Planning a trip to Universal after WDW....

[lisaross]

OK we did WDW for our 1st family trip in August of 06! loved it had a great time etc. Thinking of going back in August of 09 and we want to do Universal (have two boys whom at the time will be 7 &9) The question is do we do our days at WDW then go and stay in Universal for about 3 or 4 nights or stay in WDW the entire time and just go to Universal for two days?

Any suggestions? If i go to Universal i'd stay in Universal hotels what do you think?

lisa

 

[kellymonaghan]

My advice would be to stay at Universal for at least three days, which should give you enough time to see everything at a lesiurely pace -- ESPECIALLY is you stay onsite, which is HIGHLY recommended.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

It all depends on how much there is at Universal that you'd want to do. If you like the coasters and thrill rides you'd definitely need 3 or 4 days. If you don't, then 2 days would be enough.

Staying onsite at Universal isn't cheap (the cheapest Universal Resort is about $150/night more than a Disney Value Resort), but the resorts are nicer and you do get unlimited front-of-the-line access with your room key.

 

[Metro West]

OK we did WDW for our 1st family trip in August of 06! loved it had a great time etc. Thinking of going back in August of 09 and we want to do Universal (have two boys whom at the time will be 7 &9) The question is do we do our days at WDW then go and stay in Universal for about 3 or 4 nights or stay in WDW the entire time and just go to Universal for two days?Any suggestions? If i go to Universal i'd stay in Universal hotels what do you think?

Lisa - I would recommend staying onsite because of the FOTL access and that feature will spoil you so it's probably better that you're going to Disney first. And unlike Disney..you can pool hop to the other two hotels..if you decide to do so.

 

[Catrinabeach]

When we go to WDW in Sept we are doing WDW first and US last. And then when we go in Dec we are doing US first and then WDW last.

We decided to stay onsite at US both times so that we could have the FOTL perk. That was worth the extra expense to us.

We also managed to get RPH for 157.00 a night in Dec at the super saver rate. Sept we got HRH for 189 for first night and 159 for the second. APH rate

 

[lisaross]

i guess i have time to decide - might also see the deals i get at the time!

thanx again and just one more question - if you don't stay at a Universal Hotel can you buy a pass (like the fast pass) to get on every ride w/out a wait?

lisa

 

[tropical depression]

i guess i have time to decide - might also see the deals i get at the time!

thanx again and just one more question - if you don't stay at a Universal Hotel can you buy a pass (like the fast pass) to get on every ride w/out a wait?

lisa

yes, but they're only valid for each park...you need to buy another for every person in your party for the other park. and they're only good for one trip through the Express Queue. if you add up the expenditure, staying onsite for one night is usually less expensive. that way you get two days, two parks, and unlimited trips through the Express Queues.

not to mention beautiful resorts and a very relaxing stay at UO.

 

[ChrisFL]

Staying onsite at Universal isn't cheap (the cheapest Universal Resort is about $150/night more than a Disney Value Resort), but the resorts are nicer and you do get unlimited front-of-the-line access with your room key.

That entirely depends on when you go during the year, even then I dont think its anywhere near $150 more than Disney's Value resorts...

Off-season rates for all 3 Universal hotels are well below $200 a night

 

[lisaross]

the end of August........is that off season for Universal?

lisa

 

[tropical depression]

the rates for the Royal Pacific at the end of August of this year are $209.00 without AP, AAA, or resident codes. I'm sickened because we recently paid $70.00 more for a night at the Marriott near Tampa International.

what can you get at WDW for $209.00 a night?