What was I thinking?

[YoMickey]

We leave in 10 days for Universal Studios. I have no idea what to expect. We got cheap flights $74 each way, and a great rate on a room $125/night, and also snagged five 14-day passes in Ohio for $99 each at our local AAA. I guess they are all out and no longer offer those passes.

For some reason I can't stop thinking about using our DVC points and doing Disney instead. We have all our points currently booked for X-mas 2010 and Easter 2011. We can't find cheap airfare for Christmas and will probably drive down for Easter. I guess I can always cancel the Christmas trip and bank the points.

I'm thinking I should do Disney this trip on points and save the Universal Passes for next summer.

 

[Sandisw]

Well, I would say that sounds like a plan. I hear that the Harry Potter area is mobbed.

If the passes are good for next summer, then it might work out well, especially since you would end up with extra points anyway.

We have not yet tried Universal because my youngest (who is now 14) was never a fan of thrill rides and there just never seemed to be enough her and my DH would do to make it worth it.

Plus, it will be tough going to Orlando and NOT doing Disney!!!!

 

[holcomb-mania]

We're going next June and staying at Kidani on points for four nights with zero plans to do a Disney park, going to Discovery Cove and SeaWorld instead. Then we check out and check into HRH for 3 nights and we'll do UO/IOA.

Getting the FOTL access for staying onsite will sooth any rash I get for not continuing our stay on points at a DVC resort.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I had a co worker just return from US/IOA and they told me this morning they waited on line for 4 hours to ride HP

After Shrek opened we waited about 2 hours to ride. The line was hidden and we did not know it was that long and many of the FOTL guests were circling back after riding.

I have $400 worth of US tix I never redeemed after that.

I would stay at US or I would not go. Especially not this summer.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

I had a co worker just return from US/IOA and they told me this morning they waited on line for 4 hours to ride HP.

Wow!! My friends and I are planning on doing IOA in October to see the Wizarding World but I absolutely refuse to pay $79 to stand in line for 4 hours... We may have to make a return trip in a few years... Since I'm DVC, that will be a probability Oh well, we'll just have to see how long the lines really are once we get there...

 

[kimberh]

If you love Roller Coasters, you will love US/IOA We usually stay onsite and do love it. Have not been since HP opened. My son has, he said, "no FOTL passes for HP" they opened the park one hour early for hotel guests to ride it.

Spiderman and The Mummy were awesome!!! Several rides were really great, We really enjoyed it.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Spiderman and The Mummy were awesome!!! Several rides were really great, We really enjoyed it.

I agree Spiderman was our all time favorite ride at US/IOA. The good news is, the other lines should be short if everyone is waiting in line for HP!

 

[csharpwv]

As long as your US passes aren't going to expire - I would hold on to them until you can actually 'use' them. Going to a theme park when the lines are so out of control is such a waste of time and money IMO.

If you can't enjoy your day - then why in the world go?

You know the other attractions have more guests going through just because they can't see the attractions at WWOHP due to the lines.

I am a lover of thrill rides - and I am not really a fan of US/IOA at all. We went there in January 2009 - and I didn't like US/IOA and don't care to go back for a few years.

The 'Magic' doesn't live at US/IOA - after seeing the Simpsons in character at three different places in the parks - I realized how Disney controls the guest experience and makes even a single day at the WDW resort a very wonderful experience that truly is a 'production' from beginning to end!

Did I miss the 'real' US/IOA experience

 

[wdwfanatic316]

I say go to Universal and have a great time!!! It might not have the same "magic" feeling as Disney, but it has some really awesome, cutting edge rides that I think you'll really enjoy! I'm also thinking that in 10 days the crowds will be dying down some as kids head back to school (ours start this week). Visit the Universal forums (I've been spending a lot of time there lately and learning a lot) and I bet the more you learn about US, the more ecited you'll be about visiting! Have a great time

 

[DebbieB]

I would double check to be sure your Universal passes do not expire. Most parks are not like WDW, they put an expiration date on. Disneyland puts an expiration date on some if not all of theirs.

 

[Coach81]

Good luck with your decision!

 

[mybabesuz]

Universal is tough if you don't stay on site which cost a fortune.

Delta has had some great cheap fares lately.
You should check them out for December.

What does the rest of the Family think?

 

[arthur06]

We love US/IOA and love going there... But we typically only go there on an adult only trip... Our boys are 9,3,1 and are just too little to enjoy the same rides as we like... We love Hulk, Spiderman, and especially Mummy!

 

[iloveokw]

My daughter's best friend and her parents were at US because of Harry Potter last week ....she waited in line 30 minutes to get into a GIFT SHOP! They stayed onsite so had front of the line passes, but it was still mobbed and HOT.