Universal week?

[BugsDaddy]

I have been to WDW several times for a week long stay and have found that we get enough of the Disney experience in a week to satisfy us. We were recently thinking about maybe doing a Universal Orlando week long visit and skipping Disney. My wife does not think there will be enough at Universal to maintain our interest for an entire week and we would need several days of Seaworld or WDW or another park in order to fill in the gap. Does anyone else have experience with this that can offer some insight?

 

[Stinasmom]

YES! I have insight

We alternate our Florida trips between a week at WDW (or actually 5 days in the parks) and Universal.

Our Universal week will consist of 3 days for Universal's 2 parks, 1 day at Sea World and 1 day at Discovery Cove.

We did book a room for 1 night last time at the Royal Pacific at Universal to take advantage of the "front of the line" passes guests get. They are valid for the day you check in and the day you check out, so we were set for 2 of the 3 days at Universal. Used the 3 day to pick up anything we missed or wanted to do again.

Booking that room was worth every penny even though we had a condo!

Without the FOL access, you might want more than 3 days at Universal to make up for the time spent in lines...

Hope that helps!

 

[BugsDaddy]

YES! I have insight

We alternate our Florida trips between a week at WDW (or actually 5 days in the parks) and Universal.

Our Universal week will consist of 3 days for Universal's 2 parks, 1 day at Sea World and 1 day at Discovery Cove.

We did book a room for 1 night last time at the Royal Pacific at Universal to take advantage of the "front of the line" passes guests get. They are valid for the day you check in and the day you check out, so we were set for 2 of the 3 days at Universal. Used the 3 day to pick up anything we missed or wanted to do again.

Booking that room was worth every penny even though we had a condo!

Without the FOL access, you might want more than 3 days at Universal to make up for the time spent in lines...

Hope that helps!

That does help! Thanks. I would agree that if we can get FOL access, it sounds like 3 days would be enough and we can spend the remainder of the vacation doing other things. I know there are a lot of thrill rides that my 4 year old would not be going on. Do you think it is even worth taking a 4 year old to Universal or would you wait unit she is a little older? I just don't want her not to be able to ride 75 percent of what is there. That might be a waste of a trip.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Universal is awesome! Id' get bored for a whole week though, FOTL or not. I woudl guess that a Universal week is a good time to plan downtime, pool time at the resort, restaurants at City Walk, etc.

 

[Hummingbird]

That does help! Thanks. I would agree that if we can get FOL access, it sounds like 3 days would be enough and we can spend the remainder of the vacation doing other things. I know there are a lot of thrill rides that my 4 year old would not be going on. Do you think it is even worth taking a 4 year old to Universal or would you wait unit she is a little older? I just don't want her not to be able to ride 75 percent of what is there. That might be a waste of a trip.

How tall is she? I take my 4 year old nephew all the time (we have APs) and we spend hours upon hours in Suess Landing riding all the rides, The Woody coaster, Playing in the play areas, The Curious George play area, Riding E.T., He loves Storm Force (teacup like ride).

 

[prudence64]

I've only been to IOA. My husband and I did not find enough to do even for one day at that park. He won't go on thrill rides. There were only a couple of things we found interesting. Granted, the Harry Potter ride was broken when we were there.

We were glad we didn't have our then 4 year old with us, because she wouldn't have found much to do either.

The main Universal park might be quite different however. We did enjoy the look of the park.

I'd say 3-4 days for Universal and a whole week might be pushing it.

 

[Planogirl]

We're Universal fanatics and still find about 4 days to be adequate for us. It really depends on how much time you like to spend at the pool and dining and so on.

There's a lot to do in the Orlando area so we never run out of activities.

 

[BugsDaddy]

How tall is she? I take my 4 year old nephew all the time (we have APs) and we spend hours upon hours in Suess Landing riding all the rides, The Woody coaster, Playing in the play areas, The Curious George play area, Riding E.T., He loves Storm Force (teacup like ride).

She is a little over 40" tall.

 

[Lynne G]

Since Universal is expensive, we do either Disney or Universal and other parks. Two years ago, we got a Super Grover pass, at a discount in the beginning of the year, and an AP for Universal. We stayed at the Portofino to enjoy the parks for 3 days, and then moved to the Fairfield next to SW to enjoy BGT, SW, Aquadica and Discover Cove. We also spent time mini golfing and did a morning at the Fun Spot near Universal. We had the go cart track to ourselves when they first opened. That was awesome. That was a 10 day vacation.

If you are interested in Universal and the Busch parks, check out the Flexpass.

Also, with Universal, it's best to book the hotel separately, as Universal does not own the onsite hotels. All hotels have a AAA rate, and Annual Pass holder rate sometimes, and recently, a stay more save more rate. Calling the hotel directly is the best way to find out what discounts you can get. They are good at letting you know the current discounts. We really enjoyed the Portofino. It's a beautiful hotel. You can also pool hop to the Royal Pacific and Hard Rock hotel. Also, the express pass you get with your hotel key is good the day you check in and includes the day you check out. Nice perk and will spoil you.

Check out the hotel reviews and go on Universal's website to see which hotel meets your needs and what the height requirements are for the rides. There's alot for a younger child, many places to play, and the characters are good. There's also child swap.

 

[Tramp68]

Buy an Orlando Flex Plus pass for $339!!! (Link to best price) You will get 14 days of Unlimited trips to Universal, Wet and Wild, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Aquatica.

2-3 days at Universal
1-2 days at Sea World
1-2 days Busch Gardens
1 day Aquatica
1 day Wet and Wild (if time - priority to Aquatica and other parks)

Staying onsite at Universal for the 2 days of Express Pass is real nice!

 

[cleophus12]

Universal's FOTL pass really does help on site guests get through the parks quickly. I agree that 3 days would probably give you time to see everything done. I don't think I could spend a week there. I believe I'd have to spread my time out amongst a few other parks in addition to Universal.

 

[agavegirl1]

I have done WDW only and US/IOA only trips to Orlando. I found 4 days at US/IOA to be about right to see and do everything I wanted plus gives me downtime at the pool, restaurants etc. I stay onsite for FOTL and walking distances. This year I will be in Orlando for 15 days: 9 on site at WDW, 2 at a Sea World Hotel, 4 at Portofino. I bought Orlando Flex Pass Plus (that's the one that includes Busch Gardens) for around $350.00 each. They also have one that does not include Busch Gardens for less.

 

[BugsDaddy]

Thanks for all of the good insight! I think I have a good idea on some things we can do now.

 

[HM]

We did three days at Universal, 1 1/2 days at Seaworld, and a day at Typhoon Lagoon one year. We stayed at Marriott's World Center so spent some time at the resort too. We did get in a bit of Disney by eating at DTD and shopping a couple evenings.

 

[Hummingbird]

How tall is she? I take my 4 year old nephew all the time (we have APs) and we spend hours upon hours in Suess Landing riding all the rides, The Woody coaster, Playing in the play areas, The Curious George play area, Riding E.T., He loves Storm Force (teacup like ride).

oh ok she should be good then! I really hope you guys enjoy it, and I know people like to say its not as themed as Disney, but if you take your time really look around all of the areas are beautifully themed IMO. Especially the Springfield refurb, New York, & of course HP