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

[ML_LovesDisney]

We were in your exact situation a month ago. In the end we did cancel the Helios reservation and go with dvc. If you do this you will have to pay to park at epic, but we really wanted the onsite hotel for the extra morning hour. In the end we just wanted the comfort of dvc instead of a single hotel room. It all worked out really well, and we didn’t miss the extra hour. We were plenty exhausted by the end of the day because it was a hot day! The lines were manageable. We only had two “long” waits. We waited at ministry for about 45 min. And the donkey Kong ride was over an hour. The Ministry wait is not bad at all because the line is mostly inside and the line itself is almost a ride, really cool. When I see what they did I am shocked at how relatively spartan the theming is for the lines for “new” Disney headliners like Ratatouille, Tron, and guardians. The DK line was rough though because it was outside and was a typical snake line. Overall though we were very pleased with wait times and are going again next month for a day while staying at dvc.

Sounds like it went well! Thanks for your info, it helps to hear everyone's experiences to help decide

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

We were in your exact situation a month ago. In the end we did cancel the Helios reservation and go with dvc. If you do this you will have to pay to park at epic, but we really wanted the onsite hotel for the extra morning hour. In the end we just wanted the comfort of dvc instead of a single hotel room. It all worked out really well, and we didn’t miss the extra hour. We were plenty exhausted by the end of the day because it was a hot day! The lines were manageable. We only had two “long” waits. We waited at ministry for about 45 min. And the donkey Kong ride was over an hour. The Ministry wait is not bad at all because the line is mostly inside and the line itself is almost a ride, really cool. When I see what they did I am shocked at how relatively spartan the theming is for the lines for “new” Disney headliners like Ratatouille, Tron, and guardians. The DK line was rough though because it was outside and was a typical snake line. Overall though we were very pleased with wait times and are going again next month for a day while staying at dvc.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Glad to hear you don't feel like you missed out without the early entry.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

This was a good read. Next Thanksgiving week we plan on staying at Akv but driving to Universal. We might not even set foot in disney park that week. One idea we are toying with is book one night at the older deluxe resort just to get the express pass since I read that is cheaper. But still staying in our AKV... soo maybe just useing that hotel room as a break room. Then Epic still trying to figure out the best strategy for that park. It will be interesting to see what they do next year with it and the passes.

 

[cigarboo]

We were at Epic for opening day and stayed at Helios that evening for a 1 night stay. We did not arrive in time for early entry, but did get into the park around opening time. I have the say, the nighttime view of Epic from the theme park view room was worth every penny. Universal spared no expense on their lighting, it's a shame they don't open through the night! Helios is literally in the park and looking out the window at the fountain show and the rest of the park was glorious.

Ideally, I would have liked to have stayed the night prior, but I couldn't get a reservation. I would check in the afternoon and enjoy the view and amenities in the hotel. Simple pool, but adequate and really soak in the view. Then in the morning, throw the stuff in the car and walk right into the park with the special entry from Helios...they after a long park day, head to dvc to relax.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We were at Epic for opening day and stayed at Helios that evening for a 1 night stay. We did not arrive in time for early entry, but did get into the park around opening time. I have the say, the nighttime view of Epic from the theme park view room was worth every penny. Universal spared no expense on their lighting, it's a shame they don't open through the night! Helios is literally in the park and looking out the window at the fountain show and the rest of the park was glorious.

Ideally, I would have liked to have stayed the night prior, but I couldn't get a reservation. I would check in the afternoon and enjoy the view and amenities in the hotel. Simple pool, but adequate and really soak in the view. Then in the morning, throw the stuff in the car and walk right into the park with the special entry from Helios...they after a long park day, head to dvc to relax.

Good idea! Helios does look beautiful

 

[DL1WDW2]

I checked in for the Open Day for entry advantage…the night before was a huge media event so impossible to get reservations …
The view at night is incredible .
I will return for one night in December to check out the new resort decorations.

 

[keishashadow]

Ever since DVC readjusted the point charts to inflate weekend dates; we started to do split stays @ Universal on the weekends. Think of it as a 3 night add-on to a 5 night DVC stay or longer.

Seasonal annual passes for the IoA & S parks are still a good deal $ wise, considering the cost of WDW’s sorcerer one (which we also purchase).

Best thing, it stretches out our DVC points to allow for more trips per year - a win-win in my book!

I do cringe when I hear people booking one of the deluxe U properties as a throw away room for the two days EP perk. The hotels are true deluxe properties and very well themed. Don’t knock them until you try them lol.

It’s easy to move on over at the end of a WDW trip to U. Just don’t do it at the beginning of it or you will find yourself grumbling when standing on-line @ WDW the 2nd part of that trip.

Re EPIC, did it on one of the most crowded days to date, last Saturday in June. Unbelievably hot & TS filled day. Multiple rides down for hours due to the storms and equipment issues. We still loved it!

Amazing technology in play there on many of the rides. Enjoyed all the lands and eventually rode nearly everything. We did stay onsite at the Stella nova value you could walk to for early entry. Nice option, but they did have a bus available too.

Dining took long, they need to work out some very obvious kinks there. Nothing to the point where we didn’t consider adding on a day prior to our annual HHN week @ U with Howl o Scream visit in that mix.

We head on down the road to BVW after 6 days for MNSSHP fun. The best of both worlds.

My point is, unless you are entrenched in the Disney bubble in FL, do not be in a hurry to dismiss staying onsite @ U out of hand. Try it, you may just like it. Lol