Not sure if it's worth it

[JudyAL]

We're going to Disney in the middle of August for 6 nights so really only have 5 days in the parks. We were planning on getting the military 4 day park hopper tickets with the water park option. But my 16 year old daughter told us she'd rather spend a day at Universal instead.

If we only have 1 day, is it worth it?

If you think it is, should we get the ticket for 1 park or the 2 park option? She's not a big Harry Potter fan so we'd be able to skip that attraction which would probably free up our time. For this trip, it'll be me, my husband, 16 year old daughter, her 15 year old friend and her 2 parents.

Sorry, but I've never been to Universal so I don't know what to expect or look for. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[damo]

I'd do it. I wouldn't skip the Wizarding World though. It is an incredible area even for those who know nothing about it at all. You can always get a one day pass and upgrade if you find you have time.

 

[DCTooTall]

I'd do it. I wouldn't skip the Wizarding World though. It is an incredible area even for those who know nothing about it at all. You can always get a one day pass and upgrade if you find you have time.

With only one day, I'd say it'd be worth it to go, but you'll have to decide which of the 2 parks you would be most interested in experiencing. Take a look online at the Universal website and look at the attractions for both parks. You can then see what each park has to offer and plan accordingly. If you think you'd have more time, as damo said, you can always upgrade your ticket to a 2 park ticket and jump over to the other park.

 

[Maytrix]

I think Universal is well worth it. I prefer it over Disney hands down - I think Disney is still far more geared towards the younger kids - there's still stuff for older kids and adults, but for me, the stuff I like is too spread out between their parks.

There's more exciting rides at Universal.

Only downside is the timing you'll be there, I think it will be busy, so there will be some waiting. If you get there at open and do single rider lines when possible, it will help and cut down on the wait.

If I was with kids that age, I'd probably do 3 days at Disney and 2 at Universal staying onsite at Universal one night to get the express. With that, all the time you spend waiting for rides at Universal won't add up to one day of wait time at Disney. Heck.. who am I kidding - we'd spend all 5 days at Universal

Seriously though - Universal is well worth it - just spend the full day. I'd do Dragon Challenge first thing so you can do front row a few times, and then make your way counter clockwise to the front of the park (might want to skip dudley and Bluto and come back closer to end of day) then head to USF and do all the rides there, plus the shows and then make your way back to IOA for the water stuff and Poseidon (do that before getting wet!)

Using single rider, you should be able to do all that. If the wait on Despicable me is a long one, I'd skip it. I haven't been on it, but its just a motion movie ride, same as the 2 attractions before it - not worth wasting an hour in my opinion.

 

[macraven]

www.universalorlando. com

www.citywalk.com

check out the sites to see what the parks and city walk have to offer.

watch the videos, check info about each park, etc.

that will help you make a decision.

 

[Seeker615]

Personally I think your teens will love Universal. It's got rides and attractions geared for them.

It's easy to hop between parks - just a quick walk between the gates and the walk is pretty.

Harry Potter is so well themed and the castle ride is well worth it. If it is crowded you can use the single rider line and get on quickly. Don't miss the ride!

There are a bunch of water rides that will get you wet and there are several amazing coasters.

Jurrasic Park is fun as is Revenge of the Mummy!

Also do not miss the Horror Make Up show. It is a total riot. I had to see it twice!

 

[JudyAL]

Thank you for your replies, the info helps.

The girls don't mind doing single rider, they did that a lot at Disney last year. Is it worth it to get the Express Plus Pass? I take it it is.

I think we'll go ahead and do the day at Universal. If they really like it, then we'll plan better for it next year like going straight to Universal and doing 2 days there and then switching to Disney to do 4 or 5 there. I wish I had known before I booked our flights and hotel reservations.

Any restaurant recommendations for dinner then? I know nothing about the place so if there are character meals, that's not necessary. Just good food is what I'm looking for.

 

[Rip]

Thank you for your replies, the info helps.

The girls don't mind doing single rider, they did that a lot at Disney last year. Is it worth it to get the Express Plus Pass? I take it it is.

I think we'll go ahead and do the day at Universal. If they really like it, then we'll plan better for it next year like going straight to Universal and doing 2 days there and then switching to Disney to do 4 or 5 there. I wish I had known before I booked our flights and hotel reservations.

Any restaurant recommendations for dinner then? I know nothing about the place so if there are character meals, that's not necessary. Just good food is what I'm looking for.

What kind of food, or at least, price range? There are lots of very good places to eat there.

 

[Maytrix]

Depending on how you booked your hotel, you might be able to change one night and spend you last night onsite at Universal for express. Most hotels allow changes up until a day before or week or two before.

If you can't, not a big deal - And I don't necessarily think you'll NEED the express - it may not hurt spending the money isn't a big deal.

Here's the rides/shows I'd try to do and could probably do in a full day (open to close with lunch in the park). Do dinner after you leave at Citiwalk - lots of good restaurants there.


IOA

Dragon Challenge
Harry Potter Forbidden Journey
Dudley Do Right
Jurassic Park
Bluto's bilge rat barges (if the 2 above don't get you soaked, this likely will!)
Spiderman
Dr. Dooms free fall (if there's no wait - this isn't anything that special, but does have nice views)
Hulk
Poseidon's fury

USF

Rip Ride Rocket
Mummy
Twister
Disaster
MIB
Simpsons
Animal Actor's Show
Horror Makeup Show

The above is the minimum I try to do every trip. Should be doable in a day. Express would probably be most useful in USF for Simpson's, Shrek and Despicable Me if desired. Doesn't hurt for Mummy or MIB either, although single rider's works well too.

I'd try to do all these once and then with whatever time is left go back and do what you liked the most. Aside from Dragon's Challenge, which I'd do first and multiple times in front row until you have to start waiting too long.

There are other shows I left out which you can do if you have time. I think you could probably do everything at IOA by 1pm, head to USF and do everything and then have time for repeats or other shows.

 

[Seeker615]

Mytho's at IOA has really good food.

We also ate at the Hard Rock which is on CityWalk. It's between the parks so you could take a break and eat there at lunch or go after you are done for the day.

We mostly ate at counter service places as we were more in to the rides and shows. Food was not really a priority!

The counter service places we ate at were fine. Basically standard burgers and chicken fingers! Good though.

 

[Metro West]

Any restaurant recommendations for dinner then? I know nothing about the place so if there are character meals, that's not necessary. Just good food is what I'm looking for.

Not sure if you saw the food sticky but check this out:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2681315

 

[bopper]

I know this is heresy...but....Why have you chosen Disney? If your teen says the want to go to Universal, should you perhaps take that into account? Why not do a Universal vacation instead since you have older kids?

 

[JudyAL]

I know this is heresy...but....Why have you chosen Disney? If your teen says the want to go to Universal, should you perhaps take that into account? Why not do a Universal vacation instead since you have older kids?

Disney is the main attraction for us while Universal is an afterthought. Not all of us like rides so we go for rides, shows, parades, etc. There's enough for all of us there that we're all happy.

The original plan was a Disney vacation. My daughter didn't tell me they'd like to go to Universal until last week. Up until then, the focus has been on Disney and all Disney has to offer. If we can make Universal happen, then we'll do it, but nobody will be upset if we don't.

I hope this isn't coming across the wrong way, I don't mean it to. I posted my original question because we've never been to Universal so I wasn't sure if we should try to squeeze it in or not. It's looking like we should try to since that'll please everyone in our party.

As far as food goes, it's not a main priority, but we'd like to have a nice meal at the end of the day. Park food is never very good which is why we look forward to unwinding at the end of the day with something yummy. I saw there's a Margaritaville so we may hit that since we go to the one in Myrtle Beach when there.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[hsmamato2]

IMHO...not worth it.I like Universal,have been before,am going again...but if I had 6 days at Disney,I wouldn't bother trying to fit Universal in. It would feel to me like a monumental task,plus cost a lot more,and it is just not that..worth it. No flames please,OP asked for opinions....
my fam does love to get lost in details at Disney though...they like Universal ok, but it's def. an afterhought.

 

[bopper]

Just saying that Universal has alot of shows/attractions that are not rides as well.
http://www.passporter.com/articles/universal-for-non-thrill-seekers.asp

One idea is to tell your daughter that you have looked into Universal and it looks great but you would rather do it properly and will plan that for next year. Tell her that if you stay at an onsite Universal Hotel you get the equivelent of fast pass for (almost) every ride.

 

[JudyAL]

Just saying that Universal has alot of shows/attractions that are not rides as well.
http://www.passporter.com/articles/universal-for-non-thrill-seekers.asp

One idea is to tell your daughter that you have looked into Universal and it looks great but you would rather do it properly and will plan that for next year. Tell her that if you stay at an onsite Universal Hotel you get the equivelent of fast pass for (almost) every ride.

Thank you, Bopper!

As I said before, I was worried how I might come across when answering you so I'm glad you didn't think I was attacking your or anything. This is something I'll have to talk to the whole group about. I think I'd rather wait for next year to do it. Arrive in Orlando and go directly to a Universal resort for a couple of days before heading over to Disney. It's funny, we extended our vacation by 2 days this year because we felt rushed last year and didn't want to cram stuff in again. But now it's happening all over again.

Guess we'll just have to move to FL so we can visit more often.

 

[DCTooTall]

Thank you, Bopper!

As I said before, I was worried how I might come across when answering you so I'm glad you didn't think I was attacking your or anything. This is something I'll have to talk to the whole group about. I think I'd rather wait for next year to do it. Arrive in Orlando and go directly to a Universal resort for a couple of days before heading over to Disney. It's funny, we extended our vacation by 2 days this year because we felt rushed last year and didn't want to cram stuff in again. But now it's happening all over again.

Guess we'll just have to move to FL so we can visit more often.

FWIW.... If you do go that route, I'd recommend doing Disney first, THEN moving to Universal to end your vacation.

The current onsite Universal hotels are a LOT nicer than anything Disney has to offer, and the Unlimited Express pass will allow you to be much more relaxed while touring the parks.

If you Do Universal onsite, and THEN Disney, You'll be more likely to end up feeling spoiled by the Universal stay and getting more stressed due to the lines and other differences between the experience.

OTOH, if you did Disney first, and then Universal, You'd have an opportunity to unwind more from the go-go-go of Disney to the much more laid back Universal experience, Which could in turn help you feel more recharged when it's time to leave than you might be used too.

(heh... and also, after spending the week with the kid's around Disney, With as close as the Universal resorts are, You and the hubby can let the kids hit the parks since they are older, while you sneak back to the hotel for a swim or other relaxing kid-free time. )

 

[Rip]

FWIW.... If you do go that route, I'd recommend doing Disney first, THEN moving to Universal to end your vacation.

The current onsite Universal hotels are a LOT nicer than anything Disney has to offer, and the Unlimited Express pass will allow you to be much more relaxed while touring the parks.

If you Do Universal onsite, and THEN Disney, You'll be more likely to end up feeling spoiled by the Universal stay and getting more stressed due to the lines and other differences between the experience.

OTOH, if you did Disney first, and then Universal, You'd have an opportunity to unwind more from the go-go-go of Disney to the much more laid back Universal experience, Which could in turn help you feel more recharged when it's time to leave than you might be used too.

(heh... and also, after spending the week with the kid's around Disney, With as close as the Universal resorts are, You and the hubby can let the kids hit the parks since they are older, while you sneak back to the hotel for a swim or other relaxing kid-free time. )

This, this and this!

 

[bopper]

Thank you, Bopper!

As I said before, I was worried how I might come across when answering you so I'm glad you didn't think I was attacking your or anything. This is something I'll have to talk to the whole group about. I think I'd rather wait for next year to do it. Arrive in Orlando and go directly to a Universal resort for a couple of days before heading over to Disney. It's funny, we extended our vacation by 2 days this year because we felt rushed last year and didn't want to cram stuff in again. But now it's happening all over again.

Guess we'll just have to move to FL so we can visit more often.

No problem...I am just guessing though, that since you have not experienced Universal, that you don't know it would be a draw to you too. But I would say that if you are going to go, don't try to cram it in a day. Take your time just like you do at Disney. I do agree that you should do the Universal Last, not first.

 

[Maytrix]

Thank you, Bopper!

As I said before, I was worried how I might come across when answering you so I'm glad you didn't think I was attacking your or anything. This is something I'll have to talk to the whole group about. I think I'd rather wait for next year to do it. Arrive in Orlando and go directly to a Universal resort for a couple of days before heading over to Disney. It's funny, we extended our vacation by 2 days this year because we felt rushed last year and didn't want to cram stuff in again. But now it's happening all over again.

Guess we'll just have to move to FL so we can visit more often.

Here's the difference between Disney and Universal. You HAVE to rush at Disney, or spend over a week. If you stay onsite at Universal, there's no rushing. Just relax and do what you want when you want.

We used to do both Disney and Universal - Did this a few years with the last couple being at the Food and Wine Festival. We'd do one or two days at the festival and I'd always try to hop over to some of the other parks to do the thrill rides that I prefer. It was never a relaxing stroll - always a rush to get things in since we knew we'd have to wait for a lot of the good rides.

Never had this issue at Universal - It's far more relaxed when staying onsite and the parks are more compact, making it easier to go between rides.

I'm not saying Disney isn't fun, but its a whole different atmosphere and a lot less relaxing in my opinion. (Although at Food and wine festival, drink enough wine and it's pretty relaxing )