I have only even been to Orlando once and spent the entire time at WDW. I am coming back in a few months and now have some extra days and am thinking about going to Universal before heading to WDW. I already have accommodation booked on site at WDW for the rest of the trip - but I am wondering, should I add extra days and stay at Disney and commute to Universal for the two days, or should I stay at Universal?
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First timer needing advice!
- Thread starter Bel15
- Start date
AndyMagic
Well-Known Member
You should stay at Universal. The extra benefits given to on-site guests at Universal include unlimited express passes for every attraction, early admission to Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and of course, incredibly easy access to the theme parks via boat or walking trail.
JillC LI
Well-Known Member
I agree with this. In fact, this is what we did this past December. Stayed overnight at Uni so we could get early admission there and the unlimited express pass the next day. Then we moved to WDW for the balance of the trip. The cost of the one night at Uni was more than we paid for our moderate resort at WDW, but it was worth it for the perks at Uni.
Cam Eplion
Member
Stay on property and get the Express Pass free with your stay at one of the resorts, The only major ride that doesn't have Express Pass are Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey which if you stay at the hotel you get into Islands of Adventure an hour early so you can do it before the park opens, that way you don't have to wait 90 minuets for it.
ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
Totally stay onsite. You'll appreciate being able to easily travel back-and-forth between your hotel room and the parks. With Universal's onsite Express Pass, you simply don't have to worry about long lines meaning you can spend the hottest park of the day poolside at your hotel or relaxing in your room, if you prefer.
I just wrote the below on another thread but a lot of it probably applies to you:
The Express Passes that you pay for are good for only one ride per attraction.
My suggestion is to stay one night onsite at the Royal Pacific and get unlimited Express Passes for 2 full days for free. Your onsite Express Passes are good for the entire check-in and check-out days.
On the first day, show up to your hotel at 7:30 AM and pick up your Express Passes even if your room is not ready. On the second day, check-out in the morning, leave your luggage with concierge, and head to the parks. One night at the Royal Pacific is $274.
You'll find this is less expensive than purchasing the limited Express Passes for 3 or 4 people for 2 days. The park-to-park Express Pass Plus will cost $92 per person for the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving. Multiple that by at least 3 and you're up to $276. Thus, staying on site for one night is essentially free and gives you Universal's unlimited Express Pass for both theme parks.
With 16 and 14 year-old boys in tow, you'll find there are certain attractions they'll want to experience over and over again. You'll really appreciate the unlimited Express Pass.
With regard to hopping, a 2-day non-hopper is $126 while a 2-day hopper is $147. In my experience, you'll probably end up wanting to hop at least one of the two days and the $21 is, IMHO, so little compared to what you are spending big picture that it's not worth letting it limit your options.
Also consider purchasing one Preferred Annual Pass (PAP). A Uni PAP costs $280 and functions as your theme park ticket. PAP hotel rates at the Royal Pacific are $184 per night. So you save $96 per night. If you intend to visit a Uni hotel for more than one night in the following 12 months, a PAP could save a lot of money. But you'll have to go to the park to pick this up before checking in. It means a lot of walking back-and-forth if you are trying to cram this into one morning.
I just wrote the below on another thread but a lot of it probably applies to you:
The Express Passes that you pay for are good for only one ride per attraction.
My suggestion is to stay one night onsite at the Royal Pacific and get unlimited Express Passes for 2 full days for free. Your onsite Express Passes are good for the entire check-in and check-out days.
On the first day, show up to your hotel at 7:30 AM and pick up your Express Passes even if your room is not ready. On the second day, check-out in the morning, leave your luggage with concierge, and head to the parks. One night at the Royal Pacific is $274.
You'll find this is less expensive than purchasing the limited Express Passes for 3 or 4 people for 2 days. The park-to-park Express Pass Plus will cost $92 per person for the Saturday and Sunday before Thanksgiving. Multiple that by at least 3 and you're up to $276. Thus, staying on site for one night is essentially free and gives you Universal's unlimited Express Pass for both theme parks.
With 16 and 14 year-old boys in tow, you'll find there are certain attractions they'll want to experience over and over again. You'll really appreciate the unlimited Express Pass.
With regard to hopping, a 2-day non-hopper is $126 while a 2-day hopper is $147. In my experience, you'll probably end up wanting to hop at least one of the two days and the $21 is, IMHO, so little compared to what you are spending big picture that it's not worth letting it limit your options.
Also consider purchasing one Preferred Annual Pass (PAP). A Uni PAP costs $280 and functions as your theme park ticket. PAP hotel rates at the Royal Pacific are $184 per night. So you save $96 per night. If you intend to visit a Uni hotel for more than one night in the following 12 months, a PAP could save a lot of money. But you'll have to go to the park to pick this up before checking in. It means a lot of walking back-and-forth if you are trying to cram this into one morning.