Selling DVC Points to go to Universal Studios – My fifth and sixth gate

[CHunterK]

I’m a long time fan of Disney World. I’ve been hooked every since my first trip twenty years ago. There can be little argument that I’m not a Disney expert at this point. I’m a DVC member, Disney World annual pass holder, former Disneyland Paris annual pass holder, former Disneyland annual pass holder and soon to be Platinum Disney Cuiseline member. Currently I’m planning my second trip to Aulani and I even got married this October at Disney World.

I went to Universal Orlando years ago and although I liked it, I would rather spend all my valuable time in Florida at Disney World. For years I thought of Universal as a glorified Six Flags. They had some great rides but the theming wasn’t there for me. I didn’t get the same “magical” feel that I had at Disney.
Driving home from Disney World around a year ago we passed Universal Studios and my fiancée (a former Disney cast member) mentioned she had never been to Universal Studios. At the time I was looking for birthday present and thought a weekend doing something new would be fun. So I decided we should go back down to Universal for her birthday as a change of pace.

I started to do some research and quickly found the most cost effective way to go to Universal was to buy an annual pass. I bought a power pass for her ($200) and a preferred pass for myself ($280) so I could get hotel discounts, free parking, etc. A three day ticket was almost the same as an annual pass at the time (and still is). With my annual pass discount I booked the Hard Rock Hotel at a very reasonable rate. Needless to say we had an amazing long weekend at Universal. The Universal employees were great, everything was spotless, the food was delicious, and the new attractions (The Simpson, Harry Potter, Transformers, Minions, etc) were amazing. On top of that I never waited in a single line because I stayed at the Hark Rock Hotel and in the evenings they had a great Christmas parade with a free Mannheim Steamroller concert.

I made a couple more trips down to Universal following my great experience last December and all of them were great. I made it at a point to stay at or visit the other onsite hotels, try the different seasonal events such as Mardi Gras and ride the lesser known rides. Everything was top notch. The evening concerts after the Mardi Gras parades were amazing (and were no additional cost). The new Cabana Bay hotel is by far the best value hotel in Orlando and themed extremely well.

The game changer for me is the new Diagon Alley. This is by far and away the best themed land I have ever seen. I would like to say Carsland in Disneyland can compare, as I thought that bar would be hard to reach for some time, but it can’t. Hands down, Diagon Alley is the best themed land and I say that as somebody who doesn’t know anything about Harry Potter. Pictures and words can’t describe what Universal did with this project. It’s something you just have to go and experience.

Universal Orlando is now a real competitor to Disney. Sure, Universal Orlando still has some issues. They don’t have enough rides for little children, too many video screens in rides, lack of theming around roller coasters, and the live shows could be improved. It’s going to be an uphill battle against Disney. They don’t own all the intellectual property in their parks and in an all time bad and short-sighted move they sold a large chunk of their land years ago even further limiting any expansion.

I realize there are a fair amount of Universal haters out there and for years I wouldn’t blame you for getting mad when Universal was compared to Disney. However things have changed. Universals new projects are all on par with Disney. They are stepping up their customer service while Disney seems to have lost a step in that department. Universal is spending an unbelievable amount of money each year on large scale projects. The most impressive thing is the speed at which they are expanding and improving. Entire rides and lands go up before a parking garage can be complete at Disney. Magic bands still are getting bugs worked out after a year (as much as I like them) and I’ve been hearing about an Avatar Land at Animal Kingdom for years. Not to mention Disney Studios has seemed to lose its soul. Sure, I’m still loyal to Disney and they are #1 in my book. I’m never going to stop going to Disney parks. Universals massive push to take market share from Disney is a win win situation for us.

It is my own personal opinion that in a few years we (the excessive planners) will start to view the two theme parks at Universal Orlando as a 5th and 6th gate, especially if they can target smaller children and make rides that don’t cause motion sickness. Split stays with Disney and Universal will start to drastically increase. I am a DVC member that has paid a large sum of money to vacation there every year. This year for the first time I am actually going to sell DVC points so I can book a room at Universal. The Universal annual pass for me to renew is $130 compared to Disney at $435 (DVC price). Forget scheduling 3 rides a day on my magic band, I can skip any line at any time in Universal when I stay at a Deluxe hotel (which are cheaper than Disney). Universal is new and exciting to me. I can’t wait to see the Mardi Gras concert lineup. I’m flying in my niece in so she can see the new Harry Potter attractions. That “magical” feeling that Disney has for so many of us is starting to be replicated by Universal. Sure, it’s not the same feeling or vibe that I get at Disney, but it’s Universals own unique vibe and it’s worth checking out.

 

[Owlpost23]

Big Universal fan here too! Very exciting things are going on there!

 

[kathy884]

I first did Universal in 1989 and didn't like it. Well finally with Diagon Alley I went back in 2014 with a one day park to park pass, 25 years later (last Wednesday) and what a change.

We'll be back to Orlando in 2016 to do a Discovery Cove package with a day at SeaWorld, a day at Discovery Cove, a morning at Aquatica and back to SeaWorld again in the late afternoon evening (doing Dine with Shamu). Diagon Alley was so impressive, though, that we decided to do a one night stay onsite because it's spring break and a busy time (last week that would have been totally unnecessary), and a one day park to park ticket again, so that DH who loves the HP books can see the area (It was just me and DS and extended family last week) -- DS 19 really wants to take his dad there. That one day, though, will cost us over $900 ($359 plus tax is the cheapest room over spring break with early entry and fastpass on non HP rides, about $400 for three park to park one day tickets, $about $90 for our food for the day for the three of us, and lets say a $30 cab ride that we wouldn't have already done (will be staying at a SeaWorld hotel for the next four nights after this and won't be getting a car this time.)

DS and I love Disney, usually hit at least one Disney park per trip, but will actually be skipping them on this next five night / four day trip giving SeaWorld parks three park days and Universal one.

 

[MelissathePooh]

We are right there with you - DVC since 2002. Married at Disney, go/went 3-4 times a year for the last 15 years. I can't even stomach the thought of havin to put in all the effort it would take to "plan" a Disney trip right now. We started going to Universal about 3 years ago and adore it.

Even with my younger kids 7 and 10 - they ask all the time when we are going back to Universal. I think the problem is that we want to compare it and you really can't. I mean it is apples to oranges. Universal really doesn't try to be Disney. If you can get past that and accept it for what it is you start to see how awesome the place can be. They aren't trying to be too much to too many. Cabana Bay is the epitome of that - kept out of the automatic FOTL access so it doesn't get overwhelmed. BUT if people want it bad enough they can pay for it and the numbers are still controlled so that guests get value.

Would we spend a week there - no. But is it our go to place for long weekends - absolutely! We get some much more for our dollar with so much less headache than we do at Disney anymore. I would even say if not for DVC we'd stay at Universal as a resort base and just drive to the WDW parks.

This is the first time in over a decade that we haven't already booked our DVC 11 month window. Even with Star Wars Weekends - we just can't get excited to go back to Disney. Its just too crazy, busy, and stressful anymore. Will continue to use our points at Vero and Aulani, but WDW is just not the same.

So for all of the folks who say "good - fewer people at Disney for me" you're welcome. Not saying any of this to bash Disney - just that we are in that group of older loyalists becoming Disney expats if you will.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We don't hate Universal. We loved the Harry Potter part and cannot wait to try out the new section.

However, I have no disillusions that Uni will ever cater to "small children". Our visit in February, my short 3yo could only ride 3 rides total. Nothing else.

And that is okay. Hopefully we will one day have passes since the one day tickets are obscene. But with a little one on the way, we are hard pressed to justify going as a family.

And again, that is okay. Universal appeals to a lot to people who love the thrill rides. Getting JK Rowling on board was genius.

As it is though, their FOTL isn't free and we are sizes out of their hotel rooms to splurge on a deal to get it.

They are competitors for sure, but they have different business models as far as who they cater to. One is an expert of thrill rides and the other strives to be more family friendly with its number of attractions that young short people can ride/do/see.

That said--we felt the one day $600 expense we paid in January was well worth it to see HP at Uni. And I am not exactly a "fan". My taller children loved the roller coasters. I do see us one day going again.

 

[subtchr]

I agree with everything the OP wrote!

We were at Universal last week, Monday to Thursday, and had an absolute blast. We stayed at the Royal Pacific, which is a beautiful resort with a wonderful, laid-back vibe.

One other positive aspect of UO that the OP did not mention was the ease of getting around. From the deluxe hotels, it is either a short walk or a relaxing boat ride from the hotel to CityWalk and both parks. Much more akin to DLR in California.

Here is a link to my photos, if anyone is interested: UNIVERSAL DECEMBER 2014.

I still love Disney and will not stop going, but Universal is doing MANY things right, including some things that WDW is struggling with right now. How long did it take to build 7DMT? Sorry, but that attraction is far from ground-breaking. Forbidden Journey and Escape from Gringotts, on the other hand, are incredible, immersive experiences.

C'mon, Disney, catch up!

 

[hakepb]

We don't hate Universal. We loved the Harry Potter part and cannot wait to try out the new section.

However, I have no disillusions that Uni will ever cater to "small children". Our visit in February, my short 3yo could only ride 3 rides total. Nothing else.

And that is okay. Hopefully we will one day have passes since the one day tickets are obscene. But with a little one on the way, we are hard pressed to justify going as a family.

And again, that is okay. Universal appeals to a lot to people who love the thrill rides. Getting JK Rowling on board was genius.

As it is though, their FOTL isn't free and we are sizes out of their hotel rooms to splurge on a deal to get it.

They are competitors for sure, but they have different business models as far as who they cater to. One is an expert of thrill rides and the other strives to be more family friendly with its number of attractions that young short people can ride/do/see.

That said--we felt the one day $600 expense we paid in January was well worth it to see HP at Uni. And I am not exactly a "fan". My taller children loved the roller coasters. I do see us one day going again.

On the "under 3" rides, how many rides can you do at DHS or DAK?
They could both use a Bugs Life section like DCA.

 

[FelisLachesis]

I think the issue with the Uni/WDW debate is that when I think of Orlando, I think WDW first, then everything else later. I completely forgot that Universal was even there. Forget the fact that it's on the blue menu bar up top, there's a link on these forums for Universal, and even every other WDW based site has some mention of Uni somewhere on it.

It's like Universal edits itself out of my memory the minute I look away.

But, There's this one scarf a friend made for me about 10 years ago. It's a wool House Ravenclaw-inspired scarf. I love that scarf, and every winter, when it gets cold, I go grab it. You'd think that I'd be chomping at the bit to go see The Wizarding World at my first opportunity. Nope, forgot it even existed.

However, seeing that Uni has something I could do for a long weekend, and it's a fair bit cheaper than WDW? Count me intrigued.

 

[DOOM1001]

I've had AP's for about 16 years for every park chain in Florida except for Legoland.I pretty much come and go between them all the time,I've had days I'll go to Busch Gardens in Tampa for a couple of hours in the AM then drive to Universal for the rest of the day and then go to DTD to eat at Earl of Sandwich.There's been days I'll see the first Flower Power concert in Epcot and rush over to Universal for the Mardi Gras parade and the concert.Same at Sea World for events like Bands Brew and BBQ,I'll do most of the day at Sea World eat some BBQ and stay for the 5pm concert and also head over to Universal for Mardi Gras as well since Mardi Gras at Universal is without a doubt the longest lasting event at any of the parks,it seems to go for like 3-4 months.I'll always love Disney but Disney is like the 6'5 250 pound football player with all the talent in the world who underachieves with what he is given while Universal and the Sea World/Busch parks do a lot more with what they have,they're basically Rudy Ruettiger.For example I'm more impressed at what Sea World and Busch Gardens do for their Christmas events than Universal's and especially Disney's.Universal however is quickly catching up to Disney and will eventually take away their scholarship.They just opened Cabana Bay,next up is the new Sapphire Falls hotel opening next along with a new waterpark onsite and once they figure out where to put a third theme park,probably where the current Wet n Wild waterpark is at Disney should really be concerned they might get stuck taking snaps with the second team.OK so sue me so for whatever reason I felt like making football references comparing the state of the parks.Disney is always going to be top dog,at least for a very long time but with all the hotel rooms Universal is building it's just common sense they expect to continue adding on to their resort at a much faster pace than Disney so unless the amount of Orlando visitors steadily increases reaching 75 million a year Disney's numbers are going to have to fall a bit eventually.In the end it's all good as competition is good for the consumer,maybe Disney will start building new attractions in under a decade.

 

[jpolak]

We haven't been to Universal in years, but can not wait to try it again. We are also DVC members but I would have no problem booking a weekend at Universal to check it out. The only thing stopping us at this point is the lack of rides for the little ones. although my son (6) is a thrill ride lover, he's just too short for most attractions.

 

[Suvadoo]

Everyone keeps saying there's no ride for little kids, but what about the Suess landing area? I don't have small children, so I really don't know what would be good at WDW or at Universal. I'm really just curious.
I also agree with the idea that the competition is good for Disney. In April, we are dividing our stay between Universal and WDW. Frankly, if it weren't for Flower and Garden, we'd skip Disney altogether. Between FP+ and the increased crowds, WDW is losing it's appeal. I'm really looking forward to the more relaxed touring at Universal.

 

[Jhuff8181]

OP, what does this have to do with "Disney Trip Planning Forums > Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies"? Why not post over at the Universal Boards?

 

[crazycatlady]

This year was the first year in the past 6 that we didn't take our annual vacation to DW, and went to Universal instead. The plan was to go to Universal this year and then hit SWW next May before my youngest started college, but we were blown away by Universal and now the kids want to go back next May, instead of DW. I had booked the RPR for $170/night for 6 nights, and felt that it was a great deal with it including the FOTL passes and early morning access to the parks. Beautiful resort, great pool and easy walking/boat ride to the parks. We bought the same passes that OP did: Power Passes ($200) for my family and the Preferred Pass ($250?) for me to get the food discounts. Cheap, compared to Disney tickets. The food all around the resort was cheaper, and usually just as good, as at DW. We ate at a number of the sit-down restaurants in the parks and CitiWalk and we thought they were pretty reasonable for park food. Like pps said, I love that Universal is building at such a quick pace and feel like the rides they are turning out are spectacular and different from what is out there. The theming, especially in the newer areas (Springfield, Diagon Alley, Hogsmead) are awesome and fun.

All this being said, I am a Disney girl at heart and will never stop going. I can love both Universal and Disney at the same time and all future improvements to either resort are only a bonus for all of us. I am currently planning a short Universal trip next May with my family and then a couples-only trip to DW for DH and me after both kids are in college next fall. Best of both worlds!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

On the "under 3" rides, how many rides can you do at DHS or DAK?
They could both use a Bugs Life section like DCA.

I would have to count....
DAK, she is now 39 inches and can ride Kali, Safari and the dinosaur dumbo ride. She can also play on the playground in dinoland and has 2 age appropriate shows plus Bug's Life and the Rafiki Train and that area plus 2 trails. In Feb, she was not able to do Kali. But could do much more than she could at IOA. That is. 8 attractions.

DHS is ride limited for sure--she could only ride the GMR. But she could do the playground, The snow thing for Frozen, and had 3 age Appropriate shows we did that she would like for her age. (There was also Beauty and the Beast and Fantasmic, but we skipped by choice.) So that still beats out Uni in quantity she can do.

ETA: And while both don't have a "bugs life section like DCA", both already have something in its place that allows kids to climb and slide and play.

We can discuss how Disney could do more, but apples to apples, there is more for small children at any Disney park than there is at Uni/IOA.

But I have 4 parks to work with at Disney--where my child could ride all of 3 in one park with nothing else geared for her age or height. Though we didn't hit Uni, just IOA--but comparing apples to apples, my short 4 year old can ride and do much more at Disney. OP wasn't comparing individual parks.

And yes, Harry Potter is awesome.

** Per this link it looks like she could ride an additional 2 rides at Uni: https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Ride-Height-Requirements.aspx

It seems posters misconstrue not being able to do a lot with hating Universal.
From a practical standpoint--Uni is aimed at older and taller people aka folks without small children and Disney is the opposite. And I'm okay with that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Everyone keeps saying there's no ride for little kids, but what about the Suess landing area? I don't have small children, so I really don't know what would be good at WDW or at Universal. I'm really just curious.
I also agree with the idea that the competition is good for Disney. In April, we are dividing our stay between Universal and WDW. Frankly, if it weren't for Flower and Garden, we'd skip Disney altogether. Between FP+ and the increased crowds, WDW is losing it's appeal. I'm really looking forward to the more relaxed touring at Universal.

Seuss has only 3 rides. In February, my short statured 3 year old (4 in May and only just now at 4.5 a mere 39 inches) could ride all of 2 of them.

The 3 rides are Cat in the Hat, Red Fish Blue Fish (kind of Dumbo like) and some train ride that I forget the name. It is on an elevated track and my daughter did not meet the height requirements. I could only see the train for the little part that Crosses over the breezeway, and from my angle, I could not figure out the reason for the height restriction. (ETA: we rode Cat in the Hat several times and one time the ride was held up. A family tried to board with a baby somewhere between 9 and 15 months of age. The issue seemed to be the ability if the baby to keep its neck stable. Basically, a safety issue. Parents made a scene that I didn't agree with but the baby was denied to ride. Now, this family had all of one ride maybe that this child could ride, but I don't know if they tried the fish ride. So IOA is clearly not a family friendly part in that regard. Thankfully, this is not an issue at Disney where there are options for even babies. But it just offers perspective if how Uni/IOA can be very limiting. Doesn't mean it is a bad place, but could you imagine showing up without any research and discovery that you entire party didn't even have one ride to ride?)

In a park aimed at thrill rides, that is just not enough to entertain short members of the party. Cool the first couple to rides, but then it takes on a trapped in IASW redundancy for the grow ups hanging out with the short people.

Once a child hits 40 inches, it is a bit better. But Uni and IOA don't aim to be nor pretend to be aimed at toddlers and preschoolers. Again, I am okay with this. Just means we to much less often to those parks, but we do enjoy then when we do go.


For me-roller coasters are becoming difficult and my eyes, due to some vision issues that are not correctable with glasses, cannot handle the 3D/4D rides too well. So I skip them.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OP, what does this have to do with "Disney Trip Planning Forums > Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies"? Why not post over at the Universal Boards?

It's the usual why Disney isn't what it used to be thread and so I am giving Uni more of my time thread.

 

[Laketravis]

I've been going to WDW since 1972. My DS9 has now been for a total of 10 weeks over the course of his young life and is the envy of his classmates. We have AP's, always stay on-site, and have never been to Universal.

But we recently bought AP's to Universal and will be going there next Tuesday for 6 nights/7 days, staying on-site.

In March we are headed back to Orlando for another couple of weeks and will be staying off-site for the first time ever. Next summer, several more weeks in Orlando - off site.

Historically, those times would always be spent entirely at WDW. But I think this is a huge turning point for us. I really don't know what to expect next week but I suspect DS will have a great time. It will be interesting to see how WDW and US compare from his perspective. In terms of "Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies", it could mean that US moves to the top of the list with on-site stays there and WDW becoming a secondary destination.

FP+ will help in that regard as WDW parks have been reduced over the years to just a handful (or even just a couple) of "must-do" attractions that we could schedule in advance and eliminate what has become a growing amount of unproductive time in the parks each day.

I don't know if that is the result Disney was hoping to derive, but our touring strategy will most definitely become more efficient which means we could be spending less time and money at WDW.

 

[Laketravis]

It's the usual why Disney isn't what it used to be thread and so I am giving Uni more of my time thread.

If what was once considered a rare opinion has now become "the usual", it's certainly disappointing.

 

[Suvadoo]

OP, what does this have to do with "Disney Trip Planning Forums > Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies"? Why not post over at the Universal Boards?

I can give you the reason: The theme parks strategy board has the most activity and when someone posts here, there is usually a lively conversation that ensues. Most of the other forums are pretty flat.
What I don't understand, is your post. If you don't like a thread, why not skip it a move on?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If what was once considered a rare opinion has now become "the usual", it's certainly disappointing.

I don't know what is disappointing to realize that a other vacation destination may be more thrilling to a guest.

Trying new things is a good thing.

However it seems that when people are doing this specific new thing and like it, they post in the wrong forum as a means to share their Disney disappointment.


You don't find folks in this (Uni forum as thread was appropriately moved) forum talking about the great time they had at Disney as it is not what this forum is about.