What do y'all think of Universal?

[ObieTrice]

Hi,

I hope that this is okay to ask on this forum, since it is the one that I read most often, and I respect your opinions.

We are leaving for Orlando on Friday morning, and were planning on taking it easy this time, no commando touring.

The boys (9 & 12) want to go to Universal instead of WDW, and I am leaning towards doing that, because it is so affordable. A 2 year annual pass for $169! I was planning on spending much more than that at Disney. Even with the SOG discount.

Our neighbors went to Universal and Disney a few months ago, and really liked Universal better.

Please take a minute to tell me what you think, either way.

I appreciate your help.

Jackie

 

[bynum66]

Since your boys are 9 & 12, I think they would like Universal/IOA much better WDW. The rides are geared for the older crowd. We went last year and had a great time.

 

[Dano1182]

check out universal's web site they were offering buy 2 days get 5 for $89.00
You must use this pass on consecutive days if you skip a day they become void.
We were at both Dis and univ at easter if your hotel plans are flexible look into a universal hotel.
you get front of the line this is well worth it/
The kids will love it there are many more up to date rides etc.

If you belong to AAA there are discounts at many places this adds up .

 

[phamton]

Your boys will love Universal! They are at a perfect age for all the "magic" Universal has to offer.

 

[gschmerl]

Originally posted by Dano1182
check out universal's web site they were offering buy 2 days get 5 for $89.00
You must use this pass on consecutive days if you skip a day they become void.
.

Actually, the five day passes don't become void if you skip a day. They are good for only five days from the first day of use. If you go one day and then skip the next, you still have the next three days to use them.

 

[MagicalMom]

gschmerl, that you so much for clearing that up. I was just about in tears thinking all of my vacation plans were ruined. I was so afraid I was going to void my tickets. Thank You.

 

[riopooh]

We're building Universal time into our next trip also. We're doing a family reunion w/ 8 adults and 7 kids and are probably going to have a Universal day for the dads and older kids (my sister & I consider ourselves lucky to take the 2 4yr olds to Disney to indulge them for a day! We'll probably never get past Fantasyland & Toontown!

We did UNiversal Studios last yr w/ MY DS9 & DD3 - they both enjoyed it - DS more. (Although it was DD 3rd B-day so she got extra hugs from Barney!) My favorite part was Maguaritaville!

 

[ksdave]

We did WDW alot until the kids became 11 and 9. Now we only do UO. It is definitely the better park for the tweens and teens, and I think for adults under 65 too. And the Preferred Annual Pass is defintely the best deal in tickets if you want to go again within the next year. The discounts you get at the shops and restaurants, plus the free parking, make it a great bargain. They're alot less expensive than a four-day pass at WDW!!

 

[wildcatwmn]

My DS is 9 (going on 19) and here are his favorites:

Universal IOA
Animal Kingdom
Sea Work Discovery Cove

He hasn't been to EPCOT yet, so that will be on our next trip, and two years ago when we did Universal Studios with IOA, he liked the Nickelodean part at Universal, but I had a better time than he did. He kept asking to go back to IOA. ("Who are the Blues Brothers?" "Who are Lucy and Ricky and why are they driving an old car?" - they were awesome by the way).

 

[SpideyHulk24]

I think they will definitely enjoy it. We love Disney. We love Universal. Both different experiences, but both just as great as the other.

 

[Beanie]

Well my kids are only 4 and 6, but they LOVE Universal!! My son loves Spidey and Hulk, Spongebob and Jimmy Neutron and my Daughter loves Dora and Spongebob, so they have a lot of fun at Universal. They like Disney, don't get me wrong, but always want to go to US now... We all have AP's now, so I have no problem going to US everyday!!

 

[SpideyHulk24]

Same here with my little guy. He's four and loves it! I forgot to add that...

 

[donmil723]

Looks like I'm the only one who doesn't like IOA/US. Went to US once about 10 years ago and didn't like it as well as WDW but DD, now 19, and I tried it again this past March as well as IOA. All I can say is we might go back in another 10 years to use the second day on our 2-day pass but we will definitely be back at WDW again this month and in December. We love thrill rides and were so disappointed in the quality of the rides at IOA/US. We even had FOTL privileges as we stayed at Royal Pacific. I'm not sorry we gave it a chance but I wouldn't want to think I had to spend 5 days or more of my vacation there especially with WDW so close. JMHO.

Donna

 

[Deesknee]

My family and I tried us/ioa we all enjoyed well enough, but seemed more "carnivalish" than magical to all of us. The kids were 11 DH & I are early 40's.
We would go again in addition to, but not instead of Disney.

 

[Planogirl]

My now 11 year old son finally talked me into Universal last year and I'm so glad that he did. We have gone to WDW ever since he was born and I was (rather pathetically) devoted to Disney. I couldn't see going anywhere else but he started seeing ads and loves superheroes so I finally broke down and took him.

Universal ROCKS! I had such a good time and it was so much fun to see something truly different. I can't compare Universal to Disney because to me it's like comparing apples and oranges. They're so completely different and yet so wonderful in their own special ways. I know that I will NEVER visit Florida again without visiting Universal because Universal has its own special magic that works for me.

 

[h20jag]

Since Disney is another 15 mins. drive for us, we're saving many hours (over the last several years) by exiting at Universal. And when you're exiting that horrible I-4 mess, Universal looks pretty darn "magical"!

Really tho, the sheer convenience of UO's layout (hotels & lots of good rides/shows close together; CityWalk too), and the Annual Pass affordability makes only good sense for us to keep re-newing.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm with donmil723.
We'll go back to Universal once every 4-5 years just to see what's what.
As for IOA--that one time was enough. Can't see us ever going back.

 

[ObieTrice]

Wow, a lot of great responses! I do appreciate it.

I think that I am going to go ahead and get the Universal 2 year AP for $169, and then get a 2 day Stars and Strips pass for WDW.

The 2 year AP makes financial sense, as we are DVC members, and plan to be back in Orlando a couple of times in the next two years. We can always have a few days at the World to get our fix, and the boys can get their ya-yas out on the thrill rides at Universal.

Thank you for your thoughts,

Jackie

 

[JoniGirl]

Originally posted by gschmerl
Actually, the five day passes don't become void if you skip a day. They are good for only five days from the first day of use. If you go one day and then skip the next, you still have the next three days to use them.

Man I was glad to see your response. I bought the 5 park flex tix and was afraid it applied to my 14 conseq. days!! TY!

 

[highlander447]

In my opinion yes its great we spent days there in march we also did SW, DC & other trips but no Disney not because we don't like Disney it really comes down to what the family prefer in total from my wallets point of view Universal is better value on dining merchandise and tickets in saying that we are planning to stay onsite at Disney in for week and week at Universal