My New Disney Touring Strategy

[ArwenMarie]

Ours too! We are going there for Spring Break this year. I did consider dong one day at WDW but its not going to be worth it so we'll spend our entire 5 days at Universal enjoying FOTL access and unlimited riding

You will have a great time, plenty to do for five days. You'll get to pace yourself and really enjoy the little things and not run yourself ragged all day.

 

[Planogirl]

I can easily spend several days at Universal but I do agree - to each their own.

I always like how some people's way of defending Disney is to slam Universal. It's like Universal is somehow responsible for Disney's mess. No... WDW is solely responsible for what they're doing and taking potshots at other entities doesn't change that.

I will continue to enjoy both when I can. I do want the situation of WDW to be completely in place before I plan anything going forward though.

 

[JRawkSteady]

You seem defensive over other family's choices to leave behind your beloved Disney. Really its not a personal slight to you
Enjoy spending your hard earned money standing in SB for anything more than 3 rides in WDW. We'll enjoy ours riding all the rides at Universal since that is exactly why we are going there. Different strokes

Wrong. I haven't waited more than 15 minutes in a ride since I was a kid (or if there was a special event of some sort). I don't need your precious FP to get on an attraction. I actually know how to tour the park.

But I'm not mad at what the OP is doing, I was giving my personal take on it. I'm pretty sure I am allowed an opinion. I started out saying that I was glad that the OP had a great time. And I am. So calm down.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I'd be bored to death with 5 days at Universal.

We have stayed at Hard Rock a couple of times, but 2 nights is enough, actually more than enough.

We can pretty much cover both parks in one day with FOTL.

We stayed five nights at Portofino. I could have stayed a week for sure. That hotel was very comfortable.

As far as a week at Universal only, that might be pushing it unless you were a real pool lover. That's why I'm thinking next time, we'll see Disney also, but stay at Universal. So break up the Universal time with Disney time.

 

[EMode]

You will have a great time, plenty to do for five days. You'll get to pace yourself and really enjoy the little things and not run yourself ragged all day.

Which is exactly what I want in a vacation.

Since we are only going for 5 days I like the idea of pacing ourselves and maybe enjoying lots of resort pool time. If I had to do WDW in 5 days I think I'd need a vacation when I got home!

 

[JRawkSteady]

I agree, if you don't like the Uni parks, then this plan would not work for you
I still like the some of the Disney parks better, but the Uni parks are right up there.

I actually loved the rides there, especially the simulators. You will never get me on a real roller coaster, but this weekend I learned that I love the crazy simulators there. It's a way for me to ride crazy stuff, and not actually ride it.

Simpsons ride = phenomenal. I'm glad everything worked out! I personally don't think I'd be able to tear myself away from AKL. LOL.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

There is no feeling/emotion you get from Universal. It's all just "let's go ride this ride!" "That was cool!" "Awesome!"

Yeah, that sounds like it really sucks.

 

[EMode]

Wrong. I haven't waited more than 15 minutes in a ride since I was a kid (or if there was a special event of some sort). I don't need your precious FP to get on an attraction. I actually know how to tour the park.

But I'm not mad at what the OP is doing, I was giving my personal take on it. I'm pretty sure I am allowed an opinion. I started out saying that I was glad that the OP had a great time. And I am. So calm down.

Your posts are coming off very defensive and this one is even a little nasty. I'm real happy for you that you know how to tour the park, guess what so do I, it was just different than you because I utilized FP to its fullest. Now that I can't tour the way I want to, I'll happily spend my hard earned money where I can, and not wait in SB lines and you can happily continue to spend your's at WDW waiting in SB which won't be an issue since you claim to never have used FP anyway. I did say different strokes, no need to get so nasty and defensive.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Just bumping this back to the top so hopefully the Powers That Be at WDW read this...and be afraid, be VERY afraid.

That's what I was thinking, especially at the hotel, which was way nicer than the Disney Deluxes IMO. I went in with very low expectations for the parks and I was pleasantly surprised as well. The Express Pass was the key.

 

[amg35]

I There is no feeling/emotion you get from Universal. It's all just "let's go ride this ride!" "That was cool!" "Awesome!"

Yeah, that sounds like it really sucks.

I get what you mean.

It's not that the rides aren't fun, but I wouldn't' have the same type of emotional/sentimental attachment to it the way I do Peter Pan or Spaceship Earth. It's too new I there I think for that yet, nothing about it reminds me of family/childhood (for me).

 

[ArwenMarie]

I agree the express pass and rider swap kicks disney in the pants. Did our first universal/IPA trip this past September. After 17 disney trips in 14 years....and we loved it.

Agree! Express Pass was great, and so was the way they do the rider swap.

 

[amg35]

Your posts are coming off very defensive and this one is even a little nasty. I'm real happy for you that you know how to tour the park, guess what so do I, it was just different than you because I utilized FP to its fullest. Now that I can't tour the way I want to, I'll happily spend my hard earned money where I can, and not wait in SB lines and you can happily continue to spend your's at WDW waiting in SB which won't be an issue since you claim to never have used FP anyway. I did say different strokes, no need to get so nasty and defensive.

Come on, everyone on this board is nasty and defensive lately on both sides.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Just to clarify, I still love love love the Disney parks. That's why the next trip we will combine both, but stay at UOR for the Express Pass.

The reason I posted this was because staying at Universal made me realize that I can still enjoy the Disney parks, yet take a step back from this hyperscheduled FP+ planning by touring them in a way that isn't focused on rides, rides, rides. For example, I don't care about Test Track and Soarin' anymore. Next time I go to Epcot, it will be to enjoy the atmosphere especially World Showcase. Then we'll come back to UOR and get our ride fix in with the Express Pass and enjoy those parks as well. Just one example.

The "win-win" part was that I actually liked Portofino more than the Disney Deluxes.

Hope this makes sense! My heart is still with the Mouse

 

[FLchick415]

Just to clarify, I still love love love the Disney parks. That's why the next trip we will combine both, but stay at UOR for the Express Pass.

The reason I posted this was because staying at Universal made me realize that I can still enjoy the Disney parks, yet take a step back from this hyperscheduled FP+ planning by touring them in a way that isn't focused on rides, rides, rides. For example, I don't care about Test Track and Soarin' anymore. Next time I go to Epcot, it will be to enjoy the atmosphere especially World Showcase. Then we'll come back to UOR and get our ride fix in with the Express Pass and enjoy those parks as well. Just one example.

The "win-win" part was that I actually liked Portofino more than the Disney Deluxes.

Hope this makes sense! My heart is still with the Mouse

Makes perfect sense. You have to do what you feel is best for you and your family. I'd love to stay on site at Universal some day!

 

[DividedSky]

I always like how some people's way of defending Disney is to slam Universal. It's like Universal is somehow responsible for Disney's mess.

Disney doesn't have a mess. they have some people with a sense of entitlement not happy with them, but that in itself doesn't constitute a mess.

I like how you had to slam Disney and this perceived mess in the same sentence you criticized others.

 

[Planogirl]

Disney doesn't have a mess. they have some people with a sense of entitlement not happy with them, but that in itself doesn't constitute a mess.

I like how you had to slam Disney and this perceived mess in the same sentence you criticized others.

Ooh, that word. I was just reading about DHS today and that word came to mind. How about change, new system, item of controversy? Would that be better?

I do defend Disney at times too. Just not here.

 

[mom2rtk]

I like your splitting-the-day idea! I think next time we will alternate days. Do rope drop at a Disney park one day (if they haven't brought onsite onto advanced FP booking yet), then follow it with a relaxing Universal day where I don't have to have a screenshot on my phone.

Maybe you could go all crazy and leave your phone in the room for a day!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Is staying onsite at Universal.

Just got back from our first visit to Universal. We stayed at Portofino, which was very nice.

But the best part was Unlimited Express Pass!!! No planning, no spreadsheets, no watching the clock, no rushing to make a FPP, no ADRs. Just sleeping in (other than our WWOHP day) and going where we wanted, when we wanted, with minimal waits.

I admit, I do still like the the Disney parks and attractions a bit more. But I feel like I had more fun at UOR than we did on our last trip to WDW in the fall.

From now on, we'll be staying at Universal and seeing Disney from there for a portion of the trip. Win-win

How is this post not trolling? Oy.

 

[RMulieri]

After our first Uni trip in JAn 2012 at Portofino BAy, we do the same thing. express pass beats the crap outta FP or FP+ and I enjoyed Portofino bay more than my last several onsite stays at Beach Club and for almost half the price with more perks ..I still love Disney, but for us, for now.We choose to spend our $$ and time at Universal and travel to disney for daytrips

 

[JRawkSteady]

Your posts are coming off very defensive and this one is even a little nasty. I'm real happy for you that you know how to tour the park, guess what so do I, it was just different than you because I utilized FP to its fullest. Now that I can't tour the way I want to, I'll happily spend my hard earned money where I can, and not wait in SB lines and you can happily continue to spend your's at WDW waiting in SB which won't be an issue since you claim to never have used FP anyway. I did say different strokes, no need to get so nasty and defensive.

I wanted to ignore this, but I cannot. Please understand, my post was a simple retort to your attitude-laden response. What was it that the pot called the kettle again? You said I would only be able to attend three attractions a day, so I thought that needed to be addressed. I did not say I NEVER used FP. I said I don't need it to enjoy the parks. I didn't need it prior to FP existed, and it's not a necessity now.

And yeah, you said different strokes...AFTER misinterpreting my post with your barrage of sarcasm. Now please drop it, because the OP doesn't deserve any negativity in their post.