My New Disney Touring Strategy

[damo]

For our family, Universal has the magic. We've been going for about 20 years and that warm fuzzy feeling creeps over us as soon as we step on property.

I find that so many people who go to Universal for a day trip miss so much. There are many, many little experiences that go completely overlooked when you are day tripping just as people who go to Magic Kingdom for a day trip only get to scratch the surface of the park.

It is easy to spend 5 days onsite at Universal. You just tour differently than you do at WDW. You spend more time enjoying other things than standing in line and sitting on buses. You come home relaxed!

For those of you who have visited DL, it is very similar to that experience. Since you can walk everywhere, much less time is wasted.

 

[tazadd0420]

I really think a lot of the folks so happy with FP+ either have no kids, have very young kids, or have kids who have left the nest.

Seen all age groups not just these, both happy and upset. Do not think there are age groups, more what you prefer.

 

[mom2rtk]

Seen all age groups not just these, both happy and upset. Do not think there are age groups, more what you prefer.

Of course it's in all age groups. Hence the qualifier "a lot" as opposed to "all" or even "most".

I was just noting a trend I had observed.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Yep. We had one incident where one of the kids wanted to go on Spiderman so badly, but was having trouble working up the courage. Express Pass let us go on when they felt ready. And then when we got off and the same kid said, "I want to ride it again!" we could say Yes! and just go back on.

This covers two of the three reasons that I'm excited about staying onsite and having the Express Pass at Universal -- My kids are very cautious and need to work up the courage for rides and see what their bodies feel like, and they like to ride their favorites repeatedly. The third reason -- I can ride whatever I want even if I can't convince my family to join me.

I do feel a bit guilty that's based on my ability to afford an overpriced hotel for one night, and I recognize that it wouldn't work at Disney nor would I want to see it there. But, I get a hotel within walking distance with a nice pool area for less than what my family of five would pay at AoA and much less than a Disney deluxe.

 

[hart6066]

This is one of the most informational posts in a long time!! Rather than trolling, I think it really helps b/c most people posting here have liked the same kinds of things at Disney--that gives you more confidence taking their advice on something you haven't experienced yourself before.

A few ?.... We are prob going to do Uni next spring but tack it onto a beach vacation. We can only do a 8 day trip max and we still don't feel bored at Disney for that time, so we will do Uni at the end of another trip. I have a 10 yr old that eats, drinks, sleeps Harry Potter! Honestly to her that is going to be far more magical than any Disney thing just b/c of interest level. So....I'm guessing we still need to do RD there (and will have to figure out a plan with doing the other park when it opens) but how long does it really take to do Potter? She'll want to do repeat rides and really soak up the theming--performances, shops, etc. but I think I read potter is still smaller than Fantasyland? Would love some advice on that.

We were thinking of staying at the new mid level hotel Uni is building, and staying 3 nights--too much time? We are not really coaster people for thrill sake, if that makes sense. We don't go to 6Flags or anything, but we do every ride at Disney b/c we love the theming....so I'm thinking even with spending a lot of time at Potter we'd still be OK doing both parks in 2 days?

And just curious....for those thinking of staying at Uni and driving to Dis, would you normally have a car even if staying at Dis? And how long does it take, door to door, to drive from Uni to a park for a half day?

Thanks again--great info here, and very relevant b/c it's coming from people who also love Disney so you have a good way of understanding their advice....

 

[mesaboy2]

Of course it's in all age groups. Hence the qualifier "a lot" as opposed to "all" or even "most".

I was just noting a trend I had observed.

Agreed. The notable trend I see is that most fans of FP+ didn't use FP very much, and vice versa. Does that mean all? No, of course not. I can think of specific posters who don't fit this mold yet I still respect. In fact, it is these few posters that I think have some of the most interesting perspectives.

 

[ArwenMarie]

This is one of the most informational posts in a long time!! Rather than trolling, I think it really helps b/c most people posting here have liked the same kinds of things at Disney--that gives you more confidence taking their advice on something you haven't experienced yourself before.

A few ?.... We are prob going to do Uni next spring but tack it onto a beach vacation. We can only do a 8 day trip max and we still don't feel bored at Disney for that time, so we will do Uni at the end of another trip. I have a 10 yr old that eats, drinks, sleeps Harry Potter! Honestly to her that is going to be far more magical than any Disney thing just b/c of interest level. So....I'm guessing we still need to do RD there (and will have to figure out a plan with doing the other park when it opens) but how long does it really take to do Potter? She'll want to do repeat rides and really soak up the theming--performances, shops, etc. but I think I read potter is still smaller than Fantasyland? Would love some advice on that.

We were thinking of staying at the new mid level hotel Uni is building, and staying 3 nights--too much time? We are not really coaster people for thrill sake, if that makes sense. We don't go to 6Flags or anything, but we do every ride at Disney b/c we love the theming....so I'm thinking even with spending a lot of time at Potter we'd still be OK doing both parks in 2 days?

And just curious....for those thinking of staying at Uni and driving to Dis, would you normally have a car even if staying at Dis? And how long does it take, door to door, to drive from Uni to a park for a half day?

Thanks again--great info here, and very relevant b/c it's coming from people who also love Disney so you have a good way of understanding their advice....

Glad this thread was helpful to you

We rented a car, but we always do.

I would post something with your questions on the Uni boards on here...super helpful and friendly folks who know all of the details and can help you plan it all!

 

[wen8jr]

we will have to agree to disagree.

I joined this board for the sole purpose of gathering info and advice. I've long given up any notion of this board being useful for that purpose. a very small but vocal group runs rough shod over the board repeating the same tired mantra over and over. that is what this sub forum is now primarily about. not touring strategy, but a vehicle to be used in the hopes of some execs at Disney seeing the anger and getting the system changed.

My absolute first thought when I seen this post after reading your others is why in the world do you partake in any thread and post in it as well if it is not related to the sole purpose of gathering info and advice in which you came to the boards for? Why don't you just move on and read and post in threads that accommodate your needs? I would if I felt as strongly as you do about it.

It is comments like this that really irritate me because ALL that you are doing is adding to what you say you hate about the boards the most.

The fact is that a lot of people that visit Disney also visit Universal and there have been many discussions about planning for both in the Disney threads and the Universal threads. The OP may be helping others with their suggestions on how to maximize both. I ALWAYS do both, usually split stays, not staying at one and visiting another. I appreciate a post in which someone is trying a different tack. But to each his own.

 

[RMulieri]

This is one of the most informational posts in a long time!! Rather than trolling, I think it really helps b/c most people posting here have liked the same kinds of things at Disney--that gives you more confidence taking their advice on something you haven't experienced yourself before.

A few ?.... We are prob going to do Uni next spring but tack it onto a beach vacation. We can only do a 8 day trip max and we still don't feel bored at Disney for that time, so we will do Uni at the end of another trip. I have a 10 yr old that eats, drinks, sleeps Harry Potter! Honestly to her that is going to be far more magical than any Disney thing just b/c of interest level. So....I'm guessing we still need to do RD there (and will have to figure out a plan with doing the other park when it opens) but how long does it really take to do Potter? She'll want to do repeat rides and really soak up the theming--performances, shops, etc. but I think I read potter is still smaller than Fantasyland? Would love some advice on that.

We were thinking of staying at the new mid level hotel Uni is building, and staying 3 nights--too much time? We are not really coaster people for thrill sake, if that makes sense. We don't go to 6Flags or anything, but we do every ride at Disney b/c we love the theming....so I'm thinking even with spending a lot of time at Potter we'd still be OK doing both parks in 2 days?

And just curious....for those thinking of staying at Uni and driving to Dis, would you normally have a car even if staying at Dis? And how long does it take, door to door, to drive from Uni to a park for a half day?

Thanks again--great info here, and very relevant b/c it's coming from people who also love Disney so you have a good way of understanding their advice....

Rope drop for the Harry Potter stuff is essential.Staying onsite at any of the uni resorts gives you early entry into IOA at this time , once the expansion of HP opens at the studios, it is likely early entry will be there too.Keep in mind the newest resort ( moderate/value), Cabana BAy is a very large resort ( 1800 rooms) so I imagine early entry dynamics/crowds will change a bit.Harry Potter is still the most popular place in the park.The current attraction ,Forbidden journey does not offer express pass, so lines can be 60-90mins at peak times.It does have a single rider line though.On an early entry morning, we were able to experience the ride 3x with minimal wait, but once the park opened to all, the waits jumped to 60 mins.Ollivanders wands show also has very very long waits and does not take express pass.It is a brief show and they only take in about 20 guests at a time.There will also be anothr Ollivanders location in the new area at the studios.The other 2 rides are coasters.Both take express pass. Something to be aware of------that the newest resort( moderate/value) will NOT have the express passes (FOTL pass) you hear discussed, those can be puchased ( price goes up with the projected crowds levels and the cost is in addition to the tickets).It will only be good for ONE ride per eligible attraction .Guests at the 3 deluxe onsite resorts, get it complimentary and it is unlimited in use .The current area of HP is similar in size to a land at the MK.The new area will be bigger, but still equivalent to a land/area of MK.You will likely need a day for each park and in order to enjoy the new Hogwarts express attraction, you WILL NEED a park to park ticket to use it.

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks. We are very excited and looking forward to this new adventure! By the way, besides your hotel, did you have a chance to eat at any other places you could recommend?

PBI- At Portofino we have eaten at Sals marketplace ( quick service/ pizza).They have fantastic pizza, and I am a pizza snob.We also ate at Mama Dellas restaurant 2x we loved it sooo much.Trattoria del Porto is also good food.we havent tried Bice ( the other onsite restaurant) yet, that we are doing this next trip.we also loved Mythos and Confiscos Grille at the IOA for table dining and Thunderfalls terrace for counter service. At the studios, we liked Monsters Cafe and Louies for counter service.We tried Lombards Landing at the studios for Table service and it was ok, nothing special .
ALL menus are posted on a sticky over at the Universal forums

 

[3happydancers]

PBI- At Portofino we have eaten at Sals marketplace ( quick service/ pizza).They have fantastic pizza, and I am a pizza snob.We also ate at Mama Dellas restaurant 2x we loved it sooo much.Trattoria del Porto is also good food.we havent tried Bice ( the other onsite restaurant) yet, that we are doing this next trip.we also loved Mythos and Confiscos Grille at the IOA for table dining and Thunderfalls terrace for counter service. At the studios, we liked Monsters Cafe and Louies for counter service.We tried Lombards Landing at the studios for Table service and it was ok, nothing special .
ALL menus are posted on a sticky over at the Universal forums

YUMMY! You have given us many choices. Thanks a bunch! Thanks for the tip about the pizza. I will have 2 teenagers with me who love pizza so this will be a must "eat" place.

 

[3happydancers]

Rope drop for the Harry Potter stuff is essential.Staying onsite at any of the uni resorts gives you early entry into IOA at this time , once the expansion of HP opens at the studios, it is likely early entry will be there too.Keep in mind the newest resort ( moderate/value), Cabana BAy is a very large resort ( 1800 rooms) so I imagine early entry dynamics/crowds will change a bit.Harry Potter is still the most popular place in the park.The current attraction ,Forbidden journey does not offer express pass, so lines can be 60-90mins at peak times.It does have a single rider line though.On an early entry morning, we were able to experience the ride 3x with minimal wait, but once the park opened to all, the waits jumped to 60 mins.Ollivanders wands show also has very very long waits and does not take express pass.It is a brief show and they only take in about 20 guests at a time.There will also be anothr Ollivanders location in the new area at the studios.The other 2 rides are coasters.Both take express pass. Something to be aware of------that the newest resort( moderate/value) will NOT have the express passes (FOTL pass) you hear discussed, those can be puchased ( price goes up with the projected crowds levels and the cost is in addition to the tickets).It will only be good for ONE ride per eligible attraction .Guests at the 3 deluxe onsite resorts, get it complimentary and it is unlimited in use .The current area of HP is similar in size to a land at the MK.The new area will be bigger, but still equivalent to a land/area of MK.You will likely need a day for each park and in order to enjoy the new Hogwarts express attraction, you WILL NEED a park to park ticket to use it.

OK, so I want to make sure I understand; Harry Potter attractions do NOT take the FOTL passes? But the new HP sections with the roller coasters will? Sorry, I am not familiar with all the names of the attractions and I want to make sure we are in the KNOW! THANKS

 

[Mad Hattered]

YUMMY! You have given us many choices. Thanks a bunch! Thanks for the tip about the pizza. I will have 2 teenagers with me who love pizza so this will be a must "eat" place.

They also have a new pizza place called Red Oven Pizza that opened pretty recently in Citywalk.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Restaurants/CityWalk/Red-Oven-Pizza-Bakery.aspx

 

[mesaboy2]

OK, so I want to make sure I understand; Harry Potter attractions do NOT take the FOTL passes? But the new HP sections with the roller coasters will? Sorry, I am not familiar with all the names of the attractions and I want to make sure we are in the KNOW! THANKS

The two biggest draws in the current section (Forbidden Journey and Ollivanders) do not take Universal Express, but neither are coasters. The one small coaster in the current section (Hippogriff) does take it. It remains to be seen if the new coaster (Gringotts) in the new section, will. But I bet it doesn't.

 

[Planogirl]

If I'm not mistaken Dragon Challenge takes Express too. Of course it really doesn't need it most of the time...

 

[mesaboy2]

If I'm not mistaken Dragon Challenge takes Express too. Of course it really doesn't need it most of the time...

Oy. How did I forget that one? You are completely correct.

 

[clsteve]

If I'm not mistaken Dragon Challenge takes Express too. Of course it really doesn't need it most of the time...

But the great thing about using it there is you can skip so much of the cave-queue. I'm going to run into one of those walls sometime......

 

[mmmagique]

I don't believe Cabana Bay will have front of the line passes. So if you want front of the line passes, you will have to stay at one of the 3 other hotels. (at least for now)

 

[3happydancers]

They also have a new pizza place called Red Oven Pizza that opened pretty recently in Citywalk.

https://www.universalorlando.com/Restaurants/CityWalk/Red-Oven-Pizza-Bakery.aspx

The two biggest draws in the current section (Forbidden Journey and Ollivanders) do not take Universal Express, but neither are coasters. The one small coaster in the current section (Hippogriff) does take it. It remains to be seen if the new coaster (Gringotts) in the new section, will. But I bet it doesn't.

If I'm not mistaken Dragon Challenge takes Express too. Of course it really doesn't need it most of the time...

Thanks to all of you. I am picking up some great information!

 

[damo]

Thanks to all of you. I am picking up some great information!

Here's a good place to visit... http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30