with Fastpass the lines at WDW will seem longer. We have stayed at HRH and RP and both are awesome! Have a wonderful time

 

[ladyelizabeth]

Universal is gorgeous at night particularly the Harry Potter areas and Jurassic Park is has a neat mysterious atmosphere. I recommend checking out the two parks after dark if you can catch them staying open late enough.

Agreed! Towards the end of the night (or towards park closing) head back to the WWHP! There are less people there towards the end of the day (shorter waits! yay!) and the ambiance is amazing. I would also recommend having dinner rather than lunch at WWHP because both Three Broomsticks and Leaky Cauldron are much less crowded at night. Universal gets a lot of day guests so people tend not to stay until the very end (unlike Disney).

Also, I think at least two full nights are a must at Universal. I would feel rushed with just a one night stay and the deluxe resorts are really great!

Also, if you are an American Express card holder or AAA or have an Annual Pass you can get discounts on food (even for Leaky Cauldron or Three Broomsticks). Universal loves AmEx (you can even get merchandise discounts if you spend at least $50). Essentially, always ask if they offer a discount - it never hurts! And you might consider one person in your party getting an AP. Then you might be able to get hotel discounts (I think they've only announced hotel discounts until the end of 2015 so far), food and beverage discounts, and merchandise. Just a thought! MouseSavers has a great Universal section with a bunch of info on discounts from hotels to tickets to food, etc!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[nkereina]

We do a split Universal/WDW trip almost every trip now. I think two full days at Universal is fine. What we always do is on our last day at WDW, whenever we are done, we take a cab over to our Universal hotel and check-in there and stay there for the night. We do this rather than traveling to Universal in the morning. By going the night before, we get a full day in during our first Universal day. Your second Universal day would also be your check-out day, but you should be good with everything by the end of day 2. And then you'll have 4 days for the parks at WDW. We always do AK on the day we move to our Universal hotel, since we tend to finish there earlier in the day.

 

[LOL!]

You might think this crazy, but if you are going to have transportation I'd honestly suggest that you stay at a Universal resort for the entire duration of your trip. Do the Universal parks in the morning, eat your major meals at City Walk, and use FP+ at WDW in the late afternoons/evenings.