Moving from Disney to Universal, will I be let down?

[leslieb66]

Going to be at POP for 5 days as a family then DH and DD go home and it's just me and DS for 3 days. My son is in the military and was in Cape Canaveral for 5 years. He has kept his FL residency and annual pass holder to Universal hoping to be stationed there again on his next move. We can get a great FL resident room rate and would just need a ticket for myself (we have the 4 day military tickets for DW). My issue is....I love Disney property, I feel as if moving over will be a let down. I've only been to Universal once, never been to any hotels. Please tell me I'm being ridiculous and I'll love it there as well. I know I should just book it, it makes no sense to stay at Disney, a room for the 3 days is more expensive and we'd have to pay for transportation back and forth. I just didn't love those parks like I love Disney parks....maybe that's my problem.

 

[powellrj]

The hotels are lovely and once you have front of the line, you maybe spoiled by it! We enjoy the universal hotels much more than the disney ones and while I haven't been to the parks since the new Harry Potter areas, my DD loves them so much she now has a Universal season pass and is going for the weekend in a few weeks and will be going back for her spring break!

 

[Upatnoon]

Going to be at POP for 5 days as a family then DH and DD go home and it's just me and DS for 3 days. My son is in the military and was in Cape Canaveral for 5 years. He has kept his FL residency and annual pass holder to Universal hoping to be stationed there again on his next move. We can get a great FL resident room rate and would just need a ticket for myself (we have the 4 day military tickets for DW). My issue is....I love Disney property, I feel as if moving over will be a let down. I've only been to Universal once, never been to any hotels. Please tell me I'm being ridiculous and I'll love it there as well. I know I should just book it, it makes no sense to stay at Disney, a room for the 3 days is more expensive and we'd have to pay for transportation back and forth. I just didn't love those parks like I love Disney parks....maybe that's my problem.

The universal resorts are great. The only regret you'll have is why you didn't try them sooner.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Going to be at POP for 5 days as a family then DH and DD go home and it's just me and DS for 3 days. My son is in the military and was in Cape Canaveral for 5 years. He has kept his FL residency and annual pass holder to Universal hoping to be stationed there again on his next move. We can get a great FL resident room rate and would just need a ticket for myself (we have the 4 day military tickets for DW). My issue is....I love Disney property, I feel as if moving over will be a let down. I've only been to Universal once, never been to any hotels. Please tell me I'm being ridiculous and I'll love it there as well. I know I should just book it, it makes no sense to stay at Disney, a room for the 3 days is more expensive and we'd have to pay for transportation back and forth. I just didn't love those parks like I love Disney parks....maybe that's my problem.

Not liking the parks as much as the Disney parks is a separate issue. But I think you will love the hotels over there.

As far as the Uni parks, you might even find you like them better from a vantage of staying onsite as well, you'll get the whole experience. I find the "bubble" at Universal is even stronger than the bubble at Disney, due to its smaller size.

I think the best way to go to Universal is to remember it's totally different than Disney. Don't compare them. Just a totally different place, not better, not worse, just different.

Have fun planning!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

As long as you expect a somewhat different experience (not going to say worse or better because that is totally subjective) you should be OK. Still a good product, just a different product. The Universal hotels are the best part. Unless your hotel is Cabana Bay you will be getting the express pass and that makes them worthwhile alone.

 

[NinaBella]

Which resort are you staying at? I have only stayed at Royal Pacific but we had to check-in for our competition at Hard Rock. Royal Pacific was their lowest rate years ago before they opened their value resort.

Have you looked at the resort photos? They are gorgeous! I loved staying there and it will beat any Disney value "cheesy theme" hotel for sure! We also paid for the Bike Rickshaw which the kids loved! We also love City Walk.

I am afraid you are about to be spoiled and do not even know it. Go in with low, very low expectations... you are going to realize quickly that their resorts are amazing!

 

[Pembo]

Love the Universal resorts. We have stayed at RP and CB. Love the proximity to the parks. I especially loved the bus at CB - nothing like Disney...quick, short ride, always there...

As for the parks, I like Disney parks more because I am not a big thrill ride person. That said I am a huge HP fan and I just spent 3 days with my ds in only those areas. We ventured out only to ride Mummy and MIB - gotta say I love the single rider lines.

On our last day we went to the MK for MVMCP. As much as I love the MK, I was missing the single rider lines, less crowds, less little kids...

AS others have said, it is a different experience!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Not liking the parks as much as the Disney parks is a separate issue. But I think you will love the hotels over there.

As far as the Uni parks, you might even find you like them better from a vantage of staying onsite as well, you'll get the whole experience. I find the "bubble" at Universal is even stronger than the bubble at Disney, due to its smaller size.

I think the best way to go to Universal is to remember it's totally different than Disney. Don't compare them. Just a totally different place, not better, not worse, just different.

+1

 

[Woodview]

Disney is for Adults & Children

Universal is geared for Adults rather than Children

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Disney is for Adults & Children

Universal is geared for Adults rather than Children

I, personally, can not agree with that.

I think both parks have features to appeal to varying ages.

 

[pigletto]

I agree with the others. If you go to Universal looking for Disney of course it won't meet your expectations. If you go with an open mind and appreciate it for what it is, how it differs and it's uniqueness , you will be pleasantly surprised. The onsite hotels are just lovely.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

They're awesome and my DH actually likes them better.

 

[katyjeka]

Left the "Disney Bubble" for the first time in over ten years in Dec. We were surprised at how much things have changed, all for the better!! Our 4 dd's had a blast and Universal was their favorite part of our vacation. I'm beginning to think we've "Disney'ed" our kids out. I also have to give character interaction to Universal. We were blown away by the Grinch, Dr. Suess, and Shrek. We were able to spend quite a bit of time with the entire Scooby Gang. They were awesome and our youngest(4 years)did not want to leave them. Disney and Universal are so different, but both are great. We give the Cabana Bay Resort the edge over Disney value hotels. Loved it. I will say we didn't really need front of the line access as the lines were nonexistent!!! This year we've decided to try Disneyland instead of heading to WDW. We're only doing 3 days and I must admit, I'm kind of relieved. Planning a WDW has become so stressful. We want to take a couple weeks and explore California so will be limiting our park days. Our girls did ask to try Universal so we've added it to our list.(I guess I'm way off subject, sorry!)Anyways, have a great trip.

 

[Grumpy92]

We have always been Disney fans and only stayed at Disney hotels but Cabana Bay put Disney to shame on a recent visit, especially with regards to quality and value.

We stayed at the new Cabana Bay Resort. Looked at Pop for the same period and Cabana was cheaper. My family also wanted to be closer to US and we could get the Fla Res rate. Boy am I glad we did. The resort was great, room seemed larger then the values, loved the pools (especially the lazy river), transportation had shorter wait times, the food court was not the mob scene like the values and the employees were outstanding. Not too mention the hotel is practically brand new.

We ended up doing a couple 1/2 days at the resort. There was just too much we wanted to do there. We left ready to book another trip early this year. Everyone loved it! One member of our party went to WDW for the day and came back saying US was better. She said FP had ruined it for her as a AP holder and after that visit decided not to renew.
We also all commented on the US employees. They acted like Disney CMs used to all act; used our name, were friendly and gave us options when we least expected it. At the parks and at the hotel.

So will it be a let down No. It will probably exceed your expectations.

 

[7KLucky]

Disney is for Adults & Children

Universal is geared for Adults rather than Children

I agree! While Universal does have adventure for the Children, my personal kids won't enjoy it as much as they do Disney. They are more timid and like the Disney touch better.

I went to Universal for the first time two years ago with my now 18 yr old. He and I loved every minute of it. As we plan this July trip we have worked in two days for Universal and I know as I plan my trip that my younger kids won't enjoy it as much. Still excited.....but it is def different.

 

[leslieb66]

We have now switched from POP to POFQ as a military rate room opened up there. If we stay at US it would be at Cabana Bay. I guess my hesitation is the last time we went in 2009 we did a split stay leaving POR and moved to Caribe Royal for three days. Lovely hotel but I didn't enjoy my time there, I spent my time wishing we were still on Disney property even though we were doing day visits to other areas and not going to any parks. We did visit Universal once and I've started being less of a thrill ride person the older I get so a lot of the rides I skipped. Still on the fence, I think if it were days before Disney rather than at the end I would feel differently but my DH & DD will only be with us the first 4 days and I'm not changing all my flights again.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Stop comparing. I know that sounds harsh but you're comparing two very different places. Cabana Bay is beautiful and I think you will enjoy it if you stop comparing it to Disney. Nothing is Disney so its almost setting yourself up for failure if you go in thinking that way. Universal is amazing in its way. They crank out rides and are very much about thrill and fun. The Simpsons area is highly detailed and then umm this tiny thing called Wizarding World. Read the books.

Enjoy what Universal does do right.

 

[Grumpy92]

I have stayed at Caribe Royale, the suite was nice but I felt isolated. No comparison to Cabana Bay. The parks are different but the US resorts are giving Disney a run for their money.

 

[Planogirl]

Caribe Royale is outside of both bubbles which makes it different to start with. It's clearly a nice place but not onsite anywhere which of course gives it a different feel.

I'm considering Cabana Bay for a few nights soon. We have stayed at the Royal Pacific at Universal and it was so nice! Be sure to resort hop and you'll see how nice these places are.