Should we go to Universal or not ?

[cantwait!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Thank you all though Im still not sure! Seems more of you say do it than don't though

I cant see us going back for a few years at least,as its an expensive holiday so I want to do it all, but dont want to be running round and end up shattered either !

Lots to think about !

 

[Pegasus928]

I cant see us going back for a few years at least,as its an expensive holiday so I want to do it all, but dont want to be running round and end up shattered either !

Unfortunately there is no way of achieving both. You either have to prioritise what you regard as important to you or risk needing a holiday as soon as you get back.
In my opinion thats the reason why everyone keeps on returning. So much to see and do - so little time.

 

[wideeyes]

I have only done 1 day at us/ioa and my DD didn't really like it as much as Disney.

 

[scottishgirl87]

I would definitely do Universal/IOA!! Like others have said I would definitely miss a day at Disney for Universal

 

[disney_princess_85]

I enjoy the rides and theming at Universal/IOA but I much prefer the Disney parks. I'm more familiar with the Disney characters, which makes a big difference to me. Also, the service is generally better at Disney (in my opinion).

 

[Kath2003]

I enjoy the rides and theming at Universal/IOA but I much prefer the Disney parks. I'm more familiar with the Disney characters, which makes a big difference to me. Also, the service is generally better at Disney (in my opinion).

Goodness, I've found exactly the opposite! The staff at Universal are fantastic

I feel less like Universal want you to do everything there, y'know? Disney seem to want to get you on site and keep you there whereas Universal seem to respond to the fact that there are other fantastic Orlando attractions - like Disney - and they're more chilled out about it.

Universal is definitely more adult-orientated, but a 7 year old is likely to love a lot of it and the 11 year old definitely will!

 

[wideeyes]

It depends on the child. DD who is 8, she doesn't know any many of the films and the ones she does know she doesn't like them. She doesn't really like Dreamworks animation films, (to much bodily fluids for her to stomach, lol) . I think the only thing she enjoyed was the simpsons ride at US and the water rapid thing at IOA. She is scared of HP so we won't be going for that ether. I want ever go to SW again so we are just doing Disney for now, when DD is older I will try US again.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Some of Joshua's favourite rides are at Universal, especially ET, Woody Woodpecker and Cat In The Hat, but there is plenty for young children to do.
Just watch the opening times of some of the rides though as many, especially at US as a fair few do not open till at least 10 (a minor gripe of mine I must admit).

 

[Ware Bears]

can'twait!!!!!! ~ we had the same dilemma as you for our first trip. We had arranged Disney, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove and didn't know whether we'd have time for Universal. In the end we decided to leave it until we got to Florida and if we were going to go we'd buy tickets at the gate. We never found the time although of course we would have if we'd already paid for the tickets!

We enjoyed visiting Universal on our second trip ~ for us it will never be a 'must-do' like Disney is but somewhere we would go on maybe every other trip.

 

[joolz1910]

Our kids will be 12, 8 and 5 by the time we go in 2012 and I am thinking that we would just do Disney on that trip, so that we don't feel pressured and have time to take it all in. My thinking at the moment is that we can afford to go every three years, so three years after that we could go to Universal and a few of the other attractions in Orlando- the kids would be 15 11 and 8 by then. Then again, best laid plans...

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Personally i was disapointed with US, never made it to IOA but when i take DD for her first trip we will not be visiting Universal.

Seaworld though, is a must do for me. I can't go Orlando and not go Seaworld.

 

[luke]

How long ago was it that you went tho? Parks evolve all the time and are often much different to how you remember them!

I'll say it again, I wouldn't go all the way to Florida and just stay on Disney property, Orlando has so much to offer in every way, and Universal really does add to the experience.

That said tho, I do prefer the atmosphere at Disney to Universal, and DW would skip Universal totally herself

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I went late 2004 and as far as i know not much has changed since then.

 

[torsie24]

I'll say it again, I wouldn't go all the way to Florida and just stay on Disney property,

I think that's what you need to ask yourself OP.

Are you going to Orlando or are you going to Disney?

We were going to Disney on our trip just gone, and are going to Disney on our next trip.

Maybe once we feel like we've really seen all of Disney one day we'll go to see Orlando, but for now as far as I'm concerned there may as well be nothing other than the airport outside the walls of WDW.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

I think that's what you need to ask yourself OP.

Are you going to Orlando or are you going to Disney?

We were going to Disney on our trip just gone, and are going to Disney on our next trip.

Maybe once we feel like we've really seen all of Disney one day we'll go to see Orlando, but for now as far as I'm concerned there may as well be nothing other than the airport outside the walls of WDW.

I agree Torsie, except I will make a trip to Seaworld and maybe Discovery Cove.

The rest is all Disney for me.

 

[luke]

I think that's what you need to ask yourself OP.

Are you going to Orlando or are you going to Disney?

We were going to Disney on our trip just gone, and are going to Disney on our next trip.

Maybe once we feel like we've really seen all of Disney one day we'll go to see Orlando, but for now as far as I'm concerned there may as well be nothing other than the airport outside the walls of WDW.

Fully agree, that's the question that's pertinent here!
As this thread alone has shown, there are people who go on a 'Disney holiday' and those who go an an 'Orlando/Florida holiday'.
Heck there are even those who go and don't set foot on Disney property

 

[lenny l]

deleted

 

[team harris]

As a Disney mad family, we always include Universal.
I don't think we've missed a Disney park because of it.

We don't really shop - maybe pop in the Converse shop for our DS', but that will be on the way to Uni.
Always do 3 days at Uni - one in each park and then a day split between the two.
Obviously there are rollercoasters at IOA, but then there are loads of other "non white knuckle" rides.

Already said before, but Spiderman is one of the best rides ever.

If this is the first family holiday to Orlando, you can guarantee it won't be the last - so many of us on here have had the "once in a lifetime" trip, which turns out to be just part 1!!

Happy planning!

 

[TraceyL]

I'd rather skip Disney than Universal