Lose a day at Disney?

[FireHawk]

Hello everyone -- this is my first post on this board, though I have been faithfully reading for quite some time. I need help with a tough decision. DH and I are spending the first week of December at Disney. Every time we go, we say we'll go to Universal for a day, but when our trip gets closer, I always say I'd rather stay at Disney. Is Universal Islands of Adventure worth missing a day at Disney during a fairly short trip?

Diane

 

[TomAndLori]

This response may not be what you are looking for...but we are in the same boat and have decided that we just would rather stay relaxed in the Disney resort area.

We are staying 7 nights, so I thought this would be a good year to try Universal. But that just adds another tiring day of trying to see stuff and we want to take it easy. We are not big thrill ride fans though, we like Disney thrill rides, but they are not why we go to Disney. The best ride at IoA seem to be thrill rides.

So if you end up just staying in Disney...you are not alone.

 

[tc]

It depends on what you like. IOA has a ton of great thrill and water rides. If you like that, then it is worth it. If you go to Disney often, and know you'll be back, it's also worth it. IOA offers things that WDW does not (Hulk, Spiderman, and Fire and Ice to name a few). However, if you are not into thrill rides or getting soaked (and I mean like a bucket of water was dumped on your head), then it's not for you. Also, if the weather is cold, as it was in January for us last year, it's also not great. There are three great water rides, but you'd need to avoid them if the weather was chilly. So, having said that, if it were me, and the weather was warm with no wind, and I love thrill rides, it's always worth a trip every two or three WDW trips.

 

[HM]

I just returned from my first trip to Universal last Monday. If you like thrill rides and rides that get you wet, then by all means you should try Universal one day. It may not even take you a whole day. The theming is great, but there are not a whole lot of attractions for those who don't do thrills and spins (my travel companion is one). I much preferred Universal Studios and the new Shrek 4D attraction was my favorite thing at Universal.

Don't know how much help this is. -HM

 

[BethBreakey]

Dont get me wrong -- I adore Disney World -- but Islands of Adventure is worth it -- its a great park -- not at all like Universal Studios -- its laid out well - very visual and the rides are great. It is less relaxed and low key... but once you ride the hulk -- youll be hooked

I would suggest Islands to anyone -- my only other suggestion -- stear clear of Universal Studios -- not one of the best parks around...

Have a great time!

 

[westjones]

We have never been there, and have discussed going during one of our Disney trips, but I don't see us going any time soon. The reason I don't think we will go is because I have heard that if you are not staying in one of their hotels on property you will have a long wait for the attractions. Hotel guests get to go through a 'fast line' similar to the "Fast Pass" lines at Disney (but at Disney everyone can have the opportunity to use it).

DJ

 

[brentalex]

we always go to universal studios for a day because of our kids, ds 12 and dd 9. And it is all because of Nickelodeon. We have been on live tv the last two times we went, and they love the chance of getting on and getting slimed ( we've gotten on tv, but have luckily missed getting slimed). Would I go if they weren't so excited about going, maybe not. But we usually do have a good time there.

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

Hi FireHawk, welcome to the boards. We usually spend 2 days at IOA and US and then spend 4 in WDW. I love US & IOA, my kids think it's great and my DH loves the rides. The next time we go, we're gonna try to merge both parks into one day. Since we've been enough times, we know which ones we want to spend our time riding and which ones we can just pass by. I think you would really enjoy at least one day there.

Cindy

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest taking that day and seeing the other parks. We love Universal.

 

[jdads2]

Welcome to the DIS!!

We have thought about visiting IOA ourselves. We haven't done it yet for a couple of reasons: 1. My kids are a little young to be dragging around in a rental without them(and then us) getting cranky, 2. My DW and I have thought of going during our trips w/o kids but we don't stay that long and we don't want to take the time away from and already shortened vacation.

As soon as either one of those situations change we'll head over to IOA.

 

[PattiPB]

I love both WDW and UO, and visited both this year, and will be doing 6 days each next year, as well!!! It is definitely a change of pace form WDW, and would suggest you visit the Universal boards---those people are great and you'll get a great feel for the parks.

I just wanted to clarify an earlier post re: fastpass. If you stay onsite, you get UNLIMITED FRONT OF THE LINE ACCESS to all rides and shows at IOA and US. It is an AMAZING perk and well worth the $109 entertainment rate at the Royal Pacific. If you are staying off-site, Universal still has the FREE express pass system (similar to fast pass). Also, their fast pass system services more rides than WDW, I believe.

Whatever you decie, have fun!

Patti

 

[Snow Shoe]

Our family enjoys going to USF & IOA for a day or two, but that's all. If coasters are your bag then definatly do IOA. I perfure USF myself of the two parks. However Disney is by far the favorate!

 

[beatnik]

IOA has some really great rides and great theming. We enjoy it, but for our most recent trip, we did not go because they had a lot of rides closed down for refurbishment (about 20% of the rides closed at once!). We have also found that there is a bit less to do at IOA (a lesser number of rides, shows, and parades, etc.) and we are usually done with the park by late afternoon-- the per-hour value is not as good. We will be going back to Orlando in early December and right now are not planning a trip to IOA. So, although we really like the park and generally recommend it, I guess we don't like it enough to actually spend the money to go!

Beatnik

 

[MLAinVA]

During our January Orlando trip we will be staying at the Marriott World Center instead of a Disney resort. We've thought we might like to try Universal for a day. We've also thought we might like to try some of their restaurants/night life. Anyone have anything to say about where to eat or party?

 

[dgaston]

City Walk has some excellent alternatives for adults. We really liked Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Also when we were at Universal in August, the Universal Restaurants had Happy Hour between 4 and 8. DH and I were at Finnegan's in US and very pleasantly surprised at live entertainment in the form of a wonderful singer and guitar player.

I don't know hours for your trip, but think you will have fun. Universal can be a lot of fun too--we loved MIB, Hulk, Terminator, Dueling Dragons, and the water rides (maybe not for cooler months)

Visit the Universal Boards here to get a feel.