Help convince me to go to Universal!

[RocketCityMama]

We were (are) die hard Disney fans, my hubby drank the juice and is itching to go back lol and we have never taken the youngest (soon to be 6) so that's on our agenda for next Summer. Anyway, we did USO last Summer because hello Harry Potter, we're all HUGE fans and my 3 girls are big super hero fans so for us, it was a no brainer to try it out. We got buy 2 days get a 1 day free through Undercover Tourist and upgraded to AP's after 2 days lol We had SO much fun. We were there for a total of 8 days/7 nights and did parks for 5 days and are going back this Summer before our AP's run out. My kids had favs they wanted to ride again and again, the 5 yr old had plenty to do as I went with her since I don't do many thrill rides and we all said we wanted to go back.

The planning between both parks are so different, I really relished the laid back approach of USO vs WDW and heck I haven't been to WDW since all their new changes, which kinda scares me about planning for next Summer. We had no dinner reservations, we drove from our timeshare location and parked daily with no issues and left mid day and still had plenty of time to come enjoy the evening at USO.

Go ahead and plan the trip, it can't hurt to try, but don't go to compare to WDW, they are so different from each other. Worse case scenario, you go have an OK time, but you experience something NEW and now you know and can continue your WDW traditions the next trip

 

[gorkt]

I was a Disney purist, but last trip we spent several days at Universal, mostly because my daughter was a total HP nerd. I was very impressed, particularly with the main HP ride which was extremely well done. For kids the ages yours are, I think Universal would be a blast, especially if they like thrill rides and roller coasters. If you like the Simpsons, Springfield was a great area too. We are planning to go again on our next trip to check out Diagon alley.

 

[MemoryMakers]

A previous reply already mentioned this but if you and your family haven't read/watched Harry Potter books/movies, it will enhance your Universal experience to do so. I hadn't read or watched any of them but we booked a trip to Universal back in October and stayed on site Jan. 22 to 25. I read all 7 books and watched all 8 movies in the three months leading up to the trip and I'm really, really glad I did. Even if you're watched the movies, it would probably still enhance your vacation to re-watch them.

Having never been to Universal before, I was blown away by the theming of both Harry Potter "lands".

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

We have booked our first USO trip for this fall and we're very excited. Prior to this DH and I have only been through City Walk and seen Blue Man Group. The kids and I love the Disney magic, I can't quite describe it but its very special. DH and I, however, are feeling a little burnt out on the planning and coordinating all of us in the parks. We are planning 5 nights and 3 park days at USO, the rest we will wing it. ODS loves super heroes, Simpsons, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter... basically everything Universal has to offer so we decided on a change of pace. I don't think we are done with Disney, but we are ready for a break. I just hope Fiona is enough princess for DD. All of us love HP and I've read from numerous sources it is the best theme park land in the world, so we are very excited to see it.
About the Express Passes, I wanted to add that we were considering Sapphire Falls but when we looked at the price of adding EPs we decided to put that cost towards a room at HR instead and could technically stay closer to the parks cheaper than Sapphire falls + EPs with our group. I can't say if its necessary in August or not but from reading a variety of online reviews I decided EP were important for us.
Good luck with your trip planning.

 

[macraven]

We have booked our first USO trip for this fall and we're very excited. Prior to this DH and I have only been through City Walk and seen Blue Man Group. The kids and I love the Disney magic, I can't quite describe it but its very special. DH and I, however, are feeling a little burnt out on the planning and coordinating all of us in the parks. We are planning 5 nights and 3 park days at USO, the rest we will wing it. ODS loves super heroes, Simpsons, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter... basically everything Universal has to offer so we decided on a change of pace. I don't think we are done with Disney, but we are ready for a break. I just hope Fiona is enough princess for DD. All of us love HP and I've read from numerous sources it is the best theme park land in the world, so we are very excited to see it.
About the Express Passes, I wanted to add that we were considering Sapphire Falls but when we looked at the price of adding EPs we decided to put that cost towards a room at HR instead and could technically stay closer to the parks cheaper than Sapphire falls + EPs with our group. I can't say if its necessary in August or not but from reading a variety of online reviews I decided EP were important for us.
Good luck with your trip planning.

i do both parks and stay at their resorts for all my trips to orlando.
but since some years back, i stay longer at universal than wdw.
it works for me

the closer you are to your onsite hotel to the parks, a less of a walk to return to it for swimming in the heat of the day.
from the studios, a very short walk to HRH.
you'll love it there!

 

[drinkme]

DS15 and I just got back from a 3 day weekend trip on Monday. The only thing I planned was our hotel, our airfare, and our transportation back & forth to the airport. We got up early for early entry the first day only. The other days we didn't get to the parks until 10am. As we were walking out of the hotel we said, "ok, what park do you want to go to first?" It is that laid back. Absolutely no stinkin' fastpasses to book months in advance, no dining to book, etc. You just show up. We stay at the deluxe to get the front of the line passes. Most of the time we had no wait to only a 5 minute wait. We rode our favorites AT LEAST 10-15 times each. I don't care how slow the parks are, it is so nice to just walk up to the ride and immediately get on.

Your boys will totally dismiss the "disney magic" after this trip!

 

[SnackCredit]

I admit, I will always love Disney more than the other parks, but Universal did get significantly better than it originally was after the HP stuff opened. The immersion there and in some other Universal sections is Disney-caliber. The entire Universal property is also very compact and everyone funnels through Citywalk on their way to the parks.

 

[macraven]

We all see it in different ways.

With the wild growth that universal has had over the past years, they are working with the land and structures best they can.
For me, it is more than just a theme park, it is a vacation that I can do solo and have a variety of things to do during my stay onsite.

I know when to avoid certain parts of the grounds.
I've been doing disney ('73) and universal ('92) for years.
I either hang around the parks after the crowds are dispersing or leave before closing.

most theme parks are like herding cattle when they close.

 

[schumigirl]

I admit, I will always love Disney more than the other parks, but Universal did get significantly better than it originally was after the HP stuff opened. The immersion there and in some other Universal sections is Disney-caliber. The entire Universal property is also very compact and everyone funnels through Citywalk on their way to the parks.

What Universal have done particularly with Potter, blows anything Disney have done out the water.......and I'm not the biggest Potter fan. I would say it has surpassed more than "significantly"better over last 6 or 7 years.

It is truly amazing, the detail is second to none. And as for immersion, we have seen so many people overcome with emotion walking into these areas. It works.

Universal for us offers more than Disney ever has or will. As Mac says, yes it's fairly compact but they do amazingly well with the restrictions they have......Universal is growing quickly........the announce something and bam....before you know it, that area is ready.

I know I did feel very enclosed last time I was at Disney in 08 and we were stuck in a never ending swarm of people leaving a very late Wishes show.........everyone was being led in one direction too. We don't have to use Citywalk as a means to get out of the parks........we walk or take the boats back to our hotel.

With Universal, I can't wait to see all the improvements and additions over the next few years, in 2007 it was a fairly quiet place at times, today.......Universal doesn't have to do much to convince people to come to Universal.......and the rising crowds show it.

 

[SA mom]

GO! We went to Universal for the 1st time when our daughters were 10. AMAZING. I knew they would love WWHP, but underestimated how much time they would spend in Jurassic Park. They were sort of over Dr. Seuss, but loved the Curious George area. We will only be going to UO this trip. WDW has gotten to be less than magical to plan. I used to love the planning part. But this trip, I want to relax some and not have to use a Touring Plan and have some drinks while the 15 year olds do whatever.

 

[wookiebeck]

OP, I can't convince you to do anything. However, the following are my thoughts.

Everyone on the DIS board is telling you how great specific things are. You won't truly be able to grasp their excitement for trying to get you go until you too are in the know.

Consider that Universal is at least in the same stratosphere as WDW. It is not like you will be 'wasting money'. You will get to see and ride different things. Variety is the spice of life. Never be afraid to try something new.

 

[SA mom]

We leave in 2 days for our Universal-Only Spring Break, and wookiebeck is right: "You won't truly be able to grasp their excitement..." I am so freakin' excited about this trip that I am about to pee my pants. I keep looking at all the shows and rides and MENUS. I can't wait to have a Duff Beer and a Lard Lad Donut. I am 47 years old and seriously considering buying a wand!

 

[buzzrelly]

We are Disney people, DVC members, etc. and we went to Universal last April and LOVED it! We stayed at RPR and we were not one bit disappointed! My kids were 13 and 11 at they time. The link to that trip report is in my signature. Before we went I read a lot of Trip Reports to help me plan and get excited. Hope this helps!

Here's a copy of the link, just in case you're using a mobile device:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/th...pril-2015-trip-report-completed-8-23.3415168/

 

[luvdisdogs]

We leave in 2 days for our Universal-Only Spring Break, and wookiebeck is right: "You won't truly be able to grasp their excitement..." I am so freakin' excited about this trip that I am about to pee my pants. I keep looking at all the shows and rides and MENUS. I can't wait to have a Duff Beer and a Lard Lad Donut. I am 47 years old and seriously considering buying a wand!

I'm 45 and will be buying a interactive wand! Can't wait for October!

 

[Polyonmymind]

After 6 straight years of doing WDW for our family vacation we are taking the plunge to the Darkside the first week in April, and my family is more excited for this trip then any of the previous WDW trips. Maybe because this is all new? Maybe because I did not have to plan every single step we would take 6 months ago, but I feel like I will actually enjoy this trip. I was completely exhausted after our last WDW trip, to the point where I said "I do not want to return."

Anyway, back to our excitement...my daughter is 12 and we are bringing her two best friends. Tomorrow night we are having a sleep over to binge watch the HP movies, MIB, Jurassic Park and Transformers. The other 2 girls have not seen any of the HP movies, so this is going to be awesome!! I may sing a different tune after spending four days with three 12 year old girls, but for now I can't freaking wait!! And yes, this 46 year old will purchase an interactive wand.

 

[epcotty]

I also like not having to do as much planning. I don't think Express Pass is usually necessary really, we've gone during Spring Break before and even that was doable without it and we did some rides multiple times. Universal seems to be trying harder than Disney, you don't see the cutbacks at Universal (and also Universal is better with pricing, especially now)

 

[macraven]

my only planning for the UO vacation is which harry potter restaurant to eat at this time.
the 3 B's or the other one...

 

[hops&dreams]

We did a split trip in Feb 2015. DD was 11. We went to WDW for 5 days (stayed at CSR, our first time at a moderate after staying at WL twice), then Universal for 3 (stayed at HRH).

Service at the hotel was excellent. Room was nicer than WDW deluxe. Maybe just because it was newer?

Parks were fun. Rides were cheesier than WDW, but still fun. The rides are more intense in general, and the park isn't as immersive, but still a great parks. It was fun to do the old cheesy rides that I remember from being a kid (ET, Twister, the one where you are an "extra" in the movie that's being filmed) and being in the Simpson's Springfield USA.

WWOHP though, that's in a different league. It was AMAZING! Better than Disney. DH was blown away. We all were. Our family of three are all HP fans, and this was like a wonderland to us. We spent at least half of two days in WWOHP, and we could have spent more. So many details to check out, people to interact with. And the 2 headliner rides - our favorites!

If I were you, I'd look into maybe doing HRH for hotel, as it comes WITH an Express Pass. We had them, but didn't really need them in Feb, but I'll venture to say in Aug, they would be useful. WE booked through Cheap Tickets with a discount code and paid less than it would have been for us to stay at Cabana Bay.

 

[macraven]

earthquake disappeared with all the other great oldie

We leave in 2 days for our Universal-Only Spring Break, and wookiebeck is right: "You won't truly be able to grasp their excitement..." I am so freakin' excited about this trip that I am about to pee my pants. I keep looking at all the shows and rides and MENUS. I can't wait to have a Duff Beer and a Lard Lad Donut. I am 47 years old and seriously considering buying a wand!

that two day period is now here....

just wondering if SA is sitting at the outside bar in simpson section having a duff and eating the lards lad at this time.....
and with a wand sticking out of the back pocket.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

We are huge Disney Fans (Disney Vacation Club Members) who have been also become to Universal addicts since a young wizard stole our hearts...If you are a Potter fan, you will LOVE Universal! We went 3 times on our annual passes this past year and had great experience each time. It has a different vibe than Disney...but we loved it too! It was very clean and the staff was great. Its always fun to check out a new place. No, its not just like Disney but I get the feel that Universal is trying to be its own place...not a Disney replica.