Help! Should we split between WDW and Universal?

[Kapp]

We have never been to Universal but for our next trip, we are wanting to split our visit between Universal and WDW. We really hate to move hotels during a visit so we are thinking of staying at Disney (Swan, Dolphin or AKL) and than going to Universal for 2 days. Any suggestions? Advice?

Help and thanks!

Kapp

 

[*Fantasia*]

We always split our stay between WDW and Universal. I can't seem to stay away from my favorite resort Royal Pacific and to take advantage of the FOTL (front of the line). It is very worth it to stay on Universal property.

 

[hawkrn]

we stayed at HRH for 2 nights after staying at Dolphin. While the FOTL was great, we missed WDW all the time and actually left Universal Studios and went to MK for the night. It was summer and US closes way earlier than WDW. We are not planning on going to US again-if we go somewhere else for a day trip it will be Seaworld since we liked it better.

 

[Mary Ellen]

We split our Orlando vacations. FOL at UF is wonderful! We've been very happy at HRH and are trying RP this December. Portofino was a bit too stuffy for us. We usually do about 2-4 nights at UF and 10-12 nights at WDW for a total of 2 weeks. This split works for us.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

IMHO, Universal just does not have the "magic" that WDW has. I say stay at WDW and go to Universal for the day.

 

[webray]

If you are going to Universal..stay at a universal resort so that you can have front of the line access. You will be so spoiled at the universal resorts..they are excellent. Even the lowest price one is as nice..if not nicer than a disney deluxe resort. The room ammenities are also so much better. Definately split your stay..you will be so happy you did.

 

[teentoddlermom]

You MUST stay onsite at Universal. We were there in August 04
and stayed at the Portofino Bay Hotel. You will be able to enjoy both USF and IOA in about a day and a half and go on everything with the Front of the Line Access. I can't say enough of how smooth it is for onsite guests! This was our first trip to Universal, and it did not have the total Disney magic for me, but my teenage son and my husband loved it. They were also happy to get to Disney though, too. We stayed 3 nights at Portofino Bay which was really nice, but if we had an earlier flight in we could have done all we needed to do with a 2 night stay. Then we went to the Yacht Club for 7 nights which was pure bliss. I love Disney so much but I'm glad we tried Universal. The parks were clean and family friendly. The concessions were slightly more expensive than Disney! We walked through the Hard Rock Hotel, and we all were so glad we did not stay there. So loud, and even though it is the newest Universal Hotel, it looked rather tired, shopworn. Staff seemed very unattentive too. Portofino Bay was really nice with big rooms, comfortable beds, and warm staff. Mama Dellas is the best restaurant!
Still love Disney the best and can hardly wait to go back!

 

[Bildmouse]

We split our stay a few years ago. Two teenagers and they loved Universal. If we did it again I would spend at least one night at a Universal Resort for FOTL passes and then move on to WDW. Universal was fun but it's not Disney.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Originally posted by wildernesslodgelover
IMHO, Universal just does not have the "magic" that WDW has. I say stay at WDW and go to Universal for the day.

There's definitely "magic" there, it's a different kind of magic. Besides, magic is what you make of it. I love WDW, so what we do is do Universal first and then WDW last. I just can't leave Orlando without saying good-bye to my friend Mickey!! Just keep in mind, Disney is Disney and Universal is Universal. They are both wonderful and both magical in their own ways.