Thinking of doing Universal insted of Disney!

[Bill Schultz]

We are coming down in early December. We had originally planned 3 or 4 days at disney. We were just trying to figure out what fast passes to book and where to go when we thought about doing Universal for a day. We looked at the attractions at Universal and there is alot we might like. my 6 and 3 year old about died when they saw the Jurassic River ride. We were to Disney once about 2 years ago and found it a bit overwhelming with our 4 and 1 year old. Now we have 1, 3, and 6 year old and are a little apprehensive about alot of Disney again. Now we are thinking 2 days of universal with express passes and only 1 or 2 disney days. I just remember waiting in line to be the hardest part for the kids. Would universal express passes make our trip that much easier? The only disney park we really loved was Epcot. I feel bad having the kids potentially miss MK but man we just didnt have that much fun there with the little ones. They are too little for the big rides and it sounds like the newest attractions are nearly impossible to get on anyway. They like the Disney characters but again waiting 60 minutes to meet Merida was tough.

Would be making a big mistake switching plans so drastically or universal the way to go?

 

[Kivara]

Everyone is going to give a lot of different answers (all their opinion.) For my family, we go to Universal every year, and haven't been to Disney in about 6 years.
I am a hyper-organized planner...love to plan, I find Disney to be too much! Too much planning, stress, crowds, money, etc.
But, again, my opinion. I have boys, so they prefer Marvel and Harry Potter to princesses.
Have fun, whatever you choose to do!

 

[Robo56]

I think you will find I as well as other Universal regulars really like the Universal experience more. The over all environment of staying onsite, inclusion of express pass with staying at HRH, RPR and PBH and the continued forward thinking of the whole Universal plan is pretty impressive. This is a park that has really grown to include incredible resort experiences, new park attractions, great food options, new water park opening in summer of 2017. New resort opening in summer 2016 Sapphire Falls. Even their newest budget option for a resort Cabana Bay is very impressive.

The Universal Orlando web site is very easy to navigate. You are able to pull up a map of both parks to look at all the rides and the height requirements, menus at all resturants in the parks and City Walk and their food offerings and prices.

You are able to get discounts on tickets from AAA, undercover tourist and other sites listed on the boards here.

Have not been back to WDW for 3 years. Last time I was there I had had enough for awhile.

I know a lot of People say there is not enough things to do for little ones at Universal but, that is also true at Disney.
I see plenty of young family's at Universal having a great time.

The big problem for me at this time with Disney is the planning for a family trip has gotten out of control. Having to plan meal reservations so far in advance with the knowledge that other people are making reservations that they will probably not keep. When that happens people are unable to get into these places. Now having to make fast pass plus times to get on rides. It has gotten out of control. That is not how I want to plan my vacation.

Having touring plans and having every part of my day planned out is not a vacation to me.

I like Universal and I will keep coming back because of the quality of onsite resort options, quality food options and the overall accessibility and ease of navigating the parks. Love The Potter parks and the rides are great. Going to Universal is fun.

So now having said all that. Take a break from Disney this year go experience Universal. You will love it.

Have a great time with your family no matter what your vacation destination. You are making memories your family will never forget.

 

[Bill Schultz]

Thats kinda how I feel about Disney. There were things we liked about it but I remember saying when we left Florida that I never want to go to Disney again. I was completely exhausted. Now when planning a trip we kinda just assumed we would do Disney but why if Universal is a good alternative. Thinking of fast passes and dining and having to get there early and the long walk to MK just doesnt sound all that fun for the few things we liked there.

Knowing that we have kids who dont cant wait in line long, is the express ticket a must?

 

[FargoBear]

Speaking as the father of a 6-year-old boy with no patience, the express pass is a huge benefit. We've visited Florida once a year for the past few years, as my bank account can attest, but we've always done two days at Universal with the express pass. Staying onsite at one of the deluxe hotels gives two days of express pass, so we typically show up at like 7:30 a.m. the first day, check in and unload the luggage, and head off to hit the parks. On the second day, store the luggage at bell services and head out again the next morning.

We typically go in November when crowds are lower, but the express pass turns a 40-minute wait on Despicable Me into 10-15 and rides like Jurassic Park that may have 10-15 minute wait down to practically walkon. We'll never go to Universal without express pass. It's fantastic.

 

[Robo56]

If you are staying onsite at HRH, RPR or PBH they are included in you hotel stay. Once you check into the resort you go to the express pass kiosk near the hotel check inn area and print out your express pass and your done. If the parks are busy this will offer you much quicker access to rides. They do not work on the Potter rides but, as a onsite guest you can enter the park one hour before the general public that is not staying onsite.

Also as a onsite guest you have priority seating options at City Walk and the resorts for the resturants.

 

[Bill Schultz]

FYI we are not staying on site. This whole Universal idea just dawned on us last night. We are not staying at Disney but fairly close.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

The bright side is that early December is a fantastic time to travel to Universal. DO NOT buy Express passes early, you can buy them if you need them inside the park. Although warned, it is VERY VERY unlikely they will run out of express passes during this time frame. However, the rides that might draw the most attraction from your children might be the ones with the longest lines. Only you know your budget and your kids. Especially if you are going multiple days, check it out day one, do what you can, and make a "plan" for day 2 to get passes and hit the main attractions.

One thing to note, the play areas in both Universal and Islands of Adventure are just amazing. My kids, now 11 and 8, are starting to look past them, but for years, it was great to let them play while my wife and I could sit for a few. It's amazing at how much they complain about lines, but then have all the necessary energy in the play areas. FYI, they can/will get wet, bring an extra outfit. If you are a big kid, you may end up in there with them!!!! They still hit the If I ran a Zoo in Seussland though, that is a must see for them.

The character breakfast at Universal is a lot of fun, as is the breakfast with the Grinch during Grinchmas, which will be happening when you are there. And, no, you don't need an extra ticket like down the road (for Grinchmas in general, you will need to reserve the character breakfasts)...And you might want to take a boat ride over to the "on-site" resorts, just so you have an idea on your return trip, because, there will be one!!!

 

[HM]

My DD and I are going in early December this year (as we did last year). We will be offsite in a timeshare so will not have Early Entry or Express Passes. When you go multiple days, we've found that you don't really need them. Getting into the park at opening when the crowd levels are low we hit a few rides we want and do shows in the afternoon and then rides again in the evening. Or we go to our resort for lunch and pool time and then back to park in the evening. The next day do the same, but with different rides/attractions.

 

[Kivara]

VacaPlanner hit the nail on the head. The play areas are amazing! My kids are 14, 12, and 10 and they still love the Jurassic Park, Popeye, and Fievel play areas. A word of caution, if your kids are little, go with them in the Jurassic Park area especially, it is HUGE. We all walk/run/climb on that one, and this past year, we found an area we still hadn't ever seen before, after going 5 other times.

There are several posts floating around here about younger kids at Universal. In my experience, Universal is great, as they cover all ages and ride types, there's something for everyone. My youngest was 4 when we first went, and we all had a great time. We just balanced our days between thrill rides for the older ones and play areas/Seussland etc. for the youngers.

 

[hdnwaters]

We went a few weeks ago. Stayed at the Homewood suites on International Drive. That area has a free bus to US/IOA. The parking at US is in a central area and serves US/IOA/City Walk. It was fine and was much more convenient than taking multiple modes of transportation just to get to the Magic Kingdom! We did WDW too....we are park hoppers and our Fast Passes never worked out right. One day we never used them! (FYI...use your FPs in the first park of the day!)

We had 2 day Park to Park tickets. No Express Pass. We did go to both parks both days. Really easy to go from Park to Park. I made of list of "must dos". On Wednesday (low crowds) we did everything on our list at IOA plus some and then did 2 attractions at US. Really relaxed day with lunch at Margaritaville. Lots of Fun! The next day we went to Epcot and it was not in the least bit exciting! (except for Test Track, where we learned the meaning of Single Rider!)

Our second US/IOA day was on a Saturday. Defiantly more crowded. We headed to the back of US...and rode MIB, Escape from Gringotts, & the Mummy, without much wait. Then we wished for an Express Pass as wait times increased to 60 minutes for some things. We did some shows, sit down lunch, used the Single Rider option. Hit Minions on the way out! (Still 40 minute wait) No little ones with us but there is lots for them to do and you can take advantage of single rider or child swap. We had so much fun......nothing wrong with skipping WDW especially until they get some new attractions!

 

[kbelle8995]

You will Love Universal. It is so nice to be able to just go without having to make reservations for rides months in advance or ADR.

 

[Bill Schultz]

Thank you everyone for the helpful advice. Its an odd feeling to say we are going to Orlando and not doing much Disney (we cant go to FL often) but it really can be too much. Universal sounds like a nice change. I just remember being at MK a couple years ago wondering how I could get from one end of the park to the other it was so packed. Besides a couple rides my boys enjoyed it was a truly exhaustive day. I imagine US will be exhaustive as well but at least it wont start now, trying to book fast passes and what not. I do like the express pass idea. All due respect to the posters who said we may not need it but waiting in line 5 minutes compared to even 20 seems like a nice idea. Not that we are just flinging dollars around here. I think I am still paying off my disney trip from 2 years ago!

I guess I just dont think we will miss a ton. My wife is upset we are not eating at Animal Kingdom, they had a place there we liked but we didnt do much else there. Hollywood Studios was a bust for us. MK seemed like it would have been better had we been able to move it was so busy. And now everyone wants to ride this mine train that you might not be able to get on without a huge wait. We liked epcot so that might be the 1 park we do. Its just too much there! I am probably not cut out for Orlando!

 

[Lynne G]

But Bill, the joy of Orlando area is there is sooo much to do that isn't Disney. Besides Universal, there's the Busch parks, and Legoland not that far away. There's wildlife and orchard tours, as well as go carts and fun spots, with more like carnival rides. When my kids were young, it was all about the hotel pool rather than plodding through the parks. So, enjoy Universal. And besides, unless the kids specifically beg for Mickey, what they don't see, they won't miss, and they'll have a great time where ever you decide.

Have a nice vacation and enjoy Florida.

 

[Lynne G]

Oh and if you miss Disney, go to Disney Springs for dinner and tour the Lego store and newly designed World of Disney, or eat dinner at one of the Disney resorts.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Hey, if you have budgeted for Express Passes, by all means, buy them. In early December, many rides will be no wait, next ride vehicle and you are on it. Only being budget conscious. Once we stayed onsite and got a taste of Express Pass, we don't go unless we can afford to stay onsite. Another option (it sounds crazy, I know) is to double book yourself and pay for one night onsite at Royal Pacific (beautiful hotel, great pool, normally cheapest of the deluxes). With one night stay, you get two days of Unlimited Express Pass. If you are going to buy them anyway, it is actually cheaper for a one night stay than 4 Express Passes for 2 days. Again, the thought of paying for 2 hotels on the same night sounds ludicrous, but this is not about the hotel room, it's about a cheaper way to get two days of Express Passes (we have done this the last 3 trips to Orlando). The bonus is you get to "preview" one of the hotels. Also, if you want to get the 1 and 3 year old a nap in the afternoon or just a great swim in the pool, it is a short walk or a quick boat ride away, and each of you can spend some quality one on one time with your 6 year old, who might want to venture somewhere a little more "grown" up, like Transformers or Men in Black. Onsite was a great way for us to divide and conquer, and each get some special alone time with each child, which are great memories!!!

Lynne is also correct, there is a lot to do in other parts of Orlando. My children are big time water babies, and they prefer Aquatica (Sea World's waterpark) over every other park in Orlando. But, you better love water!!! We are also big big fans of WonderWorks, but that might be 2 years away based on your kids ages. Many think of it as a 3-4 hour attraction, but we always leave wanting more. We will probably give the Mouse one more all-immersive try when some of the announcements come to fruition (maybe take the grandkids by the time they are done building), but my now 11 and 8 year old could care less about heading back. Well, my 8 year old would love to go for the new Frozen ride, then leave, but my 11 year is ANGRY that the hat is gone from HS, go figure.

 

[Bill Schultz]

Hey, if you have budgeted for Express Passes, by all means, buy them. In early December, many rides will be no wait, next ride vehicle and you are on it. Only being budget conscious. Once we stayed onsite and got a taste of Express Pass, we don't go unless we can afford to stay onsite. Another option (it sounds crazy, I know) is to double book yourself and pay for one night onsite at Royal Pacific (beautiful hotel, great pool, normally cheapest of the deluxes). With one night stay, you get two days of Unlimited Express Pass. If you are going to buy them anyway, it is actually cheaper for a one night stay than 4 Express Passes for 2 days. Again, the thought of paying for 2 hotels on the same night sounds ludicrous, but this is not about the hotel room, it's about a cheaper way to get two days of Express Passes (we have done this the last 3 trips to Orlando). The bonus is you get to "preview" one of the hotels. Also, if you want to get the 1 and 3 year old a nap in the afternoon or just a great swim in the pool, it is a short walk or a quick boat ride away, and each of you can spend some quality one on one time with your 6 year old, who might want to venture somewhere a little more "grown" up, like Transformers or Men in Black. Onsite was a great way for us to divide and conquer, and each get some special alone time with each child, which are great memories!!!

I like this idea. We can get express passes for 2 days with a 1 night stay? 2 consecutive days I assume right?

 

[pcstang]

yes, day you check in and the day you check out. So one night gets two consecutive days of express pass.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Yes, as pcstang said, and you can "check in" as early as you want (if room is not ready, just drop luggage/overnight bag at luggage services). They will give you each a room key that you take to a kiosk nearby the lobby and print your express passes. They are good for two full, consecutive days. When you check out the next morning, you can still use all hotel amenities for the entire day. The locker room near the pool is quite adequate for changing, showering, etc. In fact, I would love to have it at my house, a huge upgrade.

With the close proximity to the two parks, all of the onsite deluxe hotels allow so much flexibility in your stay. We are not early risers when on vacation, so early entry means nothing to us, but many take advantage of the early hours, eat lunch wherever they choose, go to the hotel for nap or swim or both, then head back to the parks in the afternoon. Literally like 10 minutes (15 with small children) from your room to the entry gate of either park, SOOOOOO CONVENIENT.

Based on the tenor of your posts, you will appreciate that you can go to Universal, have an absolute blast, and feel relaxed when you leave. It is so hard to commando the parks with young children to feel like you got your money's worth, but you don't have to when you stay onsite.

 

[dixonsontour]

We first took our daughter when she was 5.

The curious george water play area was a big hit. Make sure you take swim wear and towel/fresh clothes so they can really enjoy it. I can remember sitting down and DD having freedom to run around it was really quiet when we went late October.

Suess area of Islands of Adventure is also very fun.

The parade is a lot smaller than a disney one but very colourful and characters little kids know like dora and minions.

If you only want 1 day at disney a Mickey's christmas party ticket would be cheaper - you can get into MK from 4pm until midnight on a party ticket alone. Parade is lovely. Not sure if they will nap enough to make this a possibility but thought I'd mention it.