Skipping the Disney drama this year- just bought Universal A.P.'s

[lodgelady]

This is my first time to the Universal board- been meaning to check it out. We are FL residents and have been pass holders there off and on for a very long time. With all of the construction, price increases, and general feeling that Disney World is in flux- we are ready for something new. So excited to have new passes to Universal! We have not been for many years, so can't wait to see all the changes! Guess Disney gave us the push we needed to change our routine

 

[flateacher]

Welcome to the dark side.... we have cookies... and butterbeer!

 

[Robo56]

You won't regret it. Universal is awesome.

 

[HerRoyalHighness]

We haven't been to Orlando in a couple of years...last time was Disney and we spent a wonderful week at Animal Kingdom Lodge. The kids were both tall enough to ride every ride, and old enough to swim without us feeling we had to constantly watch them. Best family vacation since becoming parents.

They also changed the fast pass thing not too long after we went.

I don't know if it was that, or the fact we had been about every other year since the youngest was 3. We were just kind of done.

My oldest and I are Harry Potter fans...those areas are the main reason we're headed to Universal Studios...but we don't even have the urge to switch over to Disney after spending a few days at Universal Studios.

Maybe I don't want to ruin the memories.

 

[bumbershoot]

Please tell me you got the Preferred (or above) pass so that your parking is covered?

 

[dixonsontour]

You can definitely have a week long vacation at Universal too.

I'd recommend staying onsite (you will get APH rate) If you are there at a slower time and not bothered about express passes i'd really recommend cabana bay resort. My daughter loved it as did we - staying again next week.

Take your time enjoy all the rides and shows and the ease of popping into the park then back to the pool.

The minigolf at citywalk (2 courses) is great for kids.

 

[Chumpieboy]

Good choice. Past vacations we've split between Universal and DVC. We're moving the slider towards more nights at Uni and fewer at Disney for the same vaca duration. Universal is making more investment in the properties and not just adding timeshares and pricing out most folks.

 

[kbelle8995]

Welcome. I switched a year ago and have been very happy at Universal.

It wonderful and I feel like Universal appreciates me.

 

[epcotty]

Congrats. We're gradually gravitating more towards Universal with being more disappointed with Disney's closures/lack of updates and greed

 

[Planogirl]

We've been phasing out Disney for a while now. In fact, I can't see us going back for a while after this year but we will definitely be back at Universal. I couldn't stay away!

 

[agavegirl1]

Welcome! I know you will make great use of your Annual Passes. I agree with the PP about trying Cabana Bay and touring the parks at a leisurely pace. However, I do love the Deluxe Resorts and am very partial to Portofino for the ambiance of the place. Feel free to ask any questions you may have as you plan your adventures on the "Dark Side".

 

[Bluer101]

Please people, stop converting to the dark side. You are making it too crowded, lol. JK

 

[rcraw45425]

Just home two weeks ago from a super short Disney Halloween Party/Food & Wine trip (literally arrived on Friday afternoon and checked out Sunday morning). So incredibly busy now, gone are the slower fall trips, feel like yo have to plan every potty break, it's that regimented. I'm also considering a Power Pass, we haven't been to US/IOA since our trip for the opening of Diagon Alley. Love not having to plan e very moment, even over our Thanksgiving trip a few years back we were not panic stricken

 

[kohlby]

Welcome! I just ordered our AP's for the first time too. We weren't Disney only before this though. Our trip last year was Disney only. And the year before that was US/IOA only. (Well, technically both trips included Legoland too, but you get the idea!) All our trips before that included both but it became too expensive to do both. (I'm not in FL so we haven't done more than one trip a year before this year - we have two trips planned this year for US though!)

 

[lodgelady]

Just home two weeks ago from a super short Disney Halloween Party/Food & Wine trip (literally arrived on Friday afternoon and checked out Sunday morning). So incredibly busy now, gone are the slower fall trips, feel like yo have to plan every potty break, it's that regimented. I'm also considering a Power Pass, we haven't been to US/IOA since our trip for the opening of Diagon Alley. Love not having to plan e very moment, even over our Thanksgiving trip a few years back we were not panic stricken

That's it exactly. We want our vacations to be more about fun, with fewer rules, restrictions, and construction walls everywhere. I want to take my theme park experience back to a time that was a bit simpler.

 

[lodgelady]

We've been phasing out Disney for a while now. In fact, I can't see us going back for a while after this year but we will definitely be back at Universal. I couldn't stay away!

Hey Planogirl-
That says a lot coming from you because you have been around here a long time too We have seen a lot of changes at Disney. I am sure that in the end, all the new things will be great- but we need a break for now. Glad you are a Universal fan too.

 

[mick1229]

I don't blame you.. I'm done with WDW.. Passes will expire than it will only be Universal for my family... Way better return for my money

 

[lodgelady]

Please tell me you got the Preferred (or above) pass so that your parking is covered?

Thinking that I will upgrade one of the passes once we get there. Looks like you have to pay once anyway. Kinda weird.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Looking forward to our first "Universal only" trip this weekend. There is a chance we could call an audible and got to MNSSHP Sunday night, but I am just not feeling it. I must admit, I am getting excited to see all the Harry Potter stuff!