How to get the most out of a split stay

[denman007]

Since I scrapped my Disney plans for this Christmas, I am thinking about next Christmas already. (Dec 22 to 30ish)

The split I am interested in is Disney/UO. I was thinking 5/2 days.

How does one get the most out of the parks (and tickets) on the day or the switch?
Should I start or end with Disney?
I assume I would have to schedule transportation to switch.

I am sure there are lots of folks on here who are experts in this. Looking for for tips/suggestions.

For the moment I would say I plan on Genie+ (or whatever it looks like in a year) and HRH with unlimited express. I am asking now while a lot of this is fresh in my mind.

Thanks.

 

[mom2rtk]

We're splitting on our upcoming trip. On our transition day, we're going into USO for half a day. Storing our luggage then heading back mid-day and will Uber to Pop Century. We have the fireworks dessert party booked that night in the MK.

 

[CynBeth]

We just did a trip around Thanksgiving. Stayed on Universal property for the first time at Portofino on 11/17 and 11/18 and then was at Disney from 11/19-11/28. We also took one day for SW on 11/26. We did Universal first and were glad we had decided to do that order because we liked not having to plan too much and by the time we finished Disney our feet hurt so bad would not have enjoyed Universal. We always rent a car whenever we visit Disney every few years. Usually spend a few days at other area attractions and like the freedom of having a car and not worrying about if we will be picked up on time from our hotel or having to be committed to a leave time if want to leave earlier or stay later than expected or waiting to get picked up.

 

[katied]

We generally do a split stay, and start with Disney. Universal is just easier, so good to end. This Christmas, we did 5 nights Disney and 4 nights Universal. Universal really only takes 1.5 days to do it all if you have Express Pass. We book Royal Pacific with an AP discount so we have Express Pass.

for the transition day, this could be a Universal half day… or for us, it was a good break day… we shopped Downtown Disney and the kids hit the pool. We needed a theme park break.

For Disney, we did 3 park days, one of these was the Holiday after hours — which was great with low ride lines. The other two park days we hopped. Best would be to have 4 park days total so you don’t get too exhausted… we walked 15+ miles per day on two of our park days,

then, Universal is easy. One of our days was the group VIP tour, which we really enjoyed. The other two days has been on our own… one of them we got there at 630 am to hit Hagrids, and a few other ride, then back for a nap, and then back to the park for the evening.

 

[denman007]

We generally do a split stay, and start with Disney. Universal is just easier, so good to end. This Christmas, we did 5 nights Disney and 4 nights Universal. Universal really only takes 1.5 days to do it all if you have Express Pass. We book Royal Pacific with an AP discount so we have Express Pass.

for the transition day, this could be a Universal half day… or for us, it was a good break day… we shopped Downtown Disney and the kids hit the pool. We needed a theme park break.

For Disney, we did 3 park days, one of these was the Holiday after hours — which was great with low ride lines. The other two park days we hopped. Best would be to have 4 park days total so you don’t get too exhausted… we walked 15+ miles per day on two of our park days,

then, Universal is easy. One of our days was the group VIP tour, which we really enjoyed. The other two days has been on our own… one of them we got there at 630 am to hit Hagrids, and a few other ride, then back for a nap, and then back to the park for the evening.

I think that's what we would try to do - Universal last because it's just easier with EP. Ideally I would like to do 5/3 with a 4 day pass and a 2 day EP. But I don't think I can do that at Hard Rock because I think the package park days matches the nights.

I am going to look into it next month. Not sure if the pricing would be any cheaper at any time. The UO website was giving my issues with room selection.

Rough estimate for this is 8-9K as far as I can tell.

 

[MomOTwins]

I think that's what we would try to do - Universal last because it's just easier with EP. Ideally I would like to do 5/3 with a 4 day pass and a 2 day EP. But I don't think I can do that at Hard Rock because I think the package park days matches the nights.

I am going to look into it next month. Not sure if the pricing would be any cheaper at any time. The UO website was giving my issues with room selection.

Rough estimate for this is 8-9K as far as I can tell.

Buy tickets and rooms separately at universal.

 

[denman007]

Buy tickets and rooms separately at universal.

Can you do that at Hard Rock?

You’ll receive FREE Universal Express Unlimited to skip the regular theme park lines. Not valid at Universal's Volcano Bay. Theme park tickets not included. Room only rate, not combinable with other offers.

What does this even mean? If I buy a regular 2 day 2 park ticket that express is automatically added to it? Seems contradicting the way it's stated.

Edit: Ok, I think I understand it now as the express is an add-on. And It's only $60 total to go from a 2 day ticket to a 3 day.

 

[CarolynFH]

Can you do that at Hard Rock?

You’ll receive FREE Universal Express Unlimited to skip the regular theme park lines. Not valid at Universal's Volcano Bay. Theme park tickets not included. Room only rate, not combinable with other offers.

What does this even mean? If I buy a regular 2 day 2 park ticket that express is automatically added to it? Seems contradicting the way it's stated.

Universal’s Express Passes are completely separate from park tickets. You buy tickets and then can buy an EP that gives one ride on each attraction or an Unlimited EP that allows unlimited rides on those attractions. A reservation at one of the three deluxe resorts - Hard Rock, Portofino Bay or Royal Pacific - includes the same privileges as the Unlimited EP by showing your room key at the EP entrance to each ride.

 

[katied]

Yes. We buy room and tickets separate. And, buy one AP so we can book room at AP discount. You get your express pass at check in- it is also your room key. Then, your park ticket is a separate card.

 

[denman007]

I have priced everything out and it seems the packages cost a little more. Maybe that's because they add the 3rd park onto the tickets.

 

[denman007]

Yes. We buy room and tickets separate. And, buy one AP so we can book room at AP discount. You get your express pass at check in- it is also your room key. Then, your park ticket is a separate card.

Do they add the express to the AP if you stay at Hard Rock? I read that the AP give 30% off Hard Rock but I haven't been able to actually price it on the web site. The math says that would save me $480.

Edit: Actually save $680 if I just get the preferred pass.

 

[MomOTwins]

Do they add the express to the AP if you stay at Hard Rock? I read that the AP give 30% off Hard Rock but I haven't been able to actually price it on the web site. The math says that would save me $480.

Edit: Actually save $680 if I just get the preferred pass.

Again express pass is totally separate from tickets—so it is not added to your AP. It is on your room key for Hard Rock and valid from your arrival through your checkout day.

 

[katied]

It is on your room key for Hard Rock and valid from your arrival through your checkout day.

What this means is you only have express for length of stay. It does not modify your AP.

plus, only a certain number of rooms are available with AP discount, and AP rooms are released at certain times. There is a thread with info on how to book this in the Universal Hotels section.