I have so many questions - HELP!

[jacksgirl]

I have always been a Disney fanatic. Now, with my boys getting older (16 and 9), they want to give Universal a try. I think I do too, but I'm so lost. We always stay on site at Disney, 9-11 days, with Disney Dining Plan (usually when its free - we love this) and never run out of things to do. Can we do that at Universal? I've tried to look at tickets, dining options, etc. and sort it all out, but I'm not doing very well. The way I've figured it, even if we stay off site, but want to eat on site mostly, it will be more expensive than Disney. And, will there be enough there to keep us busy for 9 or 10 days? I hope so, because I would love to try it for a change. So I just need advice from folks who have. Thanks!!!

 

[Metro West]

I have always been a Disney fanatic. Now, with my boys getting older (16 and 9), they want to give Universal a try. I think I do too, but I'm so lost. We always stay on site at Disney, 9-11 days, with Disney Dining Plan (usually when its free - we love this) and never run out of things to do. Can we do that at Universal? I've tried to look at tickets, dining options, etc. and sort it all out, but I'm not doing very well. The way I've figured it, even if we stay off site, but want to eat on site mostly, it will be more expensive than Disney. And, will there be enough there to keep us busy for 9 or 10 days? I hope so, because I would love to try it for a change. So I just need advice from folks who have. Thanks!!!

Tell us when you want to go and how many days you'd actually like to spend at Universal.

Ten days...even to the most gungho Universal fan is waaaay too many...but then I again...I couldn't spend ten days at Disney either. I would say four days would be perfect if staying onsite since you'll be right in the heart of everything. Four full days will give you plenty of time to tour both parks and go back for the favorites again.

I think the thing you'll realize about Universal is you can actually relax on vacation and not have to rush around like a crazy person trying to do everything.

But...when are you thinking of visiting?

 

[jacksgirl]

We will be there mid-September. Could we stretch it to 9 days if we do the Flex Ticket?

 

[Sandy321]

jacksgirl - have you looked at the trip reports? One person was so kind to post her detailed trip report with LOTS of pictures! It gave me the perfect look at Universal, reading what she and her brothers rode, with the pictures - and the time she spent.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2808537
from Lifelong Dreamer aka Lessa

I was thinking 3 days may be more than enough for our family, and maybe we can sneak a day at MK!!

good luck - these boards have amazing helpful posters!!

 

[Diegosmom]

I was just looking over at universals site as an option for our next trip and they have something called I think citipass and includes there 2 parks plus sea world, wet and wild and aqua...something or other lol...so if you are doing those parks too I think you could stretch it for 9 days.

Also you can buy unlimited food for the day at universal.

 

[Shlooma]

We are leaving on the 14th for 11 days- 4 days at Universal, 1 at Discovery cove, 1 at busch gardens, 1 or 2 days at Sea world, 1 at Aquatica( if the weather cooperates) and 2 at Disney( because i couldn't go to Orlando without- we only get there about every 5 years). This is our 1st time at all but Disney. We cannot wait!!! I'm sure you will be able to fill your days, especially if you are willing to try different attractions!!!

 

[Metro West]

We will be there mid-September. Could we stretch it to 9 days if we do the Flex Ticket?

Absolutely...with that many parks to do, nine days would be filled w/o too much problem.

 

[macraven]

I have always been a Disney fanatic. Now, with my boys getting older (16 and 9), they want to give Universal a try. I think I do too, but I'm so lost. We always stay on site at Disney, 9-11 days, with Disney Dining Plan (usually when its free - we love this) and never run out of things to do. Can we do that at Universal? I've tried to look at tickets, dining options, etc. and sort it all out, but I'm not doing very well. The way I've figured it, even if we stay off site, but want to eat on site mostly, it will be more expensive than Disney. And, will there be enough there to keep us busy for 9 or 10 days? I hope so, because I would love to try it for a change. So I just need advice from folks who have. Thanks!!!

the meal plan might work out since you will be there for 9 or so days.
i do the meal plan only one day out of my entire stay.
it takes up a lot of park time when i do it.
it covers from 10:30 am to 30 minutes prior to park closing.
breakfast is not included.

the park will close earlier than what you are used to at the motherland in mid september.
that is the low season and has less park hours.
it also it the low/value season for the onsite hotel rates.

i do both the motherland and darkside on the same trip.
8 days at the motherland then switch to the darkside for 9 nights.

i have found the food to be more of a variety for counter service and cheaper than the motherland prices.
more fresh food at the darkside at some of the places.
boulangerie has fresh made to order crossiant sandwiches and rolls and sides.
cheese cake factory goodies.
blondies also has made to order sandwiches and sides.

there are many places that have more than just the burgers and chicken ..

to fill 9 or 10 days onsite, you need to do more than just the parks.

i spend 5 full days at the parks doing rides and shows and eating.....
then i do partial days there on the days i am out late the night before.

blue man group is a great show to take in.
city walk has the cinema, shops, eateries, outdoor entertainment.
don't miss the large HRC store. a smaller one is inside the hrh.

i look for the peeps that ask guests to do surveys.
some of them i earn $20 for my time.
others i get food coupons.

you can pool hop to any of the 3 hotels is you are an onsite hotel guest.
there are pool activities at all 3.

you get free transportation to sea world, aquatica, wet and wild when you are a guest on site. a nice side trip.

this year i am spending a day at Busch Gardens in Tampa.
it's only $10 rt for the fee to ride the bus from the hotel to that park.

Ten days...even to the most gungho Universal fan is waaaay too many...but then I again...I couldn't spend ten days at Disney either. vacation and not have to rush around like a crazy person trying to do everything.

at the darkside i have never been bored.
i go at a fast pace the first 4 days then i start to relax.

i can stay at the hotel at mid point in my vacation and do the parks for only the afternoon.
it's all about pacing..

at disney, i once stayed 11 nights and 12 days and was so glad to leave there for the darkside.
now i only stay for 8 nights and leave early on check out day.

taking busses from the hotel to the parks and hopping, take a toll on me.
transportation time adds up, and i tire out.

i do enjoy the motherland but without new stuff there, some of it drags for me.
next year all the new stuff should be in place and that i am looking forward to.
only one thing will be done when i am there later this fall.

I was just looking over at universals site as an option for our next trip and they have something called I think citipass and includes there 2 parks plus sea world, wet and wild and aqua...something or other lol...so if you are doing those parks too I think you could stretch it for 9 days.

Also you can buy unlimited food for the day at universal.

those passes are good for the family.
if you buy a mug at universal, take it with you to sw, etc.
they will honor it as a refillable mug and you pay the refill price on that drink.
if you are an onsite guest at the darkside, you get free transportation rt to those places.

the meal deal is for only 3 restuarants in each park.
i like the menu at 2 of the places in each park.
the beverage is not included as it they have a beverage promo deal one can buy.