The freedom of NOT doing Disney

[clsteve]

I agree. Plus there are far fewer resorts which places less demand on Express.

I do wonder about the restaurants though. If you parks get more crowded and people discover how good Mythos and the Confisco Grille are then that part of it could change.

Good point.

And it has to be one of the reasons the CityWalk expansions have fallen right in step with the Park expansions. I know we're really excited about hitting Antojitos and Cowfish. It's a really big benefit for Uni having CityWalk so close to both Parks. The more you look at it, Uni is doing a great job of maximizing footprint right along with maximizing guest experience.....

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

All I know is I have a Disney trip coming up and all I can feel is utter jealousy that we are not doing a family trip to Universal. I read your trip report last night, clsteve, and I want to go back to PBH so bad!

 

[clsteve]

All I know is I have a Disney trip coming up and all I can feel is utter jealousy that we are not doing a family trip to Universal. I read your trip report last night, clsteve, and I want to go back to PBH so bad!

Me too.......

 

[Granny square]

The ironic thing that most people don't seem to understand is that the Universal execs would LOVE it if their resteraunts and theme parks were as successful as Disney's so that they would be forced into their own version of ADRs and Fastpasses. The reason that Universal can afford to be so casual is because supply does not exceed demand.

Well of course...kind of obvious.

 

[psiprez]

Ok, so we just got back. We had the last day free after checkout, and we decided to head over to Downtown Disney for a little bonus "free" WDW action.

Did some shopping, took some fun photos, even went to Guest Relations and got a 1st Visit Button for DH to wear. In the afternoon, I decided to see if I could get a last minute ADR one of the many restaurants. I used the app and found one availability, and early table for four at Raglan Road. Watching me struggle to download the app, then search, DH couldn't understand why it was such a hassle to find somewhere to eat. I should have just asked at guest Relations when I was there, but we weren't hungry then!

So when we get to the restaurant, the hostess cannot find the ADR in the system. She was actually kind of snooty about it, until I held my phone and showed the ADR to her. To her credit, she asked us to wait at the door, and went to ask a server to please take on an extra table for us. We only had to wait 5 minutes, and we gave the server a generous tip.

The moral of the story is.... DH, who previously mocked me when I said WDW takes a lot of planning and coordination, now has an idea what I mean.

 

[sydneysmom]

So just for fun, I decided to price out a Disney vacation...since the 2015 prices are now out on the site. I loaded in everything as we were going to originally do our trip. Grand Floridian, deluxe dining, 6 night/ 7 days and park hopper. Without any discount at all, it came out to $7,000. (this is not including airfare....I've got SW points, so we'll use that for airfare) So the pricing went up about $ 350 from 2014 prices and I am assuming it will go up again in 2016 (which is when we were planning to go).

So I did a comparison... I priced out Portofino Bay club level (we found out we can get a discount through our company...who knew?) for 7 nights / 8 days (one more day than Disney) plus the Orlando Flex Ticket...... for $ 3200. So for less than 1/2 price, we're going to do Universal and Sea World. And with the money we are saving NOT doing Disney, we are going to the Grand Canyon for a week. The more I see, the more I'm LOVING the Universal vacation! Now, I realize that we'll have to add food to that, but still.... the savings are insane.

And it's all thanks to you good people for posting such awesome reviews about Universal.... we really would not have thought to do this if we hadn't read on here how incredible it is. You opened a whole new world for us!! Now, if we could get to 2016 !!!

 

[rebbyparker]

I'm actually finding it kind of weird. We were at Disney for a week at Christmas and (disclaimers following: in my opinion and from my observations, FP+/MB's were a mess). I expected it because of the timing and it didn't affect us all that much because I planned my behind off beforehand but we decided to stay away from the World until they figure out whatever the heck they're doing. Instead we're doing DCL and Universal. I keep thinking that I'm missing something, that I haven't planned something for someday or some period in the park. We're staying at Royal Pacific which makes things so easy but I just know that there has to be something I'm missing, something I haven't planned. A Universal vacation can't be this easy. Can it?

 

[sydneysmom]

I'm actually finding it kind of weird. We were at Disney for a week at Christmas and (disclaimers following: in my opinion and from my observations, FP+/MB's were a mess). I expected it because of the timing and it didn't affect us all that much because I planned my behind off beforehand but we decided to stay away from the World until they figure out whatever the heck they're doing. Instead we're doing DCL and Universal. I keep thinking that I'm missing something, that I haven't planned something for someday or some period in the park. We're staying at Royal Pacific which makes things so easy but I just know that there has to be something I'm missing, something I haven't planned. A Universal vacation can't be this easy. Can it?

apparently from what everyone is saying, it IS just that easy!!!! How awesome is that! I have heard/read so many things just like yours about the FP+ and MB. We just read something about a new "standby plus" line that they're trying out which seems to cut people off in line if they don't get a return time for the standby line!!! To me, that's insane. You can't even just get in line anymore? For us, Disney just priced us right out. We can't justify $7K for a vacation. (unless it's Europe or Alaska maybe)

 

[Bluer101]

To the both of you.

Take it from a Universal veteran ( at least 1 visit per month, just returned) there is nothing more relaxing than Universal. You do not need to plan a thing. Go with the flow of what you want to do at that moment.

Just this past weekend.

We arrived at10am Saturday. Checked in at RPR this time. Got our express passes and headed to the parks for a few rides. By 12:30 after doing a few rides in each park we decided to return to RPR. Our room then was ready so we changed into our swim suits and hit Bula Bar and grill poolside for lunch. After having a relaxing lunch we got some chairs under umbrellas well DS and I swam for a few.

Returned to our room, got showered up and watched some tv while waiting for the rain to stop. Then hit up some rides first in IOA then took HE to DA. Did Gringotts single rider 25 minutes and a few other rides in US. By that time we were ready for dinner.

Our DS wanted pizza at Louie's so he had a slice there. Then we walked across to Finnigans for DW and I. Walked right in and had a great dinner. We finished some more rides and back to the hotel around 9-10 pm.

DS decided he wanted to swim so I joined him till about 11 pm. Back to the room showered up watch some tv and bed.

Get up at 7-8 and hit islands dining room for buffet breakfast. After breakfast we checked out of the room. Then hit both parks until 1:30 pm and decided to leave until next time.

Simple as that. You do what you want when you want 95% of the time. Yes, there can be breakdowns or a larger express line at certain times or a restaurant wait but for the most part it's perfect.

Until you go and experience onsite you will never know but after you will realize what a true vacation is about, relaxing. Then your next visits get even more relaxing because you now know.

 

[lazer]

To the both of you. Take it from a Universal veteran ( at least 1 visit per month, just returned) there is nothing more relaxing than Universal. You do not need to plan a thing. Go with the flow of what you want to do at that moment. Just this past weekend. We arrived at10am Saturday. Checked in at RPR this time. Got our express passes and headed to the parks for a few rides. By 12:30 after doing a few rides in each park we decided to return to RPR. Our room then was ready so we changed into our swim suits and hit Bula Bar and grill poolside for lunch. After having a relaxing lunch we got some chairs under umbrellas well DS and I swam for a few. Returned to our room, got showered up and watched some tv while waiting for the rain to stop. Then hit up some rides first in IOA then took HE to DA. Did Gringotts single rider 25 minutes and a few other rides in US. By that time we were ready for dinner. Our DS wanted pizza at Louie's so he had a slice there. Then we walked across to Finnigans for DW and I. Walked right in and had a great dinner. We finished some more rides and back to the hotel around 9-10 pm. DS decided he wanted to swim so I joined him till about 11 pm. Back to the room showered up watch some tv and bed. Get up at 7-8 and hit islands dining room for buffet breakfast. After breakfast we checked out of the room. Then hit both parks until 1:30 pm and decided to leave until next time. Simple as that. You do what you want when you want 95% of the time. Yes, there can be breakdowns or a larger express line at certain times or a restaurant wait but for the most part it's perfect. Until you go and experience onsite you will never know but after you will realize what a true vacation is about, relaxing. Then your next visits get even more relaxing because you now know.

I LOVE reading stuff like this. Excited for our Oct trip...it's our 1st!

 

[rebbyparker]

To the both of you.

Take it from a Universal veteran ( at least 1 visit per month, just returned) there is nothing more relaxing than Universal. You do not need to plan a thing. Go with the flow of what you want to do at that moment.

Just this past weekend.

We arrived at10am Saturday. Checked in at RPR this time. Got our express passes and headed to the parks for a few rides. By 12:30 after doing a few rides in each park we decided to return to RPR. Our room then was ready so we changed into our swim suits and hit Bula Bar and grill poolside for lunch. After having a relaxing lunch we got some chairs under umbrellas well DS and I swam for a few.

Returned to our room, got showered up and watched some tv while waiting for the rain to stop. Then hit up some rides first in IOA then took HE to DA. Did Gringotts single rider 25 minutes and a few other rides in US. By that time we were ready for dinner.

Our DS wanted pizza at Louie's so he had a slice there. Then we walked across to Finnigans for DW and I. Walked right in and had a great dinner. We finished some more rides and back to the hotel around 9-10 pm.

DS decided he wanted to swim so I joined him till about 11 pm. Back to the room showered up watch some tv and bed.

Get up at 7-8 and hit islands dining room for buffet breakfast. After breakfast we checked out of the room. Then hit both parks until 1:30 pm and decided to leave until next time.

Simple as that. You do what you want when you want 95% of the time. Yes, there can be breakdowns or a larger express line at certain times or a restaurant wait but for the most part it's perfect.

Until you go and experience onsite you will never know but after you will realize what a true vacation is about, relaxing. Then your next visits get even more relaxing because you now know.

That sounds like the perfect vacation. Thanks, Bluer. I'm ready for Universal!

 

[Bluer101]

Of course on your first visit and onsite you will want to soak it all up. But as you complete most of what you want you can go back multiple times to your favorites. Try that a Disney.

I also tell people that also for a few $$$ more it's better to hit sitdown meals than counter service also.

 

[rebbyparker]

Of course on your first visit and onsite you will want to soak it all up. But as you complete most of what you want you can go back multiple times to your favorites. Try that a Disney.

I also tell people that also for a few $$$ more it's better to hit sitdown meals than counter service also.

It's only my first visit, the kids have been multiple times. We were supposed to hit Universal after Disney in December but work popped up so I wasn't able to go. I'm just really excited reading the forums about how easy it's going to be. No ADR's to stalk and trust me I want to try EVERY restaurant that's mentioned here. I'm getting more excited with every post I read. This is a great board!

 

[clsteve]

Of course on your first visit and onsite you will want to soak it all up. But as you complete most of what you want you can go back multiple times to your favorites. Try that a Disney.

I also tell people that also for a few $$$ more it's better to hit sitdown meals than counter service also.

I agree. We found the TS at Uni excellent and 5-20% cheaper than WDW TS.

And yes, I kept track of it and checked against the previous year's Disney trip.

Hey, without having to do a fully laminated, hour by hour, touring plan at Uni - the planner in me had to keep track of something.....

 

[rebbyparker]

I agree. We found the TS at Uni excellent and 5-20% cheaper than WDW TS.

And yes, I kept track of it and checked against the previous year's Disney trip.

Hey, without having to do a fully laminated, hour by hour, touring plan at Uni - the planner in me had to keep track of something.....

NO spreadsheets this time for this girl! My sister actually laughed at me when I told her that I used them for Disney.

 

[clsteve]

NO spreadsheets this time for this girl! My sister actually laughed at me when I told her that I used them for Disney.

 

[sydneysmom]

To the both of you.

Take it from a Universal veteran ( at least 1 visit per month, just returned) there is nothing more relaxing than Universal. You do not need to plan a thing. Go with the flow of what you want to do at that moment.

Just this past weekend.

We arrived at10am Saturday. Checked in at RPR this time. Got our express passes and headed to the parks for a few rides. By 12:30 after doing a few rides in each park we decided to return to RPR. Our room then was ready so we changed into our swim suits and hit Bula Bar and grill poolside for lunch. After having a relaxing lunch we got some chairs under umbrellas well DS and I swam for a few.

Returned to our room, got showered up and watched some tv while waiting for the rain to stop. Then hit up some rides first in IOA then took HE to DA. Did Gringotts single rider 25 minutes and a few other rides in US. By that time we were ready for dinner.

Our DS wanted pizza at Louie's so he had a slice there. Then we walked across to Finnigans for DW and I. Walked right in and had a great dinner. We finished some more rides and back to the hotel around 9-10 pm.

DS decided he wanted to swim so I joined him till about 11 pm. Back to the room showered up watch some tv and bed.

Get up at 7-8 and hit islands dining room for buffet breakfast. After breakfast we checked out of the room. Then hit both parks until 1:30 pm and decided to leave until next time.

Simple as that. You do what you want when you want 95% of the time. Yes, there can be breakdowns or a larger express line at certain times or a restaurant wait but for the most part it's perfect.

Until you go and experience onsite you will never know but after you will realize what a true vacation is about, relaxing. Then your next visits get even more relaxing because you now know.

It's amazing to me...I know that sounds so totally stupid, but it really is. It's amazing to think that you DON'T have to be anywhere for rope drop or have to do the parks commando so you GO GO GO. That to me was the worst. One of THE worst memories was from our last trip. It was 11:30 pm and we were on a 120 min line at Winnie the Pooh.... 11:30 at night. I was so sick to my stomach because it was hot, crowded, etc. We finally left. But when we went, it was like that on every ride. We never got to ride some of the rides because they were either down, the FP was gone or the lines were just way too long. (Rock n Rollercoaster was 240 min.... insane) My DH said to me, "I hate to tell you this, but I think this is our last trip to Disney". It was just miserable and the worst was, you felt so guilty if you weren't going all.the.time. It just was too much.

The whole concept of 'just head back to the hotel and swim, then head back to the park' is like a foreign concept... but in a really great way! THAT is the kind of vacation we're looking for.... exactly how you describe. We're staying onside (Probably doing Portofino club level since we get a good discount from work) so that we can get the early entry and front of the line passes. The front of the line passes is what sold my DH.... if he doesn't have to wait for every ride, for like an hour, he's beyond thrilled. His words were "I'm there, sign me up!".

Your post on another thread cracked me up.... 'Prepare to have your mind blown'.... that was just hysterical. And I for one, cannot wait!!! Your weekend sounded AMAZING, thank you for sharing your experience!!!!!

 

[Seeker615]

Our Universal trip last year was awesome.

From the minute we checked in to when we checked out everything was easy and fast.

We never waited for any rides with the express pass other than the Forbidden Journey ride. (But waiting in line is an adventure in itself. The castle is amazing!)

We walked back and forth between parks, Citywalk and our hotel. It was just so nice to just go with it every day!

It was kind of crowded one or two days and we never ever had to wait to eat anywhere.

I personally though the food was delicious at all the places we ate at. Our favorites were Finnegans, Pat O'Briens, Nascar Cafe and Pastamores.

I will admit that there was a place by the Jurassic Park area that was terrible! It was counter service and the salads were just awful!

We had an excellent 5 nights and would go back in a heartbeat!

 

[johde]

The whole concept of 'just head back to the hotel and swim, then head back to the park' is like a foreign concept... but in a really great way! THAT is the kind of vacation we're looking for.... exactly how you describe. We're staying onside (Probably doing Portofino club level since we get a good discount from work) so that we can get the early entry and front of the line passes. The front of the line passes is what sold my DH.... if he doesn't have to wait for every ride, for like an hour, he's beyond thrilled. His words were "I'm there, sign me up!".

You can do that at Disney; Disneyland that is. My trip to the Grand Californian was wonderful. It was wonderful to be able to ride Grizzly River Run, pop back to your hotel to change into dry clothes, then right back into the park. I know it won't be quite as quick, but I'm hoping to get that similar feeling staying onsite for the first time.

 

[Bluer101]

It's amazing to me...I know that sounds so totally stupid, but it really is. It's amazing to think that you DON'T have to be anywhere for rope drop or have to do the parks commando so you GO GO GO. That to me was the worst. One of THE worst memories was from our last trip. It was 11:30 pm and we were on a 120 min line at Winnie the Pooh.... 11:30 at night. I was so sick to my stomach because it was hot, crowded, etc. We finally left. But when we went, it was like that on every ride. We never got to ride some of the rides because they were either down, the FP was gone or the lines were just way too long. (Rock n Rollercoaster was 240 min.... insane) My DH said to me, "I hate to tell you this, but I think this is our last trip to Disney". It was just miserable and the worst was, you felt so guilty if you weren't going all.the.time. It just was too much.

The whole concept of 'just head back to the hotel and swim, then head back to the park' is like a foreign concept... but in a really great way! THAT is the kind of vacation we're looking for.... exactly how you describe. We're staying onside (Probably doing Portofino club level since we get a good discount from work) so that we can get the early entry and front of the line passes. The front of the line passes is what sold my DH.... if he doesn't have to wait for every ride, for like an hour, he's beyond thrilled. His words were "I'm there, sign me up!".

Your post on another thread cracked me up.... 'Prepare to have your mind blown'.... that was just hysterical. And I for one, cannot wait!!! Your weekend sounded AMAZING, thank you for sharing your experience!!!!!

You are welcome.

The crazy thing is we have that same weekend at least once a month if not twice. But we change things up each time. Some trips we only do a few rides and just enjoy one of the resorts.

Our next trip is just DW and I, DS is staying home. We are planning (did I say planning) a Friday, Saturday,Sunday in a few weeks. Friday we will arrive and do some park time together, shows and sightseeing.

For Saturday it's going to be sleep in, have breakfast in Islands dining room, then prop our butts on pool chairs under umbrellas for the day and be waited on.

Then have a nice dinner together.

There are plenty of Homies on this board that know us and we are a laid back go with the flow family.