Universal v SeaWorld

[paul_toria96]

Hi,

We are off to Disney next year (I know it's early, but I'm a big planner ) we'd like to do Universal and IOA but we all love SeaWorld and DC, our DD will be 14 and DS will be 12.
We are going for 3 weeks but looking at the amount of parks, Disney is a must, we wouldn't get to spend more than a day at each park, we want a few chill days My daughter would love to be a dolphin trainer and has loads of questions for them at SW and DC, but DH & DS love Marvel

I know you guys can help, do you prefer Universal or SeaWorld? Big decisions

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

It's really a matter of personal opinion. I personally prefer Universal because I'm more of a ride person, but I love SeaWorld as well. The shows are great and the park is usually peaceful. I enjoy it because as a local it is our only aquarium-type attraction. However I think Universal is more exciting, and if you have an aquarium/zoo in your area the only novel thing will be the shows and the theming (and the few rides).

Personally I'd recommend both. Or, you and your DD could do SeaWorld while DH and DS do IOA. If you really wanted to splurge, your DD would go nuts over Discovery Cove, where you actually swim with the dolphins and spend time with a trainer.

 

[paul_toria96]

It's really a matter of personal opinion. I personally prefer Universal because I'm more of a ride person, but I love SeaWorld as well. The shows are great and the park is usually peaceful. I enjoy it because as a local it is our only aquarium-type attraction. However I think Universal is more exciting, and if you have an aquarium/zoo in your area the only novel thing will be the shows and the theming (and the few rides).

Personally I'd recommend both. Or, you and your DD could do SeaWorld while DH and DS do IOA. If you really wanted to splurge, your DD would go nuts over Discovery Cove, where you actually swim with the dolphins and spend time with a trainer.

Thanks, we love SeaWorld and have swam with the dolphins before, that's why she's wants to work there We aren't really a big ride family and do love shows. We don't do spinning rides

 

[macraven]

hands down, universal for me.



SW show times make it difficult to see all the shows on one day.
or it did for me.

 

[ladyjane63]

Just got home this morning from a whil-wind tour of Sea World, Busch Gardens & Universal Studios. Again, it depends on what you want. Universal is super crowded, and fun rides. Sea World is quiet, not too big but still a lot of fun - and would be a great place for a 'chill day'. It's not as fast-paced and it's shady!!! Love that about it. They also have some really great coasters at Sea World too.

 

[ckelly14]

I was surprised that you feel you can only stay at the parks one day each, since you are going for 3 weeks total. I'm a frequent Disney traveler, but this year the kids are a little older so I decided on a 10 day trip to everything except Disney the first week of June (hoping for a little Transformer action...). Planning 1 day at Discovery Cove, and 2 days each at Aquatica, Sea World and Busch gardens then ending up with on-site at Universal for 3 days. I feel this is more than adequate for each park. How long are you staying in Disney? More than 10 days?

 

[glocon]

What are your plans so far? It seems like 3 weeks would be enough to do it all! Why don't you give us your itinerary so far and maybe you would get more helpful info.

 

[hydrotony]

I hope you are looking at the Orlando Flex Ticket. You get unlimited entry into all the non-Disney parks for 2 weeks. (Not Discovery Cove, I don't think. Dolphin encounters not included IIRC, just theme parks.) You can concentrate on Disney 1 week, then pick and choose from all the parks for 2 weeks. Go a whole day to a park, go to multiple parks in 1 day, whatever you want. There's no such thing as "burning a park day" when you just want to visit for 3 hours.

 

[Planogirl]

I couldn't imagine spending that much time at the Disney parks but maybe you plan more down days then I realize? We can easily do both WDW and Universal at a relaxed pace in about 10 days. We like about 6 days at the Disney parks and maybe 4 at Universal. Add in some down days and a few extra days for extra Universal and Disney 'stuff' and we'd still have plenty of time for SeaWorld.