Skip Universal for and extra day at Disney???

[TheDisneygang]

New here and a little confused on what to do, thought you guys would be a great help. Okay, so we are going to DL (First time to California, Kids age 8 & 11) for 3 days in the beginning of June, and flying into LAX and was thinking of going to Universal Studios the first day, right when we arrive. And then heading over to DL after Universal closes at 6:00.

So should we:

1: Just skip Universal since I have heard some mixed reviews on it, and do an extra day at Disney? (We LOVED Universal in Florida, but I heard it was much different than California's)

2: Do Universal and pay an extra $60 and do a few hours at night at Disney. But would it even be worth the money for only a few hours? Not sure what time they close.

3: Do Universal and DTD that night?

We are usually a family that doesn't need much break time.

Thanks so much for your Help
Terri

 

[Captain Hindsight]

#1...

But for kids your age you may want to look at Legoland!

 

[sonnyjane]

When you say you're going for three days, do you mean you have three FULL days of Disneyland planned and then would go to Universal on a fourth day, or that you have three days total and one of them would be at Universal?

If you only have three days TOTAL, I would without a doubt skip Universal, as you need at LEAST three days to experience Disneyland Resort. If you have three days planned at DLR and Universal would be on a fourth day, I'd consider it, but honestly I would just do Disney. I don't think Universal is worth the added expense.

 

[brookies_mommy]

When you say you're going for three days, do you mean you have three FULL days of Disneyland planned and then would go to Universal on a fourth day, or that you have three days total and one of them would be at Universal?

If you only have three days TOTAL, I would without a doubt skip Universal, as you need at LEAST three days to experience Disneyland Resort. If you have three days planned at DLR and Universal would be on a fourth day, I'd consider it, but honestly I would just do Disney. I don't think Universal is worth the added expense.

I agree!

 

[Hound 109]

When you say you're going for three days, do you mean you have three FULL days of Disneyland planned and then would go to Universal on a fourth day, or that you have three days total and one of them would be at Universal?

If you only have three days TOTAL, I would without a doubt skip Universal, as you need at LEAST three days to experience Disneyland Resort. If you have three days planned at DLR and Universal would be on a fourth day, I'd consider it, but honestly I would just do Disney. I don't think Universal is worth the added expense.

I agree.

(Even if Universal was 15 min. away I wouldn't do Universal over DLR.....but but it's 90+ min. away.)

 

[TheDisneygang]

Sunday will be the day we will fly in

Monday - All day Disney

Tuesday - All day Disney

Wednesday - Disney until about 5:00 (then heading to the beach for a few nights)

 

[blackjackdelta]

We love USH and try to get there everytime we hit SoCal but with only 3 days, I would skip USH and just do Disney.

Jack

 

[charmama4]

We love USH and try to get there everytime we hit SoCal but with only 3 days, I would skip USH and just do Disney.

Jack

I agree with Jack, but hey we are all biased here on the DISboards

 

[silence]

My 12 y/o loved USH. There were "older" rides for him to do.

My 7 y/o HATE it. She did one ride in the entire park and was even very nervous about the shows.

We won't go back until she is older and ready for the bigger rides and shows.

 

[aristocat65]

Skip Universal. If you hadn't been to Orlando then it might be worth a trip, but it really pales in comparison. Much less to do there and just as expensive. Stick with Disneyland.

 

[JosieGirl71]

I love Universal but there are several things there that I won't go on and I'm sure your youngest one won't either. I would get 4 day parkhoppers and spend as much time at DLR as you can. We are usually in SoCal for 7-9 days and spend at least 6 days at DLR. And it's just me and DH.

 

[WereObsessed]

Agreed with the other posters. You absolutely need atleast 3 days at the DLR, I mean, if you've never been that wouldn't even be long enough to get the full experience. I suppose I am a little biased, but I have been to US in Orlando and Hollywood and think both are not worth it (all others in my party agreed as well). I guess that makes it sound like I only like Disney parks, but I adores Islands of Adventure. Also, IMHO, universal is not that well suited for kids in the age group yours are.

 

[Bungle]

My kids didn't like USH, but they are a bit younger. I would look at what USH has to offer and see if your kids would like those types rides before you make a decision.

 

[mrs_z]

We were thinking of doing a Universal or a Sea World day on our 4th day but opted for an additional Disney day instead. Three reasons why:

#1 Expense. There was a huge difference in price between a 4th day at Disney and a one-day pass at Univ. or Sea World. Extra days at Disney are a bargain!

#2 Hassle. We figured it would make our Disney days less frantic and more enjoyable with that extra day.

#3: Universal would not have suited our younger kids (not enough rides for them). Universal Orlando would be worth it, but not CA.

 

[jacs1234]

WE took an 8 year old and 6 year old to Universal and there was not much they could do there. It depends and how much your two enjoy the older rides. If it were me, I'd skip universal. We personally won't be going back. Once is enough for us. Disneyland, on the other hand, we could never get enough.

 

[Dobie]

I would just go to Disney. Your kids will have plenty to do at Disney in the time you will be there. . .I would be afraid that the side trip to Universal on such a short trip would be more fatiguing than it is worth. . .

 

[tink2dw]

Do Disney and Sea World!! San Diego public Beaches are better! Sea World will be good for both your kids!! And there are rides for the older one and Swim with a Dolphin for the One or Both!! If you do the Dolphin Swim, then have the kids earn money for the Picture packages!!

Leave Aniheim Very Very early 5:00am. to go to San Diego to beat the morning rush hour!! Check southwest rewards for discounts or AAA car club to Sea World.

Here I found these Discounts for you!
http://www.mousesavers.com/seaworldorlando.html#southwest

 

[dmked]

Skip Universal, I didn't think it was all that grand and my kids were too young to do much of anything there. They loved SeaWorld though. I am a Disney fanatic and would rather spend extra days there than go elsewhere though

 

[TheDisneygang]

Thank you ALLfor helping me decide on Universal.

We have decided to skip it and do the 4 days(actually make that maybe 5 now) at Disney. We even decided to add the 1 more extra day incase it would happen to rain when we are at the beach for the last 4 days of our vacation.

As for Legoland & Seaworld that some of you have mentioned, they do sound like great places to, but we just think we should stick with Disney since everyone says you need at least 3-5 days to really see it all. I will keep those in mind for our next trip to California though.

Thanks again everyone,
Terri

 

[Funball]

Oh I would not go to universal. It's so far away...and legoland is far too..


so I am glad u picked disneyland!