Somebody help me get over this!

[Planogirl]

We're just the opposite. We try to do both but if something has to go it's WDW.

I'll probably be struck by lightning now.

 

[CaptMarge]

We haven't been to US/IOA for several years and have no intention of returning. While there are many people who love US/IOA, we are not of that group. Lines too long, lousy waits, no benefits if you aren't staying on property, no FP, mile walk to the park gates and I have seen very little positive about wait times for HP inlcuding having to wait to get into the area to wait for the attractions. No thank you! We choose to spend our $$ at Disney and we've been going for 12 years now and we've never had the same trip twice nor have we remotely seen and done everything that Disney has to offer. We may try Sea World or Discovery Cove one of these trips, but we have vowed never to return to US/IOA.

Actually if you stay on property you get Front of the line pass at either park for free. You just show your room key at the express pass line and they let you right on in!!! Maybe worth looking into OP. In Aug we are getting a great rate around $140 per night at the Royal Pacific hotel, that is worth front of the line for the 4 of us for the visit!!!

 

[CaptMarge]

Oh and at busier times they sometimes open Harry Potter section an hour early strictly to resort guests.

 

[pigletto]

Looks like we won't be able to hit Universal Studios to check out HP during our Disney stay. I was really looking forward to it but the cost is just too much. Ive been to Universal Studios about 2 years ago and it was pretty cool. Plus we are both HP fans. I love Disney (much more than US) but still... Kind of sucks.

Do some of you hit both, US and Disney during the same trip? Or do you go to one and some months later do the other?

We just had a 10 day trip last month. We had two days set for Universal at the start of the trip. We were going to travel from Disney property.
Well.. dd got really sick and both of those days were used for the walk in clinic and her sleeping for a few days until she felt better. Once she was better we preferred to stay on Disney property to not further mess with our plans and to be close to our hotel if she needed a rest.

I was a little sad, but th kids were so good about it and we had such a blast at Disney that we didn't mind.

And.. now we're going back this year So hopefully we can fit it into the trip and budget this time.

 

[scottmel]

Actually if you stay on property you get Front of the line pass at either park for free. You just show your room key at the express pass line and they let you right on in!!! Maybe worth looking into OP. In Aug we are getting a great rate around $140 per night at the Royal Pacific hotel, that is worth front of the line for the 4 of us for the visit!!!

Cjould you share how you got a 140 rate??? Would love that..thanks!

 

[PeterPan&Wendy1970]

This is our third time to Disney in 3 1/2 years, and this trip we'll go to Universal to see Harry Potter stuff. In order to do it, we skipped the Hoop-de-doo which we did the first two times, and less dinners in the parks. We stay off site, so the meals at the World can get pretty pricey for a family of 5. Are you staying in the park? That would make it expensive to get to Universal too if you don't have a car. If you REALLY want to go, I would save somewhere else if possible.
~Jen

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We did WDW and Universal last summer, but we are just doing Universal this summer and just WDW next summer. WWOHP was great and we want to do it again (along with the rest of IOA and US) - I still have an AP from last year, and we are hoping for some great AP rates for the on-site hotels. But I am planning next year's WDW at the same time!

 

[torinsmom]

We did only Universal in 2009 and then both last year. Before that, we only did WDW. I am going to invest in AP's for Universal this year. We are going in August and then we'll go back earlier next summer, so we can use them for both trips. May sneak in a Christma trip too, if I can talk DS into the 9 hour drive.

Although I love WDW, Universal/IOA is a lot of fun! If you can cut some other expenses, I think it will be worth it to you. We do fine without express passes. Just get there early and utilize single rider lines when you can.

 

[rie'smom]

I haven't thought about cutting anything out. Interesting concept.

How about besides cutting out meals, don't get park hoppers if you plan on those? We went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in November and it was so much better than I expected it would be and this is from someone who adores Universal and Islands of Adventure and who is not overly fond of Harry Potter.
You have to experience it especially if you're HP fans..

 

[fairyprincess88]

I always use to do both on the same trip, taking a cab to Universal from Disney for the day if we decide to venture off Disney property. However, now that Potter has been built, I stay at a Universal resort and daytrip over to WDW if I have the funding or the desire.

Honestly, if you are a Potter fan I can not stress enough how much of a "must" visiting the WWoHP is. Yes it adds expenses but the experience is more than worth it. Once I stepped foot into Hogsmeade and saw Hogwarts towering in front of me, there was nothing that Disney could offer that could hold a candle to it. For a Potter fan, the themeing alone can not be beat and then you add the rides, the butterbeer and the rest of Universal/IOA and it is money very well spent. If there is anyway you make it happen, make it happen.

Sorry, I know you wanted help to get over it and I'm pushing it on you, but yeah, if you can at all possibly swing it, then go for it. You will not be disappointed.

 

[3sweetpeas]

We were there at the beginning of the month. We went to US/IOA the first 2 days of our trip and then moved on to a Disney Resort. We went to 1 day at each park and stayed at a Universal Resort for the front of the line passes. We are a family of 5 so it cost us about $1000 for the 2 days. Pretty pricey! My kids really enjoyed it. So did we. I don't think 1 day for 2 parks is the best way to go though especially with Harry Potter. Way too rushed. If you are HP fans and it sounds like there are only 2 of you, you will REALLY enjoy HP. It is so well done. Very crowded though. Staying on site is worth it just to be able to get in that hour early. Remember, 1 night in a resort gives you 2 days of front of the line passes.

 

[Queen Arabella]

Right there in the same boat with you op, planning a June trip and really wanting to go to US, especially IOA, stay onsite, but ooohhh the expense! dd16 is really wanting to go, so this may be the trip we do very little onsite dining at WDW, may drop my AKL plans and settle for All Stars.

So 2 days at US, then 7 or 8 at WDW....

 

[d1gitman]

Somebody help me get over this!

okay. how about the fact that we won't be able to afford Disney at all this year, never mind not being able to do WDW and US. Now, does that make you feel better?

 

[scottmel]

Somebody help me get over this!

okay. how about the fact that we won't be able to afford Disney at all this year, never mind not being able to do WDW and US. Now, does that make you feel better?

I doubt that makes her feel better....I hope you were kidding.

 

[d1gitman]

I doubt that makes her feel better....I hope you were kidding.

no, i'm not kidding. it looks like our disney streak beginning in 2004 will end this year due to finances. unemployed 14 of last 28 mo. current job is 40% less pay than avg income over last 10 yrs.


i would love to ONLY be able to do WDW this year, having to skip US do to costs.

i don't complain about this year because we've had 7 incredible years of WDW/DLCA

it's all about perspective.

 

[larryz]

I heard that Butterbeer has 56 grams of fat and over 9,000 calories per serving...

 

[scottmel]

no, i'm not kidding. it looks like our disney streak beginning in 2004 will end this year due to finances. unemployed 14 of last 28 mo. current job is 40% less pay than avg income over last 10 yrs.


i would love to ONLY be able to do WDW this year, having to skip US do to costs.

i don't complain about this year because we've had 7 incredible years of WDW/DLCA

it's all about perspective.

I am so sorry to hear about the unemployment. I know when I have posted on these boards it is easier to find someone less fortunate or more fortunate than yourself in minutes. And sometimes the poster is just looking for advice on THEIR situation. A few months ago I posted that I won a free trip to Disney but there were some obstacles I had to overcome like changing my dates, changing hotels - as I had already planned on going but hey now it was FREE! I was called selfish, unappreciate - everything you could think of by people just comparing their situation to mine instead of answering my question from my perspective.....

I know you will be back at Disney before you know it sometimes skipping a little time between trips makes it even more special!

 

[LightBurnsBlue]

To the OP, I would encourage you to do whatever you could to do both. It sounds like you really want to see HP, and it's much more affordable to add the US tickets to your current trip than to plan a separate trip later. Get on the MouseSavers newsletter to get a discount ticket offer for US tickets. To answer your question--yes, we do US most of the time in addition to Disney when we go Florida. If I had to choose just one, I would go with DW, but we love to spend to days at US after 4-5 days at the Disney parks. Good luck!

 

[Tikitoi]

If I am a fan, I would make time for at least one day.

 

[Momtomouselover]

I heard that Butterbeer has 56 grams of fat and over 9,000 calories per serving...

Wow! Seriously?! That is crazy.

Not to steal the thread but we were considering adding 2 days for Universal but I don't know if a 5 yr old would be ready for it yet. He is just now 44 inches and I'm afraid to many of the rides would be too scary or big for him but mom would sure love to see Harry Potter and Hogwarts!!!

Ok, at heart I'm a Disney girl but a day or two could be fun. OP, if it is important to you then really look over your trip finances and see if there is something less valuable to you that you have included (certain meals, shows, tours, Park Hoppers, etc.). If you can't swing it though just remember it will be around next year too. Good luck in planning!