Universal before or after WDW?

[Kapp]

Going to Universal for the first time when we visit Orlando in October and just wondering if we should do our 2 days at Universal before or after our 4 days at Disney. Any suggestions?

Thanks, in advance!

 

[Toadi]

Go to Universal before you go to Disney; we've done Universal three times and always glad we've gone there first. It's fun and neat, but not as Magical as Disney. enjoy them both!

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

We have always done two days at Universal when we go to Orlando, and we have always gone before Disney. But.....many people recommend going after Disney because of the FOTL access (I guess I'm assuming you are staying on-site though). Anyway, if you are staying on site at Universal, many say that going straight to the front of the line gets you spoiled, and makes waiting in line at Disney even harder. But, considering that you are going in October, I don't think lines are as bad. Maybe consider doing the Universal part over the weekend part of your trip, when possibly lines could be a factor (again, this is assuming you are staying at Universal. If not, my entire post was irrevelant!!!)

 

[BriarRose59]

We just got back Monday from doing this very thing. We stayed at SSR from Mon-Sat and then moved to Portofino Bay Sat-Mon. I would save USF for last. Once we were able to use FOTL the FP was not so special. We found ourselves finishing the parks much ealier at USF than at WDW so that was also nice at the end of our trip. We went to USF on Saturday afternoon and stayed roughly 4 hours. Using FOTL we were able to ride everything and see what shows we wanted to plus have a nice sitdown dinner at Lombard's Landing. We went to IOA on Sunday arriving around 9:30 a.m. and were done with everything, including lunch at Mythos (which is a must!), by 3 p.m.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Aimeedyan]

If you're staying onsite at Universal and using FOTL, you'll want to end your trip that way. We were VERY spoiled by walking onto everything and didn't want to stand back in lines at Disney after that. Plus, their resorts are just fabulous and pampering and you'll enjoy your exp there.

If you aren't staying onsite, I'd go to it first, or even in between your Disney days, and end with Disney.

When we went, we still ended with Disney but just by shopping at DTD and eating at Ohanas on our last night - it was still a great way to end the trip!

 

[Kapp]

trip at POFQ but want to do 2 days at Universal with our 4 at WDW.

 

[Gupsmom]

trip at POFQ but want to do 2 days at Universal with our 4 at WDW.

If you were staying onsite there would be some argument for doing Disney first and ending with the awesome FOTL (although I'd still prefer to end with Disney)

But...since you're staying at WDW the entire trip... (for my family), I would choose Universal first. We had a great time at Universal and we look forward to going back sometime...but Disney does have some secret magic that Universal doesn't. We like to end with Disney...

Jess

 

[cleo]

We spread them in between Disney parks. For example, do 2 Disney parks, then Universal Studios, then one Disney park, then IoA, then end with a Disney park. That gives us the feeling that it's one continuous experience rather than making a real distinction between Disney and Universal.

We love every park on it's own merit though, and don't really see Universal, SeaWorld, etc as less exciting or magical than Disney in any way.

 

[pigtail]

We like doing Universal at the end of our WDW trip. Stay on site for FOTL - you will do most rides in the two parks in a day.

 

[loriandmatt]

if i could pick my own option.....i would stick those two universal days in the middle of my disney days. i would find it hard to not hit WDW as soon as i checked into my resort and would go home feeling like i missed some "last night good-bye magic" if i didn't end up my trip there.

BUT

if i had to pick between universal before or after my disney days.....i would go with before.

- lori

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I always say in the beginning or middle b/c if we did Universal and WDW, we would want to finish the vacation with Disney magic!!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Blasphemy!!!! We never do the Evil Empire!!