Never been to Universal

[David 1980]

We have done the Disney trip the last 3 years and want something different. I have a family of seven and if anyone would be so kind to tell me where to start? I would like to stay close not on property to save money if possible. I am lost as to where to start..

Thanks

 

[Metro West]

We have done the Disney trip the last 3 years and want something different. I have a family of seven and if anyone would be so kind to tell me where to start? I would like to stay close not on property to save money if possible. I am lost as to where to start..

Thanks

I think you should check out www.universalorlando.com to get an overview of the resort and make sure you check out the stickys on this board. There is a ton of information available on the DIS and from those of us who go regularly.

 

[torinsmom]

We stayed at the Hyatt Place Universal last summer. It is less than a mile from Universal and they have a free shuttle in the morning and evening. They also had HUGE rooms with two double beds and a sleeper sofa, fridge, big tv and free wi fi. There was a free continental breakfast as well. We walked once to Universal, and it took about 10 minutes, a cab was $5. We got the room for $30/night on Priceline, but I believe rooms are $70/nt regularly

Here is the link...
http://orlandouniversal.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/reservations/flow6/place/propSelectedHotelRates.jsp?xactionid=125b78fbec3&_requestid=110704

You will love Universal! We went for the first time last summer and it was really neat! We are going back next year, along with Disney.

Marsha

 

[henryk67]

We are the opposite, done the Universal side the last two years but have never been to any Disney parks. Going back in Oct 2010 so might this time.

 

[Darcy03231]

As a family of 7, I recommend renting a vacation home. We did it a couple of years of ago (there were 9 of us) and it worked out great. I was able to rent a 5 bedroom/3 bath private pool home in Clermont for $700/wk including all taxes and fees. It took us about half an hour to to get US/IOA and Wet n' Wild, about 20 min to Seaworld and about an hour to Busch Gardens.

We were there for 16 days so we went with the Orlando 5 park flex pass. We had unlimited admission for 14 days to 5 parks (US, IOA, WnW, SW and BG). One nice feature was you could go to US in the morning and then SW at night if you wanted to. You only had to pay for parking once per day. Just show your receipt at the other parks and you are all set. At the time an adult ticket was about $235.

We had a great trip! My kids still rate it as one of the best ones we've ever done.

 

[Docwoods]

Welcome to an actually relaxing vacation!You won't be using the words stressed,nervous,worried,or overplanned with a US/IOA vacation.It's terrific,and you'll have a blast!

 

[Metro West]

Welcome to an actually relaxing vacation!You won't be using the words stressed,nervous,worried,or overplanned with a US/IOA vacation.It's terrific,and you'll have a blast!

Exactly...and you won't have to plans your meals 10 years in advance!

 

[crazelion]

Exactly...and you won't have to plans your meals 10 years in advance!

That is the true. I barely know which restaurant I want eat at. Let along know what I eat 10 years in advance.

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

We are Disney Fanatics...but we started doing US/IoA in 2004...

We are able to do US/IoA in ONE DAY...and see everything we want to....BUT our kids are relatively the same age...

My point is that with 7 kids...I still think you can see everything in 2 days or so...

It is definitely a "different animal" than WDW....

I mean...the lines are not an issue really...the dining is not an issue...BUT to me...US/IoA is lacking a certain "magical" quality...that still makes WDW a FAVORITE to me....BUT US/IoA does have some rides the Teens prefer....

My fav place to stay has been a Comfort Suites / Universal on Major Drive...Our family of 5 can fit comfortably there..plus it has free shuttle to US/IoA, FREE BREAKFAST! (more than continental) and the last price I've seen is $89 per night...

Let me know if you have any more specific questions...re: US/IoA....

HUGS,
Mary

 

[torinsmom]

You can do Universal in 2 days, but we spent the whole week going there last year and did not get bored. I was really worried that I would miss the "Disney" magic, but Universal has a magic all its own, IMHO. I like that you can walk between the two parks and that their version of DTD is right there in the middle. The food was great and the CMs were very courteous and helpful as well. We did NOT have FOTL, but we just got there at opening and we didn't have much wait for most things. We used the single rider line when we could, since DS is older.

If you want to break the trip up with some Disney, you can do the Give a Day, Get a Day promotion for a free one day ticket for everyone who is eligible.

We are doing BOTH US/IOA and WDW this summer and I can't wait!