New to UO and WDW - help please!

[GoGoJules]

Oh my goodness there's so many things to see and do and not nearly enough time for any of it! DH and I are planning a week long trip to WDW next year (7 nights) and would love to visit UO while we're there. Are we trying to take on too much for a first trip? Should we keep it to WDW for this time around? I'm already fretting over not getting to do everything and don't want to over plan us into the ground. Help please!

 

[Travis B]

I would personally stick to WDW and really savor your time there, rather than over-extending yourselves.

 

[Raeven]

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[VacaPlanner2012]

If you are truly new to both parks, just know you will never see it all in Orlando in seven days. So, you have to prioritize and make choices. If you choose to do all WDW and really immerse yourself, you still will NOT see all of WDW. But, you will get a pretty good feel on if you want to return or not, and that is important. That being said, my opinion alone is that you will know that doing 4-5 days at WDW as well.

So, throwing in a day or two at Universal to get a taste of it might be a good option as well. You know, a nice sample platter of parks to know how to plan the next Orlando vacation.

As for my family - we are 1) Universal, 2) Discovery Cove with Sea World/Aquatica (my kids favorite one day park in Orlando is Aquatica), then 3) WDW. For us - if WDW didn't have the princesses, we would probably never go. Even at the very high price, we still pay to do breakfast in the castle at least once every 2 years. I'm a sucker for a dad - it makes DD happy, so we budget it in.

 

[hdnwaters]

I think it depends on the time of year you go, how fit you are, and what you want to accomplish. In 6 full park days, I could do all 4 WDW parks and US/IOA with ease. But that is not seeing and doing everything. I make a list of must dos, I prioritize, make ADRs, and set up a time schedule. If more time permits.....I add things, especially if I walk by something and there is a minimum wait. If you like thrill rides....US/IOA has more to offer. Each WDW park has a few thrill rides but most of the attractions are small children friendly. WDW has the "magic" US/IOA has the wow factor!

 

[HM]

Is there a chance you'll be back to Orlando in the next couple years?
If so, I'd just do WDW this time. A week is a great amount for a first trip there.
Then next time, have Universal as your focus for a week. On that trip, you'd be able to do SeaWorld (if you want) as well.

 

[wookiebeck]

For your first trip, stick with WDW. There is a stat that says it would take months to see/do everything that WDW has to offer. Do your planning and have fun in the 'Disney bubble'. Your week will fly by.

Then, in some future time, do just a Universal trip (four days is great start). You will have two completely separate memories of fantastic vacations a few years apart.

 

[squirrel]

Have to agree with other posters that said stick with WDW this time. I have done 14 night WDW trips for four years in a row and still didn't see everything. 10 day park passes with a MNSSHP night.

You will save a lot of money doing just one Disney or Universal/SeaWorld trip. Ticket prices cost less per day the more days you are there.

 

[wookiebeck]

Have to agree with other posters that said stick with WDW this time. I have done 14 night WDW trips for four years in a row and still didn't see everything. 10 day park passes with a MNSSHP night.

You will save a lot of money doing just one Disney or Universal/SeaWorld trip. Ticket prices cost less per day the more days you are there.

That's right, ! We seem to think alike. First question visitors ask is "Do I have enough time?" The second is, "Do I have enough money?" If they follow your advise, you get the best bang for your vacation $$.

 

[GoGoJules]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom! It's tough coming from the West Coast, where everything is set up quite differently. The only time we've been to Florida was when leaving for a cruise, so this will be quite the adventure! After reevaluating our schedule we decided to stick with Disney for our first trip. It's going to be epic!

 

[wookiebeck]

That's great. Welcome to the boards, BTW. On the 'other side' of the DIS Boards is the WDW Strategies forum. We might see you over there getting advise next.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Do you have any huge Harry Potter fans? Once the first Harry Potter area opened, Universal became a must-do for me on the next trip. If you don't have huge HP fans, I would recommend sticking with Disney for a first time 7 day trip.