So we decided to spend a few days at Universal when.......

[buteraa]

My DH had to work down in Daytona for bike when so we decided I would tag along and after he finished working his assignment, we would head to Universal for a couple of days because we always talked about going but when it came time to plan our vacation, we always wanted to go back to the World.

I purchased a two day park pass and we got one day free. We headed to Orlando and spent our first afternoon at Universal. We walked around for a while and checked out Harry Potter land, which was well done but very small. The area was small (which they are expanding), the stores were small and it was very crowded and sort of unpleasant. After a while, we found a place to sit and have lunch..we were both a little quiet as we sat and started talking about the park and how we like it (or not really like it) and it was sort of funny because literally at the same time we said....this is not very magical! Now, we know Universal was not Disney, but what we didn't expect is how much we would miss not being at Disney...

So for fun, we decided to go to Downtown Disney, see the progress on construction (our last visit was in October, last year) and go have dinner at our favorite place, Wolfgang Puck. As we were pulling in the parking lot, we immediately felt happy as we saw the twinkling lights in the trees. We walked around and saw how happy everyone was, enjoyed all of the Disney atmosphere....We were having dinner and I said to my DH, hmmmm, wonder how much a one day pass would cost, (we only had two days left in Orlando) because we normally stay on property. Being the very good sport he is, he said there is only one way to find out. So after dinner we headed over to guest relations to ask a few questions....well after about 10 minutes with a guest relations person, we ended up with a two day park hopper and we couldn't have been happier and more excited.

The next morning, we got up and headed to the MK. Now since we didn't stay on site, I was curious to find out how FP would work and normally I do a lot of research to see how busy the parks would be, schedule FP, meals, etc. This time we were totally winging it and it was exciting and it gave us a great perspective of how things work when you don't stay on property. So we figured we would go get our FP right away. The first kiosk we found and was located in Tomorrowland right near Stitch. The line looked long and we got there right around 10:30am. From the point of where we got in line to completing our fast pass reservations it was exactly 28 minutes, not too bad we thought, when you consider the old system of having to sprint to every ride. We were able to get all of our ride choices....and we had a super day! There was some sort of group there, not sure if it was cheerleading or not but something like that. So it was crowded but not miserable and to be honest, we were just happy to be there.

Next day we were off to Epcot. We did the same thing, headed to FP and it took about 15 minutes to get all of our rides. They did have the tier system so we decided to go with test track. The CM said it will stay this way because if they allowed TT and Soarin, the rides would be too crowded and she also said (because I asked), Disney had no plans to sell the fast pass like Universal does. Which I think it is good. The flower and garden show is wonderful. It has a number of the same great food kiosks as F&W, without the crowd and some drunk people...LOL The flowers were beautiful and we had another wonderful day. After Epcot closed we headed back to the MK to close it and finish a wonderful two days and a great and surprising way to end our vacation.

My DH and I talk a lot about what makes Disney so magical and we just can't put into words...and I think that in itself is part of the magic!

 

[bumbershoot]

So you had 3 day tickets and spent one partial day there? My Universal-loving heart aches for the fun you could have had. Maybe next time you can stay onsite and truly experience a Uni vacation.

 

[prudence64]

We went to one day at ioa and found the Harry potter section too crowded to move (2011) and the rest of the park with ride that didn't interest us except Spider-Man. If we ever go back, we'll try the original park, but we wouldn't go back to islands of adventure

 

[ArwenMarie]

So you had 3 day tickets and spent one partial day there? My Universal-loving heart aches for the fun you could have had. Maybe next time you can stay onsite and truly experience a Uni vacation.

We just went for the first time and I agree, I think staying onsite makes a big different at Universal. Multiple days helps too so you can take it all in slowly instead of rushing around. I think the same about staying onsite at Disney too for a first time trip.

 

[buteraa]

I agree. We did not stay on site because we had travel points for a free stay at Holiday Inn nearby. I think one of the other issues for us was the rides. My husband loves them, but I get motion sickness and there were very few rides that I could go on.

 

[jfelcie]

I agree that Harry Potter is small and crowded and the magic is lacking. We always spend a week at DW (DVC) and end with 3 nights at US at the Royal Pacific. It is beautiful and relaxing . . . no lines and no waiting. Great places to eat at Citi Walk and I love the pool and décor. I think staying on site makes all the difference. If I could pick only one, it would be Disney!

 

[fairyprincess88]

I always find it kind of funny when people say, "the stores were too small..." because the Potter nerds would've flipped if they were huge and bright and airy. I know I would have and that is the main reason they were made small, because JKR knows her audience and if the shops were not themed to canon then what would be the point?

Hogsmeade is supposed to be small, it's a tiny, centuries old wizard village with tiny stores and short paths. That is the magic of the area. It's perfect and exactly how it is supposed to be. I can see why people want more space but if that space comes at the cost of the theme than no thank you. I want Honeydukes to be Honeydukes and I want Dervish to be Dervish, not the Emporium.

I think this is a clear "to each is own" thing, because while I do love the Disney magic, as a Potter nerd, there is no magic more palpable then what I find just walking into a canon perfect Hogsmeade. It's literally tear inducing.

 

[GrtWtNorth]

We are building up to a rodent-free 2015 trip. My kid is already excited from watching YouTube videos of Dudley Do-Right's Rip Saw Falls and the Cat in the Hat. The Hulk and Transformers scared her a bit. And I haven't showed her Minion Mahem, Jurassic Park, or the Simpson's yet. There's so much more Universal "magic" than Harry Potter.

 

[Sparkly]

If you just saw Harry Potter, you missed a massive chunk of the other great attractions at Universal and IOA. There's a Simpsons area, Spiderman, Transformers, Incredible Hulk...

Harry Potter itself is still magical..but a different sort of magic.

 

[Planogirl]

We absolutely adore Universal but it won't have the same type of magic as WDW. We think that Universal has its own style of magic but if you seek Disney's version then you should definitely go there. I also shudder when I think of how that time was wasted when there is so much more to Universal than just the current Harry Potter area.

By the way, it is small but that is apparently due to JK Rowling's demands. What can you do?

 

[catra121]

I feel the same way about Universal honestly...that it's just not magical for me. And I've spent several days in each park on multiple trips. I love going there for Halloween Horror Nights...but the Universal Parks in general are just sort of meh for me...there's something missing.

And I will say that I love the Beetlejuice Graveyard Revue, Spiderman ride, the Hulk coaster (when I could ride it...can't anymore), Forbidden Journey, the Simpson's Ride, The Despicable Me ride, MIB ride, Dudley Do Right, Bluto's Barge, that vertical rollercoaster that I can't think of the name of...these are all great. But there's just something that's missing for me...that magic I feel when I am at Disney.

And I really was underwhelmed by the whole Harry Potter area...but I'm not a giant fan so maybe that's why. I mean...I saw all the movies and enjoyed them...but I'm far from a die hard fan.

To OP...I'm glad you were able to have a great time at Disney after your spur of the moment decision to go there.

 

[prudence64]

I always find it kind of funny when people say, "the stores were too small..." because the Potter nerds would've flipped if they were huge and bright and airy. I know I would have and that is the main reason they were made small, because JKR knows her audience and if the shops were not themed to canon then what would be the point?

Hogsmeade is supposed to be small, it's a tiny, centuries old wizard village with tiny stores and short paths. That is the magic of the area. It's perfect and exactly how it is supposed to be. I can see why people want more space but if that space comes at the cost of the theme than no thank you. I want Honeydukes to be Honeydukes and I want Dervish to be Dervish, not the Emporium.

I think this is a clear "to each is own" thing, because while I do love the Disney magic, as a Potter nerd, there is no magic more palpable then what I find just walking into a canon perfect Hogsmeade. It's literally tear inducing.

i never made it into a store. It was over a 1/2 hour wait to enter any store when I was there. It was a 45 minute wait to get a butter beer. The main ride was broken so there were people crammed in the rest of the place. It looked authentic from what I could get close to though.

 

[pktbMouse]

So you had 3 day tickets and spent one partial day there? My Universal-loving heart aches for the fun you could have had. Maybe next time you can stay onsite and truly experience a Uni vacation.

oh I totally agree with the above..I dont think you gave Universal a chance, I cant think of anything more magical than the E.T. ride when your bike takes off and flies and you save E.T.s planet...and if you havnt danced with a minion you havnt lived!