Worth it to sneak in a day during Disney trip?

[ForceofWill]

So I haven't been to Universal in like 20 years but we've been increasing our Disney trips to like 10 nights these days to give us some off days. Next trip this summer is 10 nights and we'll have 6 day hoppers. One spare day we'll spend at Sea World since they give us a free day once a year. My question is which Universal park, if any would be worth it with a 3yr old and an 8yr old who will not be 54 inches tall? Should we snag an off day there or do the relax at pool/resort and Disney Springs we usually do.

We drive down so will have a car. Also, tickets are pretty discounted being military.

 

[Lynne G]

If it were me, I’d wait until both kids can ride more at Universal. I’d think they’d be happy with some down time after 7 days of parks. I waited until my youngest was tall enough to do most. We are military too, and Universal’s military ticket is a good deal. Any way, just my thoughts. Kids of all ages can have fun in the Universal parks. Maybe review the rides and shows online with your kids to see if it would be fun to spend time in the parks besides going to the other parks too.

 

[ForceofWill]

If it were me, I’d wait until both kids can ride more at Universal. I’d think they’d be happy with some down time after 7 days of parks. I waited until my youngest was tall enough to do most. We are military too, and Universal’s military ticket is a good deal. Any way, just my thoughts. Kids of all ages can have fun in the Universal parks. Maybe review the rides and shows online with your kids to see if it would be fun to spend time in the parks besides going to the other parks too.

Yeah, I was kinda figuring it's catered to teenagers still. Even Sea World we can pretty much only do the shows, oldest isn't tall enough for any ride except the Splash Mountain knockoff and he thinks it's too scary(but loves Splash). Gonna keep watching vids.

 

[nkereina]

I agree with PP that I would also wait to do Universal when the kids are a little older. There's a Dr. Seuss area at IOA that kids would enjoy, but there are so many more attractions at Universal that younger kids can't ride. When they get a little older, I would highly suggest doing a split stay with a Universal hotel and a park-to-park ticket so you can get the full experience. One day at one park without staying on-site would only give you a little taste. Plus, I know with 6 days at Disney, I'd look forward to a day to sleep in and enjoy the pool.

 

[cfoxga]

We did a single day at Universal Hollywood 5-6 years ago, and it almost soured us on Universal. It was very expensive for that first day, even without EPs. Because it was crowded and we did not have EPs, we only made it on a couple rides. The only reason we made our first trip to Universal Orlando is that the kids became obsessed with Harry Potter.

We stayed 4 nights a CB and fell in love with the Universal bubble. We've been on 3 more trips since then, with a 4th coming next week, all at Deluxe Resorts with EPs. The cost per day is quite reasonable for an extended trip, compared to that first day. And if you can stomach Disney prices, Universal is downright cheap. When I price out a Disney vacation (onsite resort and tickets), I can get 2-3 Universal trips for the same price...

 

[ForceofWill]

We did a single day at Universal Hollywood 5-6 years ago, and it almost soured us on Universal. It was very expensive for that first day, even without EPs. Because it was crowded and we did not have EPs, we only made it on a couple rides. The only reason we made our first trip to Universal Orlando is that the kids became obsessed with Harry Potter.

We stayed 4 nights a CB and fell in love with the Universal bubble. We've been on 3 more trips since then, with a 4th coming next week, all at Deluxe Resorts with EPs. The cost per day is quite reasonable for an extended trip, compared to that first day. And if you can stomach Disney prices, Universal is downright cheap. When I price out a Disney vacation (onsite resort and tickets), I can get 2-3 Universal trips for the same price...

Thanks! I was just looking at some multi day packages they offer with their hotels to add on after our trip. Gonna have dreams price it out for us.

 

[keishashadow]

SW really expanded the kids area with the sesame street themeing. Even tween GD who does the coasters enjoyed many of the features.

Is the 8 y.o. Interested in sues, HP, dinosaurs, spiderman, kong - IoA as all would be checked off there.

If another adult will be along you can child swap rides that won’t work for the 3 y.o.

Packages rarely can beat pricing you can find on your own at U & are (pre covid) much more restrictive as to cancelling

 

[SwanVT2]

So I haven't been to Universal in like 20 years but we've been increasing our Disney trips to like 10 nights these days to give us some off days. Next trip this summer is 10 nights and we'll have 6 day hoppers. One spare day we'll spend at Sea World since they give us a free day once a year. My question is which Universal park, if any would be worth it with a 3yr old and an 8yr old who will not be 54 inches tall? Should we snag an off day there or do the relax at pool/resort and Disney Springs we usually do.

We drive down so will have a car. Also, tickets are pretty discounted being military.

Spend a day at Sea World instead and go to Sesame Street place. It is awesome!

 

[TwentyThingamabobs]

If anyone in your group is a Harry Potter fan, I’d say definitely.

 

[AJA]

As much as I love Universal in your situation I wouldn’t do it.
I would wait until the kiddos are older.

 

[ForceofWill]

If anyone in your group is a Harry Potter fan, I’d say definitely.

No one in the house has read or watched any of the movies hah.

 

[JFDIS]

All the girls I work with have Universal passes for their families. I’d love to join them on trips but I have a two and three year old and know there just isn’t enough for them to do there.

 

[maverik85]

The parks are definitely worth a trip over on a vacation while there./ However, I agree with others that I would wait until the kids are a little older/taller. There isn't a whole lot for little ones to do at Universal especially if only doing one of the parks.

 

[shawthorne44]

When you do decide to go, make your hotel reservation, then keep an eye out for passholder rates for your dates. On Universal, you are able to see the passholder rates even if you aren't yet a passholder. Then as long as one person is a passholder before you check-out, it is fine. Unlike Disney, getting a pass is about the cost of a multi-day ticket.