How many days for the universal parks?

[nrpofp]

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but how many days to we need. We will be at universal for a few days before going to wdw. I just can't decide how many days. We will be there first week in May should be a non crowded time. We will be in Orlando 14 nights I need to figure out how many at universal/wdw. Should I try to squeeze in sea world etc etc etc. My wdw package is booked, but can be tweeked. The whole planning thing gives me a headache. FYI planning to stay onsite, but haven't picked hotel yet.

 

[Metro West]

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but how many days to we need. We will be at universal for a few days before going to wdw. I just can't decide how many days. We will be there first week in May should be a non crowded time. We will be in Orlando 14 nights I need to figure out how many at universal/wdw. Should I try to squeeze in sea world etc etc etc. My wdw package is booked, but can be tweeked. The whole planning thing gives me a headache. FYI planning to stay onsite, but haven't picked hotel yet.

For Universal...I would suggest three days...one day for each park and then one day to go back and do your favorites again.

 

[Magpie]

I'm sure this question has been asked before, but how many days to we need. We will be at universal for a few days before going to wdw. I just can't decide how many days. We will be there first week in May should be a non crowded time. We will be in Orlando 14 nights I need to figure out how many at universal/wdw. Should I try to squeeze in sea world etc etc etc. My wdw package is booked, but can be tweeked. The whole planning thing gives me a headache. FYI planning to stay onsite, but haven't picked hotel yet.

I think a minimum of two days to see the headliners, three days if you want to tour both parks comprehensively. Park-to-park tickets help a lot, since that allows you to freely wander back and forth between the two parks. Just like with Disney, the more days you buy, the cheaper the individual cost becomes.

One night at an on-site hotel gives you two full days worth of Express access (like fastpass, only better!). The Royal Pacific Resort is slightly less expensive than the other two, and is only a five to ten minute walk from the park entrance. There's also a ferry you can take from the hotel that comes by every 20 minutes.

The Hard Rock Hotel is even closer - right outside Universal Studios - and a little more expensive, though you get larger hotel rooms for that price.

The Portofino Bay Hotel is further away - a ten to fifteen minute walk, with the ferries as an option. It's the most expensive, with the largest rooms.

FWIW - we spent six full days at the parks recently, and certainly weren't bored at all!

 

[Planogirl]

You might want some time to enjoy your resort too. The onsite resorts have great pools plus you can pool hop if you want to.

We always spend a minimum of three days at the parks. We do come and go and park hop. You can basically see it all in two but you might feel rushed.

 

[glocon]

I agree with Planogirl. Three days should do it, and definitely try to enjoy the resort you choose, especially considering the cost. We did 5 nights at HRH last June and took advantage of the pool, the resaurants and my husband used the gym everyday. Love the Keurig coffee pots- there is green tea available to use with them too! Wish we were going again soon...

 

[JohnnyB2]

We also enjoy the hotels at Universal so we stay 4 nights,go to the parks,come back to the hotel/poolside,then CityWalk for dinner and some night time fun.We usually go to Universal first then Disney but this year we are in reverse

 

[tfoster]

We just recently went to Universal for the first time - and the parks had very low crowds. We stayed on-site for five nights and wondered if that was going to be too many. It definitely was not! Next time, we want to stay for seven. We ended up doing the parks for four full and two partial days, and we didn't even do everything we wanted to do. I'm mystified when sometimes people say you can do each park in a day, much less both of them in one day. Maybe we're just weird, but we want to do EVERYTHING!

 

[Magpie]

We just recently went to Universal for the first time - and the parks had very low crowds. We stayed on-site for five nights and wondered if that was going to be too many. It definitely was not! Next time, we want to stay for seven. We ended up doing the parks for four full and two partial days, and we didn't even do everything we wanted to do. I'm mystified when sometimes people say you can do each park in a day, much less both of them in one day. Maybe we're just weird, but we want to do EVERYTHING!

I think those are the same people who say Animal Kingdom is a half day park.

 

[nrpofp]

Thanks for all the great responses. I think I will plan 4 nights with 3 day park hoppers. We just made a trip to Universal Hollywood. I had not been in 15 years. I was very impressed. I loved the few rides that they had. The King Kong 3D ride and the water word show were awesome. Its was so relaxing and laid back compared to a day at Disneyland. I'm really looking forward to visiting universal in Orlando. Now I just need to decide which resort to stay at.

 

[Planogirl]

Thanks for all the great responses. I think I will plan 4 nights with 3 day park hoppers. We just made a trip to Universal Hollywood. I had not been in 15 years. I was very impressed. I loved the few rides that they had. The King Kong 3D ride and the water word show were awesome. Its was so relaxing and laid back compared to a day at Disneyland. I'm really looking forward to visiting universal in Orlando. Now I just need to decide which resort to stay at.

Which resort is hard! To me, RPR is the friendliest while HRH is the coolest with the best pool and PRS is the prettiest and most romantic. I like them all!