To stay or not to stay, that is the question!

[Belle'sFan]

Planning a trip to WDW and interested in spending one day to see Harry Potter. Just two adults -is it worth it to stay 1 night at universal or should we stay at WDW and just transport over for one day? Thinking of going directly to Universal from MCO, spending one night there, seeing WWOHP the next day, and then heading to WDW. I’m assuming we could check out of Universal that morning and they would hold our luggage until we are ready to leave? Also, would we still be considered resort guests for early entry and express pass (if we go premier)? Going round and round on this plan vs just staying at WDW and transporting to WWOHP for one of the days without staying over.

 

[AussieFan8]

We have done it both ways, and there are pros and cons to both. We have stayed at Cabana Bay and Hard Rock and really liked both hotels, and they are less expensive than the Disney deluxe we usually stay at, so there's a cost savings. The Universal hotel will hold your luggage after check-out if you'd like. If you stay at a premier hotel, you will have express pass for check-out day, and you'd get early entry at any of the Universal hotels. However, because we focus solely on the WWoHP when we are there, we tend to prefer just taking an Uber over from Disney for the day. It still gives us enough time to see everything we want, especially now that my daughter is old enough for single rider lines, and it means we don't have to change hotels, which I prefer. When Magical Express was still offered, staying solely at Disney meant a free ride to and from the airport, so that was another cost savings. Since that benefit is now gone, that increases the appeal of going from the airport to Universal for a night and then to Disney in my opinion. Also, staying the first night in a Universal hotel would allow you to explore CityWalk upon arrival, which is a fun area.

 

[senoragilbert]

If you stay at a premier hotel, you will have express pass for check-out day, and you'd get early entry at any of the Universal hotels.

I just wanted to highlight these important benefits. If you want to see WWoHP well, you'll want to get up early and take a good look while the off-site guests are waiting to get in. Nothing more magical than being one of two or three families in Diagon Alley when the Gringott's dragon breathes on you. You will also want to stay late; Hogsmeade is especially beautiful at dusk and in the evening.

 

[CynBeth]

I would stay on property one night at a premiere hotel. We were there in November for 2 nights at Portofino Bay so only had a day and a half because we had the day we arrived and the whole next day and got to see almost everything we wanted. We don’t go on roller coasters or anything with a drop and between the rides and shows had an amazing time. I recommend you go on other rides that are not part of HP as well. The motion simulator rides are amazing. Make sure you get 2 day park to park tickets so you can go on the Hogwarts Express. Also if flying try to get an early flight because you have to stop at your hotel to get your room key which is also your express pass and park tickets from a different desk in the lobby and you would have some of that day plus the whole next day.

 

[Belle'sFan]

Thanks everyone! It does seem like it would be easier to be there and have early entry than to leave WDW at the crack of dawn. Considering that even with an early flight we wold not arrive until around noon, not sure we would buy tickets for that first day. This means arriving and doing other non-park stuff, then using early entry the next day.