We're back!

[aprilfoolwed]

Hi all! We just returned home from 4 day at Universal Orlando. So much to tell you all about our trip! I'll be adding to our trip report tonight.

But, just wanted to pop in to say hello, and that the weather in Orlando was FANTASTIC this past week.

Some basic general impressions:

• 4 days at Universal Orlando is a long time
• No one should compare Universal and WDW, but it's really hard NOT to compare them
• If you want to visit the thrilling side of Orlando, spend some time in US/IOA
• Butterbeer was better than I thought it would be LOL
• Tour groups from Brazil are a big pain in the rear!

 

[RMulieri]

Glad you had fun..I think 4 days is perfect..2 days pe park at a leisurely pace with plenty of downtime.I agree with the tour groups.We went last Jan ( going again in August) and if it werent for the tour groups the parks would have been empty.In our experience though, Unviersal Tms don't put up with the shenanigans they pull.They definitely are more on top of their behavior.Looking forward to your trip report

 

[damo]

We've got for 7 days (staying onsite) and didn't find it too long. You have to remember that you don't need to do the parks from the minute you get up until you go to bed like a WDW. You need to take time to enjoy the entire resort and actually have a vacation.

 

[schumigirl]

We've got for 7 days (staying onsite) and didn't find it too long. You have to remember that you don't need to do the parks from the minute you get up until you go to bed like a WDW. You need to take time to enjoy the entire resort and actually have a vacation.

Yep.

We have a long stay too and can dip in and out of the parks as we feel like it, we spend a lot of time there but know that`s not for everyone.

But we do love to enjoy the resort too and chill out when we feel like it.

We don`t find our trip too long either.....far from it. We never want to leave.


To the OP.......Glad you had a good trip though and good weather. We had Brazillian tour groups in July..........Not fun.

 

[macraven]

i never get bored and stay for 10 days.
enjoy my entire time there.

 

[Metro West]

Well...I think Disney has trained so many guests into planning every little detail so far out that people who visit Universal don't know what to do with themselves if they aren't rushing around trying to grab a FP or running to make an ADR. Universal allows one to relax, slow down and enjoy a vacation w/o massive planning...you know...what a vacation is supposed to be.

Yes...WDW is a lot bigger than Universal and might require more planning but that takes away from the ability to really enjoy yourself. Bigger isn't always better.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I think you guys are all right - I am such a Type A planner, and Disney just lends itself to that type of vacation schedule. I have a hard time just going with the flow. I think not having fast passes was the most frustrating part though. If we head back to US/IOA, I think we will try to stay on site for at least one night to take advantage of Express Pass.

Even though the crowds were generally really light, lines backed up by noon. I actually can't imagine going there in the summer (or at a holiday) without EP - it must be crazy!

We didn't know the weather was going to be as nice as it was. I assumed we would not have time to swim or just lounge by the pool. So we pressed on with the parks every day. We easily could have taken some shorter days and enjoyed the pool a little more.

 

[pigletto]

Looking forward to your full report. Every time we go to Universal the kids and my husband ask for more time! We only have 2 days on this trip but they would love 4 I'm sure.

Hope you have some pictures.. I am dying counting down the days here

 

[Metro West]

Here is the link to Aprilfoolwed's trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3046625

Please check it out!

 

[vakamalua]

We are DVC owners and almost every time we are in Orlando, we add at least two nights at RPR to RELAX. We love it there! Sometimes we'll do one park or another (never stay too long with express pass) but mostly we hang out at their great pool or on the little beach, have lunch there, read, nap, then cruise over to City Walk or another hotel for dinner and a drink.

We love Disney but it seems to get more frantic every year...