How many people go to BOTH Universal and Disney in the same week?

[mollybeasley]

We're planning to go to all the Disney and Universal Parks, We'll be there for 7 days in the middle of December. Is that unrealistic? Cost-wise, it seems like it would be cheaper to go to EITHER Disney or Universal+Sea World, and take our time. But we're not sure if we'll be able to return anytime soon, and I'd have a hard time deciding which to do. Any Advice?

 

[heidijanesmith]

We stayed 6days at WDW and 2 at US. That worked out well for us. 6days was enough to see all we needed to at WDW with plenty of time for breaks and multiple trips to our fav parks, plus one water park for half a day. At the end of the WDW part of our trip, we rented a car from the CCC and drove to US. Spent that day at the pool at PBH and relaxed. Toured the next two days at US and IOA. We found these two days to see all the rides we wanted to with breaks in the middle of the day too. Staying on property was a wonderful as we were able to take full advantage of using the express pass as much as we wanted to, with very little lines. Even in the brutual July crowds (HP section excluded).
I think you could spend 7 days at both parks and have a very enjoyable trip.

 

[Kellydelly]

We do that. 7 yrs ago we purchased either 7 or 10 day (can't remember!) non expiring Disney Hopper tickets. At that time you could also get Universal tickets for $99 for 7 days, park to park. So we used the Disney tickets I think just one or two days the first trip, and spent most of our time at Universal, visiting I think 3 days. This was with toddlers and babies! We went 3 times in the last few years. Our next visit is in 3 wks and I think we have two days left on our hoppers, but we have the free Give a Day/Get a Day tickets from Disney, so we will go there one day, and I just bought 4 day Universal passes (OUCH! $850 for the six of us). I don't know if I want to use up one of our Disney days or just use the free day and go only once. I look and see what day Disney is open late, and we start off at the Magic Kingdom and then hop over to Epcot to finish the day. Haven't tried Animal Kingdom or MGM yet (not interested).

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We did that in October. We spent 2 nights at Universal, but only one park day. We were only interested in going to IOA. We followed that with 5 nights at Disney. We've been to Disney many times and didn't feel the need to try to do it all. We picked our favorites at the theme parks and then added some time at both water parks. It was a great trip!

I did realize just how spoiled I am by Disney's magical express. It really hurt to pay $45 for a taxi from the airport to Universal and then again from Universal to our Disney resort!

 

[Moon Child]

We do it all the time! We stay in Disney first, usually 5-6 nights
then we pack up and head to Universal/IOA, usually the Hard Rock Hotel
for 3 nights, then you get 4 days of fotl access
It's the best

 

[pooh98378]

We did this on our last trip -- 2 days at Universal and then 3 1/2 days at Disney. The Universal part of our trip was fine -- plenty of time (especially with the FOTL pass). We did feel rushed on our Disney trip though -- this was probably bc we had a lot going on -- MNSSHP, the haunted carriage ride, the F&W Festival, and we needed to see MSEP (DH's first time to see it). We didn't get to make it over to DHS and the 1/2 day was spent at AK -- the rest of the trip was at MK and Epcot. We had a great time though!

 

[aubriee]

Last May we spent eight nights at WDW, but ran over to Universal two days. Late August/early Sept I spent six nights at Universal and didn't do WDW at all, but got really bored by the fourth day. In Oct we spent eight nights at WDW again, but went over to Universal for two days. In Dec I'm spending another eight nights at WDW and will be spending two days at Universal again. I think 2-3 days at Universal are enough.

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

We do it every year. You get the best of both worlds.

 

[stacy6552]

We just did it. Its easy to do. I do think you should spend at least one night at Universal to get the early entry and express passes. With the early entry, we breezed through WWOHP with only a line for Olivanders, even thought everyone with early entry was there too.

But then you should definately spend most nights with Disney. Nobody takes care of you like Disney.

 

[The_Banking_Scot]

Hi,

I did this in early October ( albeit over 12 days) and it was well worth it.

3 nights at Universal ( doubletree hotel just outside Universal)- 2 full days at US/IoA
2 nights at Sea World
7 nights at Disney

With 7 days you could do a day each at US/IOA and then 4 days at disney with a day at each park.

Regards

TBS

 

[PAL_1]

We wouldn't do it any other way. Florida has much more on offer than WDW.

During 8 spring break days earlier this year, we split our time like this:

3 days at WDW, where we hit the highlights at every park.
2 days at Uni, with on-site Express Pass.
1 day at Sea World
1 day at KSC / Cocoa Beach
1 day at Busch Gardens

And no, this wasn't a commando operation. We had pool time, visited DTD and Citywalk, enjoyed several leisurely sit-down meals, and just plain had a great time. We did take full advantage of Fast Pass, always hit rope drop or close, and spent extra for Quick Queue at SW and BGT.

 

[francie57]

We are with the others. We start each trip at Universal/Hard Rock and then move to Disney for the rest of our time. We think this works out great for us. With the FOTL you get by staying on-site there is no problem doing everything.

 

[derekw]

We're on our last day of our 10 day trip. First 6 days stayed onsite @ Disney and did all 4 parks. Last 4 days we did Universal and Islands of Adventure (one day each.) If you can a days rest between parks does wonders or just spend half day at a park and spread it out. At this point we are pretty much 'parked' out.

 

[padawans]

Were doing 6 nights HRH with Orlando flex pass and 8 nights BWV. We have never done anything like this, but were traveling from west coast and don't wan't to make two trips. I think I will need a vacation to recover from this vacation.

 

[Mad Hattered]

We do it twice every year. We've recently added days at Seaworld and Busch Gardens during the same week. There's definitely more to do in Orlando than just WDW!

 

[disneyfan61]

We are with the others. We start each trip at Universal/Hard Rock and then move to Disney for the rest of our time. We think this works out great for us. With the FOTL you get by staying on-site there is no problem doing everything.

This is what we are doing in May. We have not been to Universal since 1999 & DS is graduating college so I enticed him with an IOA trip so he can ride the coasters. We are staying at Hard Rock (DS choice) as he is a musician for 1 night & spending arrival day & departure day at IOA & then head over to Disney.