Should a First Timer Visit Next Year?

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

I am planning a surprise trip for my family (my husband and two kids 6 and 13) for early May of next year, and I would love some veteran opinions. First of all, we did Disney last May, and are returning this November for a second trip. We want to do something different next year. I was thinking a trip to all three parks at Universal.
1. Should I wait for things to somewhat return to "normal" to experience these parks for the first time, or is it really going to matter? The reason I ask is that I am seeing the advice for Disney first-timers to wait because so much of the magic is missing right now with no fireworks, parades, character meets, etc. Will I be missing anything major in these parks by traveling next year?
2. How many days should I realistically plan for this trip? We like to take it slow and relaxed, see the sights and the shows, take our time eating, and take some days off in between parks.
3. Off site or on site accommodations?

 

[macraven]

Early and mid May have not had large crowds and a nice time to go.

No idea when the virus will no longer be a threat.
New info is being released frequently now on how to stay safe with it.

Assume the parks will adjust based on current info as months go by.

If you plan on 4 park days for the 3 parks, you should be able to see everything and do repeat rides and shows.

I stay onsite and book the premier hotels.
I count on the unlimited ep to do rides a few times each over my stay.

If your trip is early May, quite possibly you won’t have long ride waits for the regular lines.

Not sure about their water park as have not done it.
I’m not a water fan.

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

Early and mid May have not had large crowds and a nice time to go.

No idea when the virus will no longer be a threat.
New info is being released frequently now on how to stay safe with it.

Assume the parks will adjust based on current info as months go by.

If you plan on 4 park days for the 3 parks, you should be able to see everything and do repeat rides and shows.

I stay onsite and book the premier hotels.
I count on the unlimited ep to do rides a few times each over my stay.

If your trip is early May, quite possibly you won’t have long ride waits for the regular lines.

Not sure about their water park as have not done it.
I’m not a water fan.

Thank you for the reply. I really like the look of the premier hotels. Do you have a favorite? I am going on the assumption precautions will still be in place in May, so is Universal still offering unlimited EP during Covid? If so, does it work any differently than before?

 

[macraven]

Anyone that stays at one of the 3 premier hotels, are allowed free unlimited usage for the express lines for rides and shows in trip in the park.

Your room key is all you show for the express line usage.

 

[macraven]

I stay at RP

Have stayed at HR and it is another great hotel.

I prefer the views of the RP but I stay at the prefer rooms.

 

[Ds4angels]

Anyone that stays at one of the 3 premier hotels, are allowed free unlimited usage for the express lines for rides and shows in trip in the park.

Your room key is all you show for the express line usage.

which are the 3 hotels?

 

[macraven]

Hard rock
Portofino bay
Royal Pacifc

 

[fredandkell]

It’s my opinion that when it is your first time, you don’t know what you’re missing so it doesn’t really matter if you go when there is less attractionS because you don’t necessarily know about them anyway, right? Also, I feel like the first time you visit any theme park you’re never going to be able to do all of the “stuff” anyway, so maybe it just makes it easier for you to narrow down what you’re going to do because there is less choice. We went to Universal for the first time back in February and literally stayed from open to close, 14 hours, and did not do everything by a long stretch, so we have a refined strategy for when we go back in a couple of weeks.

 

[cfoxga]

Here are my thoughts on planning a trip: https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-i-plan-a-universal-trip.3794121/. Hopefully it helps.

We haven't been since the outbreak, but are currently scheduled for Thanksgiving. I'm sure it will have a different feel than previous trips, but we're still really looking forward to it.

For the two main parks, I would recommend 3 full days. If you do not have EPs, then I would add a 4th day. As mentioned above, you probably won't see "everything" in your first trip. We've been 3 times and still discover new things to see and do. If you can make a second trip within the year, the annual passes are a fantastic value compared to Disney.

 

[Laura353741]

I say go ahead and go! Especially since you won't know what you're missing! And hey isn't it kinda like pizza, even when it's bad it's really really good? We stayed at Sapphire Falls last time and loved it. LOVE the water taxi. Super easy, fast and convenient. This time we are staying at RP, to take advantage of Express passes and of course the water taxi

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

It’s my opinion that when it is your first time, you don’t know what you’re missing so it doesn’t really matter if you go when there is less attractionS because you don’t necessarily know about them anyway, right? Also, I feel like the first time you visit any theme park you’re never going to be able to do all of the “stuff” anyway, so maybe it just makes it easier for you to narrow down what you’re going to do because there is less choice. We went to Universal for the first time back in February and literally stayed from open to close, 14 hours, and did not do everything by a long stretch, so we have a refined strategy for when we go back in a couple of weeks.

I absolutely love this perspective! And, yes, if you have never been then I guess you don't really know what you are missing. I have very little knowledge of Universal, so I will not really know how things are "supposed" to be. Thank you so much for putting a positive spin on things and I hope you all have a great time on your trip!

 

[DisneyDoesMyHair]

Here are my thoughts on planning a trip: https://www.disboards.com/threads/how-i-plan-a-universal-trip.3794121/. Hopefully it helps.

We haven't been since the outbreak, but are currently scheduled for Thanksgiving. I'm sure it will have a different feel than previous trips, but we're still really looking forward to it.

For the two main parks, I would recommend 3 full days. If you do not have EPs, then I would add a 4th day. As mentioned above, you probably won't see "everything" in your first trip. We've been 3 times and still discover new things to see and do. If you can make a second trip within the year, the annual passes are a fantastic value compared to Disney.

Wow! So much helpful information, and such a nice way to give back to the DIS community. I can agree that this forum can be immeasurably helpful in planning (and reducing stress), and probably saved me a few grey hairs on planning our first Disney trip. Thank you so much for sharing this with me!

 

[fredandkell]

I absolutely love this perspective! And, yes, if you have never been then I guess you don't really know what you are missing. I have very little knowledge of Universal, so I will not really know how things are "supposed" to be. Thank you so much for putting a positive spin on things and I hope you all have a great time on your trip!

Thank you! I'll make sure to report back in a couple of weeks and tell you what I thought was "missing" (if anything) vs. when we went back in February!

 

[cartydog]

We are going for our first ever trip next week! We were supposed to go back in March, but they closed everything 2 days before we were supposed to go. My 10 year old planned everything, and was very sad we didn’t get to go then. But she’s still happy we are going. She‘s spent the last few months watching every video she can on the parks on YouTube. I told her she didn’t need to go now that she’s watched so many videos! I’m sure it will still all be great! Just go and have fun with your family, that’s what we are going to do.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

We have both a UO and a DCL cruise booked for the same week next October, and I'll pick which one we do based on how safe each option feels and how altered the experience will be (for example, I won't go on the cruise if all the excursions have to be DCL, I might not want to go to UO if reduced capacity means much longer waits). We've never been to UO, but with Express Pass and Virtual Queues I think it will be fine, even if some of the entertainment isn't the same. I also like the possibility that our kids stand a better chance of getting picked in the wand ceremony if it's one family at a time. Either way, it will be so exciting to do something new after one year + of staying at home.