Onsite, offsite... my head is spinning

Mandsjh · 6 Jan 20, 05:22 PM

So some perspective.

We”ve done Disney 4 times, on-site at akl with ddp. Last trip was 2016. Not done universal previously.

Planning for 2021. Boys will be 16 & 13 this time. it’s a post gcse treat

. Because of this we are stuck to going first 1-3 weeks of the 6 weeks holiday (gcse results and college enrollment - boo)

If money was no object I’d be booking 4/5 nights at universal royal Pacific for express passes and another 10 or so nights at akl on ddp.

Howeve, when did it all get so expensive? Feels a big hike from when I last booked.

Also, as the kids are older squeezing into one room onsite doesn’t fill me with joy but it’s not ruled out.

My question is, in late July / early August would I bitterly regret it if I book a villa and do Disney and universal without express / early access fast passes? 30 mins is the most I’d want to queue for a ride but we’d also obviously want to do all the big attractions at universal (for the first time) and all the new stuff at wdw.

The other option is to go moderate Disney with free qsdp but adding onsite universal with the passes pushes us right to the limit.

Thought about just taking Disney out of the equation but there’s so much that’s changed since we were last there...

mason1 · 6 Jan 20, 05:41 PM

Personally, I think you can do Universal in 3 days with park hopping - so you could reduce to 2 nights on site. I’d also be tempted to spend your arrival night in a cheap alternative and head to Universal 1st thing on Day 1 to maximise your park time. Do you collect Tesco clubcard points - if so you can exchange these for Hotels.com vouchers to pay towards the Universal stay.

Have you considered a 1 bed at OKW or SSR to give extra space if you want to stay onsite?

If you’re offsite, you should be ok with FPs for most rides, but will struggle with the headliners such as Flight of Passage, Slinky Dog and the Star Wars rides if they have FP by then.

Another alternative is to rent DVC points for 3-4 nights to give you access to 60 day FPs for that portion of your holiday and early entry but then go offsite after (or stay in a partner hotel which offers the 60 day FPs).

Guest · 6 Jan 20, 05:49 PM

The trouble with 4/5 days at Universal is that you will need to get 14 day tickets and then you are spending a lot of money on two sets of 14 day tickets that you won't get the use out of.

Next year I am planning two nights and three days at Universal. I think with express passes this is long enough, although I have been before and done it quite thoroughly.

Mandsjh · 6 Jan 20, 06:07 PM

I’ve not seen any tickets for less than the 14 nights for universal. I’d much sooner buy shorter tickets and maybe go for 2-3 days but where can I buy these? Or do you have a rough price?

Guest · 6 Jan 20, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by Mandsjh

I’ve not seen any tickets for less than the 14 nights for universal. I’d much sooner buy shorter tickets and maybe go for 2-3 days but where can I buy these? Or do you have a rough price?

You usually have to go to a US site to get them. I have previously priced them up with Undercovertourist.com

katiec68 · 6 Jan 20, 07:09 PM

i would say that 1 night is plenty at Universal - giving you a day in each park - even if its a long one!

xx

mason1 · 6 Jan 20, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by Mandsjh

I’ve not seen any tickets for less than the 14 nights for universal. I’d much sooner buy shorter tickets and maybe go for 2-3 days but where can I buy these? Or do you have a rough price?

Orlando Attractions sell the 2 and 3 day tickets. Check the Ticket forum for a link.

6 Jan 20, 05:49 PM	#3
	6 Jan 20, 05:49 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	The trouble with 4/5 days at Universal is that you will need to get 14 day tickets and then you are spending a lot of money on two sets of 14 day tickets that you won't get the use out of. Next year I am planning two nights and three days at Universal. I think with express passes this is long enough, although I have been before and done it quite thoroughly.