Lines short this week...unfortunately, though....

[DaisyNY]

Wow...we just returned November 30 until December 4th and felt like the crowds were very managable and never needed to wait longer than ten minutes...exception was mine train with a thirty minute wait. The night we went to DHS there was a rain storm that came in while we waited for Indiana Jones and over by the time the shortened show was finished. As a result when we toured the Osbourne Lights from 7:45 until 9...the streets were nearly empty! Also felt the extra sidewalk space around the castle made viewing the MVMCP fireworks much more enjoyable!

 

[SparklePixie]

I'm really not trying to be awful but I just have zero desire to go to universal. Lol

When people say "Oh there was no wait at universal for anything!" to me is like saying "Oh there was no line to see the trees in my backyard!" They both have basically the same appeal. Again I'm not trying to be a jerk. I just love Disney and really there is no magic for me at universal.

When did you last visit?

 

[fbb]

The value of Express Pass for onsite Deluxe guests is astounding.

No, it's a completely worthless perk. Everyone should stay far away from the Universal Deluxes.

 

[Dis703]

Wow...we just returned November 30 until December 4th and felt like the crowds were very managable and never needed to wait longer than ten minutes...exception was mine train with a thirty minute wait. The night we went to DHS there was a rain storm that came in while we waited for Indiana Jones and over by the time the shortened show was finished. As a result when we toured the Osbourne Lights from 7:45 until 9...the streets were nearly empty! Also felt the extra sidewalk space around the castle made viewing the MVMCP fireworks much more enjoyable!

I'm always amazed at the different thoughts on crowd levels for the same week or even the same day. We did MNSSHP this year and thought it was fabulous. Little to no wait for any rides (except 7DMT as well) fabulous viewing spots without advanced waiting for parades and shows, little to no lines when we went for food either. Then I read a handful of reviews online for the exact same night with complaints the crowds were horrendous, wait times were insane, and they were unable to get to see the shows at all they were so crowded and no room for the parade 45 minutes ahead of time, etc.

I don't know if its just bad timing as in being in the wrong part of the park at the wrong time, a more positive or negative outlook in general, or different ideas of what defines "crowded."

Overall though for the times we've been going I don't feel like there has been much of a change in the crowd levels or the wait for rides.

We haven't done Universal yet though so maybe I'll be mind-blown when we do and find it feels like an almost empty park in comparison. But the rides they have aren't appealing to me, and my kids are too short to ride most of them, so we'll probably wait a few more years.

 

[over50visits]

No, it's a completely worthless perk. Everyone should stay far away from the Universal Deluxes.

We stayed at the Universal Royal Pacific recently and it was fantastic! The decor, the rooms, the restaurants, the convenience to the parks, and the unlimited express/front of line access to almost all rides. Yes--unlimited, almost all rides (not Harry Potter). What a concept.

Just checked Royal Pacific rates. Tomorrow night, $234 for one night. A similar hotel at Disney would be the Contemporary, you can walk to MK, although you need to take a bus to other parks. Zero fast passes except the three everybody gets, and you better reserve a couple of months ahead of time. Contemporary, $421.

So at Disney you pay almost twice as much, only walk to one park, three fast passes that you have to book in advance.

For us, Disney is home, and we are emotionally invested in them. Maybe that's why we care so much when they squeeze our wallets more and more for less and less. But Universal is the hidden gem that when you discover it, you say "look what I've been missing all these years."

 

[bc7ate9]

I don't have to go there to know I don't like transformers or Harry Potter. Different strokes.

You can say I'm being jerky but I'm just stating my opinion which is what people do on these forums. I can't help that I feel the way I do. I have NO desire to ever visit universal plain and simple. I compare it to trees because they hold equal appeal (to me). Sorry if I rubbed you or anyone the wrong way.

I get what you are saying and totally agree. I am sure I'd like Universal well enough, but there's only so much time (and money) and I already know I love Disney! There is nothing appealing enough at Universal to take me away from Disney.