Universal after Disney?

[lacy1101]

We are going to Disney for 9 days the first week of October. We have never been to Universal before and I decided this was the time - DS is 17; DD is 14. How important is it to save our Universal day(s) (not sure if its 1 or 2 yet) for the end of our trip? I have read different posts that say to wait 'til the end so the kids won't be bored with Disney after visiting Universal. For what its worth, the last 2 days of our trip are a Friday and Saturday.

 

[JackieLand]

Yikes, I am doing your vacation the other way around. Universal for 7 days then a little Disney tacked on the end. I hope my 8 year old doesn't get board at Disney cause the ticket prices are sky high.

 

[lacy1101]

Yikes, I am doing your vacation the other way around. Universal for 7 days then a little Disney tacked on the end. I hope my 8 year old doesn't get board at Disney cause the ticket prices are sky high.

It pains me to even think that my children could find Disney boring no matter what the reason. My preference would be to throw in a day or two at Universal throughout the week instead of waiting 'til the end, but I don't want to regret it. I have purchased a 9-day base ticket at Disney (it would save us almost nothing to shave a couple of days off), so we could always hit a Disney park in the evening (maybe make an ADR for dinner and then do a few attractions if we wanted) after spending the day at Universal, but I just don't know. Our trip is over 6 months away and I'm already driving myself crazy trying to play our itinerary!

 

[Metro West]

We are going to Disney for 9 days the first week of October. We have never been to Universal before and I decided this was the time - DS is 17; DD is 14. How important is it to save our Universal day(s) (not sure if its 1 or 2 yet) for the end of our trip? I have read different posts that say to wait 'til the end so the kids won't be bored with Disney after visiting Universal. For what its worth, the last 2 days of our trip are a Friday and Saturday.

I agree that you should do Universal at the end especially if you can stay onsite. The unlimited Express access will completely spoil you. Your kids are at the age where they might like more thrills than Disney can provide and they should definately have a great time. Plus...if they are into scary movies and stuff, you will be there during Halloween Horror Nights which is the best event...of it's kind...in the country.

 

[tink too]

We always mix up our park days to keep things interesting. The best advice I can give is not to compare USF to WDW or vice-versa - we just appreciate them all for their own uniqueness.

Although our DD has enjoyed US and IoA since she was a baby, there are still quite a few rides she still can't experience (she's 7 y.o. now). I think your teens will have a great time at USF - especially if they love thrill rides!

 

[lacy1101]

I agree that you should do Universal at the end especially if you can stay onsite. The unlimited Express access will completely spoil you. Your kids are at the age where they might like more thrills than Disney can provide and they should definately have a great time. Plus...if they are into scary movies and stuff, you will be there during Halloween Horror Nights which is the best event...of it's kind...in the country.

We will probably keep our rooms at Disney because we have the free Disney Dining Plan. I thought we could do Universal/IOA during the day and then return to Disney for dinner either at a resort or a park (since we've got a 9-day pass). It doesn't shave much off the cost of the Disney passes to drop the 2 days we'd be going to Universal (less than $30 for the four of us). Do you think with the time of the year we're going (1st week of October) that the wait times will be really bad? If you could suggest days of the week that might be slower than others, that'd be great!

We always mix up our park days to keep things interesting. The best advice I can give is not to compare USF to WDW or vice-versa - we just appreciate them all for their own uniqueness.

Although our DD has enjoyed US and IoA since she was a baby, there are still quite a few rides she still can't experience (she's 7 y.o. now). I think your teens will have a great time at USF - especially if they love thrill rides!

Wouldn't you know I have one who does (DD 14) and one who doesn't (DS 17)?!? Don't get me wrong - my son enjoys all the rides/coasters at DW, but doesn't really get into the extreme thrill rides like we might find at Universal (like me).

 

[HayGan]

On our upcoming trip, we are doing one night at the HRH for the FOTL access (2 days) and then moving over to WDW for another 10 days. I've heard the do the US/IOA argument here but we decided to do it the other way for a couple reasons. First, is that with the 7 day passes we wanted to have the option to do either park if we so desired. The first 2 days will be exclusively US/IOA. With FOTL, will be able to do so much and be able to do rides repeatedly so I am sure we will be able to experience everything we want and more in that time. Then we will have the option for the remainder of our 7 day tickets to go back to US/IOA if we want to enjoy some more rides. While we won't still have FOTL, I am sure that we will be able to do some repeat rides even if we have to wait a bit longer (we can't expect instant gratification for everything!) It will be nice to be able to do US/IOA in the morning and then head to MK or EP in the evening. The second big reason we decided to do US/IOA first is that my kids are so excied about going. I don't know if we could have held it off until the end

Have a great trip!

 

[Metro West]

We will probably keep our rooms at Disney because we have the free Disney Dining Plan. I thought we could do Universal/IOA during the day and then return to Disney for dinner either at a resort or a park (since we've got a 9-day pass). It doesn't shave much off the cost of the Disney passes to drop the 2 days we'd be going to Universal (less than $30 for the four of us). Do you think with the time of the year we're going (1st week of October) that the wait times will be really bad? If you could suggest days of the week that might be slower than others, that'd be great!

I think that's a good plan considering the parks close early in October and the crowds are fairly light and you won't need to purchase Express passes. If you're flexible, go during the week like a Tuesday/Thursday for example. The only times you would notice the crowds getting larger would be at the Studios for Halloween Horror Nights but that won't happen until the late afternoon.

 

[macraven]

We will probably keep our rooms at Disney because we have the free Disney Dining Plan. I thought we could do Universal/IOA during the day and then return to Disney for dinner either at a resort or a park (since we've got a 9-day pass). It doesn't shave much off the cost of the Disney passes to drop the 2 days we'd be going to Universal (less than $30 for the four of us). Do you think with the time of the year we're going (1st week of October) that the wait times will be really bad? If you could suggest days of the week that might be slower than others, that'd be great!



Wouldn't you know I have one who does (DD 14) and one who doesn't (DS 17)?!? Don't get me wrong - my son enjoys all the rides/coasters at DW, but doesn't really get into the extreme thrill rides like we might find at Universal (like me).

metro gave you great advice.
do a couple of day trips to uo but get there early.
avoid the weekends especially if hhn is happening that night there.

make your adr for later in the evening at disney so you can still have that and a day trip to uo.

On our upcoming trip, we are doing one night at the HRH for the FOTL access (2 days) and then moving over to WDW for another 10 days. I've heard the do the US/IOA argument here but we decided to do it the other way for a couple reasons. First, is that with the 7 day passes we wanted to have the option to do either park if we so desired. The first 2 days will be exclusively US/IOA. With FOTL, will be able to do so much and be able to do rides repeatedly so I am sure we will be able to experience everything we want and more in that time. Then we will have the option for the remainder of our 7 day tickets to go back to US/IOA if we want to enjoy some more rides. While we won't still have FOTL, I am sure that we will be able to do some repeat rides even if we have to wait a bit longer (we can't expect instant gratification for everything!) It will be nice to be able to do US/IOA in the morning and then head to MK or EP in the evening. The second big reason we decided to do US/IOA first is that my kids are so excied about going. I don't know if we could have held it off until the end

Have a great trip!

maybe i am confused, i am blonde.........

are you going to use the pass for UO on day 1 and 2, then move to disney for a 10 day stay?

the UO tickets will expire 6 days from the date you first used them.

if you return to universal to use the other days on that pass, try to avoid the weekends. it can get very busy there.

also, leave disney around 7:30 am so you will miss the traffic in the morning rush hour.
be at the turnstile around 8:20ish and if you are let in early, you will be ahead of crowds.

crowds tend to start around 11ish.

since you won't have the fotl when you come back during disney week, stay until the crowds get on your nerves, then return to disney.
you will get the best of both worlds by the day trips.

with your adrs, you can still use them in the evening once back from UO.

you will have a fantastic vacation!

 

[KB1179]

I don't have near the experience as many others here, but from my experience, do Disney then Universal.

In April 2007, we did MK 1 day, MGM 1 day, and US 1 day. We did US the last day.

After the 2 Disney parks, it felt like we had US all to ourselves. It was a nice change of pace, and a great way to end our vacation.

The kids never talk about what we did in Disney, bc frankly we didn't get to do much. It was just too crowded, lines too long, and FP times sucked. Maybe I just planned poorly.

But the kids always talk about all the cool stuff we got to do at US.

That's why this year, we aren't even messing with Disney. IOA for a day and Wet n Wild for a day. Nice and simple!

 

[KB1179]

I don't have near the experience as many others here, but from my experience, do Disney then Universal.

In April 2007, we did MK 1 day, MGM 1 day, and US 1 day. We did US the last day.

After the 2 Disney parks, it felt like we had US all to ourselves. It was a nice change of pace, and a great way to end our vacation.

The kids never talk about what we did in Disney, bc frankly we didn't get to do much. It was just too crowded, lines too long, and FP times sucked. Maybe I just planned poorly.

But the kids always talk about all the cool stuff we got to do at US.

That's why this year, we aren't even messing with Disney. IOA for a day and Wet n Wild for a day. Nice and simple!

 

[lacy1101]

Metro West and macraven - Thank you so much for you replies. I have been on the Universal/IOA boards enough to recognize your names as the experts! I will definitely shoot for the day trips during the week, avoiding the weekend. I do have one question about that - would you consider Friday part of the weekend to and to be avoided? I am playing around with 3 different itineraries right now. One has us at Universal/IOA on a Tuesday/Thursday; another Thursday/Friday; and another Monday and Tuesday. Any thoughts?

When can I expect the park hours for October to be released, as well as the nights for HHN?

 

[Metro West]

Metro West and macraven - Thank you so much for you replies. I have been on the Universal/IOA boards enough to recognize your names as the experts! I will definitely shoot for the day trips during the week, avoiding the weekend. I do have one question about that - would you consider Friday part of the weekend to and to be avoided? I am playing around with 3 different itineraries right now. One has us at Universal/IOA on a Tuesday/Thursday; another Thursday/Friday; and another Monday and Tuesday. Any thoughts?

When can I expect the park hours for October to be released, as well as the nights for HHN?

You are certainly welcome.

As for HHN's schedule...it's every Thursday-Sunday night in October at the Studios only and the park will close at 5pm so everything can be set up. You won't see much evidence of HHN during the day except a few props...no houses are visible.

I would consider Friday part of the weekend so the crowd level will increase. If you stick with midweek, you should have the minimum crowd level.

 

[macraven]

Metro West and macraven - Thank you so much for you replies. I have been on the Universal/IOA boards enough to recognize your names as the experts! I will definitely shoot for the day trips during the week, avoiding the weekend. I do have one question about that - would you consider Friday part of the weekend to and to be avoided? I am playing around with 3 different itineraries right now. One has us at Universal/IOA on a Tuesday/Thursday; another Thursday/Friday; and another Monday and Tuesday. Any thoughts?

When can I expect the park hours for October to be released, as well as the nights for HHN?

first, let me say thank you for those kind words.

park hours for october went up over a week ago.
it is listed for both parks already.
do you need help in finding the park calendar?
if so, here is the link for october:

http://www.universalorlando.com/hou...ar=uo_park_hours&year=2009&month=10&year=2009

the first thursday in october is showing a 6:00 closing time at the studios that day.
i'm seeing this as an indicator that hhn won't be held that thursday then.

of course, this can always change.

if you are in the park on a date that hhn will happen in the evening, the crowds don't usually start until about after 2 that afternoon.
people like to come early and do rides before the hhn period.
most stick with the houses and shows during the hhn night.



i'm with metro on what he said.

i feel that mon-thursday are the best days for the parks.
i will take that further and state tue, wed, thur are the best park days for less crowds and lines.

 

[HayGan]

maybe i am confused, i am blonde.........

are you going to use the pass for UO on day 1 and 2, then move to disney for a 10 day stay?

the UO tickets will expire 6 days from the date you first used them.

if you return to universal to use the other days on that pass, try to avoid the weekends. it can get very busy there.

also, leave disney around 7:30 am so you will miss the traffic in the morning rush hour.
be at the turnstile around 8:20ish and if you are let in early, you will be ahead of crowds.

crowds tend to start around 11ish.

since you won't have the fotl when you come back during disney week, stay until the crowds get on your nerves, then return to disney.
you will get the best of both worlds by the day trips.

with your adrs, you can still use them in the evening once back from UO.

you will have a fantastic vacation!

You've got it! We are staying at the HRH on a Sunday night. So the first 2 days that we will use our tickets (Sun & Mon) we will have FOTL. Then we will move over to AKV. We will have the option of doing either US/IOA or WDW for the next 5 days (Tues - Sat). It will be nice to have the option of doing either for those 5 days. Thanks for the info on the timing as it is our plan to head over early and get out before too much of the crowd settles in.

We are really looking forward to it. My 2 boys are thrill ride junkies and they can't wait to try out US/IOA. In fact we are all really excited! I'm the only one who has ever been there and that was back on my sister's wish trip in 1991!

 

[arthur06]

We are mixing ours up Disney, US, Disney, Disney, US

 

[francie57]

We do both on our yearly trip to Orlando. We always spend the first few days staying at Universal (HRH). We love the FOTL but don't like the hotels as much so we do Universal first and then move to the Boardwalk. Our "kids" are 26 and 23 (still enjoy the yearly family trip to Orlando) and they prefer to do the trip this way. They love all the rides at Universal/IOA but still prefer to do Disney last.

 

[mill4023]

I understand the logic of wanting to do Universal at the end if you will be staying onsite. It's definitely a nice experience to have FOTL and not have to worry about fastpasses or waiting in long lines. You also have to realize that the people on this forum generally like Universal more than Disney, so they prefer saving the best for last.

But personally, I love Disney and Universal and I don't think it really matters which you do first. They are different experiences and I think a 14 yr old and 17 yr old will have a great time at both. I can't imagine anyone being bored by either. I'd just do whichever one works best for your schedule. And since you aren't staying onsite at Universal and won't have a free fastpass/express pass option, I'd probably try to do Universal parks on a weekday when the crowds will be lower.

 

[lacy1101]

I understand the logic of wanting to do Universal at the end if you will be staying onsite. It's definitely a nice experience to have FOTL and not have to worry about fastpasses or waiting in long lines. You also have to realize that the people on this forum generally like Universal more than Disney, so they prefer saving the best for last.

But personally, I love Disney and Universal and I don't think it really matters which you do first. They are different experiences and I think a 14 yr old and 17 yr old will have a great time at both. I can't imagine anyone being bored by either. I'd just do whichever one works best for your schedule. And since you aren't staying onsite at Universal and won't have a free fastpass/express pass option, I'd probably try to do Universal parks on a weekday when the crowds will be lower.

I believe this is the way I'm going to do it - maybe a Tuesday/Thursday. I'm willing to take the chance that they won't mind going back and forth between Universal and Disney. I'm just trying to spice things up a little for my 17yo son. I know he'll have a great time once we're there, but I want him to be excited about going, too, KWIM? We're doing a few other different things, too, i.e. round of golf for DH and DS, 1st MNSSHP (I'm getting more and more excited about this), maybe a water park. I can't wait!!

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[aspen37]

I'm doing 2 days at US/IOA and then 5 days at WDW in December. I'm doing US/IOA first. Don't worry about what order you do them in you'll be fine.