Trip Woes re: USO

[CoachBeard]

I’m not sure the best place to post this but since I’m flying solo I figured maybe here.

I went a little wild with my January trip. And have made several extensions but I’m having reservations about the last night and last full day where I booked a night at the Aventura hotel with a USO/IA 2 park pass.

I’ve never been to USO and earlier in my trip I have a day booked at Epic Universe. I live by USH and have been there so many times. The only thing I really enjoy is the studio tour and the historical aspect of it. Lately I’ve been wondering if I should have spent the about $500 give or take on that package. The only thing I really have interest in there is the Harry Potter train that goes between parks. It seems pretty neat. I am not a HP fan and have never seen a film but I like the job they did in Hollywood at the park.

The other thing is I’m seeing that final night for pretty cheap all over - booking direct, various DVC rental spots, and I just saw a deal today for $50 off a DVC rental booking. I could essentially spend half if I went that way.

Here are my plans as of today:

First day is travel from the west coast with 1 night in Grand Destino Tower. This may change sometime this week when my coworker gets back to me about the price he can get (retired CM). He’s been busy and I’m just like “yeah book me something cheap” and I booked this reservation as a placeholder.

1 night OKW
6 nights BWV
7 nights RR
1 night Aventura

I also have a bunch of extras booked and now I’m wondering if maybe I should make some cuts somewhere to save some dough.

Sangria University
Starlight Safari
Wild Africa Trek
Rose & Crown Fireworks package

 

[disneydreamer1980]

If you’re not that interested in the two older US parks I’d say save your money and don’t do them. They’re mostly thrill rides and screen rides, although the Harry Potter section is really cool. You’re already jumping around so much, maybe just book another DVC night. And if it were me I’d pick either the starlight safari or wild Africa trek (I’d pick the latter personally). Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[DL1WDW2]

The DVC Rental sounds risky to just save $50 …

 

[CoachBeard]

If you’re not that interested in the two older US parks I’d say save your money and don’t do them. They’re mostly thrill rides and screen rides, although the Harry Potter section is really cool. You’re already jumping around so much, maybe just book another DVC night. And if it were me I’d pick either the starlight safari or wild Africa trek (I’d pick the latter personally). Sounds like a fun trip!

Thanks! I think it would be fun to visit there one day just to do it but I think I got ahead of myself and my heart isn’t fully into it.

I booked both the starlight and the wild Africa trek. I will keep both because I love animals!

The DVC Rental sounds risky to just save $50 …

How so? It’s saving $50 on top of the savings you already have by renting points since they have a promotion going right now. It’s how I booked the bulk of my rooms. If there is no availability then I’ll book a normal room at a value or something.

 

[BostonEd]

The only thing I really have interest in there is the Harry Potter train that goes between parks. It seems pretty neat. I am not a HP fan and have never seen a film

There is absolutely no reason to take that train if you're not into the movies at all. None. Also, it wasn't clear, but you do know that that train does not go to Epic?

And that's the only reason you're staying at Aventura? If you really want to go to USO for a day, just take a taxi. No need to spend the night there just for that. You've got plenty of nights already. Why switch?

 

[CoachBeard]

There is absolutely no reason to take that train if you're not into the movies at all. None. Also, it wasn't clear, but you do know that that train does not go to Epic?

And that's the only reason you're staying at Aventura? If you really want to go to USO for a day, just take a taxi. No need to spend the night there just for that. You've got plenty of nights already. Why switch?

Why would the train between USO and IA go 5 miles down the road to Epic? That doesn’t make any sense.

I booked the hotel also so I could experience the universal thing. See how their properties are. I’m about experiences. I like variety. Since I only get out there every few years and currently it looks like the next time will be much longer than that, I try to get a variety of experiences in. I love switching hotels.

I appreciate your input.

So, I mulled it over and decided to cancel my USO package. I booked my final night at a Disney hotel instead and saved over half of what the USO package cost. I still have my EU day in the middle of my trip which I’m taking a ride share to. That’s during my time at the Boardwalk Villas. I think I word vomited in my original post and neglected to mention the USO package was the final night of my trip and was a one day 2 park ticket.

 

[BostonEd]

Why would the train between USO and IA go 5 miles down the road to Epic? That doesn’t make any sense.

Your itinerary was not clear at all based on your original post, so I wasn't sure if you knew that. Now I see what you were planning.

I booked the hotel also so I could experience the universal thing. See how their properties are.

You can still do that. Take a taxi/uber to Citywalk. Walk around. Go to Royal Pacific and check it out. Time it so you can have dinner at the bar at the top of the Aventura.

 

[CoachBeard]

Yeah, I reread my post and see what happened there. Stream of unconsciousness writing I suppose.

 

[tink2424]

Having been to both Universal Hollywood & Orlando I think both offer a different experience. I do think it would be worth it to go for a day and do both parks. The atmosphere is very nice and there are some good rides that aren't just roller coasters. That is my 2 cents...