Staying DVC and doing 2 days Universal? Any tips and ideas welcome

[ML_LovesDisney]

Hi all, we have only been to Universal once in 2017 and we did stay there at the Hard Rock. This time, we want to stay at our DVC and just get possibly a 2 day ticket to see Epic Universe and maybe one other park? (while also doing Disney the other days we are in town). We are not huge rollercoaster people, but we love the immersive part of Harry Potter and some of those rides. Whose done this and how did you plan your days? We will have a rental car and are more early birds than late night people. I'd love to hear any experiences and how you planned out your Universal days, even if it was pre-Epic.

 

[toesmom]

The drive is really easy, go early for shorter lines. We are doing same thing this year over Christmas

 

[Stargazer65]

We often go to Universal when we stay at a DVC resort since our vacations are typically about two weeks. I'm military so I often buy WDW Military Salute 4 day park hoppers, and Universal Military Freedom passes and hit up all the parks. We don't usually go to the water parks, and we haven't been to Epic Universe yet.

We do like to get there at opening time. It's about a 15-20 minute drive from DVC parking lot to Universal parking lot. As far as planning...lol...we just get in the car and go there in the morning, then leave when we feel like it.

 

[DL1WDW2]

You have not mentioned your dates but I wanted to let you know EPIC has a limited capacity . You should purchase your tickets TODAY …Also be aware of their Haunted Party dates and if you love the Grinch you will want to plan for the best part of the holiday season at UniversalOrlando.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

You have not mentioned your dates but I wanted to let you know EPIC has a limited capacity . You should purchase your tickets TODAY …Also be aware of their Haunted Party dates and if you love the Grinch you will want to plan for the best part of the holiday season at UniversalOrlando.

We probably won't do it until our next trip, December 2025 is pretty full already with plans and 10 of us going. I'll probably do Universal on the next trip March or Nov 2026. I am an extreme planner though so 12-18 mths away to me is "very soon"

 

[DL1WDW2]

Guess I was confused with all those specific details in your opening post.
So 10 people in your group and nobody wants to go to EPIC ?
Until March 2026 .
I keep forgetting that DVC has taught us all to plan in advance Haha
Well now you can look forward to Mardi Gras awesome fun at Universal!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

Guess I was confused with all those specific details in your opening post.
So 10 people in your group and nobody wants to go to EPIC ?
Until March 2026 .
I keep forgetting that DVC has taught us all to plan in advance Haha
Well now you can look forward to Mardi Gras awesome fun at Universal!

10 people is wayyyyyy too expensive to pay for for Universal in addition to that week at Disney (I usually pay for most if not all of everyone's, and not every trip is 10 of us; sometimes 4 or 6 of us). As much as people say Disney is expensive, I think Universal Studio tickets are absolutely insane, not to mention cost of ExpressPass. Hence why we haven't been there since 2017 I also just haven't seen many posts at all about Epic and trips by DVC members so I was curious if anyone has done it so far this year.

 

[Steelers0854]

I was debating doing an Epic trip when we go in January, but then I looked at wait time, granted i know it summer, and thought twice about it. Maybe we will go in a year or 2 when the hype has died down a bit, but im not waiting 3 hours to ride Ministry or Mario Kart.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Universal sold an extended AP for 15 months for the 12 month price.
I think that is why it is popular.
But EPIC has been a game changer and everything is more expensive .
I was just there for 2 nights staying at Sapphire Falls and got sticker shock many times!