Is Universal Worth it?

[AuntieSkadoo]

So Ill be honeymooning in Disney in May and we really want to go to universal...but were trying to figure if its worth the extra money....havent been there in about 10 years so I cant recall how backed up lines were....or what the rides were for that matter...

theres just a few that we both really loved (spiderman!!) woohoo...

what would you guys do? all disney or both parks?!

 

[Pygmypuff07]

I would go to both parks if you like big roller coasters and are a fan of Harry Potter. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an incredible area inside Islands of Adventures and is really worth going to see. Unfortunately, the Jaws ride just closed down if you were a fan of it when you last went. If you had a day to go to universal resort, I would just go to IOA or get a park to park pass because The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is amazing. There are also 3 huge roller coasters there with 2 being inside Islands of Adventure.

 

[Badge]

Well, if you are driving down of have not purchased flights yet, you might want to consider adding a one night stay at one of the three on-site hotels either before or after your Disney stay.

The one night hotel stay will give you TWO DAYS of unlimited express. Now, this is nothing like the Fast Pass system. You simply show your room key at the front of nearly every ride, and you will be riding in a matter of minutes. No having to wait for a return time or anything. If you want to ride Spiderman 10 times in a row, you could do that in maybe an hour or a little longer. Even if the line for spiderman is 90 minutes, you will be on in 5-10, sometimes no waiting at all.

I would go do Universal for two days. If you do it before Disney, check out of your Universal hotel in the morning, pack the car, and go to the parks. Depending on the time of year you go, the parks can sometimes close early (6 or 7pm). After the parks close, or around 7 or 8, I would jump in the car and drive over to Disney to check in.

If you do Universal after Dinsey (which is the way I would do it. It would be a very nice break from waiting in all the lines at Disney), I would check out of Disney bright and early to check into Universal and enjoy your time. With two full days at the parks, you will have enough time to see and do almost everything both parks have to offer while still taking some time to enjoy some nice meals in Citywalk or at the hotel. The onsite hotels are like the Deluxe hotels at Disney, and worth every penny because of how nice the rooms are and the fact that you never have to wait in lines.

 

[Lynne G]

Depends on how much you really want to see Universal and how much more money you want to spend.
I agree, I would stay at one of the onsite hotels to get the unlimted express pass. It is a great perk. Plus, if you are into Potter, the onsite hotel room cards get you into Potterland one hour earlier than the general public. Great to compete with a smaller amount of people for 1 hour. You can't go into any of the other parts of IOA during that hour, but the stores, carts, and rides are open in Potterland. I really liked the Portofino, it is a beautiful hotel.

We liked Universal so much that this year, we may do Disney and Universal. Last summer, we did Universal and the Busch parks (SW, Aquadica, DC, and BGT). My kids missed Disney, so if I can pull the money together, it may be Disney and Universal this summer.

 

[AuntieSkadoo]

I didnt know about the hotel and passes...good to know thanks!!

But what is this harry potter-ness? is it its own park...within the park...because from how it is talked about...its its own parallel universe..! I dont understand how theres a line just to see it?

 

[Metro West]

But what is this harry potter-ness? is it its own park...within the park...because from how it is talked about...its its own parallel universe..! I dont understand how theres a line just to see it?

WWoHP is one of the themed "islands" at Islands of Adventure...not a separate park. Since the area is so small and is so popular, Universal has to try and control the number of people getting into that area. Most likely the lines you're hearing about are for onsite guests and those guests who purchased some sort of package that allows early entry into that area of the park. This month passholders get to enjoy early entry too so there will be more people lining up outside the IOA gates for WWoHP.

 

[Pygmypuff07]

The Wizarding World of Harry potter is in Islands of Adventures right next to Universal Studios. It is a section or an island of IOA and it is not its own park. The line just to get into Harry Potter is only there on peak times were it is extremely busy. It just depends on when you are going. I have been there 2 times in January and September and did not have to wait in a line because they are off times. The wizarding World of Harry Potter is a little bit bigger than the other islands because of the way it was built.

 

[SashaFarce]

Anytime I can talk my girlfriend into it we go to the Universal parks. After Epcot, Islands of Adventure is my favorite Orlando-area park. It is amazing.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

It's DEFINITELY worth it, especially if you haven't been in 10 years. Here's everything that's new since your last visit:


The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, including Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
The Simpsons Ride
Revenge of the Mummy
Shrek 4-D
Fear Factor Live
Disaster!

I'd say it's worth taking 2 days out of your trip for sure.

 

[Tinker-tude]

It's definitely worth doing, and YES, stay at an onsite hotel if at all possible!

I grew up on Disney, visited the parks many, many times, etc.
After my first trip to Universal in 2007, I became a die-hard Universal fan. Love that place!

 

[cbsnyber1]

Started out at Disney, now we do only Universal. I still enjoy an occasional side trip to one of the Disney parks but if we don't hit any of them during a trip it's no big deal. Our grandson wants only to go to Universal as well - lots more action faster there, according to him. I don't think he enjoyed the lines at Disney so much. FOTL at Universal rocks!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Why not? Alot has changed, including the closing of Jaws and Jimmy Neutron, my favorites at Universal. I'd go to Universal maybe once, twice a year after these changes. Please make sure you ride Simpsons! I tell everyone that though

 

[pumpkin7]

i just can't get excited about WWoHP. i don't know what it is, it just doesn't appeal. the fact that they have now closed Jaws! to expand it into the other park is for me, just overkill.
however, i still enjoy all the other attractions, again eventhough they closed Kongfrontation, and BTTF for upgrades. IoA has some awesome thrill rides, and US has all the 'you're living the movies' feel. i'd go to have a look anyway.