Here is why Universal is a better value than Disney (get those flames ready!)

[Don Disney]

You're joking, right? Just about everything is for sale at Disney -- and mo' money gets you mo' access, from the VIP guide to the backstage tours to the extra-money "experiences" like the new safari at AK.

I don't have a problem with it in principle, but it's reached a point recently where it borders on crass.

Not talkin' mo' access,just general admission type access-Dig?

 

[nytimez]

Equal in the sense that each person who is on or off property that are visiting the parks have no distinct advantage by"buying" said advantage-Like is done at US/IOA;that cannot be disputed,advantage is being bought and paid for.Hey,US/IOA is ahead of the game by charging"twice" for it's customers to NOT have to wait in long lines;Generally speaking,once you pass the bag check at WDW,it's every man,woman,and child for themselves-Equal Oppurtunity;Can you Dig it? We are blessed that we can even go,and I am very thankfull 4that,but this Express Pass thing really bothers me.Not trying to be ugly,and please don't take as such;Just having a hard time wrapping my head around this.Business is business,and it is always about the almighty(not so much since the country almost got bankrupted)dollar.I can't get with the idea of buying 6 tickets to get in,and then buying 6 more tickets to not wait in long lines-No matter how you slice it,it just does'nt sit well with me,and never will.I can say this with much certainty-this will be our first and last trip to US/IOA until they change this jacked-up "pay more to wait less" fraganackle.

Where does Extra Magic Hours fit into this whole equation? That's not quite equal access, is it?

 

[damo]

Equal in the sense that each person who is on or off property that are visiting the parks have no distinct advantage by"buying" said advantage-Like is done at US/IOA;that cannot be disputed,advantage is being bought and paid for.Hey,US/IOA is ahead of the game by charging"twice" for it's customers to NOT have to wait in long lines;Generally speaking,once you pass the bag check at WDW,it's every man,woman,and child for themselves-Equal Oppurtunity;Can you Dig it? We are blessed that we can even go,and I am very thankfull 4that,but this Express Pass thing really bothers me.Not trying to be ugly,and please don't take as such;Just having a hard time wrapping my head around this.Business is business,and it is always about the almighty(not so much since the country almost got bankrupted)dollar.I can't get with the idea of buying 6 tickets to get in,and then buying 6 more tickets to not wait in long lines-No matter how you slice it,it just does'nt sit well with me,and never will.I can say this with much certainty-this will be our first and last trip to US/IOA until they change this jacked-up "pay more to wait less" fraganackle.

All you have to do is use some good sense and ride the big rides first thing in the morning and you shouldn't have long lines. Saving the Wizarding World until the end of the day can also be a time saver. Get to the park well before opening to be amongst the first into the parks. Universal makes money on those who choose not to plan well and do their research on how to make the best of their day. You can easily outsmart the system by doing your homework. There are single rider lines and castle tours and such to make your waits minimal. Go on the days that have the lowest attendance. Go in non peak times. There are lots of good planning ideas that make your waits minimal.

 

[Badge]

Equal in the sense that each person who is on or off property that are visiting the parks have no distinct advantage by"buying" said advantage-Like is done at US/IOA;that cannot be disputed,advantage is being bought and paid for.Hey,US/IOA is ahead of the game by charging"twice" for it's customers to NOT have to wait in long lines;Generally speaking,once you pass the bag check at WDW,it's every man,woman,and child for themselves-Equal Oppurtunity;Can you Dig it? We are blessed that we can even go,and I am very thankfull 4that,but this Express Pass thing really bothers me.Not trying to be ugly,and please don't take as such;Just having a hard time wrapping my head around this.Business is business,and it is always about the almighty(not so much since the country almost got bankrupted)dollar.I can't get with the idea of buying 6 tickets to get in,and then buying 6 more tickets to not wait in long lines-No matter how you slice it,it just does'nt sit well with me,and never will.I can say this with much certainty-this will be our first and last trip to US/IOA until they change this jacked-up "pay more to wait less" fraganackle.

I agree with you to a point. I think it is crazy that people will BUY the express pass becuase it can cost a lot of money. However, both disney and universal have perks for those staying onsite. At Universal, you get the perk of not having to wait in line (which is huge), and at disney, you get the perk of extra magic hours both in the morning and at night. Extra magic hours was designed to allow hotel guests a shorter wait in line (doesn't work all the time, but it can help) and it is a perk that only hotel guests get. I see no difference in the perk Disney gives its hotel guests vs the one Universal gives it hotel guests other than the fact that one is a lot better than the other.

As far as extra costs on top of the ticket price, Universal beats Disney here. Does Disney offer its special Christmas events for free? Nope, have to pay for that. Does Disney offer cheap drinks inside the park FOR LIFE once you purchase one of their mugs? Nope, have to pay full price for every drink. Disney has a lot of "upcharge" events and Universal only has Halloween Horror Nights (which costs a TOOON of money to put on, so its only fair they make some of it back. Disney tosses a few lights on the trees and charges extra to see a different firework show). Disney also has a lot of extra costs elements as well with backstage tours and stuff like that. Are these things needed to enjoy your disney experince? No, but either is the Express pass. It is an extra perk you can pay for if you do not have the time to wait in a line. Plus, if you go during the off season, this pass is not needed at all since wait times are really short during the off season.

 

[TaylorsDad]

I have'nt priced it out,but,you have 4 parks instead of 2.We stayed at Pop for the last 4 years for FD, and we had excellent vacations each and every time.I guess I'm not used to the fact that you have to pay for your US/IOA tickets,and then pay more to have an advantage over those who can't afford the Express Pass.At least Disney treats ALL of it's guests well,and equally;The "Deluxe"set,the "Moderate"set,AND us "Po' Folk"; we be all get treated da same!!Nobody don't be gettin' treated betta dan nobody else jus because dey be havin' mo money!

I just dont get how Disney treats their guests all equally and Universal doesnt. The same could be said of Universal. It makes no difference which of the onsite hotels you stay at HRH,RP, or PFB you still get the Fotl perk. With WDW ,If you want to take advantage of EMH you have to stay onsite so the park guests that stay offsite do not get the same treatment as those that cannot afford to pay sometimes over $100 for a Disney "value" hotel. It just so happens that Disneys onsite perk isnt as good as Universal's.
And lets not forget when Disney has free dining the "value" guests only get the quick service plan. If you wish to get the "free"basic plan you have to pay extra for this free service by staying at a Moderate or Deluxe.

 

[Melanie230]

I wish I could get it for $169. I have to go in summer because that is when my kids are out of school and they start at $254.xx a night. That is a FL rate so I don't know if it is more expensive for others as I haven't checked.

Our children are in year round school here so we get the first 3 weeks of October off. We have been in the summer before, and have paid more. The cost of the hotels at US/IOA are no more expensive than the tickets at Disney.

 

[Melanie230]

I have'nt priced it out,but,you have 4 parks instead of 2.We stayed at Pop for the last 4 years for FD, and we had excellent vacations each and every time.I guess I'm not used to the fact that you have to pay for your US/IOA tickets,and then pay more to have an advantage over those who can't afford the Express Pass.At least Disney treats ALL of it's guests well,and equally;The "Deluxe"set,the "Moderate"set,AND us "Po' Folk"; we be all get treated da same!!Nobody don't be gettin' treated betta dan nobody else jus because dey be havin' mo money!

Well not really. Look at where Disney puts their Deluxe resorts. They do have perks. Many of those guests get AMAZING views of the fireworks from their rooms, and many get the Monorail service to their hotel. That isn't exactly treating the po folk the same. Also Disney gives you a fast pass. How many times have you walked up to Toy Story and the fast passes are all gone? Happens a lot for those popular rides. It is also only 1 fast pass per person and you can't get another for a set amount of time. The FOTL passes are all day, all the time, and unlimited for onsite hotel guests. In fact look at this:

Staying at the Pop Century with 4 day tickets (no water park just hoppers) during Oct.3-Oct.6 (that is when we are going back to US/IOA) would be $1571. Going to US/IOA staying at the Hard Rock and getting the 4 day park hopper tickets is $1199.

 

[Badge]

Well not really. Look at where Disney puts their Deluxe resorts. They do have perks. Many of those guests get AMAZING views of the fireworks from their rooms, and many get the Monorail service to their hotel. That isn't exactly treating the po folk the same. Also Disney gives you a fast pass. How many times have you walked up to Toy Story and the fast passes are all gone? Happens a lot for those popular rides. It is also only 1 fast pass per person and you can't get another for a set amount of time. The FOTL passes are all day, all the time, and unlimited for onsite hotel guests. In fact look at this:

Staying at the Pop Century with 4 day tickets (no water park just hoppers) during Oct.3-Oct.6 (that is when we are going back to US/IOA) would be $1571. Going to US/IOA staying at the Hard Rock and getting the 4 day park hopper tickets is $1199.

Glad you priced this out! While I enjoy Pop Century, it amazing to see that you can SAVE money, not have to wait in lines, and get a very nice hotel (just as good or better than the Deluxe at Disney) by going to Universal. I think a lot of people get "sticker shock" when they see the prices of some Universal rooms, but this proves that there are times you can go where it is cheaper than a value disney hotel. Also, all the perks you get at Universal make the room WELL worth the cost.

I also like all your comparisons about the Deluxe rooms at Disney. While they do not provide anything extra in the parks, you are paying for the location. Is the location really worth the extra cost? I mean, you could take TWO trips down to Disney at a value hotel for the cost of one trip at a Deluxe hotel. I don't know about most people, but I would much rather have TWO trips than a nice hotel room for one trip.

 

[damo]

Disney doesn't really treat their offsite people the same as onsite. They will charge you $12 extra if you arrive at the parks in a taxi other than Mears. Universal doesn't have a taxi drop off fee. Anyone from anywhere can be dropped off at the parks without being made to pay an extra fee.

Disney has EMH which is only for those who are staying onsite. They have VIP treatment for a very hefty price to allow to ride immediately or get the best seats in the house for shows.

You pay more, you get more. Capitalism at its best and worst.

 

[Don Disney]

Just priced a 2 night stay in Sept.(off-season) and the hotel alone for only 4 of us was $492;add $30 for parking=$522.We have no tickets,and my 2 other children are sleeping in the car,and we have'nt eaten yet! Am I doing this wrong or what? 4 of us stayed at Pop for 10 nights with FD(basic for the first 3 times;Upgraded QS for the last time) with 10 day base tickets,free parking,transportation,and EMH we did'nt take advantage of ,and it cost us$1800-$2300.Went in Sept.x3,and Nov.x1.We never waited in line for more than 20 minute except for Soarin' and TSM,which we used FP for.So please,if anyone can,show me how to do US/IOA and spend anywhere near what we spent for our Disney vacations,please do,as I just can't seem to figure it out. I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks.

 

[Don Disney]

Just priced a 10 night stay at Royal Pacific-$2463.80. No tickets,no nothing!! Someone PLEASE let me know how to do this!

 

[damo]

Just priced a 10 night stay at Royal Pacific-$2463.80. No tickets,no nothing!! Someone PLEASE let me know how to do this!

Annual pass rate for early Sept. at Royal Pacific is $139/night. You will need one annual pass at $229. A seven day pass for each other person is about $175 each. So for spending an extra $50 to get the annual pass, it looks like you will save about $1000.

Here is a ten day vacation with a 7 day hopper pass:

At Royal Pacific Hotel for a family of four it would cost 1390 plus $229 plus 3@$175 = $2150 (approx) --- staying in a deluxe hotel

To do the same at disney pop century ---- $85/night plus passes are $320 each for 7 day park hopper = $2130 (approx)---- staying in a value hotel

 

[Badge]

Well, I just priced 10 nights at Royal and I got $1724.60...so I don't know where your getting your prices. Also, you DO NOT need ten days!

Universal is just like Disney and Universals tickets. The more you stay, the cheaper the room gets per night. You also can't compare it with things like free dining at Disney. That is a limited time offer. If you can take advantage of it, great, but it can't come into the price comparing of Universal vs Disney.

Like Damo said, the AP rate is great for sept! You are getting a Deluxe hotel for the same price or less than a Mod at Disney! You can not compare this price to Pop becuase you are getting a MUCH, MUCH better hotel than Pop is. If anything, compare this to a Mod hotel and you can quickly see how much better a value Universal can become if you plan it out. Plus, the AP is only $100 more than the cost of a seven day ticket. If you go for 7 nights, you are saving about $20 a NIGHT with the AP. That savings allow pays for the extra cost of the AP. Plus, you then get all the discounts on food and clothes and other items. Not to mention never having to wait in line. If you are driving, yes you will have to pay for parking. We always fly down and just take a taxi and don't have to pay for the parking.

 

[Don Disney]

Annual pass rate for early Sept. at Royal Pacific is $139/night. You will need one annual pass at $229. A seven day pass for each other person is about $175 each. So for spending an extra $50 to get the annual pass, it looks like you will save about $1000.

I added it all up,and it comes to $2144.I guess that is comparable sans the FD.I guess I'll have to try to figure it out for less days-really don't need 10 nights-could do it in 4 since there are only 2 parks.I have definately been spoiled by FD-Getting to enjoy a lot of the restaurants for free was priceless,and quite enjoyable.I'll try and use your formula and see where it takes me-Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[nytimez]

You can not compare this price to Pop becuase you are getting a MUCH, MUCH better hotel than Pop is. If anything, compare this to a Mod hotel and you can quickly see how much better a value Universal can become if you plan it out.

Yes, this -- really hard to compare Pop to any of the three Universal hotels. These are hotels that would be Deluxe if they were on Disney property -- but they're priced more like Disney's mods or less.

That said, if Damo's numbers are right, it looks like you can stay at a Universal resort and pay about the same price as you would at Disney's cheapest resorts -- which is kind of amazing, IMO.

And I agree -- I think 10 days at Universal is too much. There's just not enough to do there.

 

[Badge]

Comparing a Disney Deluxe to a Royal both for 7 nights with 7 days of Hopper tickets 9/19-9/26 without any sort of AP discount or anything that does not come in the standard package price:

Disney - - $3529.34

Royal - - $1915.44 add in parking and its $2020.44

So, it is $1500 CHEAPER to do the SAME length of a trip at the same TYPE of hotel! Sure you could compare a disney value to a Universal hotel, but that would not be a fair comparision becuase of the quailty of the hotel.

Even a Mod at Disney will cost $2537.02, so your still saving money at Universal.

 

[damo]

I added it all up,and it comes to $2144.I guess that is comparable sans the FD.I guess I'll have to try to figure it out for less days-really don't need 10 nights-could do it in 4 since there are only 2 parks.I have definately been spoiled by FD-Getting to enjoy a lot of the restaurants for free was priceless,and quite enjoyable.I'll try and use your formula and see where it takes me-Thanks a bunch!!!

But staying at a value only gives you free quick service dining. So anytime you want to eat at a table service restaurant, you are on your own.

 

[Don Disney]

But staying at a value only gives you free quick service dining. So anytime you want to eat at a table service restaurant, you are on your own.

Maybe now,but not 3 out of our 4 trips;last trip we upgraded QS for $240 for all of us for 10 days.FD I know about! Even now you can still upgrade QS to regular/basic dining.

 

[Don Disney]

Comparing a Disney Deluxe to a Royal both for 7 nights with 7 days of Hopper tickets 9/19-9/26 without any sort of AP discount or anything that does not come in the standard package price:

Disney - - $3529.34

Royal - - $1915.44 add in parking and its $2020.44

So, it is $1500 CHEAPER to do the SAME length of a trip at the same TYPE of hotel! Sure you could compare a disney value to a Universal hotel, but that would not be a fair comparision becuase of the quailty of the hotel.

Even a Mod at Disney will cost $2537.02, so your still saving money at Universal.

I am really not comparing hotels per se,just cost of trip and benefits-as I have said previously,I personally will not pay $150+ to "sleep" anywhere-We vacation for activities,not hotel rooms.FD at WDW beats ANY US/IOA package,discount,or anything they offer,that's a fact can be disputed,but unsuccessfully.

 

[damo]

I am really not comparing hotels per se,just cost of trip and benefits-as I have said previously,I personally will not pay $150+ to "sleep" anywhere-We vacation for activities,not hotel rooms.

But that has to be added into the value of the money spent.