WWYD...1 or 2 nights at Universal?

[calablovedisney]

Looking for some opinions. We have a 2 night reservation at RPH before we move to the 2nd part of our vacation at Disney.
What we have been debating is should we switch to just 1 night instead of 2 since it is more pricey to stay at a Universal resort that gives the benefits of the express pass than a night at Disney.
Our flight arrives at 10 a.m. on 6/27. If we stay just the 1 night will we be able to get in both HP areas within the first afternoon and 2nd day? We will be seeing Diagon Alley for the 1st time.
I suppose we could get it all in, but will we feel too rushed? This leaves no down time and we will have to go back to our resort to check out and leave our luggage, or do it super early, assuming we want to get to early entry.
So without over explaining my internal debate, what would you do and why? Fly in and stay 1 night, do Universal and IOA in 1 1/2 days or stay 2 nights and have 2 1/2 days with at least 1 full day with not checking in or out? We do like to do the other rides, although my oldest DD and I don't do so well on all the virtual rides and my oldest DD doesn't like extreme rides (rides with big drops of any kind).
We were toying around with the idea of seeing Blue Man Group for my daughter's birthday as well. Although we can also see them close to home in Boston.
Too many thoughts in these decisions for me! Any advice will be welcome. Thanks

 

[macraven]

looking at your siggie, you could be at the darkside around the end of June.
park crowds will be in swing at that time but not as bad as it will become in july.

if you only stay one night at rpr, you will be allowed unlimited usage of the express pass that day and the day you checkout.


stay two nights and do both parks is my vote.
sometimes it does take money to buy happiness.

you will get more of the feel of parry hotter by being able to take your time and check out all the shops and rides in both parks.
you will be able to eat at the potter restaurants without having to rush out so you can squeeze everything in.

the express pass is not valid at gringotts, fj, and a few other places in the parks.



you will also be able to enjoy the pool at the hotel and check out city walk.

the first time i am at a new park, i do a couple of nights stay in order not to miss out on anything.
this might be your only stay at the darkside, don't rush through it.
take time to enjoy it all.


if you decide to only do 1 1/2 days at the darkside, i don't know if you can see it all
you can use the express lines for most of the rides but will you have time for any of the shows, character interactions at the parks, parades, night time cinema show, etc.

 

[bumbershoot]

2 nights with the potential for 3 daytimes in the park is my vote.

 

[sk8jdgca]

I vote 2 nights in order to see everything. What if your flight in is delayed? Can you stay somewhere cheap the first night then move to Universal very early in the morning?

 

[lauradis]

I voting 2 nights. Look at it this way your paying a min. Of $100 to stay at a value. So minus that off the price of universal hotel price.

Plus if your like my group they don't want to run in parks.

You could fly in relax around pool check out city walk, get good night sleep and then have two full days at the dark side. Leave the darkside and crash at Disney sleep in half lazy day then do disney madness

 

[HM]

We did four nights at RPH recently. We loved having the extra time to actually use the pool and resort as well as touring the parks.

I'd definitely say go for the two nights and get three days in the parks and a chance to enjoy the resort too.

I'd find it really hard to do both parks in 1 and 1/2 days, even with EPs.

 

[calablovedisney]

Thank you for sharing your opinions and thoughts. I was leaning towards 2 nights, that was my original gut decision. We did Universal 2 years ago with 2 nights, and so we did FJ, etc... However, we LOVE HP and I could definitely linger there enjoying some Butter beer maybe! We did not eat in Three Broomsticks, so would be nice to do that. My dh was thinking he wants more time to take Disney slower, etc.. and was leaning towards just the 1 night. He thought we might not need the time, but I also think we missed some things last time. And surprisingly it was a bit chilly last time we went (late June) And so we were cold and quite uncomfortable after doing any water ride and we headed out early our last day. so I think it left a feeling that we didn't need the time. But I think we missed things for sure, For example, what night time show?? I did not know there was one. And, it will be my DD birthday we have been back and forth on what to do for her. She has decided that she wants to eat anything she wants all day without anyone telling her she can't! LOL That should be interesting. And there was talk of eating at DTD or Ghiradellis at night, so I see no reason why we can't drive over there if we want even if we are at Universal that night.
so, I think we will stick with the 2 nights. I like taking it slower and enjoying the resort and pool. Especially our 1st couple of days because I am pretty wired after all the planning, packing, traveling, etc....
My next question coming soon...about entry strategies...
Oh, and we are going to celebrate my older DD sweet sixteen as well. Was thinking at Disney, but if you have any great ideas for Universal, I would love to hear them!

 

[macraven]

get the celebrating buttons at the hotel or at guest services for the birthday girls to wear.

you never know what treats or kind words or specials the TM's will do for them in the park....


call and have it noted on your reservation the names of the two celebrating their birthday there.




oops, forgot my purple

 

[schumigirl]

Definitely 2 nights.......you'll be happy you did

 

[lauradis]

Just keep in mind it would take months to do everything at Disney.

As my husband keeps telling me when I want to go commando, relax, we will be back and disney will still be there.

Pick and choose what is most important to your party and remember it a walk in the park, not a marathon

 

[calablovedisney]

Just keep in mind it would take months to do everything at Disney.

As my husband keeps telling me when I want to go commando, relax, we will be back and disney will still be there.

Pick and choose what is most important to your party and remember it a walk in the park, not a marathon

Good Advice! And I bought 3 day universal park to park tickets today so it is a done decision now. 2 nights at RPH. Feels good to get one undecided thing moved into the decided column!

 

[lauradis]

When you get to Disney do the same thing, relax sleep in hit downtown Disney that day or mini golf. Rest up and then go crazy again.

It's different trip then commando and it will be ok, I'm learning to relax at Disney. Husbands orders lol

 

[glocon]

You will not regret two nights at Universal. The resorts are great and the fact that you can walk to the parks and back is such a perk! Of course the boats are a great option too, but either way you are so close and can easily get back to your resort any time that you wanted to. And now you won't have to feel like you have to rush through either Harry Potter area... explore all the stores, see all the shows, sample lots of wizard food, then do the rest!

 

[elaine amj]

We chose 2 nights - one onsite and one offsite. Our trip is Sat - Mon with Sat being the only busy day (Sun and Mon are slow). So even though I am not arriving until lunchtime, I chose to book Hard Rock for Sat night for Express when it is busy. We will move over to our offsite across the street on Sunday and do shows, etc on Monday when we wont have the Express Pass.

 

[damo]

Yup, two nights. One night is just too short to get a proper feeling for the place.