WWYD: 2 days @ Epcot or Universal?

[dclDream2018]

I am planning a long weekend park trip for mid-Fall for me and my 8 year old. I've booked CBR and planned to do 2 days at Epcot. This would be our first visit to this park (we've been to MK and HS in past trips). I am now thinking about Universal resorts and 2 days at Universal (with Express passes). Does that seem like a better use of time?

Rides are important to us. Recent WDW experiences have me thinking that it's a bad time to go. Disney seems challenged in managing crowds and ride wait times. Genie+ and ILL$ seem to create just as much hassle (uncertainty) as they help.

 

[Marionnette]

I am planning a long weekend park trip for mid-Fall for me and my 8 year old. I've booked CBR and planned to do 2 days at Epcot. This would be our first visit to this park (we've been to MK and HS in past trips). I am now thinking about Universal resorts and 2 days at Universal (with Express passes). Does that seem like a better use of time?

Rides are important to us. Recent WDW experiences have me thinking that it's a bad time to go. Disney seems challenged in managing crowds and ride wait times. Genie+ and ILL$ seem to create just as much hassle (uncertainty) as they help.

I would choose Universal if rides are your focus. Epcot really doesn't have a lot of rides ion comparison.

 

[JBelle19]

Epcot doesn't have a ton of rides, but I much prefer it to Universal. Even with so many rides at Universal, a good majority of them are screens and we all had a hard time with those. There are a lot of thrill rides at Universal, too, so that will be something to consider depending on the height of your child and how adventurous he or she is.

Maybe a day at Epcot and a day at Animal Kingdom, since those are the two parks you haven't been to? Since those two aren't supposed to be as stressful as far as Genie+ goes, it could make for a pretty nice, relaxing trip

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

So for me and my family, while we love universal as much as Disney, we find a one day park hopper even without express pass for Universal is enough. Plus we are EPCOT fans. So for us we’d choose EPCOT again.

It all depends on the ages in your party and how they handle certain rides. My one aunt did enjoy universal, but has severe motion sickness so she couldn’t ride all the rides.

 

[3gr8boys]

My family just had 6 great park days at WDW and genie+ worked great for us.

That said, if I was choosing just between Epcot and Universal for an adult and an eight year old, I would go with a deluxe Universal stay (includes express pass) and the two-park per day ticket for two days. FWIW, my kids were thrill ride fans at the age of 8. (I will also note that we found Volcano Bay to be a lovely waterpark Feb 2020, worth considering if it would be a good addition to your plans)

ETA JBelle19's suggestion of one AK day and one Epcot day seems like a great alternative to just Epcot if you decide to stick with WDW

 

[JBelle19]

My family just had 6 great park days at WDW and genie+ worked great for us.

That said, if I was choosing just between Epcot and Universal for an adult and an eight year old, I would go with a deluxe Universal stay (includes express pass) and the two-park per day ticket for two days. FWIW, my kids were thrill ride fans at the age of 8. (I will also note that we found Volcano Bay to be a lovely waterpark Feb 2020, worth considering if it would be a good addition to your plans)

ETA JBelle19's suggestion of one AK day and one Epcot day seems like a great alternative to just Epcot.

My DD 14 (12 at the time) vomited upon just seeing the Hulk. My then 11 year old passed out on Rip Ride Rocket. lol only poor DH is all about the thrills in our family.

 

[3gr8boys]

My DD 14 (12 at the time) vomited upon just seeing the Hulk. My then 11 year old passed out on Rip Ride Rocket. lol only poor DH is all about the thrills in our family.

Oh my!! My boys are all different from each other in so many ways- the one thing they have shared since a very young age is loving roller coasters. Funny enough, my oldest, 23, still says the Cat in the Hat area at Universal is hands down best of them all.

 

[Nice Work Pal]

I’d go to Epcot. Guardians will be open by then plus mid fall is right in the heart of the food and wine festival. Best time to go imo. Hopefully a lot more of the construction is down by then.

Universal isn’t bad but it’s essentially a 6 flags on steroids.

 

[hildarumpole]

EPCOT isn't a 2 day park, especially for kids. It's also a mess with the construction. Universal has more rides and Express Pass makes it really carefree and relaxing. I would suggest getting the 2 park-2 day pass, so you can take the Hogwarts Express between the parks.