Let me start off by saying we are huge Disney fans and WDW will always be our first love. Prior to last year, Universal was a one day stop and I typically resented having to leave Disney property to do so.
Last year changed that. We spent four night at the RPR and five days at the parks and loved every minute of it. We also spent 10 days at Disney after we left Universal. I have been on Disney forums for a few years now and have read more than a few Disney-Universal comparison threads. So when we did our trip last May, I was looking for the differences between the two destinations. I wanted to see if Disney was better maintained and cleaner, with better customer service and quality attractions.
Just my opinion: There were no noticeable differences. Obviously, WDW is larger, with much more to do and many more resort and dining options. And, obviously, Disney gets the nod in the nostalgia and magic department. And yes, Universal is sorely lacking in the character and fireworks departments. But other than that, I thought Universal was on par with Disney in every other department, except price, which Universal clearly has the edge (with cheaper ticket options and better resort bargains). We found both parks to be spotless and the employees to be just as friendly as we have always found Disney's cast members to be. Were there exceptions? Of course. But we found the occasional mess on Disney property and at least a couple of not-so-pleasant cast members too.
Anyway, that brings me to the topic of this thread. We did something that I would have never thought possible even a few years ago. We booked a Universal-only vacation. We will be staying at the Portofino for 9 nights and hopefully visiting all 5 parks (US, IOA, Sea World, Wet -n- Wild and Busch Gardens). Do we need 9 days? No. I am sure we could see everything we wanted to in those parks in 5 days. But you could do MK is a day too. That doesn't mean it's a good idea. We are going the last to weeks of August and will report in detail how a Universal-only vacation goes from a Disney fan's perspective.
Last year changed that. We spent four night at the RPR and five days at the parks and loved every minute of it. We also spent 10 days at Disney after we left Universal. I have been on Disney forums for a few years now and have read more than a few Disney-Universal comparison threads. So when we did our trip last May, I was looking for the differences between the two destinations. I wanted to see if Disney was better maintained and cleaner, with better customer service and quality attractions.
Just my opinion: There were no noticeable differences. Obviously, WDW is larger, with much more to do and many more resort and dining options. And, obviously, Disney gets the nod in the nostalgia and magic department. And yes, Universal is sorely lacking in the character and fireworks departments. But other than that, I thought Universal was on par with Disney in every other department, except price, which Universal clearly has the edge (with cheaper ticket options and better resort bargains). We found both parks to be spotless and the employees to be just as friendly as we have always found Disney's cast members to be. Were there exceptions? Of course. But we found the occasional mess on Disney property and at least a couple of not-so-pleasant cast members too.
Anyway, that brings me to the topic of this thread. We did something that I would have never thought possible even a few years ago. We booked a Universal-only vacation. We will be staying at the Portofino for 9 nights and hopefully visiting all 5 parks (US, IOA, Sea World, Wet -n- Wild and Busch Gardens). Do we need 9 days? No. I am sure we could see everything we wanted to in those parks in 5 days. But you could do MK is a day too. That doesn't mean it's a good idea. We are going the last to weeks of August and will report in detail how a Universal-only vacation goes from a Disney fan's perspective.
