Never been to Universal. Many questions

[debbs0723]

Hello Everybody. I hope you guys can help me make a few decisions. We are working on our 3rd trip to Disney. My girls are currently 10 and 7. our trip will be 9 nights total and we are going during January. Yes I'm one of those people who still take my kids out of school to avoid crowds.

I have already rented a condo near disney for the entire time. I'm realizing how much more Universal will add to our trip but we aren't going to let that deter us this time as it has the last two times. I was planning for 5-6 days at Disney and 2 days at Universal but now I'm wondering if that is the right thing to do. I know I want at least 5 days at Disney because we want to do Magic Kingdom at least twice.

I'd love to stay onsite at Universal but it doesn't make sense for us since our condo is such a great rate. I guess I should list my questions.

1.) Being that it is the slower time of the year and we won't have any onsite resort benefits, does it matter what days we visit? Should we plan for during the week?

2.) Is two days enough or should we plan a 3rd day there? I almost hate to even admit it but we know nothing about Harry potter. I'm thinking of renting all the movies before we go so the kids are excited about it but that is not the main reason we are going.

3.) If we were to plan 3 days with no park to park access which day should we plan two days at?

I guess this is all the questions for now but I welcome any and all other information you guys want to share.

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[nytimez]

Hello Everybody. I hope you guys can help me make a few decisions. We are working on our 3rd trip to Disney. My girls are currently 10 and 7. our trip will be 9 nights total and we are going during January. Yes I'm one of those people who still take my kids out of school to avoid crowds.

I have already rented a condo near disney for the entire time. I'm realizing how much more Universal will add to our trip but we aren't going to let that deter us this time as it has the last two times. I was planning for 5-6 days at Disney and 2 days at Universal but now I'm wondering if that is the right thing to do. I know I want at least 5 days at Disney because we want to do Magic Kingdom at least twice.

I'd love to stay onsite at Universal but it doesn't make sense for us since our condo is such a great rate. I guess I should list my questions.

1.) Being that it is the slower time of the year and we won't have any onsite resort benefits, does it matter what days we visit? Should we plan for during the week?

2.) Is two days enough or should we plan a 3rd day there? I almost hate to even admit it but we know nothing about Harry potter. I'm thinking of renting all the movies before we go so the kids are excited about it but that is not the main reason we are going.

3.) If we were to plan 3 days with no park to park access which day should we plan two days at?

I guess this is all the questions for now but I welcome any and all other information you guys want to share.

Thanks,
Debbie

Two days is enough for Universal but I always suggest three, it's always great to go back and revisit favorite rides that one last time.

If you're going in the slow time, I'd say the days don't matter a whole lot -- but you will see a slight bump in weekend crowds as that's when the locals tend to come. Unless it's MLK weekend or whatever, I don't think it will be a dramatic difference -- but others (the locals) on this board can correct me on that if I'm wrong.

For no park-to-park, look at the rides and see what interests your kids more and choose that one for the second day. I find that park-to-park is worth it, though -- the two parks are next to each other and you can easily walk from one to the other... even if it's just to get in one or two extra rides at the end of the day.

 

[debbs0723]

Thank you for the information. I really need to do somemore investigating on tickets. If I was to go to one of the parks on a weekend day and one on a weekday which would you guys suggest? I'm thinking maybe Universal studios on a Saturday and IOA during mid week.

Thanks,
Debbie

 

[Mom3girls]

Hello Everybody. I hope you guys can help me make a few decisions. We are working on our 3rd trip to Disney. My girls are currently 10 and 7. our trip will be 9 nights total and we are going during January. Yes I'm one of those people who still take my kids out of school to avoid crowds.

I have already rented a condo near disney for the entire time. I'm realizing how much more Universal will add to our trip but we aren't going to let that deter us this time as it has the last two times. I was planning for 5-6 days at Disney and 2 days at Universal but now I'm wondering if that is the right thing to do. I know I want at least 5 days at Disney because we want to do Magic Kingdom at least twice.

I'd love to stay onsite at Universal but it doesn't make sense for us since our condo is such a great rate. I guess I should list my questions.

1.) Being that it is the slower time of the year and we won't have any onsite resort benefits, does it matter what days we visit? Should we plan for during the week?

2.) Is two days enough or should we plan a 3rd day there? I almost hate to even admit it but we know nothing about Harry potter. I'm thinking of renting all the movies before we go so the kids are excited about it but that is not the main reason we are going.

3.) If we were to plan 3 days with no park to park access which day should we plan two days at?

I guess this is all the questions for now but I welcome any and all other information you guys want to share.

Thanks,
Debbie

This is what I would do...Book the cheapest room available at one of the three main hotels just to get the front of the line passes. That way you also have access to the hotel during the day and can walk back to the hotel to swim in one of the pools or nap in the AC before heading back out in the evening. If you book a room for one night you actually get two days of the FOTL passes and early access to WWOHP on both days. Check AAA rates if you are a member (you have to call for those rates) or Annual pass holder rate. I am purchasing an AP for myself instead of a 3 day park to park pass just for the savings on the room. Good Luck!!

 

[Mtnman44]

Staying at the hotels and using the unlimited fast pass makes for a great experience. HOWEVER, in January if you go during the weekdays (not King Jr. Holiday) then you should be able to do just fine. I would recommend 2.5 days. Two full days (one each park) then half a day doing your favorites again and then back to Disney for the evening.

Harry Potter is a great story and great movies. Being able to enter the world that you have invested so much into is a huge part of the experience in the theme park in my opinion. I would definately suggest taking in all of the movies before you go, but at least do the first 4. At that point you will be up to speed on everything in Wizarding World. Note: the first two movies are OK, but the movies and story get much better afterwards.

 

[debbs0723]

Staying at the hotels and using the unlimited fast pass makes for a great experience. HOWEVER, in January if you go during the weekdays (not King Jr. Holiday) then you should be able to do just fine. I would recommend 2.5 days. Two full days (one each park) then half a day doing your favorites again and then back to Disney for the evening.

Harry Potter is a great story and great movies. Being able to enter the world that you have invested so much into is a huge part of the experience in the theme park in my opinion. I would definately suggest taking in all of the movies before you go, but at least do the first 4. At that point you will be up to speed on everything in Wizarding World. Note: the first two movies are OK, but the movies and story get much better afterwards.[/QUOTE

Thank you for the info. That was my dilemma. The best days for us to go are Sunday/Monday and maybe thursday if we don't stay at the universal resort. And I am happy to hear the movies get better. I couldn't even make myself pay attention to the first one.