How to make Universal work with Disney free dining?

[8esther8]

Hi, all. I'm trying to wrap my brain around how to make this work, and if it's even worth it, budget-wise. We've got the bounceback free DDP at Pop Century the first week in October. I'm taking 3 teenage boys, who went to Disney last year, and want to go to Universal this time. We will probably go to Animal Kingdom or Epcot one day, and Disney Studios one day, but nothing else Disney. Maybe Seaworld, or other Orlando attractions. We're scheduled for 6 days. Big coasters are the draw. As far as meals, they are/were a big part of the trip. Must dos are Raglan Rd, O'hana, maybe Narcoosee's, the day at Epcot we can figure out good meals. But what about lunches? Any ideas for making this work? Would it be cheaper to drop the DDP and just stay offsite and pay for all our meals? Acckkk! Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

[Darcy03231]

I've run into this same issue as I have teens who really aren't interested in WDW anymore. Last time we stayed off-site in a private pool home (we were in the Orlando area for 16 days). This year we're staying on-site at Universal. They're running a special of stay 3 nights and get two free. This gives us FOTL privileges. We might go to Busch Gardens one day (shuttle is $10/pp) as my kids are coaster enthusiasts. We're skipping WDW all together. When I asked them they named about 5 things they wanted to do at WDW. Its not worth the price of admission there for that.

 

[damo]

I would completely drop Disney for this trip. With three teenaged boys, Universal and SeaWorld (with its new coaster and great other coaster) would be a big hit.

Personally, I would stay onsite. You should still be able to get a pretty good deal on a hotel room since the deals are available until Oct. 9

If you stay onsite at Universal, you get free unlimited express passes and there is a free shuttle to SeaWorld.

You may want to look into staying at a deluxe room at the HRH with two queen beds and a pullout couch, or Portofino Bay Hotel deluxe rooms that also have two queen beds and a small pull out couch.

A stantard room at the HRH would cost you about $165/night if you stayed from Oct. 1 - Oct. 8. Royal Pacific is $152 and Portofino Bay is $172.

 

[ky07]

I would completely drop Disney for this trip. With three teenaged boys, Universal and SeaWorld (with its new coaster and great other coaster) would be a big hit.

Personally, I would stay onsite. You should still be able to get a pretty good deal on a hotel room since the deals are available until Oct. 9

If you stay onsite at Universal, you get free unlimited express passes and there is a free shuttle to SeaWorld.

You may want to look into staying at a deluxe room at the HRH with two queen beds and a pullout couch, or Portofino Bay Hotel deluxe rooms that also have two queen beds and a small pull out couch.

A stantard room at the HRH would cost you about $165/night if you stayed from Oct. 1 - Oct. 8. Royal Pacific is $152 and Portofino Bay is $172.

 

[vleeth]

If you want to do both you can always use your free dining counter service credits to eat breakfast on the days you go to Universal & use your credits to eat all 3 meals at Disney the days you are there.

 

[Metro West]

Hi, all. I'm trying to wrap my brain around how to make this work, and if it's even worth it, budget-wise. We've got the bounceback free DDP at Pop Century the first week in October. I'm taking 3 teenage boys, who went to Disney last year, and want to go to Universal this time. We will probably go to Animal Kingdom or Epcot one day, and Disney Studios one day, but nothing else Disney. Maybe Seaworld, or other Orlando attractions. We're scheduled for 6 days. Big coasters are the draw. As far as meals, they are/were a big part of the trip. Must dos are Raglan Rd, O'hana, maybe Narcoosee's, the day at Epcot we can figure out good meals. But what about lunches? Any ideas for making this work? Would it be cheaper to drop the DDP and just stay offsite and pay for all our meals? Acckkk! Any ideas would be appreciated!

Just to add onto what the other posters have said...You will be here for Halloween Horror Nights and I would imagine your sons would enjoy that much better than MNSSHP...if they like being scared. Just something to think about.

 

[keishashadow]

Hi, all. I'm trying to wrap my brain around how to make this work, and if it's even worth it, budget-wise. We've got the bounceback free DDP at Pop Century the first week in October. I'm taking 3 teenage boys, who went to Disney last year, and want to go to Universal this time. We will probably go to Animal Kingdom or Epcot one day, and Disney Studios one day, but nothing else Disney. Maybe Seaworld, or other Orlando attractions. We're scheduled for 6 days. Big coasters are the draw. As far as meals, they are/were a big part of the trip. Must dos are Raglan Rd, O'hana, maybe Narcoosee's, the day at Epcot we can figure out good meals. But what about lunches? Any ideas for making this work? Would it be cheaper to drop the DDP and just stay offsite and pay for all our meals? Acckkk! Any ideas would be appreciated!

hmmm

im thinking ur paying approx $90 a night @ Pop & free DP (value for 4 = $160 a day in food)...ur making $70 a day

onsite @ U is great, yet the deal u have is amazing imo

since it's HHN time, the parks will be closing early-ish many nights...u'll have time for late dinner back @ WDW

i'd just hit the food court in the am before u leave for U, then grab a snack (or 2 i know now teenage boys need to fuel up lol) in the parks

not sure which MYW tix ur buying, don't forget MNSSHP is running too & u could cut costs w/those tix a night or 2 even if not interested in the party

i'd def consider trying to work in HHN they have stay & scream tix, etc.; detailed in these boards somewhere

good luck

 

[8esther8]

OP here These boys won't get into HHN *at all*. Not into horror. Is this still a good time to go? Will the decor/scary stuff be all over the place? When do the parks close in the evening before HHN?

 

[damo]

It is still a fine time to go. HHN is only at Universal Studios. IOA isn't affected.