Help..wdw & universal..how to plan?

[Gummie Bears]

Hello! This is our 2nd trip to wdw and we can't wait to go back. But we are planning on visiting both Universal Parks since we didn't last time. I think we will do 3 days wdw & 3 days universal.
What would you recommend we do... stay on-site at wdw for 3 days and then move for the last 3 days to a universal property?
Or should we stay off property the entire time and find a hotel that shuttles?
I don't even know where to begin planning. Any suggestions are helpful

 

[ArwenMarie]

Hello! This is our 2nd trip to wdw and we can't wait to go back. But we are planning on visiting both Universal Parks since we didn't last time. I think we will do 3 days wdw & 3 days universal.
What would you recommend we do... stay on-site at wdw for 3 days and then move for the last 3 days to a universal property?
Or should we stay off property the entire time and find a hotel that shuttles?
I don't even know where to begin planning. Any suggestions are helpful

If you won't have a car, then I would stay onsite at Universal and then move to onsite at Disney. Plus staying onsite at Universal is super fun

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you can at all, stay onsite at Universal (anyplace but Cabana Bay). The front of the line is worth its weight in gold. If you get that, you may not even need a full 3 days to see both parks - remember they probably wont' take FOTL for the Diagon Alley stuff. Cabana Bay guests don't get front of line, so pick one of the other 3 resorts.

If you won't have a car then consider staying onsite at Disney too. Unless you choose one of the offsite resorts that's really close, the shuttling won't be very convenient.

 

[wareagle57]

I second ending at WDW. For me, I couldn't handle leaving Disney, and stay in Orlando 3 more days knowing I can't go back. I also would do 4 at Disney and 2 at Universal but that's just personal preference. If you aren't super aggressive I can see wanting a 3rd day at Universal. I would just have a hard time deciding what to cut from Disney.

 

[shannonstar]

I second ending at WDW. For me, I couldn't handle leaving Disney, and stay in Orlando 3 more days knowing I can't go back. I also would do 4 at Disney and 2 at Universal but that's just personal preference. If you aren't super aggressive I can see wanting a 3rd day at Universal. I would just have a hard time deciding what to cut from Disney.

This!!!

Two days at Universal was more than enough for us. And while we loved the rides, it didn't have the "magic" of Disney. I would stay onsite at one of the Universal front of the line/early entry hotels and then move over to a Disney hotel to take advantage of EMH. EMH may save you from having to cut a whole bunch from your Disney.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

When are you going? We are heading to WDW in November 2014 and also doing a multi-park trip - majority at WDW. Here is how I figured out the logistics and why I ask when are you going.

We are going during free dining and for us that is a huge money saver. I know some with AP's or staying in Deluxe Resorts other discounts work better so they plan accordingly, this just works best for us. Due to the free dining, I opted to book the length of stay at WDW just for this reason.

As it is considered a "low season" for both parks, park hours are shorter so depending if you are going peak or off season you MAY need 3 days at Universal. We are planning 2 days at Universal, 1 day at Seaworld, and the remainder of the stay at WDW.

Will you have a vehicle? If I was planning my stay built around using the park provided transportation I would split my stay so that I was using THAT parks transportation instead of trying to get to xyz from abc. If no car is available I would not opt for an Orlando hotel with shuttling as you will be on their schedule, not your own. WDW transportation is great and US has hotels close enough to walk into the park entrances.

Universal has the great perk in that you get early entry, front of the line access, and other benefits "free" with your hotel stays - new hotel does not have the same benefits so look at the details before buying.

 

[nfceagles]

Stay onsite at both (not Cabana Bay), but do Universal last. 3 days at Universal will be way more relaxing than 3 days at Disney so I would finish with Universal. Plus, Disney lines will drive you crazy if you just came from an onsite stay at Universal.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

1. Rent a car. IF you really are opposed, then use a taxi, but really, rent a car.

2. If you have a car, then you can partly 'justify - it by picking up a few groceries or eating a few meals offsite (arrival, departure and transfer days). You can even combine eating offsite and picking up a few groceries if you stop by the Whole Foods. Though it's a bit pricey for groceries.

3. We prefer to Universal first. Great place, but it's not WDW. I've tried doing it on the last day, too. Neither is wrong.

4. We usually spend one day at Universal. But the last few trips we've only done IoA. Three is probably a good number of days. In my opinion, WDW has more very good rides, but a few of Universal's rides surpass anything WDW has to offer. Spiderman, HP, and the Mummy are all amazing. I was SO hoping the Lm would be on par with one of those. too bad. Also, Universal -compared to WDW - tends to take things a little further. Where WDW dribbles a little water, Universal likes to drench it's guests. Wear a bathing suit under your clothes, and carry as little as possible.

5. Three days at Universal is going a bit slow, but three days at WDw means skipping lots of stuff. Better, IMO, would be two days at Universal, and five at WDW - or four if you are staying with the total you days you've listed.

6. no matter what, you will lose time on the day you transfer. the two places are at least half an hour drive apart, plus if you are changing hotels you'll need to pack up and check-in. If this is a summer trip, you could easily spend that day doing slow check out- pool- and either DTD or Citywalk.(or maybe one of the other water park/mini golf type things. If you are focused on spending that day in the parks, then really a car would be helpful.

We've done offsite for Universal, and it can be done. Then again, lots of folks like WDW offsite too. I prefer onsite for WDW. My preference is to do a split stay (part onsite at WDW, part near Universal- on or offsite) but you can also have a great vacation staying at just one hotel. If you are doing just one offsite hotel though, you really want a car. The shuttles that most hotels offer only run like once an hour - at best. Many are far less frequent. no matter where you stay, time = money. Free shuttle buses = huge time loss. A trip to Orlando is $$ - even at the value resorts- don't waste that effort waiting on shuttle buses. If you really don't want a car, the ME bus is okay, but consider paying for taxi's.

 

[fairyprincess88]

I second ending at WDW. For me, I couldn't handle leaving Disney, and stay in Orlando 3 more days knowing I can't go back. I also would do 4 at Disney and 2 at Universal but that's just personal preference. If you aren't super aggressive I can see wanting a 3rd day at Universal. I would just have a hard time deciding what to cut from Disney.

The opposite happened to me once the WWoHP went in at Universal. I used to be happy to stay at Disney for a week, maybe spend a day or two over at Universal or Sea World but not always but the came Potter.

I made the mistake of doing Universal the first 3 days of my trip because I knew I wouldn't be able to be in Orlando with Hogwarts and butterbeer down the street and not go to it right away. When I had to leave Universal to check into the Poly I was slightly not happy. However by day 3 at Disney all I could think about was "I need a butter beer" and "I want to be in Hogsmeade" and so eventually ended up just bailing out on our DHS day and heading back to IOA for more Potter.

I learned my lesson from my first Hogsmeade trip and planned a week long Uni trip with only one night at Disney for the Xmas Party for my first time seeing Diagon Alley. I already know that I will not want to leave Diagon.

I'm a Potter nerd before anything else so I guess that magic is stronger than mouse magic for me.

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

We got back two weeks ago from 6 nights at Disney and then 2 nights at Universal. We stayed onsite at both to get the perks that come with it and for the Disney magic. 2 days for Universal was more than enough. The best thing is the Harry Potter world (and I'm not a Potter fan). This was done very well and the main ride was really cool. However, everything else was just disappointing. Our entire family was so depressed after leaving DW for Universal.

I'm glad that I experienced Universal to say that I have, but I will never return. It just felt like a large Six Flags to us, and I can do that in Texas. DW holds so many magical memories/experiences for us; Universal cannot compare.

I hope this doesn't offend any Universal lovers...this is just our family's experience.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I'm glad that I experienced Universal to say that I have, but I will never return. It just felt like a large Six Flags to us, and I can do that in Texas. DW holds so many magical memories/experiences for us; Universal cannot compare.

I hope this doesn't offend any Universal lovers...this is just our family's experience.

I totally respect your opinion, I just don't get comparing Universal to Six Flags. Did the theming really not do it for you? I'm genuinely curious. Everything (even outside of Potter) is so beautifully constructed I just can't wrap my head around comparing it to a place that has no theming at all.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that comparing Universal to Six Flags is ludicrous but to each their own. To use an annoying DIS quote, less people in line in front of us!

Back to the question, it really depends on whether you want to run hard the whole time or have some time to relax. Universal is more relaxing particularly if you stay onsite at one of the three deluxe hotels. Do you enjoy time at the pool? At Universal you can pool hop which is a complete blast if you enjoy pools. The other side of it is that there are four parks at WDW so what do you cut out?

 

[DisneyWisher]

Stay onsite at both (not Cabana Bay), but do Universal last. 3 days at Universal will be way more relaxing than 3 days at Disney so I would finish with Universal. Plus, Disney lines will drive you crazy if you just came from an onsite stay at Universal.

I totally agree. You have to think of your room key at Universal as being a FP to almost every ride. Our very first time at Universal was mid July. Heat, humidity, larger crowds, we never noticed any of it. We never waited more than 15 mins in a line. FOTL has it's own entrance you rarely see the standby line once you enter FOTL entrance. I love Disney but I would probably stress from going practically walk on rides to waiting standby 45 mins for Buzz.
At Universal I've stayed at 3 resorts (not the newest Value but you don't get FOTL access staying there) I can't even tell you which I prefer because all so different. But make sure to do a drink and snack run before checking in. I don't know if things have changed recently but they don't have vending machines like Disney. One night after Horror Nights we got back to the room the only place to get a soft drink was room service or mini bar. Would've cost $6 for 1 can.

One thing I love about Universal is walking from Hard Rock Hotel to Studios. You can be riding Mummy within 20 mins of leaving your hotel.

 

[SpecialK]

Last trip we did Universal for two days first, then moved to WDW for six days. This trip we're doing the opposite. I have two teen boys, and the rides at WDW are a letdown after the coasters at Universal.

Honestly, if it wasn't for my kids I'd never go to Universal again. Yes, it does have theming, but if you're not a big ride person there's not a lot there. My husband and I didn't even get tickets for this trip. The boys are old enough to go to the parks on their own, so we'll just hang by the hotel and meet them for lunch.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There are those who compare WDW to six flags, so of course there are those who compare Universal to it.

 

[johde]

I second ending at WDW. For me, I couldn't handle leaving Disney, and stay in Orlando 3 more days knowing I can't go back. I also would do 4 at Disney and 2 at Universal but that's just personal preference. If you aren't super aggressive I can see wanting a 3rd day at Universal. I would just have a hard time deciding what to cut from Disney.

I'm going go against the grain on this one and say WDW first than Universal, especially if you stay onsite at Universal. The 3 days at WDW especially if you have park hoppers and are planning on seeing all 4 parks is going to be pretty commando. 3 days at Universal, especially if you're staying onsite can be done at a much more casual pace. Enjoying the resort, relaxing at the pool along with going to the themeparks. That way you can relax and recharge before going back home. If you were doing 6 days at Disney and 1 at Universal, I'd possibly consider switching it.

The other option would be to look at the various crowd calendars and pick the 3 least crowded days to go to Disney.

I totally respect your opinion, I just don't get comparing Universal to Six Flags. Did the theming really not do it for you? I'm genuinely curious. Everything (even outside of Potter) is so beautifully constructed I just can't wrap my head around comparing it to a place that has no theming at all.

While I think Universal is great. The one place I see a bit of "Six Flags" creeping in is in the 3 big coasters; Hulk, Dragon Challenge, and Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket. Instead of being themed attractions, they are standard attractions with themed Queues. That being said, the theming in those Queues, except for HRRR, is better than Queues at any Six Flags park I've been to. With Coasters that big though, it's tough to theme the ride itself.

In fairness, I could have a similar complaint about Primeval Whirl and Barnstormer at WDW.