What would you do?

[ajordan79]

We are heading to Orlando the Wed. before Thanksgiving (2014) and plan on visiting Universal for two days. Should we plan on staying there and transferring to Disney or just booking Disney and traveling to Universal? The cost is pretty close. Are there advantages to staying onsite at Universal? Is the express pass worth it? Any comments and suggestions would be helpful. I'm lost!

 

[RMulieri]

I would definitely stay onsite..Next summer the new Harry Potter expansion will open at the studios, that will make it very crowded for a very long time and change park touring strategies.Staying onsite at any of the 3 deluxe resorts ( Portofino Bay, Royal Pacific and Hard Rock) gives you the resort guest express pass( good for all rides and shows except : Pteranodon FLyers, Forbidden Journey and Ollivanders wand show) .This allows you immediate access to the express line with little to no wait to get on the rides.There are no pieces of paper, no return times and no limit as to how many times you can go on a ride.IT DOES NOT INCLUDE: the signature ride at Harry potter right now nor Ollivanders wand show.This could change by next year, but we won't know for awhile.The other thing onsite resort guests get is early entry into Islands of Adventure for Harry Potter ( it will likely also include the Studios next year Pool hopping is encouraged.There is a 4th resort opening this year( Cabana Bay), and while it will have early entry, IT WILL NOT HAVE EXPRESS ACCESS, nor boat access .It is to be a value/moderate priced resort .

 

[macraven]

i would stay onsite for the convenience factor.
you start your park day once you check in.
get up early the next morning and use the early entry perk.




then move to the motherland once your darkside stay is completed.



Tday will be crowded in the parks no matter which park you go to.

 

[ajordan79]

Thanks for the suggestions!