1st time to Universal

[wendysue]

We have been going to WDW for many years now, and sometimes twice a year, but this was our first time staying somewhere besides on Disney property and visiting other places in Orlando.
I must say we truly enjoyed Universal and plan on returning our next trip.

 

[LuLaSue]

So tell us...
Where did you stay?
What did you like?
Where were your favorite places to eat?
Did you try a Butter Beer?

:wave:

 

[Timekeeper]

That's great to hear! And I'm not at all surprised. :sohappy:

Some people visits restaurants and always order the same thing because they know that they like it. The obvious dilemma with that approach is that they'll never know whether they would like anything else on the menu; and potentially like something else even more than they're usual go-to selection. A lot of people have a similar mentality when it comes to theme parks. Unfortunately, those people are really missing out on a wonderful experience just a few minutes down the road.

 

[wendysue]

So tell us...
Where did you stay?
What did you like?
Where were your favorite places to eat?
Did you try a Butter Beer?

:wave:

We stayed at the Caribe Royale Orlando and it was wonderful. The 2 room suite was spotless with a larger refrigerator. We went to Publix for water and beer :lookaroun and snacks. The pool was great and the staff friendly. We rented a car before we arrived on the Hertz site and it was ready when we arrived.
We love the Earl of Sandwich, so headed there first. Did not try the Butter Beer, but maybe next time. Cannot wait to return.....in September.

 

[timeman]

One thing I would recommend you do is check out Attractionsmagazine.com. They even have a quarterly magazine they publish. They cover a lot of the attractions and even new restuarants in the central Florida area. It's a great way to find out about other things to see and do around Orlando and other parts of central Florida. I go to Universal every time I go to Florida along with going either to Seaworld or Busch Gardens while I'm there. I also hit the Disney parks while there.

 

[SeverusSnape]

I love universal now. Been the last two years. And the attractions/parks are just as amazing as Disney.

I will say that the two parks are a great 2(maybe 3) day trip. Disney you can pack in a week and not see everything. But my future vacations will definitely include a couple days at Universal.

PS: Frozen Butter Beer is awesome

 

[ParentsOf4]

I love universal now. Been the last two years. And the attractions/parks are just as amazing as Disney.

I will say that the two parks are a great 2(maybe 3) day trip. Disney you can pack in a week and not see everything. But my future vacations will definitely include a couple days at Universal.

PS: Frozen Butter Beer is awesome

Yes, on a ride-for-ride, park-by-park basis, it really does feel that UO matches WDW. As you note, UO can't compete with WDW's size. WDW basically created Orlando as a tourist destination and the stories of how they purchased all that land before announcing their plans are well documented.

It's too bad UO doesn't have the space to add a third theme park to encourage longer visits. It's amazing UO was able to get as much land as they have (anyone know the story behind this?). If WDW wasn't so close, I wonder if everyone would talk about how big UO is.

 

[ann0d]

Glad you enjoyed it, we always go to both universal and Disney. This year we are going to try Aquatica.

 

[Flora62]

That's great to hear! And I'm not at all surprised.