Having a domestic about 3rd day at Universal so asking the experts!

[longwaybycarriage]

Hi everyone,

DBf (pumpkinpilot) and I are currently bickering over plans for our trip in December. We're travelling with Dbf's parents and (adult) sisters, all staying on property at Disney for 16 nights.

We're definitely doing one day each at US/IOA, but can't decide whether to schedule a third day to "mop up" at either or both parks. Basically, I want to allow 3 days overall for the Universal resort and DBf thinks 2 will be enough.

We were there in 2008 and he felt we covered the parks well enough in a day each. I felt we were a bit pushed for time at US and missed a few things - also worried about crowds at IOA considering WWoHP.

Today, we've been talking about a few nights at a Universal resort at the beginning of our trip, so that's on the table too...

So what do you all think? 2 days or 3? And is the answer different if we're onsite?

(P.S. Not complaining, as problems go, it's a nice one to have! )

 

[PumpkinPilot]

Hi everyone, OK heres my 2 pennies worth....

We're going to be there 1/12 -17/12 so crowds shouldnt be AS busy than at other peak times.

Also, if we're staying onsite, we'll be using FoL passes which should help us get round both parks all the more quicker.

longwaybycarriage also understated the success of our previous trip in that we NAILED both parks in a day each (with the exception of a few minor attractions/shows) again in low season. *I know WWoHP will undoubtadely bring more crowds to the parks, but enough to warrant an extra day?*

We just agreed to put it out there to you guys and abide by the majority consensus, so reply carefully!*

Finally I should mention I love my DGf to bits and i'm really looking forward to our holiday together either way.....any*brownie points for love??! Lol!!
*
*

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Hi everyone,

DBf (pumpkinpilot) and I are currently bickering over plans for our trip in December. We're travelling with Dbf's parents and (adult) sisters, all staying on property at Disney for 16 nights.

We're definitely doing one day each at US/IOA, but can't decide whether to schedule a third day to "mop up" at either or both parks. Basically, I want to allow 3 days overall for the Universal resort and DBf thinks 2 will be enough.

We were there in 2008 and he felt we covered the parks well enough in a day each. I felt we were a bit pushed for time at US and missed a few things - also worried about crowds at IOA considering WWoHP.

Today, we've been talking about a few nights at a Universal resort at the beginning of our trip, so that's on the table too...

So what do you all think? 2 days or 3? And is the answer different if we're onsite?

(P.S. Not complaining, as problems go, it's a nice one to have! )

Well you can tell him that a random person on the internet agrees with you...but idk if that'll work. If it were my vacation it would be 3 days.


But since you went just a yr and a half ago ish then you should have a good idea of what you want to ride, skip, and do multiple rides of. With Potter opening it will def be busier then normal. Also if your going later in Dec then crowds get bigger closer to Christmas. If its early Dec it should be fairly lighter crowds.

I think staying onsite makes a diff in the pleasure you will have but not rly the time you spend. I think even with only 2 days in Dec you could experience the park but I doubt it will be as pleasureable then having more time to stop and smell the roses.

So if it were me I would say onsite for 2 nights for 3 days of FOTL access.

 

[mjohnson96]

Hi everyone,

DBf (pumpkinpilot) and I are currently bickering over plans for our trip in December. We're travelling with Dbf's parents and (adult) sisters, all staying on property at Disney for 16 nights.

We're definitely doing one day each at US/IOA, but can't decide whether to schedule a third day to "mop up" at either or both parks. Basically, I want to allow 3 days overall for the Universal resort and DBf thinks 2 will be enough.

We were there in 2008 and he felt we covered the parks well enough in a day each. I felt we were a bit pushed for time at US and missed a few things - also worried about crowds at IOA considering WWoHP.

Today, we've been talking about a few nights at a Universal resort at the beginning of our trip, so that's on the table too...

So what do you all think? 2 days or 3? And is the answer different if we're onsite?

(P.S. Not complaining, as problems go, it's a nice one to have! )

If your staying onsite then you can do it in 2 days. The big perk of being onsite is the Express Pass for hotel guests. Basicall you show your room key and get into the express lane at most rides as many times as you want, now new ride at WWOHP might be once per day. Also, being close to the Parks is a huge perk for us. I love the walk over to IOA or US from RPH or you can always take a boat ride.

Crowds will prob stink but if you can only do 2 days this is the way to go. We are staying a whole week because it gives us a chance to relax and we love to pool hop between the 3 resorts. We love the pool at HRH

Since you are spending a couple of weeks at Disney I think you would be fine to spend 2 nights at Universal and use the morning to either see what you didn't see the first 2 days or go back to your favorites then head over to Disney and have fun

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Hi everyone, OK heres my 2 pennies worth....

We're going to be there 1/12 -17/12 so crowds shouldnt be AS busy than at other peak times.

Also, if we're staying onsite, we'll be using FoL passes which should help us get round both parks all the more quicker.

longwaybycarriage also understated the success of our previous trip in that we NAILED both parks in a day each (with the exception of a few minor attractions/shows) again in low season. *I know WWoHP will undoubtadely bring more crowds to the parks, but enough to warrant an extra day?*

We just agreed to put it out there to you guys and abide by the majority consensus, so reply carefully!*

Finally I should mention I love my DGf to bits and i'm really looking forward to our holiday together either way.....any*brownie points for love??! Lol!!
*
*

What do you consider minor attractions/shows?

Idk about warranting an extra day but since you can't buy an extra 3 hrs....I suppose it could be.

Did you have FOTL last time you went? If you do it this yr with 2 days I suppose it could be done. Not sure how much you rly enjoyed the place if your only wanting to go back for 2 days. I personally can ride MiB all day long and love mixing Mummy into that.

I would always prefer 3 days instead of the 2.

 

[freediverdude]

I would suggest the same thing as someone else above said, stay 2 nights at one of the onsite resorts, and then on the morning of the 3rd day, you could decide whether you want to see more of Universal and stay half the day there or something before checking out and heading over to Disney- or if you've felt you've seen most everything, you could just check out right away and head over to Disney for the day. That way you have the option of either, depending on how things go.

If you just stay one night, then the second day you're seeing the second park, and then having to leave from there to go directly over to Disney at that point, Universal is over.

 

[Metro West]

Since you are spending a couple of weeks at Disney I think you would be fine to spend 2 nights at Universal and use the morning to either see what you didn't see the first 2 days or go back to your favorites then head over to Disney and have fun

I'm going to suggest the other way around. Go to Disney first and then finish up with Universal. Why? Once you've spent your days at Universal practically walking onto the attractions because of the unlimited Express access, it's not going to be fun going to Disney have waiting in those lines. Plus since Universal is more laid back than Disney, it would be nice to wind down the vacation with a few easy days instead of rushing all over WDW.

I'm just sayin'.

 

[Magpie]

I'd vote for two nights on-site - so you'd get three days of visiting the park.

During December there's some additional shows you might want to see, like the Grinchmas show and the Macy's Parade, that will add time to your touring plans.

Also, the hours the park is open tend to be shorter during early December, so you won't be able to stay late.

I vote for three days at the parks!

And what a absolutely wonderful argument to be having! You're very lucky.

 

[ginnygi]

Wow! I am so jealous, and only wish I had this dilemma. 16 days seems like a very nice, LOOOOONG vacation, so I vote 3 days at IO/US. You would still have 13 days to do everything else you want to do. But seriously, dont underestimate the amount of crowd WWoHP is going to draw, even during the "off" season. If it were me (I am a HUGE HP fan) could spend a day just in WWoHP, exploring the shops, restaurants, rides, taking pictures of everything. If you want to take your time in WWoHP, I think you will need 3 days to do everything properly. Have fun on your trip!

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I'd vote for two nights on-site - so you'd get three days of visiting the park.

During December there's some additional shows you might want to see, like the Grinchmas show and the Macy's Parade, that will add time to your touring plans.

Also, the hours the park is open tend to be shorter during early December, so you won't be able to stay late.

I vote for three days at the parks!

And what a absolutely wonderful argument to be having! You're very lucky.

Even though I voted for this same thing...I want to add that I agree with Metro also to do it at the end of vacation. Its much more relaxing then Disney. Grinchmas also starts later then Disney's celebration. Last yr I believe it was the 7th when it started so I would suggest either doing it mid vacation or preferably at the end and have that extra day to see the parade and whatever else they offer.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Hi everyone,

DBf (pumpkinpilot) and I are currently bickering over plans for our trip in December. We're travelling with Dbf's parents and (adult) sisters, all staying on property at Disney for 16 nights.

Hi everyone, OK heres my 2 pennies worth....

We just agreed to put it out there to you guys and abide by the majority consensus, so reply carefully!*

Finally I should mention I love my DGf to bits and i'm really looking forward to our holiday together either way.....any*brownie points for love??! Lol!!
*
*

Awww, you two are too cute! I vote for two nights onsite with three days at the parks. You may find that you are done early on the third day, but I like the idea of doing each park one day and then revisiting all your favorites the third day, as well as picking up any attractions that you missed the first two days.

 

[phamton]

Awww, you two are too cute! I vote for two nights onsite with three days at the parks. You may find that you are done early on the third day, but I like the idea of doing each park one day and then revisiting all your favorites the third day, as well as picking up any attractions that you missed the first two days.

This is my opinion, too!

 

[Obadiah Stane]

i'm going to suggest the other way around. Go to disney first and then finish up with universal. Why? Once you've spent your days at universal practically walking onto the attractions because of the unlimited express access, it's not going to be fun going to disney have waiting in those lines. Plus since universal is more laid back than disney, it would be nice to wind down the vacation with a few easy days instead of rushing all over wdw.

I'm just sayin'.

^this^

 

[Pink Flamingo]

I'm going to suggest the other way around. Go to Disney first and then finish up with Universal. Why? Once you've spent your days at Universal practically walking onto the attractions because of the unlimited Express access, it's not going to be fun going to Disney have waiting in those lines. Plus since Universal is more laid back than Disney, it would be nice to wind down the vacation with a few easy days instead of rushing all over WDW.

I'm just sayin'.

Totally agree with Metro! After reading these boards, that's what we did on our first WDW/US vacation & I'm so glad we did. It was a nice relaxing way to end our vacation.

With regards to the 2 or 3 day debate ~ I suppose it depends on how you like to tour the parks. I prefer to take a laid back approach ~ arrive early, leave by noon to head back to the hotel for a pool break, then back to the park in the evening. Doing it this way, I would choose 3 days over 2. If you like a more commando approach to park touring (dawn to dusk at the park), the 2 days would probably be plenty.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[maggieb9975]

I'm going to suggest the other way around. Go to Disney first and then finish up with Universal. Why? Once you've spent your days at Universal practically walking onto the attractions because of the unlimited Express access, it's not going to be fun going to Disney have waiting in those lines. Plus since Universal is more laid back than Disney, it would be nice to wind down the vacation with a few easy days instead of rushing all over WDW.

I'm just sayin'.

TOTALLY AGREE!!!!

 

[longwaybycarriage]

Thanks everyone!

Think we're going to go with the compromise suggested...do the two days and then a half day/as much as we need on the third before heading over to Disney. Some of our party are heading home a day earlier whle the rest of us stay on and do the Backstage Magic tour...date-wise we can add that extra on the end but not at the beginning so I don't think we can switch to Disney/Universal.

Thanks again for all your help. Hoping for a good rate on RPR now...

 

[brenda1966]

Glad you have yours all figured out (I'm envious of your very long vacation too!)

I had initially hoped to do Disney first and then US at the end of our trip, but our trip ends close to Halloween and I don't want to deal with the halloween party crowds, so decided that earlier in the week was better. Plus, we can use Disney's bus system to get back to the airport, where we'd have to pay if we were at US.

also, spending a second night on US property is kind of expensive. I can get a hotel room at Disney for $100 a night, but US is $260. That's a lot for an extra day of park touring that we may not even need. I think we can do 2 parks in 2 days because DD is only 48" tall and can't go on many of the big rides. Also, since the parks close so early, we can have pool time in the evening (if the weather cooperates).

Decisions, decisions!

 

[GrumpyDad1974]

One more thing to consider... was it just the two of you before for two days? I know when we have done with a group of 6, instead of our normal 3, everything!!!! took longer than we were used to. I wouldn't change how we did things but it's just something to keep in mind.
have fun

 

[PumpkinPilot]

Thanks for all your suggestions, we really appreciate it As longway says we've decided to compromise and do a US stay up front, then move on to Disney afterwards. In response to a previous post it was 6 of us last time we went, albeit it with a very different group!

Doing Universal up front we should be able to save a few $ on the rental car too. We were going to rent from the airport and drive back and forth from Disney to the offsites (which we will still do), although doing it this way we could get a town car from the airport to Universal and wouldn't need to rent a car until we leave, saving 3 days on the rental

Depending on how we're stretched, we may spring for a limo to pick us up as a surprise for my folks too. Although longway doesn't approve as she thinks they're tacky

 

[becky1960]

We just got back and spent our first time at US/IOA, we went for two days with very short wait times usually 10 min or less and still did not get to do and see everything. I think three days as you stated to mop up would be alright. I also think that HP is going to take a lot of time the first year. Also I might add that we have been going to Disney for many years and it was nice to see something different..