To universal or not to universal

[Pluchesteven1]

Disney & Universal are both a no brainer. If you have the possibility to do them both don’t hesitate! 😉

[parkgirl]

We went last year for the first time as a family and loved it. We stayed 1 night at RPR for express passes. We bought 2 day 2 park passes to keep the cost down. They were hopper tickets so we could do the hog warts express but tbh although glad we did it, I wouldn’t pay the extra again for hoppers. Just to add we always stay onsite Disney and will continue to but I think we will do universal every other trip.

[Kidd McFluff]

How often do you visit Florida? If you are there every year then perhaps you could buy an annual pass for Universal and plan your next trip within 12 months of the first?

Is it worth it for a single visit? I would say yes. We have visited onsite at Disney as well as offsite and Universal only holidays. My children are now 12 and 10 and although they still love Disney, they also love the slightly more grown up Universal. It's very different and is just as charming in it's own way. The theming around the park is brilliant and with the Harry Potter areas and some fantastic Super Hero and Simpsons zones there is plenty to keep everyone interested.

A huge variety of rides at Universal was a hit with us too. Everything from the huge roller coasters like Hulk and Rip Ride Rocket to brilliant 4D adventure rides like Curse of The Mummy, Jimmy Fallen's Trip Through New York, The Simpsons and Skull Island. Some great water rides and of course, not forgetting the fantastic Harry Potter rides (all of which are superb).

Let's face it, you'll probably be back another year and you'll be able to say...'at least it's not as expensive as last time'.

Go for it, have a huge holiday and make some great memories!

[Squidgyness]

Originally Posted by Derbydave4

We have had exactly the same dilemma, when the kids were younger stayed on site and loved it but as they got older they wanted more thrill rides so did a one night stay at Royal Pacific, the next year was 10 days Disney 4 days Universal and then last year we took the decision to drop Disney and just do Universal ( kids choice no early morning starts unlimited front of line passes and more time in the pool) We did 5 days Royal Pacific followed by 9 days at Cabana Bay and I have to say I loved it, so much more relaxed choose when to get up, not dictated by fast passes, eat when you want where you want not at the ADR you booked six months earlier and to top it all save about 2k over an on-site disney stay. (we did book MNSSHP just to get our Magic Kingdom fix)
In fact we’re enjoyed it so much we are doing the same again next year

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Just chiming in with a late post to say that right now that sounds like paradise, I think you have got a great idea there.

I would 100% recommend Universal for what it's worth for anyone reading this thread currently. There was a moment when I was sitting there way back in 2016 looking at prices and wondering if we really wanted to go back, when I checked out Universal on a whim and saw that it was affordable, at a stretch. We decided to do it "properly" and go for RPR and do Universal with 2 week tickets and a 2-day Disney ticket, and boy am I glad we went that route. It allowed us to re-acclimate ourselves with the new Disney park foibles, but Universal was like slipping into a nice cool pool on an August day.

Although we did more Disney in 2018 in order to fit more food and wine in we refused to cut down our Universal time and still spent 6 full days just in the parks, not even volcano bay. For me Universal is an integral part of an Orlando holiday and I wouldn't change it for the world. In fact, I'm supposed to be there right now, sipping on a cocktail by the pool at RPR. Sigh.