HELP: Contemplating Changing Disney Reservation to Universal

[darlaya]

My husband and I have a surprise mini-trip planned for Disney 9/15-9/19 with our two teen boys (16 and 13). We are booked at Coronado Springs with free dining.

I got myself into trouble by reading posts about WWOHP.

My husband and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary in Disney this past May w/o the kids. While we had a WONDERFUL time, we found ourselves recalling all of our Disney, Universal, Sea World and Busch Garden Trips w/our kids over the years. When the free dining plan came out, it provided a strong temptation to plan a trip w/them.

Oh what to do. Would you give up the Disney Experience with free dining to stay at Lowes Royal Pacific Resort, stay in a Concierge Club Level room, and have front of line access to attraction for our 4 day trip? The price would be about the same. Disney ticket prices are considerably higher so they offset the price of free dining. The extra costs for Concierge Level would help keep some of our food & beverage costs down out of pocket.

Is WWOHP worth it? We have done US/IOA many times and find that the parks can be done in 1-2 days. Also, not sure if we would need to rent a car to get from airport to the hotel? This was one of the nice features of the Disney experience...the Magic Express. No car rentals or baggage handling.

I'd love to hear from others who have either made this change or are contemplating it as well.

Thanks so much!

 

[poeticdiabetic]

I love both Disney and US/IOA. I just left Orlando and went to US/IOA twice during that time. I will be at WDW for free dining and staying at Coronado Springs, too.

And I wouldn't change my reservation, if I were you. Let me tell you why:

1. You have 4 days! That's a lot of time spent at 2 parks in September, when there will be less people attending due to school. And the FOTL access is great, but the lines should be shorter than during the summer. Plus, most people with FOTL access during non-peak times will finish touring the parks and riding rides really quick!

2. Free Dining! Staying at the mid-level hotel at WDW means that you will get the traditional dining plan, so you will be able to get a CS meal, a TS meal and a snack- for free! Even if you plan on getting the all-you-can-eat option from US/IOA, all you will be eating is CS meals... and drinks are not included.

Now I'm not sure as to if US/IOA have service from the airport, but I would also look into that.

I can see that you are curious about WWHOP. If that is indeed the case, why don't you go the IOA for one day and check it out! But changing my reservation from Free Dining? I wouldn't.

 

[ToyStory]

I would go to Disney. Our first trip to Universal staying at the Hard Rock was for 4 nights/5 days and we were getting bored. This trip we cut it back to 2 nights/3 days. With FOTL you get through the rides quickly. I remember my son complaining about going on Mummy again.

We enjoy staying at CSR and we usually take advantage of the dining plan free or not. My kids enjoy eating out at different restaurants with the different experiences. Where we live there are very limited restaurants.
My teenager son still looks forward to going to Crystal Palace or Chef Mickey's. More so for the all you can eat food then the characters, but he will pose for a picture with them.

 

[drinkme]

Last year we had a WDW trip planned and then cancelled it to go to Universal. It was our first time there and we LOVED it. We stayed 5 nights and never got bored. We rode our favorite rides over & over. We only got up for Rope Drop once, and then decided it wasn't worth it. So, it was a much more relaxing trip than any WDW trip we took.

Are your boys big HP fans? If so, they would probably love it there.

 

[nytimez]

It's worth it. I'm not even a Potter fan and I love WWoHP.

Having been to Disney a billion times -- and going back a billion more, I'm sure -- I'd have no problems swapping a short trip there for one at Universal.

Also, I don't think "free dining" is all that.

I don't think I'd try to do Disney and Universal in a trip of four days, though. It's probably a little more time than you need at Universal -- but the time you'd have left isn't nearly enough to spend at Disney. I'm not the type that could go there for just a day.

I'd suggest going to Universal and staying on site, and maybe spending a day at Sea World or a day at the beach or a day doing something you wouldn't normally do in Orlando.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Are your sons total Disney fanatics? Then stay with WDW. Our son started to outgrow WDW around the age of 12 and starting enjoying Universal more. For a week long trip, we enjoy both resorts because he still has a love for WDW. However, we have taken numerous trips to Universal only. Based on the age of your sons, I don't think it would be a bad choice, especially if they like Harry Potter. (Took neice and her family last July and loved it!) In 4 days you can feel like you have experienced all that Universal has to offer and also not feel exhausted at the end of your trip because of FOTL and the resort is much more compact and not spread out as compared to WDW. When we take short trips to WDW, I come home exhausted because I try to fit way too much in too short of a time period.

Club level is great and will help offset some food costs, especially breakfast. Also, don't forget to ask for the bottle water before you head to the parks. Universal offers different dining experiences that are still wonderful and in my opinion, not as expensive. You will likely save more money than you think. On one night, we always do the Movie and Meal deal for about $22 person. DH and I went to a movie and dinner last night and spent over $75!

My final comment - This January, DS 19 asked if we were taking a family trip this summer. (Last summer he was a cool HS graduate and too cool to vacation with his parents!) We offered a week at the beach, WDW or Universal. He chose Universal so that is where we are headed in July. Now that we are empty nesters, DH and I have started enjoying WDW as grown ups in the off season when it is not as hot and crowded.

Good luck with your decision. Either one is a winner!

Oh, one last thought. Even when DS had a teenage friend along, I always worried about letting them go off on their own to a park at WDW. Everything at Universal is, at most, a 15 minute walk so I worried much less about letting the boys stay at the park when my feet could not stand it any longer. DH and I would head back to the resort club level and grab desserts to take back to the room for the boys before the lounge closed for the night!

 

[stacyp9]

I'd say start an informal discussion about favorite vacation spots, allow that naturally to flow to a discussion of which your kids like better, WDW or Universal. Then you'll have your answer.

My 4th grader and 7th grader are not interested in going back to WDW with the exception of the water parks. They much prefer the older vibe of Universal, Busch Gardens, Discovery Cove and Sea World.

A bit of stealth questioning on your part should give you a sense of which they would prefer, unless of course this vacation is for you and your husband, then do what you want.

 

[pchtoo]

I would absolutely choose Universal over WDW, especially with boys that age. We loved the concierge level of our hotel and the boys (14 and 18) loved the rides, especially the variety of roller coasters. We all agreed it was our best vacation ever. We were there Sunday to Saturday with a one-day visit to Sea World and were never bored. Pre-booked limousine service from/to airport and used hotel-provided shuttle to Sea World.

 

[Twinprincesses]

We have taken our 8 year olds to Disney almost every year, they decided this year to do Universal then 1 day at Magic Kingdom. I know it is a family trip but we always ask the kids their preference.

 

[Metro West]

I would absolutely choose Universal over WDW, especially with boys that age. We loved the concierge level of our hotel and the boys (14 and 18) loved the rides, especially the variety of roller coasters. We all agreed it was our best vacation ever. We were there Sunday to Saturday with a one-day visit to Sea World and were never bored. Pre-booked limousine service from/to airport and used hotel-provided shuttle to Sea World.

 

[macraven]

stay at rph?
stay club?
same price?





in a heartbeat i would switch from wdw to uo....!

 

[mdsd8700]

I agree with some other posters and it is really more about what your kids would really enjoy. My guess is at their ages it would be Universal. We are Disney people at heart so could never take a trip to Orlando without going to Disney. However Harry Potter really does offer a great incentive as do the other thrill rides offered. So we are going to do 2 days at Universal on site at the beginning of our trip and then head over to Disney. If our kids love it I wouldn't mind doing that from time to time. You are not going to be there long enought to split the trip so I would say to try something new and go for Universal. I am not a huge fan of free dining at Disney and it has never been something that worked for our family. Club level sounds pretty sweet.

What ever you decide enjoy your trip!

 

[Planogirl]

This is really more of a personal taste issue but we would pick Universal. The parks keep us busy for a minimum of three days plus the three main pools at the resorts take up plenty of time too. We also always have a car and like to go offsite to play mini-golf, go to a waterpark or visit any of the many area attractions.

We've only been lucky enough to stay onsite at Universal once so far but it was definitely one of the best times we ever had.

 

[ky07]

This is really more of a personal taste issue but we would pick Universal. The parks keep us busy for a minimum of three days plus the three main pools at the resorts take up plenty of time too. We also always have a car and like to go offsite to play mini-golf, go to a waterpark or visit any of the many area attractions.

We've only been lucky enough to stay onsite at Universal once so far but it was definitely one of the best times we ever had.

I agree

 

[mischief32]

DO CHANGE. We just got back from the RPR after two past years going to Disney and we will not stay on Disney Property again but will stay the the RPR and take a taxi over if we want to see Disney. We stayed Club level and it was fabulous. The food for breakfast and dinner are more than enough. It was the best hotel I have ever stayed at. The Pool was wonderful and they have movie at night so you can swim and watch a movie until 11pm. The service was unsurpassed. Coffee makers in the room but a club level free coffee(starbucks), hot tea, apple juice, iced water, and soda all day long.. I was so spoiled. We will never be able to afford club level at Disney. On a side note though while we were there they indicated they would be changing the carpet and club level would be closed last August early September so I would check before you stay at this patricular resort even thought I love it....

 

[schumigirl]

No question.

Change. There is more at Universal/IOA for kids of that age.

And the RPR is beautiful, a fantastic hotel.

Most fun place on the planet

 

[Pembo]

For a 4 day trip, definitely change. RPR is lovely and the parks are more manageable. I think you'd come home much more relaxed after a 4 day to US over WDW.