Universal or not?

[MistyLRobertson]

my family DH and DDs 8 and 4 were originally planning 5 days at disney. We are staying offsite and were going to do all parks and Mk twice but I'm thinking about just doing 4 days at disney and one at universal. This is our first trip to fl. Is is even possible to do universal in a day? Is it worth it? Any suggestions? Thank you

 

[mousetrip]

As much as it kills me to admit it, Universal's Islands of Adventure (where Harry Potter is) is an amazing park, right on par if not better than some of the Disney parks. If you are staying off sight, I wouldn't miss it. But, 5 park days in a row could really do you in! I think if it were me, I'd do MK, HS, a day off by the pool, then IOA, and EP. Using crowd calendars to pick which parks on which days. Save AK for your next trip because you will be back! Islands of Adventure has SO much for your girls- especially if you like Harry Potter, but even if not. Your DD4 will love the Dr. Suess section, and both will love the Jurassic Park play area. I love all the Disney parks, but I think there will be a lot more there for your boys than at AK, if you had to choose. Also, my DD10 just told me that she'd SOOOOO rather do IOA than AK any day and she's done both! Hope that helps!

 

[Canooknic]

My boys really enjoyed Universal & IOA last year We did 2.5 days last year but will probably only do 1 (maybe 1.5) this time.

They loved Seuss Landing and MIB, and we met all the superheroes and Scooby-Doo. This trip I think will be mostly spent in WWoHP because they have watched the first couple of movies and I've read some of the books to them so they love the magic!!

We do also spend at least 2 days at MK too though, and every minute is filled with fun so your girls won't feel like they've missed out if you skip Universal

 

[doctornick]

One thing to consider, though, for the 4 year old is that a number of Uni rides have height restrictions. 42" is a big threshold where you can get all the 40" rides (Simpsons, Despicable Me, Transformers, Spider Man, High in the Sky) and 42" adds a couple more (MIB, Jurassic Park, Popeye). I would not go if your 4 year old is shorter than 40".

 

[loveshak22]

I would much rather go to WDW over Universal any day BUT with that said I'd do Universal if you've never been, especially if you are staying offsite anyway and have a car. We did it all in one day back in January. They do have an express pass if you want to spend the extra $ that will let you go through the park quicker and then I'd say you could definitely do everything in a day.

I actually didn't like the HP ride to be honest but the 3D rides at Universal are spectacular!

 

[doctornick]

The other big thing to consider is the cost. Going from 4 days at WDW to 5 days is about $10 difference. Adding 1 day at Uni to 4 days at WDW is $100. And those of course are per person.

That said, Uni has some fantastic rides and is worth a trip. I like IOA more now, but the dynamics will be different once the new Potter area opens in the Studios.

 

[mousetrip]

One thing to consider, though, for the 4 year old is that a number of Uni rides have height restrictions. 42" is a big threshold where you can get all the 40" rides (Simpsons, Despicable Me, Transformers, Spider Man, High in the Sky) and 42" adds a couple more (MIB, Jurassic Park, Popeye). I would not go if your 4 year old is shorter than 40".

Excellent point, Doctor. If DD4 is under 42", they could put it off a couple of years and come back when Diagon Alley is open, AND save that $100...

Decisions...decisions...

 

[Cyrano]

Moving to Universal board

 

[MistyLRobertson]

Yea I was so content on my disney for 5 days but DH mentioned universal then I started seconding guessing. DH wants a day at Universal. Now I can't decide lol DD4 is either 41 or 42 inch tall right at the mark. I'm just trying to figure if paying the extra for just one day at universal would be worth it. It's our first real vacation

 

[Metro West]

my family DH and DDs 8 and 4 were originally planning 5 days at disney. We are staying offsite and were going to do all parks and Mk twice but I'm thinking about just doing 4 days at disney and one at universal. This is our first trip to fl. Is is even possible to do universal in a day? Is it worth it? Any suggestions? Thank you

When are you visiting? If it's before Diagon Alley opens at the Studios, you can do the highlights in both parks but not everything. If you are visiting after Diagon Alley opens this summer, it's unlikely you'll be able to do much of anything in a single day. Plus you will need park to park tickets if you plan on riding the Hogwarts Express train between the two parks.

There are no discounts for single day admissions at Universal...just like there are no discounts for single day admissions to WDW...that's not going to change. The longer you stay the cheaper it is.

 

[MistyLRobertson]

Going April 26th to may 2nd.

 

[Metro West]

Going April 26th to may 2nd.

You can plan on doing the highlights...not everything. Get there early and plan to stay until closing.

 

[nugov2]

As much as it kills me to admit it, Universal's Islands of Adventure (where Harry Potter is) is an amazing park, right on par if not better than some of the Disney parks. If you are staying off sight, I wouldn't miss it. But, 5 park days in a row could really do you in! I think if it were me, I'd do MK, HS, a day off by the pool, then IOA, and EP. Using crowd calendars to pick which parks on which days. Save AK for your next trip because you will be back! Islands of Adventure has SO much for your girls- especially if you like Harry Potter, but even if not. Your DD4 will love the Dr. Suess section, and both will love the Jurassic Park play area. I love all the Disney parks, but I think there will be a lot more there for your boys than at AK, if you had to choose. Also, my DD10 just told me that she'd SOOOOO rather do IOA than AK any day and she's done both! Hope that helps!

I agree!!! MK is the only park that compares to IOA and I'd say the only reason I give the win to MK is pure nostalgia. We LOVED IOA. The theming was amazing and it is so clean compared to MK. We did both parks in a day, but if I had to do over again, I would have done 2 days there. Was just a lot of fun. The Marvel show they do was a blast.

 

[Metro West]

I agree!!! MK is the only park that compares to IOA and I'd say the only reason I give the win to MK is pure nostalgia. We LOVED IOA. The theming was amazing and it is so clean compared to MK. We did both parks in a day, but if I had to do over again, I would have done 2 days there. Was just a lot of fun. The Marvel show they do was a blast.

 

[MistyLRobertson]

I think I'm going to try and manage to sneak a day of universal into the vacation

 

[wiigirl]

I think I'm going to try and manage to sneak a day of universal into the vacation

Good choice!

 

[MistyLRobertson]

I did some looking and I can get one day to tickets for me and family for 236 through my work program. If I'm just going to go for a day Id like to buy the line skip passes as well can I buy just those separately from universals website?

 

[RMulieri]

I did some looking and I can get one day to tickets for me and family for 236 through my work program. If I'm just going to go for a day Id like to buy the line skip passes as well can I buy just those separately from universals website?

Yes ...BUT most of us recommend on the boards to wait till you get to the park and see if you need them...They are DATE SPECIFIC, PARK SPECIFIC AND NONREFUNDABLE ...

 

[MistyLRobertson]

Ok thank you