Kiddo is tall enough for Coasters, move over Dis..here we come Universal! Help!

[Emagine]

We told the kiddos when they both were tall enough we would go to Universal on one of our trips to our DVC resort in Disney. However, we are more of thrill ride junkies and really displeased past few trips and wanting to do more at Universal than planned. I have several questions, some I am sure have been asked.

1) DVC'er... we use our own car so transportation is not an issue. We would like to stay where we paid for of course but I am uneducated in the passes and how they work. We really want to purchase the AP but am I understanding correctly the Express Pass is really only valid if staying at Universal? Days in the park is not a matter of question. We will prob do way more there, just trying to see about the nights.

2) My kiddos are SNeeds, one with a Service Dog. I can not seem to find how their policy is in reference to SDogs and assistance passes for the kids. In this case would an Express Pass be needed or should I really aim to have one for sure? I know I read rides board and unload in different areas. I am aware he can not ride. I am looking for how this would work at Universal.

3) We are looking at off times. No where near Spring Break, we do not do summers and we will love the Fall around the week before Halloween. Food, drinks, camelback to carry in??? <-- doable? Mostly due to medical and the dog.

4) We usually stay in our DVC 7-10 days and for a first time visit for two kids who will want to ride, ride and ride, how many should we plan for Universal. We are truly aiming to do more at Universal than the other. Just trying to make the best out of the planning.

TY kindly...

 

[damo]

Here is the page on guest assistance from www.universalorlando.com https://www.universalorlando.com/Re...rmation.aspx?Intsrch=guest assistance#Animals

In your case, I would call Guest Services to get better information.

 

[Emagine]

TY Damo

 

[wilkeliza]

Universal has 2 versions of guest assistance. One is like the Disney system where you get a return time. Theirs removes 30 minutes off of the posted wait time though as sometimes the express pass line can be that long. From my understanding there is a 2nd version that is an unlimited pass with no wait but a doctor's note is required for that pass because you would basically be getting the unlimited express pass for free.

I am actually shocked to see some of the rides the service animal will be allowed on (E.T.) but if they are not allowed there are portable kennels just like at Disney or you can take the kids through the line and then exit with out ridding and hold on to the service animal if that is an option for you.

 

[kohlby]

I don't know about the guest assistance questions. express pass is included for certain on site hotels. It can be bought as an add on if off site. However, since you're looking for the off- season and several days, you likely won't need to buy them. I've never been in October but it seems to be busier during the HHN season from what I've read. It's still nothing like Christmas but busier than some of the other times. We like November - excluding t-giving week. We also like the first two weeks of December. We've also done the last week in January and it was super low crowds but the weather can be a gamble then - it's possible to be too cold!

 

[damo]

I would imagine that the service dog could use the child swap. At Universal, the child swap room is at the loading/unloading area. Everyone would go through the line together and then someone would wait with the dog and then swap with someone else. I've never seen a service dog at Universal but I have seen the signs for the dogs directing people where they would go to do their business, I think.

 

[bumbershoot]

We own DVC, and stay there when visiting WDW.

When visiting Uni, we pay money to stay ONsite. And for us it doesn't matter what season it is, we stay onsite at a deluxe and enjoy the unlimited Express Pass. The moment Uni creates a timeshare that gives the same perks as their deluxe hotels currently do, we're dumping DVC (could currently get more than the initial purchase price we paid...we'll just ignore the interest we've paid) and buying that. Here's hoping!

We bring some foods, we bring waters. We use an Igloo Max Cold cooler backpack with waters in it. Turns out I hate carrying a camelback, even for Half marathons, so I don't bring that in. But you could.

Our longest planned trip at Uni was 8 nights. ALAS my son and I got supersick at WDW the 2 weeks before the Uni stay, and DS was still pretty sick by that time. So a lot of our 8 nights was spent moaning in our room (he was 9 and actually watched all of Life of Pi, that's how sick he felt). Thankfully (though not for our pocketbook!) we had booked club level, so for DS and I, we rarely had to buy actual food. Our appetites were so tiny that the snacks in the lounge (brought back for exhausted DS) were enough for most of our stay. And the 16 oz plastic cup o' wine the bartenders let me take back to our room in the evenings...just made my whole week.

So we had little park time, but we've done that long at disneyland without getting bored, so when we do it again, and do not get sick, I'm SURE we'll have an awesome time.

The fabulous thing about the Uni deluxe resorts is that they are deluxe and they are Resorts. You can have a Vacation there that FEELS like a vacation. I haven't felt that feeling yet at WDW.

 

[Emagine]

TY everyone..

I hear you. With all the changes at WDW the past few years we have cut our trips from 4 times a year, to 3, 2, and now to 1. Even that I fear is getting a little shorter. We just got back this weekend and coming down I-4, not even an hour away we were planning Universal and discussion how disappointed in some of the things WDW is doing. It sure has changed since we have been in it just in our 10 years. I grew up a Disney kids, my husband and kids only the past 10.

Thus Universal is sparking a major interest. I have my work cut out to plan no doubt with my family but once I see how the park operates I will get it in motion. We are looking forward to it for sure. I am wondering as I research to get more for the kiddos if onsite truly is best. They just really want to do MNSSHP again next year so I am toying with that so maybe a parkhop?

Nice to see fellow DVCers thinking the same.

 

[Lynne G]

Yep, nothing wrong with doing Universal, and having a night at MK to do MNSSHP. What you want to do is, look at the AP rates and decide if that's a better fit for your family. Some do one Preferred, to get the free parking and the rest Power Passes, as those families don't go during the black out periods for power passes. Otherwise, look for ticket deals with undercovertourist. Tickets have nothing to do with the hotel, and most hotel and ticket bundles are not a good deal. Since you already have a room booked, and the travel between WDW and USO is not that far, I'd save money and just do day trips. Look at the calendar, the earlier the parks close at USO, the less crowds they expect. I was there in the second week of October and the end of August. Both were busier than I expected. I'd look at end of September or first week of November to get hopefully lower crowds. Since the express passes are date and park specific, with no refunds, I'd wait to see if you really need them when you get to the parks. They are sold everywhere in the parks. While you do get an unlimited express pass with the 3 onsite hotels, you have to do the math to see if staying even one night, to get those express passes for 2 days is worth it. Also, there is a parking fee at the hotels, so just add that to the room rate, so even 1 night would get a 1 night parking fee. The second day, if you're out of the parking by midnight, you won't pay for another night. Many check out, stow the luggage with the porters, leave the car in the hotel lot, and enjoy the parks for some time, before finally leaving.

I have seen service dogs in the parks. I agree with Damo, email or call Universal. They are usually responsive and helpful.

I hope you have fun at the parks. While there are more thrill rides in USO, there's also some fun shows and great themes to explore.

 

[HM]

If you are going to the parks for several days, you'll be fine without Express Pass. You'll do fewer rides per day than someone with one will have, but you'll have plenty of time to do everything you want over time plus redos. I'm really excited for your family. Doing the big change over from Disney to Universal is lots of fun as you'll be experiencing all new things for a change. Have fun!

Get the APs for your family. Get one Preferred for one of the adults for the Free Parking at the parking deck and the discounts. As long as your dates are not in the blackout period...the Power Pass will be enough for everyone else.

 

[Emagine]

Lots to soak in but you guys are the bomb. Really the hotels charge for parking if staying there? Did I read that correctly? Great tip for the AP and one getting the PAP. Curious, if one person has the PAP and books a room only with the hidden discount is it worth it in the end to utilize the ride pass? I need to crunch numbers tonight.

 

[wilkeliza]

Lots to soak in but you guys are the bomb. Really the hotels charge for parking if staying there? Did I read that correctly? Great tip for the AP and one getting the PAP. Curious, if one person has the PAP and books a room only with the hidden discount is it worth it in the end to utilize the ride pass? I need to crunch numbers tonight.

Yep. People complain about the Disney prices but then I've felt like Universal nickel and dimes you. Some people have reported they were even charged more for asking for an extra coffee pod for the in room coffee. I love both parks and have fun at each but to be honest our vacations cost the same if we are doing Disney or doing Universal. Our best vacation was 9 days where we spent 5 at Disney and 2 at Universal and then 2 just rest days.

For the express pass you have to stay at one of the more expensive hotels. You do not get free express if you stay at their "value" resort.

 

[HM]

Yes, the resorts charge for parking. $20/nt at the deluxes.

That's why staying at your DVC, getting an AP for free parking, and not worrying about having EP works better financially. (We are staying at a family timeshare, have APs and will visit the parks for four days this December. Saves us a lot of money to not have to pay for a room onsite or EPs.)

 

[Lynne G]

Yep, like any vacation, number crunching is always the best. Nothing, though is cheap any more.

Yes, you read it right, all the on site hotels charge for parking. 22 or so with tax. While that may be disturbing, I don't find it to be. I'd rather have that than a resort fee for stuff I don't need. And while Universal charges for transportation to/from airport, Disney doesn't charge for parking or airport travel, but that's because parking and to/from airport busing is rolled into the room price and ticket prices, or in yours, part of your DVC/ticket costs. Nothing is free, just some bundle differently. I like to rent a car and come and go as I please. I also tend to eat some meals in the neighboring restaurants that are good and just as reasonable in price.