What do I do about sister who is anti-disney and wants our family trip to be US/IA

[dutton]

We have a family vacation planned for 11/26-11/30. My family (me, Dh and 4 kids 13,11,8,6), my parents, and my sister's family (her,dh and 2 kids 8 and 5).
My family hasn't been to Universal yet. I always plan to but then switch to Disney! I just love it!! And it is not about the rides for me as I am 1st class chicken. Now my sister and her 2 kids went two years ago to Universal and she now proclaims that Universal is much better and cheaper. She has agreed to come on this trip, but says we should be doing Universal instead. She says she is so over Disney and that Universal has better rides. I am cheating my family by always sticking to Disney?
Let me say that we always go to park early, take part in other non park activities at WDW and have always had a blast. She, on the other hand, gets up late stays all day, crashes at hotel and only does the parks. She spent her honeymoon at WDW and still has ill feelings about it!! I love her to death, but don't know if I can stand negative vibes by the second day!! Also, my kids love to be w/her kids.
Oh, my parents would never go to Universal--they love disney for same reasons I do---just can't put into words why I do. Am I cheating my kids? Would we be Universal converts like her if we went?

Please Help!!

Suzanne

 

[sue1013]

Why does it have to be love disney/hate universal. They are different but different doesn't mean you have to hate it. Personally I think your kids are missing out. The universal parks are fun they do have better rides (thrill) than disney. Give it a try!

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

How about 2 days Disney, 2 days Universal??

 

[kretsch]

Spend one night at Universal to utilize front of the line benefits and then spend the remainder of your stay at Disney. Or, just travel over for a day and check out one of the Universal parks. Then, the family vacation will make everyone happy at least part of the time!

 

[Sylvester McBean]

the Universal resort offers 3 AAA 4 diamond resorts, an exceptional shopping/dining area in Citywalk, and then those 2 parks. no, it's not WDW, and it doesn't try to be. WDW is steeped in the 'magic' and tradition. UO is more about excitement. post your questions in the Universal forums, we're seeing a lot of converts lately. a lot of us people there have AP's for both Universal and WDW. there doesn't need to be a this dividing line between these two resorts. they're both awesome in their own ways.

 

[Allison]

the Universal resort offers 3 AAA 4 diamond resorts, an exceptional shopping/dining area in Citywalk, and then those 2 parks. no, it's not WDW, and it doesn't try to be. WDW is steeped in the 'magic' and tradition. UO is more about excitement. post your questions in the Universal forums, we're seeing a lot of converts lately. a lot of us people there have AP's for both Universal and WDW. there doesn't need to be a this dividing line between these two resorts. they're both awesome in their own ways.

Well said.

 

[dsanner106]

They are very different parks. Universal will never match the "Disney magic", but do have the roller coasters etc. that older kids love. We have done both and love both. Over time, Universal got old faster, and now the kids want perhaps a day there and no more. I would recommend staying onsite there once for a night. You get front of the line priveleges for the day you check in and the day you check out, so spend those 2 days at universal and IOA. Your older kids will probably love it, and you will be entertained as well.

Drew

 

[mrsmom]

I took My kids to us/ioa for a week and the keep saying i wish i was at Disney ,these kids were 18 12,11,7.. so we ended up doing epcot for a day. After we got home they said always want to do disney maybe in a couple yrs they will do us and ioa for 1 day.
Kim

 

[vacationwoman]

We have a family vacation planned for 11/26-11/30. My family (me, Dh and 4 kids 13,11,8,6), my parents, and my sister's family (her,dh and 2 kids 8 and 5).
My family hasn't been to Universal yet. I always plan to but then switch to Disney! I just love it!! And it is not about the rides for me as I am 1st class chicken. Now my sister and her 2 kids went two years ago to Universal and she now proclaims that Universal is much better and cheaper. She has agreed to come on this trip, but says we should be doing Universal instead. She says she is so over Disney and that Universal has better rides. I am cheating my family by always sticking to Disney?
Let me say that we always go to park early, take part in other non park activities at WDW and have always had a blast. She, on the other hand, gets up late stays all day, crashes at hotel and only does the parks. She spent her honeymoon at WDW and still has ill feelings about it!! I love her to death, but don't know if I can stand negative vibes by the second day!! Also, my kids love to be w/her kids.
Oh, my parents would never go to Universal--they love disney for same reasons I do---just can't put into words why I do. Am I cheating my kids? Would we be Universal converts like her if we went?

Please Help!!

Suzanne

Put her up for adoption.

 

[seashoreCM]

Your sister should go off on her own taking those other family members who want to go to Universal.

The title of the post suggests you should never have planned a trip together with your sister.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/family.htm

 

[mrp4352]

I enjoy Universal - Revenge of the Mummy and the Hulk are among my top 5 favorite thrill rides. I think Men in Black is lightyears better than Buzz and I can't wait for Disney to utilize technology like Spiderman has.

That said - $99 for a one day pass to both parks is a little steep. Especially when (in the off season) we can do all the big headliner rides and more in one day - even with a long lunch at Margaritaville.

I agree with an earlier poster who suggested splitting the trip. Take one family day for everyone to go to Univerisal, one day for your sisters family to go to universal and yours to Disney and two days with everyone at Disney. That way you get the chance to experience some really cool things, but don't have to give up your Magic fix either.

 

[Hannathy]

And she is probably posting what do I do about a sister that wants to ruin our vation by staying at Disney. Family vacations are about COMPROMISE. she has as much right to her oppinion as you do. I agree with others do 2 days Universal 2 days Disney. Or agree to only meet in the evening for a neutral dinner somewhere. Universal isn't Disney but we have enjoyed it if you have never gone you really shouldn't be bashing it, she has at least been to Disney and can compare. I also agree maybe you shouldn't be going together. I have vacationed with my sister and we are very different but I just tell myself the real reason for this vacation is so my kids can be with family and have learned to go with the flow. This has resulted in some very enjoyable times often different than if I had planned it but good for my kids. IMO you need to give in a little or this is going to be one miserable time.

 

[iluvvacay]

I agree with 2 days universal, stay at one of their hotels so you can use express ride access, so 2 days will be enough to see both parks and citywalk and enjoy your hotel. Then go to disney. You will love it and everyone will be happy

 

[pepe of ohio]

I'ld tell here, have a nice day and see you later. This is my vacation, my money and this is where I want to spend my time. We have never been to Universial and have no intentions of going. If we did, I wouldn't stay at WDW resorts. I'ld stay off property but that ain't going to happen. Disney gives me or us, all what we want and we see no reason to go else where and spend more money. If we wanted a thrill park, we would stay in Ohio and go to Cedar Point. We don't, we like the relaxed atmosphere of Disney and feel we get our moneys worth right there.

 

[ChrisFL]

I think everyone should try to visit Universal at least once as it is quite a special place...not Disney, but just as high quality, and even higher in some areas. They have attractions there you won't find anywhere else. There are a lot of different attractions for all ages, the food is very good at most places, and the parks are so close and convenient, park hopping is way too easy.

Ive had a Universal AP since 1999 and haven't grown tired of the place yet!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

I can't imagine spending more than one day at US. DH and I did/saw everything we wanted to on a 1 day break from WDW. We were glad we went, but prefer Disney anyday!

 

[RescueRanger]

Go try out Universal. You will probably be pleasantly surprised. I too would advise you to get a room at one of the onsite hotels. FOTL is the best. Practically no lines make for a very nice visit. The way some people talk about Universal on these boards, I half way expect to see asterisks instead of "Universal" because they treat it like a dirty word. It never ceases to amaze me the people who will say, "I have never been, nor do I ever care to go." What is up with that? Are you afraid if you actually tried it, you might like it? Disney is not a religion. You are not going to go to Disney Hell if you step foot in Universal. Just my 2 cents but it is really silly to have that attitude. We go to WDW alot more because it is our favorite, but we like Universal too. They are both great for different reasons. Why does it alway have to be a choice of either/or. Why can't it be both.

 

[BAST]

If I was going for five nights, I would just do WDW. Don't get me wrong - I think US and IOA are great, but for a shorter vacation, doing WDW and Universal would be very difficult. I especially would not want to switch hotels with 4 kids.

 

[powellrj]

I enjoy Universal - Revenge of the Mummy and the Hulk are among my top 5 favorite thrill rides. I think Men in Black is lightyears better than Buzz and I can't wait for Disney to utilize technology like Spiderman has.

That said - $99 for a one day pass to both parks is a little steep. Especially when (in the off season) we can do all the big headliner rides and more in one day - even with a long lunch at Margaritaville.

I agree with an earlier poster who suggested splitting the trip. Take one family day for everyone to go to Univerisal, one day for your sisters family to go to universal and yours to Disney and two days with everyone at Disney. That way you get the chance to experience some really cool things, but don't have to give up your Magic fix either.

If you buy your tickets on-line, its $99 for a 5 day ticket plus you get a free kids ticket. You just can't beat the price! We have done one universal only trip and are doing another one this year. We love to stay on-site and are spoiled by FOTL. Give it a try, you might be surprised!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I think your kids will really be missing out if they don't get to go to Universal. And every single person on the planet ought to ride Spider-Man. It is that good. I can't describe it in Disney terms, because Disney doesn't have anything like it, but it is fantastic!

Liking Universal doesn't mean you don't like Disney.

You can like both!