Stay onsite at Universal for 1 night or commute from Disney? Help!!

[DebIreland]

We (DH, DS11, DS8 and DD1) will be in Orlando in June. Our original plan was to stay in a Disney resort for all 12 nights of our holiday and go to Universal for 2 day trips from our Disney resort. (Well, our *original* plan has actually been chopped and changed so often, I've lost track!!). So currently we are booked at Disney's Port Orleans for 6 nights followed by another 6 nights at Wilderness Lodge. We got great rates because I'm purchasing an annual pass (for the discounts, it's working out great).

*BUT* now I'm thinking we'd be much better off checking into a Universal hotel for one night and do our 2 Universal days both sides of that. I keep hearing about the FOTL perk and it sounds wonderful so that's what's really pushing me to stay at Universal.

The Universal hotel will cost us quite a bit more than the Disney one. We have a rate of 139+tax for each night at Wilderness Lodge, one night of which we would cancel. One night at the Hard Rock hotel will cost us 259+ tax. The Royal Pacific is a bit cheaper but if we're gonna do this we might as well go the extra bit for the HRH as my eldest will think all his birthdays have come at once when he sees that music memorabilia!! We'd be saving some money though by cutting out the expensive of getting back to Disney at the end of the first Universal day and getting back to Universal again for a second day. As there are 5 of us including a 1 year old we'll need to use a town car or van with a baby seat (I need to do some research on that).

The disadvantages are:
1) We have yet another check in - that makes a total of 4 hotel check ins during our holiday. We're staying in New York for 3 nights before Orlando so there's 1 NY hotel, 2 Disney hotels and 1 Universal hotel. That's a lot of checking in and checking out.
2) It's gonna cost us more money
3) More packing/unpacking (although I would set aside a specific overnight bag just for our Universal stay so really it's just lugging the cases)
4) It's gonna cost us more money
5) The boys might fall in love with the HRH so much that they pine after it and nothing again will ever compare
6) It's gonna cost us more money - did I mention that? !!!

Advantages:
1) FOTL access
2) We cut out the hassle of commuting back to Disney at the end of our first Universal day and commuting back to Universal again the next morning (or another morning later in the holiday)
3) When we wake up on Day 2 at Universal we are right there!! We plan to do the Spiderman character breakfast on July 1st so it would be great to just make our way to that from our Universal hotel room
4) We'd get to stay at The Hard Rock Hotel.
5) We get to take a break for nap/swim at the hotel in the afternoon (or whenever our room is ready) instead of trying to keep going all day which wouldn't be so good for the baby.

If anyone is still reading (!!) what do you think? Will we go ahead and book the Universal Hotel? Or will we stay put in Disney and make day trips to Universal? Thanks so much and sorry this is so long

 

[hannahouse]

I would'nt even hesitate to stay on site with FOTL. It's just a bit over $100, minus what you'll save in transfer costs (I've heard a taxi is about 30 each way). You've already listed all the benefits, and it sounds like you already know your children are going to love it. Have you thought of doing the last 2 nights at Universal? That would certainly be a nice relaxing end to your vacation. No long lines, no waiting for transportation (HRH is a 5 minute walk to Universal), a wonderful resort. I think you'll cheat yourself if you don't do at least 1 night onsite.

Have a great trip!

 

[DebIreland]

Hannahouse,

Thanks so much for the reply.


I just realised there's a separate Universal Resorts board. Yikes!

 

[robvia]

12 nights in Disney is a long time.
I'd spend at least 2 nights at the HRH or RPR, even if it costs more.
If you only spend one night, the trip will seem to be over too fast, because you need to do the USF visit at the end. Once you go there with FOTL, you won't want to go back to Disney.
Yes, the kids will be spoiled once you stay there. But the money is worth it. If you have to cut 3 days off the Disney trip to pay for 2 at the RPR, then do it.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I just had to make the same decision for our trip next month. Since I have a small family (just my son and I), it's cheaper for us to stay at WDW and use a shuttle service to get to US.

Mears shuttle will only cost $28.00and Express Pass Plus will only cost $26 and change each for both parks. (Same day)

We won't be able to use FOTL, but I won't have to give up any of our Disney resort time. It was hard enough for me to give up a WDW park day to even try the other parks.

No matter what you decide, I'm sure you will have a good time.

 

[shl1108]

If I had a 12 night stay to work with...I would defintately stay at least 2 nights at the Hard Rock.

The Sun-Thurs nights are always cheaper at the Hard Rock if you can find 2 nights in there. I know this far out you can always change around your plans again with the other hotels!

We are staying at the Liki Tiki for our first 4 nights, then changing to the Hard Rock Hotel for the last 4 nights.

The funny thing is we started off with 8 nights at the Liki Tiki. Then decided to change 2 nights to Hard Rock, then 3 and now 4 nights!!

I think Disney is great, but Universal ROCKS!

Plus the great thing about FOTL and the location of the Hard Rock, you can swim in the AM for a bit...walk 5 min to Universal for a few hours. Go back to the pool for a bit and go back to the parks in the late afternoon/evening.
One night isn't enough to enjoy the great benefits! We have a baby too, so its nice to have the convience of a hotel nearby.

If you can, consider breaking up your trip where you can get 2 nights at HRH and enjoy the pool and Universal without worrying the next morning about checking out!

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

I would definately transfer to the HRH. If possible I would even do 2 days. That's how we are doing our trip July 2-6 PBH July 6-12 Swan. Originally we were doing Sheraton Studio City but, changed my mind in order to get FOTL passes.

 

[ktglads]

I would split the stay too, except put Universal at the end. If you are staying on site with FOTL you will be very spoiled and not want to have to go back and wait in line at Disney. I truly believe the Universal hotels are at the same par or higher than the Disney deluxes. I find that when you stay onsite, Universal is very relaxing. There is just a lack of a frenzy when you know that your longest wait will be less than 15 minutes on most rides.

 

[Kimberlyfamilyfv]

the downside to spending your last two days at universal is if your trip is after may 1 you will lose your Disney Express, no free trip back to the airport or check in at the resort.
I think you are better off to do Universal in the middle of your stay, especially if you do not have a car. But I would defintely look into getting a car. There is nothing like having the freedom to do what you want , when you want without having to wait on someone else to tote you around. Yesterday, Budget had an economy car for 78 dollars per week plus taxes total 110. You might also benefit from renting a car for two days to allow you to get between Disney and universal. I think you will find that cheaper than getting a mears shuttle.

 

[DebIreland]

Thank you all so much for the great replies. One night does seem like very little and I'm tempted to do two but, yikes, the cost!! I think for now we'll do one because I'm thinking we'll get so much done with the FOTL facility we'll have a great time.

Kimberlyfamilyfv,
Yes, the new Magical Express service is exactly why we're doing Universal in the middle and not at the end (or that start). I'd hate to miss out on the free transport Let's hope we make the right decision and that the kids aren't pining after Universal when we get back to WDW!!

 

[littleprincessmom]

We are very much "Disney" people (even feel disloyal going to Universal ) but I can tell you without hesitation that you MUST stay at Universal if you are considering going. The FOTL access is worth EVERY penny. We've stayed at RPH twice now and are trying HRH for a night in May before our Disney trip. Again, while I love Disney (a little defensive here, am I?? ) you'll appreciate the FOTL access even more after spending some time at Disney without it.

Whatever you decide, have a magical trip. Universal is alot of fun - especially for boys and anyone who loves BIG COASTERS!!!