Universal Studios....convince me!

[danpam1024]

Hmmm....all very convincing LOL.

So if we stay at a Disney resort what is the best way to get to Uni? I do not care to drive on vacation so I am guessing a cab ride? Maybe we would consider split stay but I hate the thought of settling into a resort only to pack and leave for another.

I get to write off our trip in 2014 due to a convention and since it will be our DD's last year in grade school before heading into middle school it will be the last time we would feel comfortable pulling her out of school to take advantage of low crowd levels so I gotta make that one count!!! I won't do Disney during the heat/crowds of the summer months so it may be our last venture to the world for quite some time and I want to go out with a bang!

DS starts Middle school in August- I feel the same way already looking at the 2013/14 calendar for teacher inservice days. I recommend a split stay-would be easier- cab ride to and from Disney ares would be $35+ each way- and that's money better spent on "stuff"

 

[lazyboy97o]

Oh? They were there last year. When did they leave?

Earlier this year. I want to say March. It's now a touring show.

 

[englanddg]

Earlier this year. I want to say March. It's now a touring show.

Well, that's a shame. Not that I was all that interested (I haven't liked wrestling since 5th grade, back in the Randy Savage / Hulk era)...but it was still neat that it was there...

 

[Hot Lava]

I think you can also schedule a ride with Mears. With the number in your family, it might be just as (if not more) cost effective to get a cab.

I would say you should definitely visit Uni. But I would also say you should definitely do a split way and stay on property. That Universal Express Pass is worth its weight in gold. Even if you go off times, but especially if you go during a busy time.

Comparing Uni to WDW is apples and oranges. They have a completely different feel. I have not yet been there for HP, but I am guessing it has all its own magic feeling (no pun intended).

I have stayed at the RP, and it was gorgeous. It was quite a step down to a WDW value resort. Thought it was a bit pricey; but given the prices at WDW now, not so much.

Although going at an off time and using that Uni pass, I didn't find a whole lot to do after about 2 days. We ended riding a bunch of the rides many, many times.

 

[luv]

If you like theme parks, you'll like Uni. Denying yourself vacation fun out of misplaced loyalty to Disney is silly. They're all theme parks! I always feel badly for kids who only go to Uni or only go to Disney.

You should stay in a Uni hotel because they're nicer and have MUCH better service than Disney. Plus, you get the FOTL thing and you just cannot beat that for making a vacation relaxing. There is no reason to work for your fun at Uni. Te short and very pretty boat ride to the parks is faster than driving, which is something that can rarely be said about WDW.

I am not a fan of switching hotels and don't generally advise it, but it is worth it to switch to Uni because they have wonderful hotels with awesome perks.

You don't get FOTL for HP, but you do get in early if you're an early riser. I no longer stay in hotels, so I ride HP just before closing.

No work, all fun!

 

[HTF]

Go once, you'll be convinced this is a new resort with a new outlook. You will love it, I guarantee it.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

Definitely check out Universal for 2 or 3 days. If I had to make a hotel suggestion, stay at one of the Universal hotels then move to a Disney one, the Unlimited Express and Early Admission is a great reason to stay onsite.

 

[RyenDeckard]

I would recommend you spend time looking at hotels around the International Drive area and the Downtown Disney areas. You can usually find pretty decent hotels for much, much cheaper than Disney and Universal alternatives.

Staying on site is great, no doubt about that, but if money is a concern you can usually shave around 500$ or more by staying off site.