Thoughts on best way to integrate Universal parks into Disney Vacation

[FosterLovesMickey]

Hi, guys - I have a question that I'm certain some of you experts can help with!

We are planning our second Disney trip for next February. We're hoping to spend a day at Universal as well... but, a couple of questions...

1) Is one day (with the park to park option) enough time to enjoy Universal? Or is two days really needed? I haven't been to universal since before IOA.

2) Is it best to (in your opinion, of course ), to do a split stay at one of the universal resorts or just stay at the Disney resort (we are staying onsite) and head to Universal / IOA for the day? Keeping in mind that we are flying, and are not planning to rent a car (at least that is the thought right now).

Any other thoughts on including Universal in our Disney vacation plans?? We're traveling with 2 adults, and 2 "Disney" adults.

TIA for your responses!!!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

We included Universal in our last trip. We did one day at IoA. My children's ages are 10 and 7. We did rent a car because we were offsite.
If your children are older and love the thrill rides, you might want to do Universal Studios. Our big draws were WWoHP and Seuss Landing, so we did not do both parks. If you do decide to do both, I would take two days.
The benefit to staying at a Universal resort is front of the line privileges and early admittance. I don't think those will be a huge deal in February, unless you're going over a holiday weekend.
HTH!

 

[Silock]

I can't decipher what you mean by 2 adults and 2 Disney adults. Is that 4 adults?

If so, you can easily do both parks in one day, no question, since you're going in the offseason.

My wife and I don't have kids, and always go off-season with a few other adults. We always do both parks in one day and never skip anything and get to ride most things as many times as we want.

We start off at "rope drop" or whatever their equivalent is at IoA. Head straight to Harry Potter for Forbidden Journey. Usually ride it twice. Do the dragon challenge, both sides. Get an early lunch in the Harry Potter land. Hit up Jurassic Park. Usually skip the water rides, because it's either too cold or they're closed. No big loss there. They aren't amazing rides, anyway. They're just there to cool you off.

Do Hulk a few times. Lines are short. Spiderman. We skip Seuss Land and The Lost Continent. Head to Universal Orlando.

Rip Ride Rockit. Hit Despicable Me. Shrek is skippable. We almost fell asleep during it, and the hydraulics in the ride are almost louder than the movie is. But, it won't have a line so long you can't do it and get out in a reasonable amount of time. Transformers probably has a line and will be the main draw, so you may want to consider doing that first. But, you never know. This will likely be the longest wait of the day.

Do Mummy. Hit Simpsons and Alien Attack. Do Mummy one more time and Rip Ride Rockit. Leave by 5 pm.

We do this regularly. The only change that's happened since we've done this is the opening of the Transformers ride. But, since you're going in February, you shouldn't experience a long wait at all, assuming you're not going President's Day week.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

We stayed at the HRH for two days before heading to Disney and it was perfect. Staying on site was the way to go because your FOTL pass is included and you can get early entry to WWOHP. Two nights gave us enough time to see everything.

We are a family of five and also flew with no car. We took a cab to the HRH and then another from there to the BC and used DME to go back to MCO.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I would definitely recommend staying at one of Universal's onsite properties for that that portion of your vacation. The hotels are absolutely lovely (on par with or above the Disney deluxes), you are within walking or boat distance to both parks, and the free Express Passes and early entry which you will receive as an onsite guest are fabulous.

If you choose to stay onsite, the Royal Pacific will be your cheapest option.

I, personally, would devote two park days for your Universal visit (you will only need a one night's stay, though.....Express Pass is included for both your check-in and check-out days). Then you can see it all and do it all without rushing. If your kids are Harry Potter fans, then that area of IOA will likely be somewhere you'd like to spend extra time.

 

[LovesTimone]

Yes it's quite do-able to get into Universal and IOA -

I would just stay at Disney resorts, for me it not worth the time to change hotels but that just me.

If you do a 1 day park hopper, I personally would check out what rides you really want to ride, or things you want to see, and do that 1st. This way you can get the feel of the parks and what they have to offer and plan for next time. As a suggestion check out Margaritaville (sp?) great place for a lively dinner, but do make reservation for here or you will never get in.

As far as transportation over there, You can always use a car service, we have gotten a taxi at DTD before - we grabbed breakfast at Earl of Sandwich, then head over to Universal, We had our car with us but we planned on having some adult beverages after the parks, so this was well worth it to us.

 

[U2_rocks!]

When we did both we did a split stay. Flew into Orlando early afternoon and went straight to Universal hotel. We spent the evening in the pool and at Citiwalk for dinner - didn't want to waste a park day. The next morning we did IOA for early entry. We did Harry Potter stuff and the big rides, then went to the wet rides (in feb this may not be an option, depending on the weather). After the wet rides we headed back to the resort for lunch and pool time - we were wet and looking for a break. After our break we came back to IOA to do the rest of the park until closing.

The next day we checked out and had them store our stuff before going to Universal Studios. We stayed there until early afternoon, having lunch in the park, and then headed to Beach Club. We spent the evening in the Boardwalk area and started our first Disney park day the next day.

It was so nice to be so close to the Universal parks and to be able to use the Express queues as much as we wanted. It really cut down on wait times. If you are going around President's Day you will appreciate that perk!

 

[FosterLovesMickey]

I can't decipher what you mean by 2 adults and 2 Disney adults. Is that 4 adults?

If so, you can easily do both parks in one day, no question, since you're going in the offseason.

My wife and I don't have kids, and always go off-season with a few other adults. We always do both parks in one day and never skip anything and get to ride most things as many times as we want.

We start off at "rope drop" or whatever their equivalent is at IoA. Head straight to Harry Potter for Forbidden Journey. Usually ride it twice. Do the dragon challenge, both sides. Get an early lunch in the Harry Potter land. Hit up Jurassic Park. Usually skip the water rides, because it's either too cold or they're closed. No big loss there. They aren't amazing rides, anyway. They're just there to cool you off.

Do Hulk a few times. Lines are short. Spiderman. We skip Seuss Land and The Lost Continent. Head to Universal Orlando.

Rip Ride Rockit. Hit Despicable Me. Shrek is skippable. We almost fell asleep during it, and the hydraulics in the ride are almost louder than the movie is. But, it won't have a line so long you can't do it and get out in a reasonable amount of time. Transformers probably has a line and will be the main draw, so you may want to consider doing that first. But, you never know. This will likely be the longest wait of the day.

Do Mummy. Hit Simpsons and Alien Attack. Do Mummy one more time and Rip Ride Rockit. Leave by 5 pm.

We do this regularly. The only change that's happened since we've done this is the opening of the Transformers ride. But, since you're going in February, you shouldn't experience a long wait at all, assuming you're not going President's Day week.

Thanks for your input. By Disney Adults, I meant children who are over the age for a child's ticket. They are 10 and 13. Sorry for the confusion...

 

[FosterLovesMickey]

Thanks, everyone, for your insight! I really appreciate it.

We won't be there for President's day - so, hopefully it won't be too crowded. We have a little bit of time to decide, and I really appreciate all of your insight!!

Thanks!!

 

[Silock]

Thanks for your input. By Disney Adults, I meant children who are over the age for a child's ticket. They are 10 and 13. Sorry for the confusion...

Ah, we'll, in that case, you'd probably better do two days and stay on site. I can't imagine moving at the speed we adults do while having children along. Plus, we skip most of the kid stuff.

I'm planning a surprise trip for my wife in February as well. It should be a great time to go!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

We do US and IOA every trip but we have never stayed on site at the US hotels. We go in the slow season when express pass is not even needed.

We have stayed on Disney property the whole trip and other times stayed completely off site the whole trip. But we have a car every time. I would never go to Disney and not have a car to drive ourselves around.

If you have never been to either US park I would devote one day to each park. IOA can be an all day park and if you stay around to see all the shows at US it can be an all day park too.

US has some very good shows. They have the Beetlejuice Rock n Roll Graveyard Revue (my fav), the Horror Make Up Show (not scary) the Terminator 3D show and they also have a street show of the Blues Brothers. I would make it a point to see all of them.

IOA has a Sinbad show and a Poseidon's Fury show. Both are good.

Your kids are old enough to ride anything they want to ride so I would take a day in each park and just get a 2 day one park ticket.

US hotels are nice but they are usually $300 a night on the low end. It's not worth it to me. The main benefit you get, express pass, is not needed is slow times. And I have never thought I wish I could have gotten in an hour earlier for Harry Potter. If you go straight back to Harry Potter right at park opening you will be fine.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

If you are a first time visitor, and at least one in your party likes thrill rides, I would do two days for each park. I've done both in one day, but I've already been to both parks and skipped some things. I've never stayed on-site. I go during the off season and we always rent a car because we enjoy eating and staying off site.

 

[FosterLovesMickey]

If you are a first time visitor, and at least one in your party likes thrill rides, I would do two days for each park. I've done both in one day, but I've already been to both parks and skipped some things. I've never stayed on-site. I go during the off season and we always rent a car because we enjoy eating and staying off site.

Are you saying you think that we need 4 days for Universal? Or a day in each of the universal parks?

I appreciate everyone's input!! Very helpful!!

 

[Silock]

Are you saying you think that we need 4 days for Universal? Or a day in each of the universal parks?

I appreciate everyone's input!! Very helpful!!

I can't imagine anyone but the biggest Universal fan needing more than 1 day in each park, especially during an off-peak season.

 

[Ametista]

We have tried split stays a few times and it is awful. I would do almost anything to avoid it in fact, as you waste SO MUCH TIME transferring. Even if you have to take a taxi for your day to US/IOA it will be much better than the upheaval/time waste of switching. I would like to make it clear that Islands of Adventure (NOT US) is the park you probably want, its the one with Harry Potter and Spiderman. US is pretty lame by comparison. The Mummy is the only ride we even like in US, not even worth it.

 

[taaren]

I was pleasantly surprised by how much there was at Universal to do. 2 days in Universal is what we're planning on this time so we can get to a lot of the stuff we missed last time when we only went for one day and got hooked.

Mears runs a shuttle from the Disney resorts to Universal which is reasonable, but with 4 people a cab each way might be better, you'll have to price it out.

 

[autismmom1]

Hi...I don't really want to hijack the thread, but you guys know what you're talking about and I'm sure you'll know the answer...

We were thinking about this very thing for our trip in October (staying onsite at WDW Sunday through Thursday) and we would like to then check in to a US hotel on Friday through Sunday. My question is this: do you have to wait until check in to get your express (front of the line) pass, or can you drop by and pick it up the morning of your checkin so you can spend all day at one of the US parks? We will have a vehicle, so we can keep our luggage in there for the day...TIA for any answers!

 

[Lava124]

Hi...I don't really want to hijack the thread, but you guys know what you're talking about and I'm sure you'll know the answer...

We were thinking about this very thing for our trip in October (staying onsite at WDW Sunday through Thursday) and we would like to then check in to a US hotel on Friday through Sunday. My question is this: do you have to wait until check in to get your express (front of the line) pass, or can you drop by and pick it up the morning of your checkin so you can spend all day at one of the US parks? We will have a vehicle, so we can keep our luggage in there for the day...TIA for any answers!

You need to go to the check in desk to get your express pass.You can get it in the morning even if the room is not ready.They will also store your luggage for you while you go over to the parks.They will call you when your room is ready and you can go back to the hotel at your leisure to get your actual room assignment.

 

[autismmom1]

Thank you so much for the information! It helps me out a lot!

 

[AlohaDisney]

You can purchase US 1-day park to park passes or 2-day park to park passes with shuttle service from Walt Disney World (and area) resorts. The tickets with shuttle are available through different agency's, we purchased our for our stay last month and loved it! Shuttle is by Mears.