Too expensive for this family!

[DavidNYC]

The new pricing system really doesn't help us. We usually go to Universal for 1 day of our Disney trip and do our favorite rides in both parks. We've had a couple of 3 day non-expiring passes that we bought for $99(!) a few years back that we just finished. I luckily just found someone on e-bay who was selling 2 more of those passes they've had a while but never used. The $150 we paid for each of those gives us the ability to do a $50 day at universal rather than what they're charging now for one day. (And yes - I did check the passes when I went down last time and they were unused and good).

 

[Asm]

This will be the 1st time we take the kids to Uni. We did an adult only recon last summer. The kids are old enough to enjoy it now. We love WDW and plan to do both this year. I also find Uni more expensive but it may be because of my tried and true Disney system. We stay offsite in a 4 bdr home instead of on property. It saves us tons normally. However, Uni will be a big expense. We either have to work around the crowds, buy express passes or pay for a hotel room we don't want or need. And, yes, the house is already rented for 2 weeks ( $169 day for 4bdr, 3bath, pool, hot tub, gameroom 2 mi from WDW). We always use the same house and love it. So Uni for 4 adults and 2 kids is a big expense...and much as I think the fam will love it, I don't foresee them giving up Disney magic either. There has to be a way to make this work out!

 

[torinsmom]

This will be the 1st time we take the kids to Uni. We did an adult only recon last summer. The kids are old enough to enjoy it now. We love WDW and plan to do both this year. I also find Uni more expensive but it may be because of my tried and true Disney system. We stay offsite in a 4 bdr home instead of on property. It saves us tons normally. However, Uni will be a big expense. We either have to work around the crowds, buy express passes or pay for a hotel room we don't want or need. And, yes, the house is already rented for 2 weeks ( $169 day for 4bdr, 3bath, pool, hot tub, gameroom 2 mi from WDW). We always use the same house and love it. So Uni for 4 adults and 2 kids is a big expense...and much as I think the fam will love it, I don't foresee them giving up Disney magic either. There has to be a way to make this work out!

Are you going at a time that you can get YES tickets for Disney and save some money there? That is the only way we did both last year and we are doing the same next summer. Year before last we did only Universal and did NOT have Express passes. We got there at opening and did the rides that get long lines fastest first. We were there for 7 days, so we just left when it got too crowded to accomplish much. We also used the single rider lines for rides like Men in Black, Revenge of the Mummy and Spiderman. You're with your family until you actually get on the ride and DS does not mind being in a separate car. They also have single rider on the main Harry Potter ride, which saved us time last summer as well.

I paid for a night at the RPR to get the FOTL passes for two days. Never again will I do that. The FOTL was nice, but it was not worse $300, when I got my 3 bedroom Emerald Isle condo for $500 for the WEEK!

 

[umieesa]

PM sent!

 

[Planogirl]

We always have a car so finding things to do is easy. If we want something different we just drive somewhere. I drove DS to Spook Hill during our last trip for example. It really wasn't worth the drive but my point is that there is so much to do in and around Orlando - it's mind-boggling.

If you don't have a car, I think that it really depends on your mentality. I might get bored at Universal and only Universal for a week but four days would be easy. I don't usually go to the pools though while my other family members love good pools and could spend days in them. DH went with us during our stay at RPR and he and DS spend a lot of time at the RPR and HRH pools. I shopped.

 

[heatherwillmom]

For the last several years, we have done both Disney & Universal. I am a huge Disney fan but DH is not. He likes it OK but not like me. He does, however, like Universal. He doesn't ride a lot because he gets motion sick a lot. There are several rides that he can do without too much problem. Our kids are teenagers now so they like both parks. We stay on-site at both for the perks. We love the on-site hotels. we have AAA & get pretty good discounts at Universal with that. The food at Universal is usually less than Disney, but since we usually do the dining plan, we don't notice the cost at Didney as much. We have done different combinations of days. We usually do 5 days Disney, 2 days Universal. With the FOTL benefit at Universal, we finish the parks before it's very late. I would like to have a little more time. I can easily do 6-7 days Disney & 3 days Universal. We usually go during Spring break. I am thinking about taking my kids out of school a day or two early & getting an early start. We usually leave on Friday night, drive all night, & go to a park after we get checked in. It would be nice not to be so rushed the first day.

 

[nrpofp]

This is our first trip. We will be in Orlando 2 weeks so we are doing both. Its like paying for two vacations at once. Since we are two hours from disneyland and universal hollywood. We don't plan on visiting Orlando more than maybe 2 or 3 times unless we really fall in love with the place. If we lived close to Orlando I think we would split it up so the cost would not be so shocking. We like nice hotels and are staying deluxe so this is a very expensive trip.

 

[heatherwillmom]

This is our first trip. We will be in Orlando 2 weeks so we are doing both. Its like paying for two vacations at once. Since we are two hours from disneyland and universal hollywood. We don't plan on visiting Orlando more than maybe 2 or 3 times unless we really fall in love with the place. If we lived close to Orlando I think we would split it up so the cost would not be so shocking. We like nice hotels and are staying deluxe so this is a very expensive trip.

We have never been to Disneylabnd but would love to go sometime. We are 1 12 hour drive from Orlando but we do it every year. I think if you have never been to Orlando, you will need more time so 2 weeks will be good. I also think you are doing the right thing by going deluxe. We started out doing value when the kids were very small. We moved up to moderate & now deluxe. There are some of the moderates that we wouldn't mind going back to. If we were staying longer like you are, deluxe is the way to go. We love the little extras. As far as Universal, we always stay on-site & they only have deluxe resorts but it is really worth it. I love being so close to the parks & the express entrance for rides.

 

[nrpofp]

We have never been to Disneylabnd but would love to go sometime. We are 1 12 hour drive from Orlando but we do it every year. I think if you have never been to Orlando, you will need more time so 2 weeks will be good. I also think you are doing the right thing by going deluxe. We started out doing value when the kids were very small. We moved up to moderate & now deluxe. There are some of the moderates that we wouldn't mind going back to. If we were staying longer like you are, deluxe is the way to go. We love the little extras. As far as Universal, we always stay on-site & they only have deluxe resorts but it is really worth it. I love being so close to the parks & the express entrance for rides.

Thanks I booked 1 bdr at BWV with a pin code I recieved. I like having space. When we travel we usually stay at embassy suites or homewood Hilton for the seperate bedrooms. We always stay onsite or within walking distance when visiting any theme park. I agree it makes the trip so much better. I still haven't decided which universal resort to stay at, but I'm working at it.

 

[heatherwillmom]

At Disney, the deluxe we have stayed at are Animal Kingdom Lodge, Saratoga Springs, Beach Club, & Grand Floridian. At Universal, we have stayed at Royal Pacific & Hard Rock. We loved both of these, but I think my kids prefer Hard Rock.

 

[macraven]

We had a great time. We also went to SeaWorld. We had always missed out since we were busy cramming all of the other parks into our vacations. If you can swing it (and with discounts and 2 days for 1 pricing, it is more affordable than adding Disney or US/IOA), I would suggest going to SW. Kids loved it as much as Diseny or US/IOA. By not going to Disney those couple of days, we still had a great time.

By the way, if you do got to SW, you should consider using a taxi rather than a car. $15 a day to park at hotel on top of rental cost gets expensive.

if you stay on site at universal, you can take the free bus the hotels offer for their guests to seaworld and/or aquatica.

 

[ILVPOOH]

We went the first week of November. It is expensive, but being a huge Harry Potter fan I had to go. Since my husband isn't a big fan he stayed at Disney. I took my 2 boys who are also big fans. We had a great time and I'm really glad we did it. We also spent lots of money in the shops. It was more my fault because I wanted to buy everything. I'm glad we went, because it will probably be a few years before we return to Florida.

 

[cbsnyber1]

We did five days at Universal last year, but did the Mickey's Christmas party at the MK just to give our grandson a taste of the mouse. That worked out very well, since we were able to visit almost all the attractions at the MK, and at a reasonable cost ($55 + tax).

Oh, and our grandson (age 10) was the one who decided we were going to Universal and not Disney, since we did not care (but really wanted Universal).

Great vacation, really relaxing with no rushing around. Our next trip will be exclusively Universal.

 

[bumbershoot]

This is our first trip. We will be in Orlando 2 weeks so we are doing both. Its like paying for two vacations at once. Since we are two hours from disneyland and universal hollywood. We don't plan on visiting Orlando more than maybe 2 or 3 times unless we really fall in love with the place. If we lived close to Orlando I think we would split it up so the cost would not be so shocking. We like nice hotels and are staying deluxe so this is a very expensive trip.

It really is like paying for two vacations!

But then, to a visitor to southern CA, it can be the same, if you're visiting DLR and Seaworld/SDzoo/etc.

We stayed at Royal Pacific, and we're conflicted on what we would change for the future. The hotel room was absolutely tiny compared to the 2 then 1 bedroom villas we had stayed in at Old Key West at WDW, so the urge is to stay at the hotel *first*. But then the Fast Pass system seemed puny and weak compared to the Express plus pass at Universal, and it was HARD to go back to FP when we returned to WDW on that same stay (Uni was in the middle).

Anyway, it was worth it! We really enjoyed Universal.

 

[nrpofp]

It really is like paying for two vacations!

But then, to a visitor to southern CA, it can be the same, if you're visiting DLR and Seaworld/SDzoo/etc.

We stayed at Royal Pacific, and we're conflicted on what we would change for the future. The hotel room was absolutely tiny compared to the 2 then 1 bedroom villas we had stayed in at Old Key West at WDW, so the urge is to stay at the hotel *first*. But then the Fast Pass system seemed puny and weak compared to the Express plus pass at Universal, and it was HARD to go back to FP when we returned to WDW on that same stay (Uni was in the middle).

Anyway, it was worth it! We really enjoyed Universal.

The nice thing about Socal is you can buy a city pass for less than $300 that includes 3 days at DL , universal, seaworld, sdzoo, wild animal park. I wish Orlando had something like this. I know they do, but it doesn't include disney. It would make it more affordable for people to visit both parks.

 

[dan-tot]

No offense taken! It's just that we are big disney fans and usually buy a 7 day pass which as you know makes the cost of visiting the park much more affordable. I'm sure the case is the same if we were planning on spending more days at Universal. As it stands we really only wanted to see WWOHP.

Thank you Franci57 &Metro West! I will definitely check out these other options to see if we can make this visit to Universal possible.

If you are just going to Harry Potter I would not waste the money. I was just there Dec 11th and I was not impressed. The que for the ride is not all that great. The corridors are small the class rooms are rather small the shops are to small and if you want anything but butterbeer which tastes like rootbear with vanilla foam on top or water you are out of luck.
I didn't get to ride FJ but without the ride I don't think Harry Potter would draw as many people as it does. I did the same thing I went to Universal for HP and even got a room at the Royal Pacific Hotel but I spent most of the week at Disneyworld. Hope this helps.

Dan-tot

 

[glocon]

Wow Dan-tot- that is too bad you had such a bad experience. I guess that just goes to show how different people are. We absolutely loved the line through the castle- all the different things from the books brought to life. It was magical to us. My husband who isn't even a HP fan (didn't read the books, saw one movie) said he would go through the line again even though he would not ride again ( just barely fit in the seat and thought it was too uncomfortable- couldn't take a deep enough breath). My son and I walked through the Dragon Challenge line but didn't ride- that was good also. Even the scenes on the Flight of the Hippogriff were so interesting. But my son and I are major HP fans.... wish we were there right now....

 

[Magpie]

If you are just going to Harry Potter I would not waste the money. I was just there Dec 11th and I was not impressed. The que for the ride is not all that great. The corridors are small the class rooms are rather small the shops are to small and if you want anything but butterbeer which tastes like rootbear with vanilla foam on top or water you are out of luck.
I didn't get to ride FJ but without the ride I don't think Harry Potter would draw as many people as it does. I did the same thing I went to Universal for HP and even got a room at the Royal Pacific Hotel but I spent most of the week at Disneyworld. Hope this helps.

Dan-tot

I was there December 12th to the 17th.

What about walking oh, about 20 meters in any direction to the next land and ordering a pop? You had to walk PAST several stores and carts selling soda pop in order to just get to the Wizarding World!

As for what's available to drink in the Wizarding World itself, I don't think you looked at any of the menus posted... well, everywhere. You evidently didn't look in any of the outdoor carts, either. The juice options were laid out in plain sight.

Beverages

Butterbeer (non alcoholic) – $2.99

Frozen Butterbeer (non alcholic) – $3.99

Pumpkin Juice – $2.99

Pumpkin Fizz – $2.99

Lemonade – $2.49

Sparkling Water – $2.50

Natural Spring Water – $2.75

Cider (non alcholic) - $2.49

Apple or Pear

Iced Tea - $2.49

Sweet, Unsweetened, Raspberry

Lemonade & Iced Tea Mix – $2.49

Draught Beers

Hog’s Head Brew – $6.50

Domestic Beer $6.00


Hyperbole, much? My southern roots were thrilled to find unsweet tea. It's not available up North!

 

[schumigirl]

If you are just going to Harry Potter I would not waste the money. I was just there Dec 11th and I was not impressed. The que for the ride is not all that great. The corridors are small the class rooms are rather small the shops are to small and if you want anything but butterbeer which tastes like rootbear with vanilla foam on top or water you are out of luck.
I didn't get to ride FJ but without the ride I don't think Harry Potter would draw as many people as it does. I did the same thing I went to Universal for HP and even got a room at the Royal Pacific Hotel but I spent most of the week at Disneyworld. Hope this helps.

Dan-tot

What a shame you had such and unenjoyable experience. Maybe DW is more suited to you for future trips.

As for the expense.....I can only speak for us who find Universal a very economic way to spend 14 days in Orlando. Disney prices are such we don`t entertain going anymore, especially as our son is nearly 17 so we don`t have many reasons to be there any more. Maybe a morning at DHS for ToT and RnR coaster. We enjoy the rides and atmosphere of Universal more.

As for Rootbeer taste.....I would say it was more like cream soda on the bottom and butterscotch on top. I cannot abide rootbeer so certainly wouldn`t have been able to drink the 4 or 5 of them I had over 14 days if it did taste like that. And as Magpie has quoted above, and I drank a few of those myself.....there are plenty of other things to drink.

I liked the queue for the ride.......and I`m not the biggest HP fan in the world, and the shops are small as that is the way they are in the book.....as they would be in a real little village that it is supposed to be.

I do think the ride is a part of the experience, but from people I spoke to, and we were there every day at some point for two weeks....there were loads that were not riding and were there to immerse themselves in the HP experience.....something that I think Universal has done exceptionally well.

Can`t wait to get back in August, 14 days for the whole US/IOA experience as well as HP.

 

[Tink2Day]

dan-tot is apparently a glass half empty type. He pops up on this board every once in a while with a negative comment. In fact I think he did a cut and paste with this comment.

People who enjoy life should find something they enjoy in WWOHP, those who are miserably unhappy and negative will be the same wherever they are.

schumgirl, I agree the Butterbeer tastes NOTHING like root beer. I've made some at home and the recipe calls for club soda or creme soda, butterscotch ice cream topping and butter. NO WHERE does it have the ingredients which give Root Beer it's flavor profile.
Agree on the shops. Remember in the movie when the kids were all in Honeydukes? It was teeming with kids. Also in the Chamber of Secrets movie, the book store was PACKED, in Diagon alley?