Why do WDW before Universal?

[MickyLynn]

I'm seeing this over and over, is it really just the FP vs EP issue? Is it park size?

We are looking at a split stay Spring Break 2020. I was going to do 3-4 days DVC but stick to the resort and Disney Springs instead of going to the parks. Or maybe doing one day at one WDW park. Its cheaper if I do an overnight in a Uni first. Not by much, but someone else offered to pay for that room and I'm using my points, so I'm trying to keep her cash costs down also.

Am I missing something?

 

[DisneyMom93]

So you’re doing Disney, but not the actual parks?

I don’t think it would matter in your case. Most people tend to feel that the less stressful park is Universal so they prefer to end with that.

We did Universal first when we did a split trip and enjoyed it very much. We liked ending our trip with Disney because that’s “home” to us. And as much as we love Universal and the EP etc Disney is still our favorite. I feel either way works, especially if one split stay works better for you for a reason, such as cost.

 

[rg35]

I think people should just do what works for them.

We are doing 3 days / 4 nights at Cabana Bay/Universal this Aug before moving over to Old Key West on our DVC points for a week and a half. We preferred to have the shorter stay for the first portion of the trip.

 

[macraven]

I do disney first and have a constant on the go plan
Rides, shows, eating all on a schedule


The days are a bit rushed to hit everything I have planned in advance

Then I switch to universal and go at a leisurely pace
This is laid back relaxing part of my vacation

I can enjoy the parks, hotels and city walk at a slower pace

When I leave to return home, I feel rested and relaxed

We all do our vacations differently
Plan your time in all the parks for what suits you best

I’m the type that wants some down time to relax while away from home
And not be on a set time schedule the entire days

 

[DisLiss]

Do what you prefer. We'll be spending 2 days at Universal first for our next trip. Then we'll have our WDW time. I like knowing that once I arrive at WDW, I'm staying there until I have to go home.

 

[MickyLynn]

So you’re doing Disney, but not the actual parks?

Right. We might do MK one day. Honestly I'm hoping the kids want to stay in the pool for next 3 days. Or we go to different pools every day. But the point of the trip was WWoHP.

 

[rinnythepooh]

We have done Universal first, then Disney. We do it this way because we like the Resort Airline Check in and Magical Expess for our trip home. At the begining of our trip we took a shuttle we booked and payed for thru Universal. It worked out well, even though we had to pick up our own bags at baggage claim in Orlando. That was a trade off for not having to check in at the airport or handle our bags on the way home.

 

[dawnnikol]

We stayed off site and did 2 days of DW, then a day at both parks for Universal, then back to DW. /shrug It was what worked out for us and our schedule and it was totally fine.

I know a lot of times it's also because the Express Passes are considered so much better than Fast Pass. So, if you're used to walking onto rides and then you have to come up short to wait in FP lines, it could be a bummer. I think it is what you make it, regardless of park.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I am doing WDW first because (1) my 9 year old is a bit of a ride chicken and I want her to experience a few days at Disney first because the rides on balance are less intense overall and she can work up her confidence and (2) Express Pass is amazing. No comparison to fastpass.

 

[MichelinMan]

We stayed off site and did 2 days of DW, then a day at both parks for Universal, then back to DW. /shrug It was what worked out for us and our schedule and it was totally fine.

I know a lot of times it's also because the Express Passes are considered so much better than Fast Pass. So, if you're used to walking onto rides and then you have to come up short to wait in FP lines, it could be a bummer. I think it is what you make it, regardless of park.

Agree about the Express Passes. We found that so easy and enjoyable, and then went to Disney afterwards, which I must admit wasn't as enjoyable.

Next year we are doing it the other way round - Coronado Springs followed by RPR. Our thinking is that we will be looking forward to both the hotel, and park experience at Universal, more at the end of our stay.

Another factor for me is that you get Express Passes on both check-in and check-out days - as we are coming from the UK, by the time we check-in on our first day, the first day of Express Pass is somewhat wasted, as we are unlikely to get into the hotel before early evening. You get more time to use the Express Pass by doing Universal at the end of the holiday.

 

[Disxuni]

The only reason why I'd do Disney last rather than first, is because if you want to take advantage of FP you can book 60+ days in advance and that includes all of your days.

So, for example, if you book one day and it's 60 days before that you can book your FP that one day, but if you book 4 days for example and you planned on going to MK on your last day, you can book starting on the first day all the way up to the last day you're staying. So, it's more like 64 days ahead. The more days you stay on property the more likely you can book the FPs you want and the more you book ahead. Also, I've been told on the day of that you start booking it can start at 7, or 8 that morning I believe.

However, if that doesn't matter to you, go for whatever is your preference.

 

[skylock]

It is simple, universal esp with express pass is such a far more relaxing part of your vacation, a lot of people feel that is is great ending to your vacation time. A bit like giving kids a wind down period at the end of the day before you put them to bed.

I don't think anybody really cares how you actually do your trip, just trying to give some advice to have an enjoyable/relaxing vacation.

 

[MickyLynn]

No, I don't imagine anyone is that heavily invested in which we do first. Not even everyone else going.

I'm not really used to having to deal with FP since we've never gone during busy seasons, so the '60 day +' math hadn't occurred to me. Thanks!

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

No, I don't imagine anyone is that heavily invested in which we do first. Not even everyone else going.

I'm not really used to having to deal with FP since we've never gone during busy seasons, so the '60 day +' math hadn't occurred to me. Thanks!

Only works if you stay at a Disney resort of course! We prefer to stay at a Disney resort for the Disney part of the trip but a universal resort for the universal part. Included EP with the deluxe resorts, early entry and walking distance make it worth it to switch.

 

[Blue32]

You will also not be hitting the parks every day of your Disney stay so I’d say go ahead and do Uni first if that is your preference.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm seeing this over and over, is it really just the FP vs EP issue? Is it park size?

I’ve never seen people in such a discussion NOT state clearly that it’s because of having unlimited EP with a deluxe resort reservation.

And that’s really the only time it comes up, IME.

Unlimited EP is so luxurious, and FP isn’t. Even when it was paper FPs, that’s not luxurious. EP is just so easy.


The downside to Disney first is dependent on where you’re staying. Our first Orlando stay involved a 2 bedroom at OKW then a studio at OKW, and then a normal sized room at RPR. We felt terribly cramped. But we were hitting the parks most days, so no biggie.


And for the OP it doesn’t matter since they aren’t in the parks at WDW.

I think people should just do what works for them.

Totally. It is hard to figure out what’ll work for you the first time, though.

I don't think anybody really cares how you actually do your trip, just trying to give some advice to have an enjoyable/relaxing vacation.

Agreed.

 

[glvsav37]

we do Univ 1st and are only there 2.5 days. So we go full out, open to close, gluttony style while we are still fresh and excited! After that, we go to WDW for 9 days and b/c we have been there so often, we don't make many ADR's and rarely need to go into the parks until late in the afternoon. So most of WDW will be relaxing by the pool, sleeping in, taking it slow....and recouping from Universal. Then when we get home, we won't be so wiped. Also, we are DVC, staying at WDW in a 1bdrm, but only a studio at universal. The room will will cost us $$ so we go small, so doing that part early in the trip, we don't mind being cramped, we are hardly there. Really we are there just for the perks (Express Pass) and it saves us DVC points.

 

[MickyLynn]

Ok. We are looking at basically the same scenario that you describe, but 6 days instead of 11. Drive down, 2 days (1 or 2 nights) at UO, then 3 days at WDW, then drive back in time for Easter. Maybe add a day if we don't go at Spring Break (were it up to me I wouldn't, but here I find myself).

 

[CPanther95]

We haven't done a split stay since 2000. Before that we did Disney trips and always felt like we needed a vacation once we got home. Even going back to work seemed like a vacation compared to our trip. When we did a split trip we found that it was great having an actual vacation after the stress of running the Disney hamster wheel. Since then we decided it would be even better to vacation for the whole duration of our vacation.

If we had done them in reverse in 2000, it would have ruined the Disney portion of our vacation.