Universal Studios or Disney World first?

[Seaera]

I'm in the very early stages of planning a possible late September 2005 trip for myself and husband for our one-year anniversary.
We are hoping to do Universal Studios/IOA for two days and stay on-site there and do Disney World for five days (staying onsite). Any suggestions as to which park first? This will be our first trip to both parks (well...I went to Disney World when I was 3, so it doesn't count as I can't remember much!)
Thanks in advance!

 

[RescueRanger]

I would suggest doing Disney first then Universal. Universal has FOTL (front of the line) Access for its onsite guests. You just show your room key and are allowed right in through the express lines. It makes for a more relaxing touring plan and you are going to need it after doing Disney for 5 days. Take advantage of early entry at Disney as well. We always get most of our riding done before lunch. There is a wealth of information on these boards. Also, be sure to check over on the Universal boards for more information on Universal/IOA. Hope this helps.

 

[Cindy'sCastle]

I usually plan my stay for US first then DW. This year my sis is coming to meet us. She wants to go to US, so I'm having to plan it in the middle of our trip instead of at the beginning since she won't get there until 3 days later than we will. I guess since I enjoy DW so much and there's much more to see and do-that's why I like to end my vacation with it. I like both places, so we always include both whenever we get to go.

Cindy

 

[ainmama2001]

End with DW. It's a very magical way to end a trip.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I totally agree with RescueRanger. If you go to WDW first and enjoy their on-site perks such as, EMH, and free transportation, you will have a great time at both parks. Staying on-site at Universal will then be the icing on the cake, on what has been a great trip so far. If you do decide to stay on-site at Universal first, then move to an on-site hotel at WDW, you will be very disappointed in the difference of perks. You will more than likely become very frustrated with the lines at WDW. We go to both parks often, and I would never recommend that anyone go to Universal first. No offense to anyone, but many on the Disney forums are anti Universal. I wonder if they have ever been. If you haven't, you don't know what you're missing. If you asked this same question on the Universal board, you will more than likely get replies that are very pro Universal. After trying both of them yourself, you will see, that you would be doing yourself a disservice by not trying both.

Just wanted to add that I really don't mean to offend anyone, I'm just trying to give an unbiased point of view. If my post is anyway offensive to anyone, please forgive me.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

We did the same thing, one year...WDW and Universal.

We went to WDW first, then checked into our hotel near Universal and stayed there for our last three days.

We wished we did it the other way around and went to Universal first, finishing in WDW.

That being said, we're planning a trip for next December and will be going to Universal as well. I originally was planning on staying in WDW, then moving to a hotel near Universal for a couple nights ONLY because it will be at the end of the week and the points to stay in our DVC villa are very high for weekend stays.

After thinking about it, we decided to stay in WDW the entire time and go to Universal one day and IOA one day. We will just hire a car. If I get the grand villa, none of us will be upset that we have to travel back and forth!

 

[Noah122898]

This is another vote for DW first, then US. There is NOTHING like front of the line access and it will spoil you if you do it first. DW is wonderful but the lines are not. JMHO (I've done it both ways so I speak from experience)

 

[Pats Dragon]

I really like Universal BUT it is not Disney. Go there first. The ambiance and magic is not there and it can't compare. It will be a let down to go to Universal after Disney. That's my opinion anyway. I love Disney!!!!

 

[crazelion]

WDW first then US. Front line can't be baet at US.

 

[chipnwendy]

I don't know how all you guys feel about Universal, but we don't go there for the magic. We go there for the big, honkin', adrenaline rushing attractions that are not as frequently found at WDW.

I say tailor your schedule according to what you find suits your needs best. If you want to have that thought of flying out of the darkness on the Incredible Hulk fresh in your mind long after you've left Orlando, then by all means, visit Universal last. If you want to remember the magic, then end your trip at WDW.

 

[Aimeedyan]

You will get very frustrated at WDW standing in lines after being at US. I would NOT end your vacation standing in lines...

I can't stress enough about the joys of FOTL at US.

If you want a taste of the 'magic' before heading home, go back to WDW for your last nights meal (we did this in May - did WDW, then US, then back to 'Ohanas for dinner and Wishes)

 

[paigevz]

and I did really miss that WDW magic...............I did love Universal too, and IOA has some really great stuff for little ones...............so I liked both, but would want to end with WDW if we did it again. However, we've now decided it would be better to go just for one or the other and not try to do both in one trip...........so this year we're doing Mickey for Christmas, and Spidey for Spring Break. We stayed off-site for WDW this last time, too, and it was really missing its magic.
Boy, did we love that Express pass at Universal! Too bad it couldn't be used for the Pteranodon Flyers, though, that was a long wait and DS had to do it! So, I can also see the side of the coin about being spoiled after Universal.

 

[donmil723]

Here's another opinion...

DD, age 19, and I did WDW first and then US/IOA last March during her college spring break. We wished we would have stayed at WDW and, in fact, still have one day left on our two day US/IOA passes with no plans to use them in the near future. We stayed at RPH so we could use FOTL and the only ride we needed them on was MIB. We were really expecting awesome thrill rides but the only one that met our expectations was Spiderman and it was awesome! Otherwise, we felt the rides were similar to Six Flags and no where near as fun as the attractions at WDW. At least not to us. That being said, I think everyone should make their own judgments so I would recommend doing US/IOA first and then WDW. Also, I don't think staying on site at US/IOA is really necessary as long as you are there early and have a touring plan in place. That was our experience anyway. Good luck with your planning especially with so many different opinions to consider!

Donna

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Since you are going during a slow period I would say it doesn't really matter which you go to first. If it is at all busy I would agree to finish with Universal, but the end of September shouldn't really matter. Either base it on what you want to finish with--the Disney magic or the fun rides of Universal (with it's own magic...) or see how it works out with room discounts. I would try to go to Universal during the week.

We were at WDW a couple of weeks ago--the very end of September into Oct. We had a great time without any crowds (went right after Jeanne). If you time it right you can be there for the Halloween parties which start in early October.

T&B

 

[philliplc]

[If you want to have that thought of flying out of the darkness on the Incredible Hulk fresh in your mind long after you've left Orlando, then by all means, visit Universal last. If you want to remember the magic, then end your trip at WDW. [/B]

when we go in december we are alternating days so we remember both : )

 

[monarchsfan16]

Universal first. Otherwise Universal will be a disappointment. Well, it might still be, but at least if you end the trip with WDW, you'll be ending on the more magical note. We HATED Universal/IOA and will never waste another dime at either park. There was nothing harder than being just 5 minutes from WDW and knowing how great Disney is, and having to go back to US/IOA, just because we had "spent enough money on park tickets for this trip". Go to WDW first. FOTL doesn't make up for everything that Disney has going for it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Originally posted by monarchsfan16
Go to WDW first. FOTL doesn't make up for everything that Disney has going for it.

Wow, very different than the thoughts of my teens!

I really love WDW and Universal. I currently have APs for WDW so go there more often, but last year I had APs for Universal and went there a few times.

They are so different, but I think all the parks are very well done and enjoyable. I guess the biggest down side to the Universal parks as far as I'm concerned is that there are only 2 parks. Those 2 parks are great, but I wouldn't want to spend a whole week at only Universal. I can spend a whole week at WDW and not see everything that I want to see. But that's not really the issue here!

Make sure you post in the Universal part of the discussion board, if you haven't already, to get opinions from the people who frequent there, too.

T&B

 

[LuvTigger]

I'm leaving this Saturday. I'm staying 2 nights at Universal first, then 5 nights at WDW. My reasoning is that for me, the highlight is WDW. While I totally love Universal and I'm looking forward to staying at Hard Rock for the first time, and the rooms there are bigger, WDW is more special to me, and I would rather end my trip there.

FOTL is a great feature, but it's just one aspect. I think you have to determine what it is that's most important to you and what you would rather start and end your stay with.

On other trips, before Universal had its own hotels, I would incorporate it in the middle of a WDW vacation. So we'd stay near WDW, but we'd do day trips to Universal and Sea World.