One or Two, Off or On

[Forevryoung]

I'm planning a late August trip for a Potter Obsessed semi adventurous 8 year old and myself. We will avoid anything scarier than splash mountain/Everest.

We are going to Disney and adding Universal because she finished the last HP book several months ago at the age of 7 1/2

We have the time to add an extra day and stay onsite at Universal and do 1.5 days (arrival day+next day) with a 2 day "park to park" with all the perks

OR we can stay at Disney the whole trip and pick one day for Universal

The difference is around $300 (1 day pass vs 2 day pass, cost difference in hotel between value at Disney and an onsite Universal hotel...). That doesn't include transportation costs for either option (probably rent a car either way)

What would you do?

 

[mjohnson96]

If you stay onsite you get the early entry into WWOHP as well as the express, this can be very helpful to be able to see everything, plus there is so much to do and see at Universal that just 1 day might not do it. By DD who is 9 loves Universal and she got to pick WDW or US and she wanted Universal this trip. The hotels are very nice, and we love the pools too for some downtime .

We will be going back in May, and from what I am hearing WWOHP is still very busy. We are going to use at least 1 day if not 2 doing early entry so we can be able to see the area before a huge crowds get in. Also, go back at night and if you are staying onsite that means not so far of a drive to get back to the hotel. Nighttime at WWOHP is pretty amazing.

Hope you guys have a wonderful time!

 

[Badge]

If the cost difference is not an issue, go with staying onsite!

Universal has a lot to do and without the express pass you get for staying onsite, you will not be able to see a whole lot in that short of a trip. With the express passes, you can do most of the rides at both parks in one day if you rush around. Your half day can then be spent riding things you missed, seeing shows, and riding things you really enjoyed again.

I think you will find that you will really enjoy the experience Universal offers. It a a LOT more relaxed than a Disney trip is mainly because of never having to wait in long lines when you stay onsite. We started with a one night stay and it guickly grew until we know rarely visit Disney and instead spend a week at Universal