Splitting Stay--Universal/WDW Questions!

[baseballmom94]

We are taking our two kids, son 9 and daughter 6, to Orlando over Spring Break. We did WDW four years ago and want to return so they can get even more out of it this time. We will have five full and 1 half days in Orlando. The other two days are travel days.

Here's the thing. My husband really wants to go to Universal for the first day. The catch is that he hates rollercoasters. I think a lot of the attractions would be way too scary for the kids so I'm wondering how to plan the day. Should we buy the 1 day/2 park pass. Will we be able to do most of the things in both parks on that 1 day?

Secondly, where should we stay? Off-site with rental car. On-site with towncar service? We will need to transfer to WDW Dolphin also.

I'm so confused and almost feel like we're trying to cram too much into five days. Would it be better to go back to Universal when the kids are a little older?

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Hello there. You have come to the right place for answers. I think you will love both parks, but you will enjoy the Studios more than IOA. The reason why is that you will do more as family at the studios. I prefer IOA, but I LOVE roller coasters. The 1 day two park ticket is great if you are really going to go to Universal for one day. If you are going for more than that, you should get the 5 day pass on line. You may not use all the days, but it's cheaper than two one day admissions.

I would definitely stay on site. Not only do you get express access to all attractions, it also adds to your stay. It's a wonderful experience!

I have a 3 year old and he loves the Universal parks!

Hope that helps!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Trying to do two parks in one day during Spring Break is a massive challenge. If you stay onsite, this will GREATLY assist in getting both parks done in one day. And there are only 5 coasters between both parks: ROTM and Woody's Coaster in USF. Dragons, Hulk, and Flying Unicorn in IOA. That's it.

Your 6 y/o should be able to do almost everything in both parks (Hulk, Dragons, and Doctor Doom are unlikely) and your 9 y/o should be able to do everything. You'd have to go commando style to get everything in, though. If you did Universal for two days (one per park) then you'd enjoy it more. Maybe your next vacation will be 2-3 days at Universal.

 

[baseballmom94]

Thanks for the input. That is my concern is that we're trying to cram in Universal. I would love to go there but I think we're trying to do too much with both Universal and Disney on the same trip. What do you all think?

 

[gschmerl]

WE split our last trip between the Hard Rock Hotel and the Dolphin, but we were in Orlando for twelve days. Doing both parks during spring break will be tough. If you do it, definitely stay on site to get the FOTL perk. The parks are not all roller coasters. I go there with a friend who hates coasters, but loves these parks. There is plenty more to do. You may decide you want to spend more time at Universal than WDW!

 

[highlander447]

If u stay onsite even for only one night you will have FOTL access on day of checking in and on day of checking out with fotl u will be able too enjoy both parks over 2 days without it seeming rushed don't miss IOA most people think if they don't like coasters they won't like IOA but its really a lot more than that the theming is brilliant and spiderman is a must

 

[baseballmom94]

Well, we've decided to stay at the Royal Pacific Resort for 2 nights and do Universal Studios for 1 day. We'll save IOA for another trip. On the third day we'll transfer to the Dophin and do the MK and Epcot. My kids will probably be pretty interested in just hanging at the pool too! Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[gschmerl]

If you stay at the Royal Pacific two nights that will give you three days of FOTL at Universal. You might want to re-think your plans and enjoy the wonders of IOA while you're there with the FOTL perk.

 

[CdnMom2]

Seussville is FANTASTIC for all to see, especially 6 year old. And Sinbad area, Jurassic area... If your son (or daughter) likes superheroes he will enjoy the Marvel Superhero area. The cartoon area... so much there.

We couldn't get enough of IOA and 4 of us (this Mom & 3 other chickens ages 6 to 14 yrs) didn't go on any roller coasters or splash drop rides! Now DH & DD, 10, LOVED Spiderman & Hulk among others there. But among us chickens, we had more fun at IOA than at Studios (which we enjoyed) and were so in awe of all the theming.

With your FOTL access and some advance plannning with maps you shouldn't deprive yourselves of IOA!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Since you'll be staying at RP for 2 nights I would go to the Universal parks for 2 days, one day per park. With front of the line you'll be able to see most everything that you want. It will still leave you wanting to go back again in the future. We went last year during spring break (we have spring break the week before Easter) and the parks were crowded, but not more than 15 minute waits for most rides with FOTL. We hope to go again this spring break if we can find some decent rates.

One day is going to mean that you'll have to skip over many things. Your kids are at a great age for almost all rides. We've gone to Universal twice--when our kids were 1, 7, 10, and 13 and again when they were 3, 9, 12, and 15. There aren't a lot of roller coasters, but your children (and you and your DH) will most likely really enjoy Spiderman and Pluto raft ride at IoA and MIB and Neutron at Universal (Shreck wasn't open when we were last there). My boys favorite attraction (non-ride) was the Curious George ball and water play area. They could of spent hours there. Make sure you all wear bathing suits under your clothes or clothes that dry quickly.

Have fun! T&B

 

[DonnaDavid]

My kids are about the same age as yours and not roller-coaster types. However, my family is different in that we go to WDW every year. We always stay on-site at both Universal and WDW when we go during busy times. When we do go to Universal, we normally take 3 days for both parks (1 day for each and then we go back and hit our favorite rides on the 3rd day). Although WDW will always be our favorite, my kids enjoy Universal a lot and there is plenty for even little ones to do there.

We went to WDW/Universal during Spring Break '02; Universal wasn't bad at all with FOTL, but WDW was horrible. I don't know how far away you are and when you'll be able to visit again, but you should plan carefully for big crowds. If I were ever to visit a theme park during Spring Break again, it would be Universal. FOTL just makes for a more pleasant experience than standing all day in lines.

You can have fun with whatever you decide as long as you plan carefully and don't sweat the things that you can't control.
Have a great vacation.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I have to agree. You don't want to miss out on IOA. And if you are on site, you definitely want to take advantage of that!

 

[antmaril]

I agree with the others. If you are staying two nights at RPR, you should definitely go to both parks. Your kids (and you) will love US and IOA! Another thing - once you've done FOTL at Universal, you are spoiled forever. We have a hard time standing in those long lines at WDW now that we've experienced FOTL (several times).

Have fun!!!