wdw vs. universal have 5 days

[want2kno]

We have 5 days in Orlando this month. We were thinking of doing a 4 day hopper to wdw & 1 day at universal. However, we realize we can't possibly do it all in 5 days. We were wondering if it would be better to skip universal this trip & just do wdw. We don't want to get frustrated by feeling rushed at wdw. However, we've heard good things about universal though & hate to miss it. Is it worth missing some of wdw to go there? Our kids are 6, 13 & 17.

 

[antmaril]

My first question is, have you been to WDW before? If yes, I would recommend doing four days at Disney and one day Universal, staying on-site at Universal. As you may know, if you stay at one of the on-site hotels at Universal (either, Portofino Bay, Hard Rock Hotel or Royal Pacific) you will have FOTL access. This means you will show your room key and go into the Express Line at the Theme Parks. You will not stand in line more than 10 minutes to ride almost every ride at either theme park. This is a fabulous perk. If you check-in early and your room isn't ready, they will give you your room keys so you can go to the parks and have Express access. You will also have Express access on the day you check out of the hotel - so you really have two days at Universal. You can easily do both parks at Universal in two days because you have FOTL access - you won't spend time standing in long lines.

Your children will definitely like Universal, especially the teenagers.

Hope this is helpful!

 

[disneyjunkie]

When is your trip? Universal has a new express system in place. You can purchase expresses passes for $10 or $20, depending on when you go.

It's not as good as FOTL, but looks like it will save you some time.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=396685

 

[luvaladdin]

I went to Universal Studios and IOA in May with my DD14 and her best friend. The HRH was a beautiful hotel with an awesome pool, staff very friendly, front of the line was unbelieveable. I would highly recommend staying on property. The park staff was also very friendly, which I find important. THat being said, I much prefer Disney and would probably not go back to Universal for several years, perhaps taking my two boys (5 and 8) when they are older.

Cheryl

 

[Teri1]

I believe if you have not been to Disney before get a five day hopper and enjoy yourself instead of rushing around trying to get everything in. This also goes the same for if you have never been to Universal and Islands of Adventure before you definitly want to do it with at least a two-day hopper. If you love coasters IOA is awsome! It is a beautiful park as well. Universal studios is fun the first time,but unless there is something new to see we only visit IOA.

So, If you have been to WDW before I don't see anything wrong with doing a 4day there and one day at a Universal park. Thant is what we usually do.

 

[FloridaCat]

Universal has a lot of cool rides, and the two oldest childen would really like them. Like was mentioned depends if you have been to Disney in the past. If the the answer is yes, then do US, if the answer is No, stay at Disney.

We have a lot of friends that come down from up north and we have had them to all the parks. Any that return want to do US or Seaworld, rather go back to WDW. I have a DGS 10, DGD 12 that come down from NC, US and Islands of Adventure are their favorite park.

 

[kilee]

Every other trip we add in Universal. I think it is a great park in it's own right, but I couldn't build an entire vacation there. If you have never been to US and you feel comfortable with 4 days at Disney, then I'd go for it.

 

[want2kno]

Thanks for all the good advice! Our older kids have been to wdw once 5 years ago. They also have been to Disneyland twice. However, our 6 year old was only one year old the last time we were there so it's like the first time for her. Still trying to decide.

 

[pokeysmom]

I definitely recommend 3-4 days at WDW and 1-2 days at Univ/IOA staying onsite at one of the Univ. hotels, FOL is fantastic. Read up on what to do at the parks so you can maximize your time at WDW. Your older kids will absolutely love IOA and not having to wait in line is such a plus.

 

[Pammy_from_WI]

With just 5 days I'd probably just hit WDW and skip USF/IOA, especially if I knew I'd be going back to Orlando in the future. Keep in mind I love USF/IOA, not as much as WDW, but pretty close.

But if your kids and you and your hubby/wife love thrill rides, it might be worthwhile heading over to USF/IOA. Keep in mind there is no way you'd be able to cover both parks in one day. I'd look at their website and look at the rides offered and pick one or the other. With the ages of your kids I'd take a guess and say you'll probably enjoy IOA a lot better, more for a variety of ages. With a 6 year old USF might be too much, they have some stiff height requirements and rides like Jaws, King Kong, Twister, and Earthquake might be really scary for him/her.

Like a previous poster said if you know you'll be heading back to Orlando in the future, it would be ideal to spend 2 or 3 days at a USF hotel (you'll get front of the line access) and then head to a WDW hotel and do that for the rest of your trip.

If you do go and want to try to tackle both parks in one day, you might want to look into getting a VIP pass. Last year they offered VIP passes, I think that's what it was called, it was extra $$$, but that would help you get front of the line access for the major rides. You have to get them VERY VERY early though, they sell out really fast. We got there about 10am and by noon they were gone.

IOA/USF have some pretty unique rides, but they are more of the thrill type. We'll be in Orlando for 9 days this trip and we're just staying at WDW, because of our youngest, she wouldn't be able to ride most of the rides at USF/IOA.

Good luck deciding and have a great trip!!

Pammy

 

[FloridaCat]

You can build a vacation around US. There is SW and 45 miles east you have the KFC, walk through a shuttle and be a part of the greatest achievment of mankind.

 

[donna in Oz]

If your older kids are the type that really enjoy the huge steel coasters that are offered at typical theme parks, then a day at IOA is probably in order. Although WDW offers RNRC and Space Mtn, WDW is probably not a first-choice pick of coaster afficionados.

However, doing all of WDW in just four days will really force you to rush through things. You won't be able to do everything and may find yourself exhausted at the end of your "vacation". Not to mention that the heat can wear you down as well.

To answer your basic question, I wouldn't say that IOA/USF was worth giving up part of Disney for. Personally, I think it's much more enjoyable when you can savor the magic. But that's JMHO.

 

[FloridaCat]

I live by th parks and go to all of them. Us and SW can provide just as much excitement as WDW. Check out the costs and it is a lot easier on your budget as well.

 

[tazz]

On the Universal website, you can purchase 5-day parks passes that include City Walk for the price of a 2-day, plus with a MasterCard, you can get 5 tickets for the price of 4--for us it was around $450(can't remember exactly). With only 5 days, you would have a much more relaxing vacation at Universal and save a bunch compared to Disney. And, you still probably have time for one of the water parks--we love Typhoon Lagoon, but have never been to Wet n Wild. You can get the the entertainment rate at the Hard Rock Hotel for $135 a night or $160 for a deluxe room (larger)and you will get the front of the line passes as the parks. Or, with the Fan Club rate, you can get a Club Room (like conceirge) for $230 a night. We are staying at HRH for 5 nights and from everything I read we will have plenty of time to enjoy the great pool and amenities of the hotel with this much time and not be so rushed. Plus you can pool hop to the other Universal resorts.

Our kids are close to the ages of yours (15, 13 & 4) and if if I only had 5 days I think I'd pick Universal. Although, with a little one, it's hard to decide because I think it is more exciting at Disney for them.

 

[Lory]

I would definately do US/IOA for at least one day. We have only been to WDW and US/IOA once, we had 12 days and split them up but we had so much fun at US/IOA!! We didn't enjoy Epcot or really AK (spent half a day there) but we spent 3 days at US/IOA. When we go back next year spending 10 days, only doing 4 at disney (mk, mgm and maybe 1/2 day at Ak) the rest BB, Seaworld, and US/IOA. If possible stay onsite and enjoy the FOTL that way you can do both parks if you want to. My kids are 9 and 5 and they loved US/IOA.

Have fun