Planning trip for Sept 2007.. Any words of wisdom???

[mrsdeedee]

Alright we just came back from Disney last month and now we want to try Universal Studios in order to compare. I LOVED Disney so I’m hoping Universal will be nice too. I already know and understand they are completely different but sometimes different can be good. There will be 8 of us. 6 adults and 2 children ages 11 and 6 (when we go). So what hotels did you like? Should I look into doing there Halloween thing? I plan on seeing both parks the water park and the city walk. Hey what restaurants do you like? Are they like Disney do you have to make reservations in advance? I wonder if they have a meal program ? As you can see I have a lot of work to do.. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Colorado DISers]

We love Disney and did Universal for the first time this past July. We had a blast! Just go with and open mind and run with it. They are totally different and that's makes visiting both so special. We will still visit Disney more often, but we'll also swing a trip to Universal once in awhile.

 

[bubba's mom]

Alright we just came back from Disney last month and now we want to try Universal Studios in order to compare. I LOVED Disney so I’m hoping Universal will be nice too. I already know and understand they are completely different but sometimes different can be good. There will be 8 of us. 6 adults and 2 children ages 11 and 6 (when we go). So what hotels did you like? Should I look into doing there Halloween thing? I plan on seeing both parks the water park and the city walk. Hey what restaurants do you like? Are they like Disney do you have to make reservations in advance? I wonder if they have a meal program ? As you can see I have a lot of work to do.. Thanks in advance for your help.

Advice: stay onsite. Not sure what your "likes" are, but all the hotels are nice. RPR is "quieter" than HRH. If you read thru the boards, there are popular restaurants that keep popping up: Margaritaville, Mythos, Enchanted Oak, Lombards, Finnegan's, Confisco, etc........ Not like Disney where you need to make ressie 6 months out....make a week or so (except Emeril's--make in advance) or that morning. They do have a meal deal, only certain restaurants tho.....just research the boards or buy and read "Universal Orlando" by Kelly Monaghan.....excellent book The whole book is the parks, restaurants, shops, CityWalk and the resort hotels. Oh, and have fun too

 

[ReallyFunMom]

How long are you staying and do you mind driving? I like staying onsite universal for short stays any other time of year (FOTL access will allow you to see it all, for the most part.) Sept is one time you don't need FOTL access, especially if Disney is doing free dining drawing many guests there. If Disney did free dining again, I would stay there, buy a 1 day MYW ticket to upgrade to what you need on future trip, and buy a power pass at IOA/US for around $100. Eat CS breakfast onsite, drive up to IOA and lap the park with few lines 9-2pm. Back to Disney resort, use a snack credit and hit the pool, dinner at a Disney resort, see some fireworks from Epcot at the Boardwalk. Repeat the next day with Universal, etc. If you go again in a year, you'll have access to IOA/US with the AP and you'll have a one day ticket to Disney that never expires. I would stay away from IOA/US Halloween party, too scary for young kids. Could consider MNSSHP during trip for a taste of MK if staying at Disney resort not enough. I mention the Disney angle mainly b/c you had such a good time and b/c free dining might be offered again in Sept. If its a shorter trip and/or no free dining, I'd go all-in and stay onsite IOA/US and do all it has to offer.