Stay at Disney or Universal

[klangl6]

I'm hoping y'all can help me out on this one!

We are planning to come to Orlando 2/27-3/2 and will be going to Universal for 2 days and possibly 1-2 days at WDW (maybe after hours event). Of course, we are having a hard time deciding if we should stay on Universal property or Disney. No matter which property we will be staying at a value resort, and currently the resort prices are about the same.

Here is what we have come up with so far:

WDW Pros
transportation to and from the airport
EMH if we go to the parks

Universal Pros
extra hour in Harry Potter.
won't have to pay to get to and from WDW

So, as you can see it's not cut and dry, so I'd love to hear your opinions.

P.S. We have been to WDW several times before, so this trip wouldn't be a first. But as my niece told me, "it would be hard to be in Orlando and not go to Disney!"

Thanks!!

 

[larissawbb]

The value resorts at Universal give you a Disney moderate experience.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

You mentioned that if you stay at Univ you wouldn t have to pay to get to and from WDW...why is that? (maybe I am misunderstanding..?)

 

[klangl6]

You mentioned that if you stay at Univ you wouldn t have to pay to get to and from WDW...why is that? (maybe I am misunderstanding..?)

If we stay at WDW, we have to take uber/lyft to get to Universal. We are more than likely only doing 1 Disney Park day this trip.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

We are long time WDW fans (DVC members) and we love to be on site when staying at Disney. We have done Univ several ways…staying on site, going from Disney and staying close by at a Univ good neighbor resort that gives you early park entry.

We truly loved Cabana Bay at Univ. It is a value resort but definitely has a Disney moderate feel. My hubby is really picky and even he loved it there. We had a family suite. There is a living room with sofa bed and then a sliding door that separates the are for sleeping which had two double or queen beads. The bathrooms were split so that one had a tub / shower in a closed area and sink...then a big sink out in the open …and then a closed door for the toilet on the other side. Then there is a kitchenette with microwave and fridge and nice counter top area.

The off site Univ partner hotels we have used are Wingate by Wyndham (right across the street), Rosen Inn and Avanti Resort.


At Univ it will cost at least $20 a day to park. If you drive from WDW it is only 10 miles and takes about 20-30 mins. We are HUGE Harry Potter fans and on our very first trip in 2015, we upgraded to APs before we left. Then, last year I got the AP that could be paid out monthly. We have been to Univ lots more than Disney since 2015. We are just in love with the Potter sections. At first we thought we’d miss Disney, but we didn’t. If we were not Potter fans, we would feel differently about that ( I am sure of that).

Anyway, hope some of this info helps you make a decision! Enjoy!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'd stay at Universal especially because you're not sure if it would be just one or two days at WDW as opposed to knowing you'll be doing Universal for 2 days.

The advantage to stay onsite for WDW wouldn't really be a whole lot for just a day or two IMO unless you knew for sure you were going to utilize EMH to its fullest.

 

[klangl6]

Just to add...if we stay at Universal, we will be staying at Surfside Inn and Suites.

 

[Lynne M]

Have you considered splitting the trip? Stay at Disney for a night or two, then stay at Universal for a couple of nights? That's probably how I'd do it. I would find it fun to stay at two different resorts.

The biggest financial disadvantage I can see is that you'd have to pay for one of your trips to/from the airport, as you'd only be doing Magical Express one-way.

What's the makeup of your group? If you've got kids with you, depending on their ages, packing everyone up and changing hotels could be enough of a pain to make me lean towards staying in one resort.

I'd also consider renting a car if you decide to split your stay, and if it's in your budget.

 

[klangl6]

Have you considered splitting the trip? Stay at Disney for a night or two, then stay at Universal for a couple of nights? That's probably how I'd do it. I would find it fun to stay at two different resorts.

The biggest financial disadvantage I can see is that you'd have to pay for one of your trips to/from the airport, as you'd only be doing Magical Express one-way.

What's the makeup of your group? If you've got kids with you, depending on their ages, packing everyone up and changing hotels could be enough of a pain to make me lean towards staying in one resort.

I'd also consider renting a car if you decide to split your stay, and if it's in your budget.

It will be me, my mom, and my niece who is 12.

 

[klangl6]

We're also hoping Disney will throw out a room only discount that we can use.

 

[k5xs]

I can offer only an irrational response: We love Disney. Given a choice we will always choose Disney.

 

[klangl6]

I can offer only an irrational response: We love Disney. Given a choice we will always choose Disney.

I can offer only an irrational response: We love Disney. Given a choice we will always choose Disney.

I'm the same! That's why I'm asking for other opinions. If I had my way we would stay at the Poly, budget be damned! LOL

 

[mickeyluv'r]

WDW Pros
transportation to and from the airport
EMH if we go to the parks

Universal Pros
extra hour in Harry Potter.
won't have to pay to get to and from WDW

So, as you can see it's not cut and dry, so I'd love to hear your opinions.

P.S. We have been to WDW several times before, so this trip wouldn't be a first. But as my niece told me, "it would be hard to be in Orlando and not go to Disney!"

Thanks!!

If you stay at WDW, you need to $ for transportation to/from Universal = 4 trips (if going to US for 2 days)

if you stay at US, you'd need to $ for transportation to/from airport + to/from WDW. BUT, US is much closer to airport than WDW.

IF you stay is at WDW, then transfer to Us hotel, you'd only need to $ for transportation 1 way from WDW to US, then from Us to airport (or reverse if you start at US).

But... what I REALY thought you were asking- when I read thread topic- was the logistics of visiting a US if you are staying at WDW (or visiting WDW form a US hotel).

In short, WDW and US are about half an hour apart, but you'll be commuting during AM rush hour, which can take much longer. If you are only doing it for one day, then it isn't a huge deal. Staying at 2 different hotels = checking in/out, stowing luggage if your room isn't ready-and that also takes time.

For me, I'd choose the US hotel (or maybe split). Looking at the US hotel prices though, well...often WDW values cost more than Sapphire Falls or Cabana Bay. And the US hotels offer much better amenities.

The US hotels are much closer to the US parks than WDW hotels are to the WDW parks, and getting to the parks early is a big plus if you want short waits. Do look a t a map though, so you can see what I am saying. From most WDW hotels, it can easily take 30min to get from your hotel room to the parks. At US, the waits are much shorter.

But, the new hotel is a bit further than the other US hotels. conversely, when we stayed at Aventura- buses were very frequent. We still walked though, because walking was even faster than the bus when going to the parks. The US buses drop you off near the main parking garage. When we walked Aventura or Sapphire or even Cabana Bay to the parks- you don't wait for bus and the paths =faster to the US parks. hopefully that makes sense to you. But DO look at a map to see what I'm saying.

If you are on a budget, the food at US also costs significantly less, especially if you choose one of the lower priced options, like Breadbox or the fabulous Aventura food court. Also, when I am on a tight budget, I stick to just US or JUST WDW. (with JUST US costing less.)

 

[Wild4Walt]

For a trip that short I would stay at Universal. If you want to go to Disney for a day, it's way less hassle to get a cab or Uber to the Disney Destination of your choice than pack everything up and move from resort to resort.

 

[klangl6]

Thanks everyone. We decided to do 2 wdw days and will be staying on property b/c we're hoping for a Disney Visa discount.

 

[buzznina]

We like WDW parks better but prefer US resorts. We just find a lot of aspects are better there.

 

[maryj11]

Thanks everyone. We decided to do 2 wdw days and will be staying on property b/c we're hoping for a Disney Visa discount.

If Disney Visa doesn't come out with a discount I'm sure Disney will.