Question about extended stay at Universal

[slpeters]

So we are looking at going to Universal Orlando next November or December. We recently did a week in Disney World for the first time and will be returning when Star Wars land opens, so we are looking at staying at Universal. We've never been to Universal. When we go on vacation it's usually for about a week. We are looking at staying at the Royal Pacific although we're open to the Portafino or the Hard Rock.

My question is: what would one do for a week at Universal? When I looked at the planning guides for WDW most seemed to assume that you would be there for a week. The ones for Universal seem to assume you'll be there for 1-3 days. As far as tickets go it almost seems like if you're going to be the there for at least two days the tickets are practically free after that so I guess we would have park tickets for duration of stay. Actually the 14 day ticket seems to be the most economical after 3 days.

Ideally we would be looking at a week with one evening going over to Disney for the Christmas Party and a possible excursion to Sea World for one day. We're not totally averse to laying by the pool and drinking cocktails but if we are going to do that for the week we usually go to Puerto Vallarta.

Has anyone here done an extended stay at Universal Orlando? Did it feel like you ran out of stuff to do? What did you do?

 

[PoohIsHome]

We were at Hard Rock just last week for the length of time that you're considering. We were there from 11/18 - 11/23 and we easily could've stayed longer.

With being able to tour the parks at our own pace and have plenty of time to enjoy the resort and down time while still doing everything in the parks as much as we wanted, the week was great. We easily could've stayed longer and we certainly wouldn't have been bored. There's so much going on and so much to do...a week just doesn't seem like enough!

 

[tony67]

I did 9 nights recently - it was during HHN and that was my main focus.
I spent 2 days in Disney and 1 day at sea world.
There is a free shuttle to sea world.
I went to the Universal parks every other day - there was plenty to do and I was in no rush witch is a big change from Disney - I wish I had not waster the two days in Disney.

Another option is Bush Gardens in Tampa - there is a free shuttle for that - but if you have a car that is probably a lot more convenient.
There is also NASA - you would need a car for that.

Even with 9 nights I did not really do everything I would have liked to

 

[damo]

We've done exactly what you want to do and it was awesome! We did a week at Universal with a WDW party thrown in the mix. It is a very relaxing vacation. We slept in most days and made sure to enjoy the resort pools. Now with Volcano Bay, you won't have trouble filling your time! I would get a 3 park parkhopper pass of some sort.

 

[macraven]

When I stay onsite in the fall, it is 14-5 nights
Never run out of things to do

I treat as a relaxing vacation and don’t live by the clock

My other stays during the year are about 6 nights on-site
Some trips I hit city walk more than the hotel adventures

I don’t keep to a written schedule unless I have entertainment booked in advance

Many of my days are planned when I wake up that day

 

[nighttowll]

Yes, we do a week at Universal when we go and love it. It is so relaxing and laid back. You need about 3 full days to really see all of Universal. A week allows us to sleep in, take afternoon breaks, enjoy long lunches, really just enjoy our trip without feeling like we have to rush to fit everything in.

If we want a break from the parks, there is a bowling alley, mini golf, and a movie theater. Sometimes we spend time enjoying other attractions in the area. We try to do something new and different each trip. Maybe visit an orange grove, take an Airboat tour, a day trip to the coast, or visit Sea World or Busch Gardens. We usually plan one day mid trip for a non Universal activity.

If you are thinking of visiting during the Christmas season, I enjoyed the Christmas decorations and shows at Sea World more than at any other park, even more than Disney.

General Time Frame:

IOA - 1.5 days
US - 1.5 days
VB - 1 day
Resort / Citywalk Activities - 1 day

Sea World - 1 to 1.5 days (2 days if fitting in special Christmas entertainment)
BG - 1 to 1.5 days
Other Area Activities 1 day (beach, Everglades, space center, Tampa, aquarium, manatees, outlets, etc.)

So, you can see, you can easily fill 5 days at Universal alone, and not really repeat much of anything. If you add in any days at other parks or attractions, your relaxing week starts to become as busy as a Disney trip pretty fast.

 

[bumbershoot]

I treat as a relaxing vacation and don’t live by the clock

Yep.

Alas our 8 night Uni trip was messed up by me and my son getting the plague. January 2014, in town for rundisney and a LONG Florida stay, and I came down with what felt like both bubonic and pneumonic plague at the same time lol. Just over a week at Disney doing nothing but our planned runs, went to Daytona as planned where we sat in our rooms waiting for death and taking very slow cold walks along the beach, them two weeks into it we picked up hubby and hit Universal. DS spent most of his time sleeping. I slept, hung out with DS, and occasionally went out for a butterbeer in the parks or a wine from club level (8 nights club PBH...heaven).

Anyway, that fun was thwarted.

But we spent the same period of time at Disneyland onsite and only left the area once, to visit my brother for a day. Even the smaller parks can pack a wallop if you let them!

Who cares if it CAN be done in a day or three. No one says you have to do that. Or so it, then spend days reriding and having more fun.

 

[GoldmanTrust]

We have done a 2 week trip for two years in a row and already booked next years trip. We always get a ticket for the whole two weeks and we love it.

We stay in September and October, that's when it suits us best to go on vacations and it helps a lot how (relatively) few people are at the parks at those times.

But anyways, we also did the Mickey's not so scary Halloween party and that was a great way to mix things up.

We actually found that Volcano Bay was our favorite park in our last trip. We went there every day and absolutely loved the vibe at the park.

There is a lot to do at all parks. We would take a few hours every day at the parks, never staying to long. As soon as it got to hot or to crowded we just jumped back at the hotel and started doing something else.

Like Damo said, it's a very relaxing vacation. No planning needed.