MK vs Universal for a day! ?

[HeDiedxILive]

Hi all! Need your opinions!

When we return from a cruise in December, we want to hit a park for the day before we come all the way back up her to Amish Country, PA. Now, I know we are all Disney fanatics and believe me, I would LOVE to stop by one of the Disney parks. I also know all the "big" attractions that we are into (Space Mt., Test Track, Everest, ToT) are spread out from park to park and there is NO IMAGINABLE WAY that we could fit it all in during one day. So this is my question... for the value of going to one Disney park, would it be better to visit a Universal park, where none of us have been yet?

I know it's all personal opinion, but I'd like to hear your suggestions. I am not sure how many "big" rides are at either of the Universal parks.

I guess basically my question is this: For a one day trip, which park will have the most thrill? Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, MK, Epcot, or MGM?

 

[Planogirl]

I would personally say Universal but then I'm a Universal fanatic. Islands of Adventure is constructing the new Harry Potter area and some of it might be closed during that time.

As for Disney parks, if you want a taste of Disney you can't go wrong with just the Magic Kingdom. During one trip to Florida we visited only MK and we were perfectly happy. Can you skip some of the big attractions rather than all?

 

[marybet]

DH and I did 4 parks in one day, we rode one or two rides in each park, it can be done. The advantage to WDW is you can use Fastpass.

I think Universal has more thrill rides and you can walk from one park to the other and hit the highlights of both. IOA has IMHO the best ride in Orlando, Spiderman, there is also the Hulk, a high speed coaster, the river ride at Jurasic Park, Dueling Dragons, a twin coaster, Dr. Doom, a free fall ride. US has the Mummy's revenge, an indoor coaster, Men in Black, like Buzz Lightyear, only much more fun. Check out the Univeral site, I haven't been since Feb 2007 so I am sure there are new things.

How many are in your group? Any teens? If you stay at a Universal hotel you can have front of the line access for all the rides that offer it. So when you get off the ship you can check into the hotel, your room may not be ready but you will get the key card and you can use it all day.

 

[Henna's_Mom]

I'd say Islands of Adventure, it has two big coasters plus the water rides two of which have big drops at the end.

 

[Robinrs]

When in December are you going? If you're going during the quieter part of the month Universal would be easy to circumnavigate. If you're going during the holiday you can purchase the Express Passes that will have the waits MUCH shorter.

I love both USf parks, no preference at all. You can do both parks if you concentrate on the major attractions in one day, if you that energetic!

 

[Barb D]

Personally, and this is just me, I would do EPCOT just for Soarin', Off Kilter and Illuminations. Those three things together comprise my perfect day.

Although I adore MK, too.

Islands of Adventure didn't do a thing for me. I've never been to Universal, and probably never will unless I somehow come into tons of time and money.

 

[damo]

If it is early December, I'd go to Universal/IOA. You could get A LOT done!!!

 

[Rora]

I just recently went on a Disney Cruise and as we were leaving I wanted nothing more than to go to MK. I begged DF to take another day off so we could go to the parks (or just MK!) to do more Disney things.

This is just my opinion but I feel that once you are off your Disney ship, you're gonna want more Disney!!