Thinking Disney needs to shape up

[revdon64]

DW and I are planning a second honeymoon for the last few days of June. Have already made reservations for POFQ King Room, Deluxe DDP, Memory Maker, 4 day tix.

With all the discussion about cutbacks, loss of quality, CM attitudes, etc... looked up similar dates and tried to put together a package at USO. Same 4 days - Royal Pacific Resort with front of the line access, 4 day tix, Mears shuttle round trip to and from MCO... almost $900 less than the Disney package.

Now to be fair, US doesn't offer a dining plan or memory maker, but then Disney doesn't offer unlimited front of the line access either. Both hotels here are moderate value; I could save another $400 or so by dropping down to Cabana Bay Beach at US. Oh, and I've included the Keys to the Kingdom tour that we booked at Disney in the price there.

All this is to say that I'm seriously thinking about switching to USO for this trip. Maybe I'm just one of many who is becoming more disillusioned with Disney and their money grubbing practices recently.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you are leaning that way anyway, that is probably what you need to do. I can tell you my most recent trip was October, and I didn't see a loss of quality or run into a bunch of grumpy CMs.

 

[poppinspenguins]

Sounds like an awesome trip But just wondering, are doing all of that in 4 days? Deluxe is 3 sits down a day, right? And a tour?

More power to you...I would need an off day or 2 with that schedule

I have never stayed at universal...but loved our visit to the parks. A friend of mine recently went to cabana bay and raved about it. The Disney greed is getting to me to...more than usual...I think because it seems like a new announcement daily. Thinking vacation home next time.

 

[revdon64]

Sounds like an awesome trip But just wondering, are doing all of that in 4 days? Deluxe is 3 sits down a day, right? And a tour?

More power to you...I would need an off day or 2 with that schedule

I have never stayed at universal...but loved our visit to the parks. A friend of mine recently went to cabana bay and raved about it. The Disney greed is getting to me to...more than usual...I think because it seems like a new announcement daily. Thinking vacation home next time.

With the DDP we're doing two signature restaurants. Plus it's based on the number of nights you're there and we're only there three nights. So with 9 credits we booked California Grill, Hollywood Brown Derby, Tutto Italia, Restaurant Marakesh, SciFi, and Tusker. We'll use the other credit for a breakfast somewhere. Oh, and lunch is included with the Keys tour.

 

[HM]

Royal Pacific is way nicer than POFQ...more Deluxe. Love the pool area.

And you can get a photo package at Universal. No need for a dining plan.

Last year I spent a total of 20 days at US/IOA and 1 at Disney. I was very happy with our decision to get US APs snd concentrate our vacation funds there.

But your planned trip sounds good. Not sure I'd change.

 

[prudence64]

Isn't the front of the line thing at US for only those at deluxe hotels or who want to pay extra or do I have that wrong?

 

[powellrj]

Its been a couple of years, but I would consider Royal Pacific more of a deluxe hotel than a mod. DD stayed there in Jan of this year and said the rooms had been updated and were even nicer.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

with only 4 days you would probably be happy at Universal. With the express pass you will probably be done with the parks within a couple of days and can just go back for favorites.

US offers express pass included in the price for guests of its three "deluxe" hotels. Note that the express pass does not include the major Harry Potter attractions (Forbidden Journey, Escape from Gringotts, or Hogwarts Express) but you do get an hour early entry to get onto these ahead of crowds. and you can lose the deluxe DDP and not worry about where or how much you're going to eat.

 

[Disney Khi]

Isn't the front of the line thing at US for only those at deluxe hotels or who want to pay extra or do I have that wrong?

Royal Pacific counts as one of the "deluxe." The three that have Express Pass included in the hotel stay are Royal Pacific, Portofino Bay, and Hard Rock.

OP, I really like Universal and don't think you can make a wrong choice here. Although $900 is a lot of money to save. I would be very tempted. I've really enjoyed our Universal stays. We've been AP holders for a few years. Did you look into AP rates for the hotel? We first got AP's because the discounted hotel rates were so good that it made up for the extra ticket cost. Depending on if there is a promotion for AP holders, one of you might want to get an AP for the discount. You also get 10% off at restaurants and merchandise. (Do a hotel search on the Universal website for your dates with APH in the promo code box.)

 

[jkh36619]

Im doing a combo trip this december and staying at Royal Pacific and POFQ as well. But let me say this, My 2 days and 2 nights at USO is $1400 5 days 5 nights at Disney is $2200.

 

[pa. dad]

You didn't say if there are Universal attractions that you haven't seen yet and would like to or Disney attractions that would be new to you.
I think Universal has a 5 day ticket that allows you to go to sea world, busch gardens in tampa and the wet and wild waterpark if those interest you.
Most trips we have usually done some disney days and some universal days.

 

[kayteekt]

Just gonna throw this out there...don't really think you're comparing apples to apples. The deluxe DDP is a little more than 120 pp/per night. So that alone is $720...then if you're adding memory maker, what's that $160ish? There's your 900 difference right there. You'll be buying food at US, just not paying for up front and memory maker isn't something you have to do.
If you think you would prefer US then by all means go...but by your own calculations I'm not sure how much cheaper it really will be.

 

[Karin1984]

Disney World isn't going anywhere. Take a break and do something else. Regardless how much exactly you would save. Which park is more likely to give you happy memories? This is a trip you want to remember, if you fear with everything going on at WDW your trip could be a disappointment / less magical, I wouldnt risk it.

You can always go back. Nothing wrong with trying something different.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would suggest you might want to look at an AP for US/IoA...it may be less than a 4 day hopper pass, and could get you a room discount.

As others have said though....you're not comparing the same thing here. You need to take the Deluxe DDP out of the equation as well as the MM. Then, compare costs. Also..WDW has four parks vs US/IoA (2). I like US/IoA...and I love their resorts! Much nicer than most WDW resorts. But, I can seldom find much to occupy myself with after 2 days there. I just don't get the same feeling at US/IoA that I get at WDW.

 

[Enjoying Life]

You don't get front of the line access with Cabana Bay, It's worth the extra money for the Royal Pacific. I have only stayed at the Hard Rock and Portofino, but we are just a couple.

 

[hiroMYhero]

@revdon64 ~ Cost has been such an important factor in the planning of this trip. When you asked about DL over WDW, you ultimately decided on WDW because of the difference in airfare even though many had suggested DL.

So, with all your WDW plans in place and you're still factoring out the costs of a US stay, you may be happier going to US.

Does your spouse have an opinion as to destination?

 

[ITALIANNYC]

If you are questioning going to disney over a handful of accounts at the parks, then you shouldn't be going to Disney.

And US has their own money grabbing tactics. They wanna charge me like 80 dollars more for a 1 day front of the line pass MDW than any other time.

They all want money. One isn't better than the other in that respect.

 

[lovethattink]

We have AP for both the Disney Parks and Universal parks. My family prefers Disney. I haven't stayed at any of Universal's resorts, but I'd go with one of the deluxe, not Cabana Cay unless you plan to purchase the front of line pass.

Both Disney and Universal are great in their own ways.

I love that City Walk is right there. We eat there instead of the parks. Last time we ate in Universal, we paid am arm and a leg for a slice of mediocre pizza. Eating at Bubba Gump cost the same as our 3 slices of pizza and drinks. And we leave there full, usually not able to eat everything.

I also love Margaritaville!

 

[happymommy]

I've been to US once for a week (at least 5 days too long). We stayed at Portofino Bay - the service sucked, and I'm pretty easy to please. They allowed smoking - our room reeked from a neighboring room so they brought in an air cleaner that had to be left in our room the whole time. Now, this was before the whole Harry Potter theme stuff, so I know kids that are into that (and adults) love it.

If my husband wanted to do a second honeymoon at US, I'd shut that down! I honestly never want to go back. I can't do roller coasters anymore, and the whole vibe is different there.

If this is a big deal for a milestone anniversary, I'd say choose really where you want to go. Is it Disney? Is it Universal? Do you really want to spend it riding roller coasters? Or do you want shows? Or do you want to enjoy a nice resort?

Have you looked at the Swan at Disney?

I'd say look at where you want to go, not just the cost. I'll never go back to US.

 

[disneylovinfamilyof6]

It's not Disney. It doesn't feel like Disney. It's just a theme park IMO, so *for me* it's a cheap substitute. I was very sad the one time I booked US over Disney. Never again.