Which park first Universal or Disney?

[bkline]

I'm planning a split trip to Universal and Disney for the beginning of October. I keep switching the order and wanted to get some viewpoints from others. I will be staying onsite at Disney and Universal. Is it better to do Disney first (Sat. & Sun. with MNSSHP) then Universal for 2 days or Universal first (Sat. & Sun. with FOTL and do Disney Mon. & Tues. with MNSSHP.

 

[crow11ad]

I would like to know this as well. I am in the same boat. We will have 5 days and were mostly planning on doing Disney. We have been twice in the last year and thinking should we do Univeral as well.

 

[hannahouse]

The most popular choice seems to be Disney first, Universal (onsite) last. FOTL spoils you, so it's hard to go from that to lines at Disney. Probably more relaxing, as us/ioa will be at an easier pace without the lines.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Last year we did Universal first and Disney last. This time we're reversing it. The one thing I like about doing Universal last (besides FOTL) is that you can rent cabanas at HRH for the last night (our plane leaves late - 7:30 pm) so it's like having another room for the day, plus the cabanas are great!

 

[MiJo]

We spent the first 5 nights at CSR and the last 2 at Portofino Bay (USF). Having done it, I would reverse the order if we would ever do this again. For us, the USF was enjoyable but it did not have the Disney ambiance (or magic). It was almost a "downer" to leave WDW for USF. The Portofino Bay is a beautiful hotel but we prefer Disney's resorts much better. And, the parks at USF are good, but they're just not Disney. Just our opinion.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

My vote would be Universal first then coming home to Disney last.

 

[buzzriders]

We are going to disney for 6 nights at AKL and then USF for 3 nights at PBR. We didnt really think which to do first we just did it. I guess it was a good choice because we are arriving at USF July 1st and the crowds will start arriving for the 4th of July and being at USF we have FOTL. I guess we made a good decision!!

 

[Tink0513]

As anxious as I am to get to Disney....I always go to Universal 1st! There's nothing like ending out vacation by watching Spectro and viewing Wishes on the last day!

 

[Johnfish]

My son and I went to Us/ioa and WDW for the first time last august. We got to WDW the day before Hurricane Charlie so when we arrived at RPR in universal later that week we had an extra day on our Park hoppers (Thanks Disney!!!). When we settled into the RPR we both said the same thing. "This is nice but its not Disney!" I immediately got on the Phone and called CRO. We ended up staying an extra day at pop after US because we were having WDW withdrawls!! So much for saving that extra day for another trip!

Alot of people suggested US after WDW because of FOTL but I found that sticking to a touring plan and using FP almost as effective! Even though I am 46 and my son is 16 we are absolutely infected with the magic. US/IOA is great for thrills (we are both coaster nuts) but Disney has it beat by a mile.

Just my 2 cents


John

 

[Okiemom]

I would do US/IOA last. We were spoiled by the FOTL pass, so standing in lines would be a bummer after that. I guess I don't agree Us'IOA are a let down. We loved both parks, they are themed neat, and all the food on City Walk was great. I just think its different in some ways to WDW, but very great too.

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

Since you will have FOTL at Universal, I would choose the more crowded time to go to Universal.

 

[MrsG]

This is really a tough question. We did Disney first and found Universal disappointing (food, lack of ambiance, etc). But when you do Universal first, all you want to do is get to Disney.

As you can see I'm partisan to Disney (as if you couldn't tell). Hence, now we just go to WDW and stay at BCV and our biggest decision is which park do we go to first!

 

[Okiemom]

The food in the park, might not be the best, but City Walk joins the 2 parks and has lots of great places to eat. And what is great about that, you don't have to get into a car and leave offsite, just to eat at some neat places. It is walking distance. So I think in that area, it has Disney beat!

FOTL of the line works wonderful, so which ever way you decide, your family will be impressed they don't have to wait in long lines.