Universal vs. Disney--any thoughts?

[Brander]

My sons, now 12 and 14, and I have spent three of the last four summer vacations at WDW. These have been some of the best times we've ever had. We've stayed on site, and love all of the attractions that disney has to offer.
Now the downside. I'm practically broke after our disney vacations. Iknew this going in, but every now and then, you wonder if there are other ways to get the same great feelings from a trip without the high cost.
We have done day trips to Universal Orlando, and enjoyed the parks very much. Maybe because our trips were Disney "focused", we may have enjoyed Disney better.
My question is this--for someone who has spent on-site vacations to both parks, could you pick out one which you enjoyed better? Did you find Universal Orlando gave you a more economical trip, ie. more bang for your buck?
Obviously, this is a subjective question, but all input will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[phamton]

You posted in the trip reports forum. You'll get more feedback if you post in the Universal/IOA forum here: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=30

 

[Snoopymom]

Did you find Universal Orlando gave you a more economical trip, ie. more bang for your buck?

Bingo! With a 5 year old who loves Spongebob, Jimmy Neurtron, and Spiderman, and power plus passes for $99.00...decided we had to give Universal a try, LOL.

We usually rent a villa so ticket prices REALLY make the difference. Sure, I missed the pixie dust Main Street castle in view warm and fuzzy feeling, but I got to see the great big huge grin on my son's face when Spiderman showed him how to sling a web perfectly.

The only thing about budgeting for us was that Univ/IOA is more conducive to that adult relax have a drink it's your vacation too atmosphere, and the next thing you know you're restaurant bills have doubled due to stopping for an appetizer, a Margarita or a Guinness every so often, LOL.

We also spent more on souvenirs for ds, but less for me, LOL, so I guess that averages out.

I haven't been able to bring myself to spend the $1500 on Disney annual passes yet, so knowing that we can go back to Universal a few times this year (a 7 hour drive) definitely makes Univ more "magical", LOL.

Hope this helps.

 

[Candice30]

having been to both many times, which one i go to usually has more to do with who i am going with than how much i have to spend. i haven't noticed an economical difference except the cost of admission.

if i am taking really young kids, i like disney better. alot more for them to do in my opinion and the convience of the food courts at the hotels is great. now on the flip side of that, the admission tickets are expensive and getting to the parks, though there are onsite busses, isn't as easy as universal.

if i am taking older kids or going with just adults, then i prefer universal. it is really easy to get to parks from the onsite hotels but the hotels do not have food courts and if you do not have a discount, the room rates can be high. i have been coming out even as i ship breakfast foods to myself at the hotel and lunch as well. we usually only spend money on snacks and dinner which you definitely have to watch those restaurant bills. i have gotten good room rates that last 2 times i was there so it all evened out.

 

[Ronnadi]

We've been going to Disney one year and Universal the next. Universal has been far less expensive (even staying onsite) and more relaxing. Our girls ages 16 and 12 love both places and really enjoy taking turns. We are always ready for each place. I wished we lived closer (it's a 15 hour drive from where we live in KY). We are already planning our trip to Disney next year, OUR 25th ANNIVERSARY!

 

[allie&mattsmom]

We just got back from an on-site stay (RPR) at Universal yesterday. We had four nights at the RPR plus four park hopper passes for our entire stay. We bought the package through Universal and got it for $1,250. We rented a car for $100. Made a grocery stop for $50 and charged everything else (meals, souveniers, drinks, etc. on our room key). Probably spent another $150 in out of pocket cash for quick waters/snacks at the parks, citiwalk and the resort. When we checked out we had another $1,300 from room charges that would be going on to our Visa. Our plane tickets were about $800. A grand total of about $3,650. For three days at Universal/IOA, I personally thought this was pretty expensive, it just didn't seem like we were there that long, basically a long weekend. Of course we ate every meal at nice sit down places so we somewhat expected it. We don't spend as much at Disney but that's b/c we pay with points since we are DVC members. We had a GREAT time at Universal. I'm so glad we switched our reservations from Disney at the last minute b/c we hadn't been to Universal for five years and we go to Disney a lot. I loved the FOL perk for staying onsite. This can not be beat. And I love the convenience of the short walk to the parks and Citiwalk. Pricewise, especially if you stay on-site, IMO Universal & Disney seem very comparable pricewise.

 

[keishashadow]

Why not do both?

@ Universal, 2 nights on-site w/3 days in parks should be plenty of time to see everything, especially w/FOTL.

@ WDW, Value Resorts can be had in the $70 range w/discounts...

Lots of DVC'ers staying on points (Sun thru Thurs) move on over to Loews/Universal for a night or two on Fri & Sat.

FOTL @ Universal is awesome! If only WDW would get w/the program too!

Enjoy

 

[rie'smom]

Why not do both?

@ Universal, 2 nights on-site w/3 days in parks should be plenty of time to see everything, especially w/FOTL.

@ WDW, Value Resorts can be had in the $70 range w/discounts...

Lots of DVC'ers staying on points (Sun thru Thurs) move on over to Loews/Universal for a night or two on Fri & Sat.

FOTL @ Universal is awesome! If only WDW would get w/the program too!

Enjoy

We've stayed at both for the past 6 years. This next summer we'll spend 2 nights @ PBH(past years it's been RPR). Then for the first time we're renting a pool house @ Emerald Island resort. For about $830.00 we have a 4 bedroom 3 bath house for 7 nights! I don't have to tell you what a 2 b/2ba suite @ WDW would cost for 7 nights. Almost as much as we're spending for the entire week.

 

[keishashadow]

We've stayed at both for the past 6 years. This next summer we'll spend 2 nights @ PBH(past years it's been RPR). Then for the first time we're renting a pool house @ Emerald Island resort. For about $830.00 we have a 4 bedroom 3 bath house for 7 nights! I don't have to tell you what a 2 b/2ba suite @ WDW would cost for 7 nights. Almost as much as we're spending for the entire week.

Wow, never heard of Emerald Isl; but sure sounds like a good deal to me.

We're beyond redemption, MGM (the Mouse Got our Money)!

How could we sacrifice the daily morning wake-up call from Stitch (Mickey's on a hiatus).

We were going to return to HRH in June, but decided on next Dec. Had sticker shock! Talk about "low" & "high" season. June was almost double for rack/all disc rates.

 

[spot28]

I like Universal over MGM, hands down. BUT MK, Epcot, etc... still my favorites. My guys are little so we're still into the Disney experience. I think the islands of adventure park there too would interest your boys more too.

Change of pace always nice...

 

[Double k]

I allways say disney has the magic but universal has the rides .

 

[Sterm26]

I can't tell you about the accomidations at Universal, because I"ve never stayed there, but, overall, Disney wins, hands down.

I just don't see the repeat visit value of USF (at least the Studios section). How many times can you be "surprised" by the Earthquake, Shark, or Biff?

IOA is much better for the thrill enthusist, but overall, I'd rather stay a week at WDW than USF.

 

[damo]

My teens much prefer Universal to Disney. They find Disney just too cutesy. They love Men In Black and Mummy especially at Universal and Spidey and the coasters and the water rides as IOA. We usually get a room onsite for around $125-150 and have annual passes. It works out to be quite cheap.

 

[Motherfletcher]

.

I just don't see the repeat visit value of USF (at least the Studios section). How many times can you be "surprised" by the Earthquake, Shark, or Biff?

Last time we went to MK we were on the Jungle Cruise when my daughter, then 10, recited, almost word for word, the CM's patter prior to them saying it. How many times is "The butterflies are anywhere from 12" to one foot" or "... the backside of water" funny? Damo's right in that kids outgrow WDW and look for something that makes them feel a little more grown up. I could easily re-ride MIB, re-visit the Horror Make-Up Show or sit through another Shrek before I could be tortured by "It's a Small World..." My kids prefer Busch Gardens Tampa to AK as well.

 

[Sterm26]

I agree that older kids may enjoy Universal more, for it's "attitude" and higher thrill quotient. I freely admit that I drink the Disney Kool-Aid, and find WDW's "corniness" much more palatable than Universal's agressiveness.

I'll tell you from personal experience, I did USF in about 6 hours one day and was satisfied. I have no urge to go back. Until they update the old or add something new, I'll pop into IOA for one day and spend the rest of my time with the singing dolls!

I'm no big fan of AK either, but the new Everest ride will definitely draw me back. If I want to look at animals, Philly has a world-class zoo.

In a few years, when my daughter reaches adolescence, I'll get back to you....

 

[dash]

I can't really comment on cost, because you know better than me what rates are available to you. DH and I have stayed at RPR, PBH, POR, AKL, Swan and Dolphin and Pop. In terms of room and hotel, my favorite is RPR. It is an extremely pretty resort and you can't beat the location with respect to the parks. The front of the line passes can't be beat either! Also, one can get discount passes at AAA. It is nice to stay on site at WDW, especially now with the extended evening hours. The rooms are also bigger at Universal. I think it depends upon whether you want to drive to the park you aren't staying at.