Help! Can't decide what to do!

[Bundle]

We are coming back to Florida for 15 nights next year 29 March to 13 April.

We have decided that for a change we will spend 5 nights at Universal (probably Porto Fino). We really love The Wilderness Lodge but wonder whether for some of our 10 remaining nights we should try a different Disney Resort. we wondered about the Polynesian (although since reading on another thread that there can be Cockroaches in the room, I'm a bit wary about that as I don't like bugs of any sort!). Or maybe splash out for a few nights at the Grand Floridian. Or should we just go with what we know and love - The Wilderness Lodge?!

The other decision we need to make is whether to stay at Universal for the first five nights or the last or maybe split Disney and stay at Universal in the middle. Would that make it difficult to do the Disney Dining Plan? It's my birthday on the 12th. our last night so something tells me that should be spent at Disney!

Any advice, opinions etc would be gratefully received!

Thanks in advance

 

[msteddom]

I think you should try a different resort for at least a few nights of your stay! Just make sure that you put the new resort first; if it doesn't click you will still have your beloved WL to go back to!

Melissa

 

[Bundle]

That's good advice! Thanks

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I would try one of the Epcot resorts, since you will already be staying at a MK resort.

If it were me, I'd save my Portifino Bay stay for last. The Express pass given to Universal guests spoils you & makes you not want to stand in line at WDW. You'd also go home rested. Onsite stays at Universal are much more relaxing than at WDW. I'd choose Emeril's @ CityWalk for your birthday meal. It's our favorite Orlando restaurant.

 

[Bundle]

Thanks - that's really useful advice too

 

[Bundle]

Any other tips, ideas, opinions etc would be gratefully received! Thanks

 

[Shmily1]

I can't tell you about Universal since I've never been there, but go to WDW very often (like I've already been 4 times this year and have atleast 2 more trips planned)! I would recommend BC for your first part of your trip. BC is a great resort and is within walking distance to Epcot and DHS. There are many activities to do around there and many places to eat (like Cape May Cafe for a character breakfast!! YUM!!!). BC also shares Storm Along Bay with YC and you must stay at one of those two resorts to use it. It is a blast!!!

 

[Bundle]

That's interesting as my DH would like to stay at BC but I wasn't so keen. We went to visit during our Christmas 07 visit (and I did love the icecream parlour!!!!) but I thought it felt really big and busy and not very 'disney'. In fairness we were only there for a couple of hours for lunch and the children liked the look of the pool so maybe I should give it a chance

 

[GoofyFairie]

I have never been to universal, but I LOVE Disney and the WL so I would make sure that I ended my trip there, at a place I know I am going to love, especially if it were my birthday. If I were able to go for 2 weeks I think I would try a new resort for part of my stay- this is just MHO. What ever you choose have a great trip!

 

[johnsonet]

Hi!
15 days at Disney

We stayed at Portofino over New Year's Eve and it is really nice. The Villa pool and the rooms are GREAT. Very attractive. Spacious bathrooms

I think a split stay is a must for your 10 days at Disney.

I agree with the previous poster who mentioned Epcot area for your family. The children will LOVE Stormalong Bay and you'll really be in the middle of the magic of that Boardwalk area Walking back to your room from World Showcase after IllumiNations is incredible.

I would END your stay at either Polynesian or GF. They are both fabulous. Never had a roach in any of my rooms there, nor anywhere else on Disney property in probably 30+ stays. I certainly wouldn't let that keep you from trying out one of Disney's very best resorts...

Being on the monorail, having a gorgeous, spacious room, with boat service and monorail to MK, great restaurants all around, wonderful Disney theming, will be an fabulous end to your vacation. Can't go wrong with Poly or GF.

Have fun planning

 

[Bundle]

Thanks Goofyfairie

I think that's sound advice about my birthday I imagine the WL will be hard to beat!

 

[Bundle]

Hi!
15 days at Disney

We stayed at Portofino over New Year's Eve and it is really nice. The Villa pool and the rooms are GREAT. Very attractive. Spacious bathrooms

I think a split stay is a must for your 10 days at Disney.

I agree with the previous poster who mentioned Epcot area for your family. The children will LOVE Stormalong Bay and you'll really be in the middle of the magic of that Boardwalk area Walking back to your room from World Showcase after IllumiNations is incredible.

I would END your stay at either Polynesian or GF. They are both fabulous. Never had a roach in any of my rooms there, nor anywhere else on Disney property in probably 30+ stays. I certainly wouldn't let that keep you from trying out one of Disney's very best resorts...

Being on the monorail, having a gorgeous, spacious room, with boat service and monorail to MK, great restaurants all around, wonderful Disney theming, will be an fabulous end to your vacation. Can't go wrong with Poly or GF.

Have fun planning

Thanks Johnsonet

Perhaps I should reconsider the Poly afterall! And the BC is so highly recommended! When you travel so far to get there you have to get it right!

 

[larryz]

I agree with what everyone's said about the Disney resorts...we've stayed at most of the Deluxe (and have GF in our sights for this fall). But allow me to share an insight on USF.

We recently made our first pilgrimage to USF, staying at the Royal Pacific, and were very happy with our choice. From my understanding, the Portofino is a bit farther away from the parks than the RP (which really isn't an issue because of the excellent water taxi system), but my fondest memory of the RP consists of the excellent theme-park view of IOA we enjoyed. Plus, there's an Emeril-branded restaurant (Emeril's Tchoup Chop) in the hotel. While budget probably isn't a consideration, it is a bit less expensive as well, and guests at the RP also qualify for the Universal Express treatment.

Back to WDW -- I'd start out at the CR, do USF, then split my remaining stay between Y&BC and the WL? I think you'd love CR and Y&BC both...for proximity's sake, if not for their own unique aspects.

Regardless, enjoy your trip and welcome back to America.

 

[Bundle]

Thanks Larryz

Now seriously considering YC followed by WL but no decision made yet!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

The other decision we need to make is whether to stay at Universal for the first five nights or the last or maybe split Disney and stay at Universal in the middle. Would that make it difficult to do the Disney Dining Plan? It's my birthday on the 12th. our last night so something tells me that should be spent at Disney!

Any advice, opinions etc would be gratefully received!

Thanks in advance

You don't want to do your Universal stay in the middle, or even a split stay, if you want to use the DDP. Having the DDP requires the purchase of a package with tickets (unless you have an AP) and it's not cost-effective to buy tickets twice. Of course, you could do one package with tickets for the first part of your stay and get the DDP, then your second resort stay could be room-only (no DDP).

 

[Bundle]

Good point Claire! Arghh!!!!!!!!!, this is so hard!

P.s I'm Claire too! (lot of us about

 

[MEK]

Personally, I would do Universal Studios first. Not that I don't like US, but I like Disney so much better, so I would save it for the end. It doesn't take that long to see US with the front of the line access. I also enjoyed my stay at the Royal Pacific and it was nice to be able to walk to the parks and see the Incredible Hulk in the horizon. IMO the Hard Rock looked the coolest of the three resorts, but I'm into guitars.

As far as your resort at Disney.....since you are already changing resorts once during your stay (US to WDW), I would probably pick just one place to stay. I have always wanted to stay in the Epcot area at the Beach Club, so that would be my first pick.

 

[Bundle]

Thanks MEK. I think you are right about US first - we may do as you suggest and just do one resort for the 10 days at Disney but it would then probably have to be WL as we love it so and it will be my birthday so I wouldn't want to risk wishing I was at the WL. But then again we should probably try something new and now the twins are older they probably want more time at other parks than MK. Oh, I don't know, decisions, decisions!!!!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I would Universal first and the Disney the rest of the time. Take the time you have at Disney and split the resorts if you want so you can 2 different deluxes.

 

[Bundle]

Thanks Alicnwondrin!

We're now considering splitting between poly & BC or YC and not going to WL at all - eek!