Very confused on where to stay for an epic/universal + Disney trip.

[OP95]

Hi all,

I am currently planing a solo trip for next November with the main plan on visiting Epic universe (if it’s finished by then ) as well as Disney and universal. In the past I have done a mid trip universal break for a bout 3 nights at universal which worked well but feel like I will need to spend more this time around. After looking at split stays it seems to be more expensive when adding the flights separately and just don’t enjoy the stress of packing up half way through. will be hopefully doing mickeys Christmas party a couple of times. Where would be a good central location to stay to visit these parks or which area should I base myself in? The only problem I’m concerned about is how difficult it is to get a uber at 12am from Disney after the party’s. I know we are unsure on when epic and how the tickets will work so this is all just a rough plan at the moment.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[GoofyDad_4427]

I can't help with where to stay, but i can tell you that getting an Uber will not be a problem at all. We have done it several times at closing time for a park and never had an issue, waiting less than 10 minutes every time. You might get hit with some surge pricing, but the availability will still be there.

 

[Deb1993]

We did a split stay for our 30th wedding anniversary last November/December. We did 6 nights at the Portofino and then 3 nights at the Grand Floridian. We did two MVMCPs (one of which was when we were at the Portofino) and one JN. Uber was no problem at all. We went to the Contemporary to meet the Uber after one of the MVMCPs, it was around 1230am. For JN we took an Uber to the Boardwalk and ate on the Boardwalk and then took a boat to HS. I think it depends on where you plan to spend most of your time. Looking at our next trip I was thinking of doing an EU hotel, then a UO hotel and then a Disney hotel to be near the parks we want to be at.

 

[OP95]

I can't help with where to stay, but i can tell you that getting an Uber will not be a problem at all. We have done it several times at closing time for a park and never had an issue, waiting less than 10 minutes every time. You might get hit with some surge pricing, but the availability will still be there.

Thanks for the help. Do you happen to remember what the price increase was like?

 

[OP95]

We did a split stay for our 30th wedding anniversary last November/December. We did 6 nights at the Portofino and then 3 nights at the Grand Floridian. We did two MVMCPs (one of which was when we were at the Portofino) and one JN. Uber was no problem at all. We went to the Contemporary to meet the Uber after one of the MVMCPs, it was around 1230am. For JN we took an Uber to the Boardwalk and ate on the Boardwalk and then took a boat to HS. I think it depends on where you plan to spend most of your time. Looking at our next trip I was thinking of doing an EU hotel, then a UO hotel and then a Disney hotel to be near the parks we want to be at.

Thank you, I have got a deposit down for sapphire falls for the two weeks which I have had great stays at in the past, though i am keeping an eye out on other options. How easy was it to book MVMCP without being a resort guest? As I know you don’t get to book early.

 

[Bete]

As a solo traveler I would want convenience as my number one choice. To that end I would do a split stay and stay on property for each destination. Sometimes, you may want a mid day break back at the resort and dealing with uber over and over again is too much for me. Also, you get perks staying onsite. Finally, I feel safer staying on property.

 

[tony67]

I do solo stays for 10 to 15 days a couple of times a year.
Most of my focus is on Universal.
You should consider an AP - just for the saving you may be able to get on the room - you don't have to have the AP when you book so you can always book the AP rate and then buy the AP.

SF falls is very nice. Also Aventura as you can walk to SF and take advantage of its perks.
For solo trips I usually go with Dockside - it can be as low as $86 with AP rate - but I do miss being able to walk to the parks.
Busses are really well run and oddly I prefer them to the boats. Yeah the botas are relaxing no doubt - but sometimes you are waiting and waiting.

One heads up is we don't know what will happen with AP and Epic - Universal is much better to passholder than Disney in my experience but that does not mean it will always be that way. Yes I used to have a Disney AP - but not for quite a while now.

As for Uber I have gotten uber from Dockside to Disney - I usually go to one of the hotels - but that is another discussion and can be hit or miss. You can also get it to the Dolphin which can be cheaper than TTC. Oddly Boardwalk was much cheaper than Dolphin as Uber had a special rate. Most days it was like $15-$17 each way. Still was much less than a room at Disney overall.

Not sure if leaving from a hotel also helps - but I did do that most times as well. So Id go over to boardwalk or GF and get a bus back to Dockside.

In future I can see myself just booking at Universal and just getting Uber to Disney - if I am even going to visit Disney again.

 

[Deb1993]

Thank you, I have got a deposit down for sapphire falls for the two weeks which I have had great stays at in the past, though i am keeping an eye out on other options. How easy was it to book MVMCP without being a resort guest? As I know you don’t get to book early.

It was no problem at all to book. I bought our tickets through Plum Benefits from a work perk I have. I think we went on December 3rd and December 5th.

 

[OP95]

Thanks everyone for the help. I think I will just end up staying on site at Disney for the trip as I think that’s where I’ll spend the majority of the time.

 

[georgina]

Thank you, I have got a deposit down for sapphire falls for the two weeks which I have had great stays at in the past, though i am keeping an eye out on other options. How easy was it to book MVMCP without being a resort guest? As I know you don’t get to book early.

Party tickets are on sale now for anyone. One date has already sold out. You can get a small discount buying through Undercover Tourist.

I have used rideshare after parties, have used between Disney and Universal, there are usually plenty available.

I have done split stays various ways. There are places along Palm Parkway that were convenient when I had a car.

 

[Cybertruck]

We are talking about a 2025 trip to Epic Universe (could be 2026). The kids are huge Nintendo fans and want to relive their youth. Our last trip to Universe was pre-pandemic. We are looking at week with a leisurely pace. Typically, Disney days are rope drop with a break after lunch and return in the evening. We did one trip via Uber to Universal for 3 days. We had a great time but it was bit much and never did that again (that was pre-mobility issues).

We are looking at Helios so we are middle of Epic Universe. We have some concern traveling between the parks since we have wheelchair and scooter now. We see there will be dedicated bus lanes but at Disney we often drive ourselves to the parks. Monorail and boardwalk resorts give us a lot options to walk or not use the bus or drive. Not sure about travel between parks yet since the roads between the parks are not private.

Emeril’s was our favorite restaurant but it is no longer there. But the Palm and Vivo thankfully are still around. We typically have a nice or lunch and dinner each day. As empty nesters now a nice family meal is one of the highlights of the day.

 

[erinch]

To the OP, it could be that staying premium at universal for Elic universe might well be worth it no matter the up charge , depending upon how express pass works for Epic. The lines will be crazy long for a long time.

 

[suemom2kay]

Hi all,

I am currently planing a solo trip for next November with the main plan on visiting Epic universe (if it’s finished by then ) as well as Disney and universal. In the past I have done a mid trip universal break for a bout 3 nights at universal which worked well but feel like I will need to spend more this time around. After looking at split stays it seems to be more expensive when adding the flights separately and just don’t enjoy the stress of packing up half way through. will be hopefully doing mickeys Christmas party a couple of times. Where would be a good central location to stay to visit these parks or which area should I base myself in? The only problem I’m concerned about is how difficult it is to get a uber at 12am from Disney after the party’s. I know we are unsure on when epic and how the tickets will work so this is all just a rough plan at the moment.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I stayed at Hotel Landy for a business trip. Great price and was told to ignore the pay for parking signs so free parking. I the signs are to keep people that aren’t staying there from parking there. Super cute. Has a restaurant/bar onsite, pool, hot tub and nice seating areas inside and out. Right on Universal Boulevard.