Somebody help me get over this!

[rmm7e]

I've got a meeting in FL in May, so I thought as a huge HP fan I would go over to Universal to see it. While I was making plans, Disney sent me a PIN with an offer I couldn't refuse so I booked that instead. It was kind of spooky, really...like they knew I was going over to the dark side and had to lure me back.

While I could take a cab over to see HP, it does seem really expensive just for that, and cuts into limited Disney time. There are only a few actual attractions besides the scenery. I'm not interested at all in Universal otherwise. (Been a couple times, not that impressed.) If I could get a super-cheap ticket and bum a cab ride or maybe split one with someone, I might do it.

I'm sure I'll get there someday...

 

[Planogirl]

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'm sorry to hear this. We're also likely skipping Florida this year but more due to time off problems even though finances play a part.

You're just going to have to plan an amazing trip next time to make up for it.

 

[Kewz1]

We're visiting both parks this year but we don't usually. We've also been planning and saving for this trip since last year -- and we still have over 6 months to go.

OP -- why don't you post your trip plans and maybe we can help you find some ways to cut your expenses?

Enjoy your trip regardless! Focus on being thankful you get to go at all!

Kristen

 

[CarrieR]

If it helps any -- my BFF and I had free week-long tickets to US/IOA a bit over a year ago. We found an inexpensive offsite hotel and made a super-budget trip out of it.

At the end of day two, we both looked at each other and said, "So, how do we go about getting over to Disney..." We managed to find funds in our nonexistent budget for a MVMCP, single day at DHS and some time at DTD for the latter half of our trip. For us, US is NOT all that and a bag of chips. We're taking some friends who have never been to the Orlando parks this fall and have successfully dissuaded them from taking a day or two over at US (primarily due to the finances.)

Of course, I'm not a HP fan either; if I were it might be more difficult to talk myself out of it. But I'm spending 20+ days at Disney in the next year, and I'm not even tempted to hop over to US.

Different things appeal to different people -- maybe you if you can't go you can convince yourself that you aren't really missing that much anyways.

(Footnote -- I know lots will disagree -- just wanted to make sure the OP got the viewpoint that not EVERYONE thinks US is a must-do. )

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

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.

I couldn't agree more!! We visited last summer and I can tell you that for a HP fan it is NOT to be missed!! (For anyone honestly!) My son and I, who are both huge fans felt like kids on Christmas morning! It was truly magical!! For those of our family who hadn't read the books, they loved it too! If you can find a way to cut somewhere else to go, DO IT!!!

 

[rie'smom]

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!

She was joking. Here are the butter beer stats:

In a 14-ounce serving:

Calories: 200
Fat: 3.5 grams
Carbohydrates: 42
Sugar: 29 grams
Protein: 0

 

[TBLaube]

I totally understand the financial aspect. My son begged me to go to US/IOA for a day. Oh...okay....I really want to go also, but really had a tough time swallowing the expense!

We bought the 2 park/1 day tix with roundtrip transportation. We also purchased 2 express passes to help ensure that we can hit as many rides as possible. Before even setting foot in the park we are at $300 (YIKES!!!!!!!!). I know that we won't spend too much on food because we will eat counter service and like to snack. But I know that we will want to get a few souvenirs so am anticipating another $300 (DOUBLE YIKES!!!!)

That is a lot of $$$ for one day! I do know that we will not be returning to Orlando for a few years so am excited to spend the quality time with my 10 year old son while he still is young enough to adore his Mommy. I know that I can't put a price on the memories we will be creating on this trip and that is what is keeping me from having a stroke over the expense.

 

[ms.ojo]

OP I completely understand. We did US/IOA a few yrs ago in Dec. Saw the Macy's Thanksgiving parade, all the Christmas decor, and great rides. We stayed on site w/ a great rate and enjoyed FOTL access. But for our 2 days there....it was $1000 for our family of 4 and that was a lot! The pricing structure of Disney to add 2 more days is so little...it makes it really hard to add that US/IOA cost.

We are eager to see HP and ds is anxious but dd is only 8 and hasn't read the books yet. I'm suggesting we wait a couple of yrs until it will be magical for all of us.

Don't know what the answer is for you....but I feel your pain.

 

[NotUrsula]

I promised my 13 yo that we would go before the first year for HP was through, and I'm having to pay up this summer. DH absolutely refuses to do USIOA without staying on-site, so I was looking at some serious money. I looked and looked, and in the end it turned out that the very best deal for us is to buy one annual pass to get the discounted hotel rate, and also to use the discount that comes with the pass to buy the tickets for the rest of the family. Doing it this way, I get 2 nights onsite and three days park-to-park admission for about $100 less than I would if I just paid the non-AP rate for one hotel night and two days of park passes from a discount broker.

It is still not cheap by any means, but with getting more for my money it's a lot easier to swallow, and there will still be the rest of the year to get some add'l use out of that annual pass.

 

[beccamarie]

I am not going help here at all! We went ahead and splurged and did both parks. Five at DW and two at US. I will say my family and I loved WWoHP. It was amazing. We are planning to go back on our next trip despite the cost. I just can't imagine not going back when we are there. Have fun on your trip!

 

[3sweetpeas]

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!

We went twice when my kids were around 4,5 and 7. We then skipped a couple of years and went this year at ages 10, 11 and 13. The reason we stopped going earlier on is the exact reason for your concern. The rides are really geared toward older kids and teens I think. There ARE alot scarier rides at Universal and I can remember thinking that this just wasn't a good fit for my kids yet. Don't get me wrong, there were some things they liked but it definitely wasn't Disney. This time though, as older kids, they had a blast and really loved both parks therefore it was also more fun for us. My advice, unless you really really want to see HP, wait a few years.

 

[kaligal]

We go to both.

I'll skip DHS waaaay before either Uni park. And frequently do.

 

[larryz]

He was joking. Here are the butter beer stats:

In a 14-ounce serving:...

Fixed it for you... -- remember, OP's looking for reasons to justify not going...

 

[rie'smom]

Fixed it for you... -- remember, OP's looking for reasons to justify not going...

Oops, sorry!

 

[kathy884]

I don't have any problem just picking a few things to do per trip to stay within budget. It's a great excuse to come back for another trip. We just got back yesterday -- funny thing the opening of WWHP is the idea that got us to go to Orlando in the first place, but then when we planned our itinerary it didn't make it on the list. We decided we weren't big enough HP fans to to this busy time of year, and we aren't all that crazy about the Universal parks -- we like them but prefer SeaWorld and Disney:
Here's what we did
Day 1: Rope Drop SeaWorld -- evening swim at resort
Day 2: Magic Kingdom
Day 3: Sleep in day and 1/2 day at Kennedy Space Center - evening swim at resort
Day 4: Disney Hollywood Studios
Day 5: Sleep in day and Titanic attraction I drive and swimming and tennis at our resort
Day 6: Sleep in day -- two rides at SeaWorld before we headed to the airport

 

[Larrabe]

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?

I love Disney, but I absolutely love, LOVE Universal Orlando!

WWOHP is spectacular, and I cannot WAIT to see it again. However, my DH and I did chose to go all Disney next February. I'm running in the princess marathon and it will be our first adults-only trip, so we want to hit the boardwalk, visit Celebrations, take tours, etc.; stuff our teens would want to skip. (They are jealous about the EP segway tour, though. ) After that, our next trip will be all UNI because we love staying onsite and really immersing ourselves in the total package, if that makes sense.

If visiting US/IOA is absolutely not an option no matter how much financial wiggling you do - then don't sweat it. Yes, WWOHP is amazing, but it's not going anywhere and there are rumors of it expanding, so maybe next time, you can make it a priority!

Have fun on your trip!

 

[Momtomouselover]

We went twice when my kids were around 4,5 and 7. We then skipped a couple of years and went this year at ages 10, 11 and 13. The reason we stopped going earlier on is the exact reason for your concern. The rides are really geared toward older kids and teens I think. There ARE alot scarier rides at Universal and I can remember thinking that this just wasn't a good fit for my kids yet. Don't get me wrong, there were some things they liked but it definitely wasn't Disney. This time though, as older kids, they had a blast and really loved both parks therefore it was also more fun for us. My advice, unless you really really want to see HP, wait a few years.

Thanks! This helps and validates what I was feeling or thinking about it. I think we will wait a few years.

 

[Momtomouselover]

She was joking. Here are the butter beer stats:

In a 14-ounce serving:

Calories: 200
Fat: 3.5 grams
Carbohydrates: 42
Sugar: 29 grams
Protein: 0

Hahaha! Guess I was pretty gullible and didn't even think about it before I posted. I guess the other stats would definitely be a reason *NOT* to go or at least not to drink butterbeer!!

 

[marie1203]

oh I'll help you get over it. We were there almost 2 weeks ago the night before we went to WWOHP I got really sick. I sleep maybe 1 hour, horrible asthma attack that we had to cancel our plans for the day. I am also a huge fan and couldn't believe we didn't get to go! I feel you pain.

 

[MissStitch626]

I feel your pain! We are going for 14 days, which may seem like plenty of time to fit everything in, but when we originally planned the trip we had planned to skip Universal altogether. We usually do all the parks, including Seaworld, but had thought about doing a Disney only trip this year so we could slow the pace down a bit. But then I discovered Harry Potter. . .

I'm still in two minds. One part of me really wants to see WWOHP and thinking that if I'm coming all the way over from the UK I might as well add another park to the itinerary. But on the other hand, it's so expensive for one day, and I would really be trying to get as much done on both US and IoA in one day - stressful! I haven't decided yet but if I decide not to go to Universal, I am going to keep reminding myself the WWOHP will still be there for the next trip and I'll be having such an amazing time in WDW that I won't miss it!