Help me feel better! DH wants US this year instead of WDW!

[ready4mouse]

The past few years, we have been faithful about spending our spring breaks at WDW. For 2010, I really wanted to see it in early December to see what it was like at Christmas time. So, we now have spring break open and DH is talking about doing a trip to Universal. I don't know the first thing about planning a trip there and every time I look at in online I keep thinking "This will never be as good as Disney". Can anyone help get me pumped for the trip?

Also, how many days would you plan to spend at US/IOA?

 

[Metro West]

The past few years, we have been faithful about spending our spring breaks at WDW. For 2010, I really wanted to see it in early December to see what it was like at Christmas time. So, we now have spring break open and DH is talking about doing a trip to Universal. I don't know the first thing about planning a trip there and every time I look at in online I keep thinking "This will never be as good as Disney". Can anyone help get me pumped for the trip?

Also, how many days would you plan to spend at US/IOA?

If you go to Universal with that attitude, you won't have a good time and will end up comparing everything to Disney. Universal is as good as Disney in it's own way so go into this with an open mind and you'll be fine.

Spring Break time is very busy for all local parks so be ready to wait in long lines. BUT...if you can stay onsite you will receive unlimited Express access for all participating attactions for each member of your party. Think of it as having your own personal FastPass machine with you at all times! That's a perk Disney doesn't offer.

Check out www.universalorlando.com and look at the website for the maps and general information. Go to YouTube and do a search for ride videos which should help you get motivated. If you have specific questions, feel free to ask!

One of the best things about Universal is you don't have to plan everything 25 years in advance like you do at Disney since Universal is smaller. I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

 

[diskids2]

We have been to WDW many times and I have never stepped foot into US, IOA, SW, etc.

July 2010 we are going to visit "the other side" and I am so EXCITED! I think of it as a new adventure....getting a chance to see things I have never seen... explore new surroundings.

I REFUSE to compare the two, even though I am sure, it will be natural for me to think about it. Disney is special in it's own right and I'm hoping I find new and different magic at Universal!

So get pumped, get excited, go crazy....think about all the fun things to do and see and remember .... you're there with your loved ones and will have a GREAT time!

 

[Rip]

I agree, it is a mistake to attempt to compare the two as they are really targeted to different audiences. I also agree that Universal is every bit as fun as Disney, in its own way. It certainly has more thrill rides, and more high-tech rides than Disney.

I'd also second Metro's suggestion of staying onsite if at all possible. The Royal Pacific is the least expensive and is very nice, HRH is nice as well, we've never stayed at the Portofino. Universal also sells Express passes, but you can almost pay for your hotel room each night for the price of two of them!

 

[SNylund]

Don't take this in a snarky way at all, not intended, but you totally have the wrong impression. Universal in some ways is a lot better than WDW IMO.

Disney has its magic/themes/rides etc., but Universal is just as strong in every category. The themeing at Islands of Adventure (IOA) (which is my favorite theme park period out of any park) is themed so beautifully and brilliantly you will be wowed and awe inspired, seriously.

Just a few examples, if you have seen the movie Jurassic Park, one of the large islands at IOA, the JP area looks and feels like you are living inside the movie here, the boat ride is tremendous, extremely cool, totally different experience than WDW.

The Lost Continent area at IOA, probably my favorite, is IMO the most brilliantly themed area out of any park in the world. It is awesome, looks like ancient ruins of a lost land, kind of like ancient Greece or Atlantis or something.

The Marvel area is very cool, even if you are not into comic books. The Spiderman ride, almost everyone agrees (from this thread) that it is the best ride in all of Orlando out of any of the parks.

The main Universal park, is very cool too, the Mummy, Men In Black, Jaws, so many others are great rides and make you feel like you are experiencing the movies.

The resorts, as good or better than disney resorts, very elegant, gorgeous and you can take the boat into the parks and they are very close.

Another thing you'll love is if you stay at one of the onsite hotels, your room key gets you to the front of the line on all the rides (automatic fast pass).

Look at the Universal website, they have a great kind of movie type things that you can view that will give you a good taste of what's its like.

YOU WILL LOVE IT TRUST ME!!!

 

[wdw&sonny]

I agree with all the above and want to add that you can combine the two theme parks with Sea World and Wet n Wild to have a 4 park hopper ticket that will keep you busy all week. You can also hit Cirque De Soleil, DTD, Disney resorts for dinner, etc. to still get a taste of WDW without added expense of park tickets.

 

[RACEFAN9]

After going to Universal and staying onsite,my family does not even care to go back to Disney .My kids are 14 and 10 and have just out grown Disney i guess.Stay onsite and you get front of the line on every ride.Last year we went to Halloween Horror Nights and now we plan on going to this every year.Love it!!!!!!!

 

[ready4mouse]

Thank you everyone! You're absolutely right...I'm looking at this the entirely wrong way! I will try to look at US with a completely "virgin/non-Disney" set of eyes. I'm sure we'll have a great time!

Any other suggestions for how to start planning a great US vacation would be awesome!

 

[SNylund]

I'll just give you one of my main standby plans and it works really good.

Stay most of the week at one of the onsite hotels. The Royal Pacific is the cheapest (usually can grab rooms at around $160 per night give or take). Its an awesome resort and is first choice for saving bucks. If money is no object stay at the Portifino, which is over the top in luxery and elegance. Plus I like the pool there slightly better, although the RP has a great tropically themed pool too and is over the top in beauty as well.

When you stay onsite, you can take the boats into the parks and City Walk. There is no set plan on when to do the parks for if you are there around 5 days to a week, you'll have plenty of time to do all you want. But I would start out at IOA (just because it is my personal favorite park) Take the entire day to do this park. Eat lunch at the Mythos restaurant (probably best theme park restaurant ever) really awesome theming like something out of the movie Legend, real weird looking cave type of thing but beautiful. Great unique food as well.

Take the next day for the main Universal park. After these first 2 days of dedicating a single day to each park, then just evaluate what you like best and repeat at your leisure.

City Walk is great for night time, there are tons of bars and restaurants, including my personal favorite Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville (no explanation needed.) You can use your nights to do City Walk (or the parks for that matter.)

Also, the pools at all 3 resorts are great. You can pool hop and take the boat from whatever resort your at to the other resorts (youll have to change boats in the City Walk area where they all converge) but you can do it this way.

Take a day or 2 to just pool hop (pool day) and check out and explore the 3 resorts, lots to do here.

Another option we do is to wing over to Cocoa Beach (only about a 40 minute drive from the Universal area). We take a day or 2 and spend it on the beach at one of the beach resorts.

The rest of the time we just go back to the parks and ride rides over and over again. Lots to do, more than I can write here.

Advice is to thoroughly check out the Universal website, you'll get a good idea with it, its a pretty good website. You'll have fun no matter what.

 

[D. Crockett]

I was very skeptical of Universal before my first visit back in 2002. I had always stayed at Disney up until that point, and definitely had the "Disney bias" as far as comparing the two theme-park entities.

To say my first impression of Universal was a positive one would be a drastic understatement. Hands down, I was sold. The atmosphere at IOA, the ride quality, the incredible theming of waiting lines & rides alike, the service from park employees...all of it had me sold. My biggest regret was the fact I had waited until '02 before my first visit to Universal grounds.

I think you & DH are going to have an incredible trip, regardless of what you expect in comparison to Disney. It's a completely different experience, but (imo) offers the same high standard of quality service that you'd expect at Disney. I was able to do a lot in 2 days during my first Universal trip, but wish I'd allowed more time. The most recent trip was for 4 days, and we were able to do IOA, USF, and CityWalk at a nice leisurely pace & really soak it all in.

Have yet to stay at a Universal resort property, but that will hopefully change in the very near future.

 

[Planogirl]

My son talked me into going to Universal the first time. I thought "What? Something besides WDW?" I love to see new things though so I gave in and I've never looked back. Universal is different, very different but just wonderful in it's own way. It's not Disney, doesn't want to be Disney and doesn't need to be Disney.

I personally like this arrangement. I can visit two great resorts and have a blast at both of them. So much the better.

As for Universal advice, consider getting Kelly Monaghan's Universal guide. I used it to help us with the first trip and everything went very well. Also stay onsite if you can. Those hotels are amazing.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I LOVE disney, but I would say stay onsite once at Universal and then you will see what you have been missing. We stayed onsite at Universal for 3 nights last year before moving on to WDW, and how I wished I had ended my vacation at Universal!!!

Onsite at UO is SO much more relaxing and easy compared to WDW - we vowed there and then ALWAYS to finish our trip at UO - the BEST way to end an Orlando vacation imho!!

 

[schumigirl]

We barely visited Disney this trip.

Now I`m not knocking Disney at all, but we just prefer Universal now. It`s got more that appeals to us now, probably as our son is nearly 16.

We stayed onsite for 2 weeks at the RPR this year and now to be honest we can`t imagine staying anywhere else, as the FOTL pass was amazing. The hotels are fantastic, we loved staying there.

The employees at Universal were first class, we never came across a grumpy member of staff in our 2 week trip and found them to be very friendly and as helpful as they could possibly be. One of the guys who work on the Mummy ride screamed in pretend terror as I had Mickey Mouse on my waist pack, you had to be there.................. really he was hilarious

To answer the OP original question, how many days would you spend at US/IOA.........................we went every day for 2 weeks at some point. Even if it was a morning and then went to a mall or somewhere else in the afternoon we still managed the rides every day as they are hard to beat. I loved doing Dr Doom, The Hulk, Jurassic Park and Duelling Dragons every day

You certainly won`t regret spending your vacation there. Enjoy

 

[kellymonaghan]

Divorce the bum! And spend your vacation at Disney.

The Universal parks are too crowded anyway.

 

[WWEDUDE]

The Universal parks are too crowded anyway.

And Disney isn't crowded?

I didn't have any lines over 20 minutes last week

And to the OP, don't worry, you will have a GREAT time at Universal

 

[the Dark Marauder]

And Disney isn't crowded?

I didn't have any lines over 20 minutes last week

And to the OP, don't worry, you will have a GREAT time at Universal

Just wait, the Sept slowdown is imminent. During that time, 15 mins is a high wait time! For Rockit, if they see a 30, they'll be like "OMZ, A BREAK!"

 

[WWEDUDE]

Just wait, the Sept slowdown is imminent. During that time, 15 mins is a high wait time! For Rockit, if they see a 30, they'll be like "OMZ, A BREAK!"

Slowdown or not, its definitely not as crowed as Disney

 

[Metro West]

Slowdown or not, its definitely not as crowed as Disney

That's mainly because of the free dining. If Universal tried that, the same thing would happen. Take away Disney's free dining and it's slow over there.

 

[dogodisney]

I did not read everyone else's responses so I am going to just give my opinion. I too love Disney and am looking forward to spending Christmas there.

We just got home last night from our first Universal trip.

Universal is not Disney.....but it has just as many good things to offer.

......Stay onsite. We stayed 5 nights at Royal Pacific and loved it. The resort is beautiful with alot of wonderful amenities. If not this resort there is HRH and Portifino but definately stay onsite. The FOTL perk alone is worth it . The parks were busy this weekend and we were happy to have them. They will be worth their weight in gold come Spring break.

....The parks are nicely themed and have some great rides and attractions.

.... You can walk between both parks and Citywalk.

.... Every employee that we encountered was very nice. Some even went the extra mile for us when my DGD(6) fell (her own doing).

..... The characters were all wonderful and the interaction was great.

.....It will be a less stressful trip because you don't have to plan every move out like you have to with Disney.

.....There are many food choices to pick from throughout the entire property.

.....Go with an open mind and you will enjoy it.
Have a great trip!

I hope we can go back again some day.

 

[Coach81]

You are going to be pleasantly surprised at US & IOA! We are Disney Freaks as well (proud DVC owners), but this upcoming February we are headed back to Universal (been about 3 years since our last visit) and the entire family is totally excited about it!!! My youngest is now 7.. and should be tall enough by the time we arrive to ride all of the "big" rides.. We always have a great time here, and we will be staying on site at RPH, so my little one loves to "cut the line" with the express pass...

Go in with an open mind, relax, and have a fantastic time!