One day at Universal

[AR81]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this question or not. But we are going to Disney in August and considering going one day to Universal. It was too expensive to look at separate hotel packages at both Universal and Disney so I came to the conclusion that we would just spend one day there in the middle of our trip. I know we won't be able to see everything in only one park day but hoping to get to all of the highlights that we are interested in. Looking at ticket prices for park-to-park tickets, it will cost my family of 4 $620... So yeah just trying to wrap my brain around justifying $620 for just one day. And that is not counting food, drinks & souvenirs if any. We will probably arrange transportation via taxi or something and not have to pay parking fees. But still this is the cheaper route to go. The other option is a 1 night package at Cabana Bay before our Disney package begins but that was of course even more expensive. We are a family that doesn't go to Orlando very often and not sure when we will be back. So I kind of want to take the plunge because I know Universal's stuff right now is phenomenal and want to experience Harry Potter world. So anyone else drive offsite for just one day to go to Universal? Do you think it is worth the money? Thanks in advance

 

[Upatnoon]

Not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this question or not. But we are going to Disney in August and considering going one day to Universal. It was too expensive to look at separate hotel packages at both Universal and Disney so I came to the conclusion that we would just spend one day there in the middle of our trip. I know we won't be able to see everything in only one park day but hoping to get to all of the highlights that we are interested in. Looking at ticket prices for park-to-park tickets, it will cost my family of 4 $620... So yeah just trying to wrap my brain around justifying $620 for just one day. And that is not counting food, drinks & souvenirs if any. We will probably arrange transportation via taxi or something and not have to pay parking fees. But still this is the cheaper route to go. The other option is a 1 night package at Cabana Bay before our Disney package begins but that was of course even more expensive. We are a family that doesn't go to Orlando very often and not sure when we will be back. So I kind of want to take the plunge because I know Universal's stuff right now is phenomenal and want to experience Harry Potter world. So anyone else drive offsite for just one day to go to Universal? Do you think it is worth the money? Thanks in advance

The best value is picking one vacation or another. There is no way around it. One of the most brilliant financial decisions Universal ever made was putting Harry Potter in two different parks requiring a two-park ticket to travel back and forth.

If you've already done Disney, why not just do Universal? It's an amazing resort. If you still want a taste of Disney during your Universal vacation you could go to Disney springs, a Disney water park or visit some Disney resorts.

 

[2Gma]

We did a WDW/US/IOA trip last May. Yes, it was more expensive than doing just Disney because of the ticket situation. Yep, that's how they get us! Like the pp mentioned its probably wise to do either a WDW OR Universal BUT I can't go to Orlando and not see the Castle!! What we did to save on tickets was buy Universal tickets online and also buy Disney tickets online while taking advantage of signing up for the Disney Visa to save $200(or $151 after annual fee). There are also several other strategies people use to save money: ebates, buying Disney gift cards at Target to save 5% or other retailer offering discount. I've even saw out of state people buy special FL rate tickets. Check out budget board, those people can get creative. As always read the fine print!

We were staying offsite (neither Disney or Universal) and drove our rental car. We have always enjoyed staying offsite in a nice 3BR condo to save money and have more space when going to Orlando so perhaps to save money you might consider staying offsite to save $$ to make the trip more affordable.

We really enjoyed the change of pace over at Universal. Definitely doesn't seem as "forced/frantic" as Disney is to have fun. We got there early at rope drop and stayed both days (we did one park per day) until about 4ish. I think if you had park to park tickets you could definitely get a lot done if you went open to close. Depending on what time of year you go, if it will be busy, buying express pass might be worth it. We didn't buy them and found we didn't need it. Waited 40 mins midday. The Harry Potter sections are fantastic and we aren't even fans! So really different rides and experiences over there. We enjoyed our 2 days there and will definitely go back on our next trip!

 

[Grumpy92]

First most packages are a rip off so I would not suggest booking that. Like WDW one day tiks are more expensive then multiple tiks. I am also assuming you want to park hop which adds to the cost. We are long time Disney fanatics, but the last few trips to Orlando we have stayed at US and then gone over to WDW only a few days.

We were there in Dec stayed at CBBR which has the feel of a moderate with the price of Pop. We felt it was a better value and it was not as crowded as Disney. (Larger room, better amenities) Deluxe hotels offer express passes for many of the attractions so that is a bonus. We stayed at RPR for that very reason. You also do not need to do as much planning for US, which I have found very frustrating in recent trips to WDW.

US has upped their game and is giving WDW a run for the money. I would suggest a split stay. I rarely use a TA but for you it might be easier. Dreams Unlimited which has the same owners as this site is very good with WDW & US vacations. They are wonderful and will find the lowest rate and then keep looking even after you book. They know their stuff!

 

[Judyat]

We did a 1 day park to park at Universal last December. Just had to see Harry Potter in both parks so we took the plunge and loved every minute of it. Not cheap but we did it. A package that includes tickets and Universal hotel might be cheaper and the way to go.

 

[Puffin]

we're going to WDW for the first time soon and we'll also be spending one day at Universal going there by taxi or Uber. To keep the costs down, we have chosen to do just one of the Universal parks. We're not huge Harry Potter fans, so we'll not be missing out on that. It's still expensive, but it would be a shame not to go there while in the Orlando area.

 

[nkereina]

There's a Universal forum on the boards where you might get more insight or ideas for cost savings. We've grown so fond of Universal that we now cut our Disney trips short in order to do a split stay. Instead of 7 days at Disney, we'll do 4-5 at Disney and 2-3 at Universal. Universal resorts are awesome, the proximity to the parks is so convenient, and the perk of unlimited express pass is great too. Highly recommend a split stay, even if it means cutting Disney short.

It's worth noting that it's better to book your Universal stuff separately rather than as a package. You can often find a AAA rate for Universal hotels, and we always buy our tickets from Undercover Tourist. I'd also take Uber to and from Universal. We never have a car while onsite.

 

[KaSe]

Like you, we went to Universal in the middle of our Disney trip last fall. We didn't change hotels for a couple of reasons, including we had free dining and leaving would have meant losing that. You can book Mears Transportation from your resort to Universal or take a taxi. Yes, adding Universal tickets to the trip is expensive but it's worth it now & then, or at least we feel that way. WWoHP is really amazing. Not sure how many days your trip is total, but you could look at doing two days without park-to-park passes. It might seem a little less like an arm & a leg to go. You wouldn't be able to ride the Hogwarts Express, but that would be the only thing you'd miss out on doing one park each day.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

My family is having the same debates: One day or two? Stay at Disney or move to one of their deluxe hotels to get the Unlimited pass? Pay OOP for the Unlimited?
We are going for one and one reason only: Harry Potter. So yes, we need PHs, but I don't care about missing anything else. At all. Can we properly see WWoHP, both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, in one day? Is the drive from WDW to USO so bad that arriving for rope drop will be difficult?

 

[nkereina]

Can we properly see WWoHP, both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, in one day? Is the drive from WDW to USO so bad that arriving for rope drop will be difficult?

If you are doing nothing else in either park, you can do WWoHP all in one day. You should be prepared for long waits at Forbidden Journey and Gringott's, however. Express Pass is not available on those rides and with only one day, obviously you can only choose one to do at rope drop when the lines are the shortest.

The drive isn't a bad one - maybe 25 minutes? I've never done it during rush hour though so not sure about morning traffic, etc.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Thanks for the reply,@nkereina . One thing that might help us is that we are not roller-coaster people. So we're skipping some of the bigger rides regardless of passes we might have or whether we're doing one day or two. We're going for stores, restaurants, immersion. I don't even know if Forbidden Journey or Gringott's are ones we'd want to go on, we care so little about rides. ;-) I know Dragon [something], the one with the 54" requirement is a no-go, LOL.

 

[nkereina]

Thanks for the reply,@nkereina . One thing that might help us is that we are not roller-coaster people. So we're skipping some of the bigger rides regardless of passes we might have or whether we're doing one day or two. We're going for stores, restaurants, immersion. I don't even know if Forbidden Journey or Gringott's are ones we'd want to go on, we care so little about rides. ;-) I know Dragon [something], the one with the 54" requirement is a no-go, LOL.

Forbidden Journey and Gringotts are much tamer than Dragon Challenge, and they are quite unique. If anyone is easily prone to motion sickness, Forbidden Journey may be iffy but Gringotts should still be fine IMO. They are really great rides to me, and I'm only a casual Potter fan! If you decide not to go on either, you can still go through the queues to check it out and take photos, and then take the "chicken exit" where the ride loads. Both queues are awesome and worth seeing IMO.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

That's so cool about chicken exits! My eldest son is not afraid at all, but has sensory-processing issues that make him very prone to motion sickness. I bet he'll do Gringott's, but maybe skip FJ. TY so much for the info.