WDW/Universal vacation split. How long in Uni?

[Incomudro]

Hi,
I'm planning on taking the family to WDW and Uni this May. (May 7th - 14th.)
We've gone to WDW for this very same week many season. We know how to do Disney quite well.
This year, I would like to spend the first couple of days at Universal, and then go to WDW.
My question is: How many days should we spend in Universal? (We are planning on staying on property - probably at Mandalay Bay.
The trip is for my wife and I, and our twin sons (WDW vets who love Disney.) who will be 14 at the time.

Thank You!

 

[cjack300zx]

At the very least two days at universal, one day for each park is usually what we do. Five days at Disney and two at universal

 

[Jess G]

I agree with @cjack300zx ... You don't need nearly as much time in universal as you do in Disney. 2 days is perfect.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Not sure which hotel you meant. They don't have a Mandalay Bay hotel. But if you meant Portofino Bay, 2 days min. But you'll have length of stay express passes. If you meant Cabana Bay, you wouldn't get express passes, so I would say 3 days. With some downtime around Cabana Bay's great pools and lazy river.

 

[YozhikRoth]

I think 3 at Universal is good depending on the season. Last time I went, my office had a promotion where a 3-6 day pass cost the same as a 2-day pass. My kids are HP nuts, so we ate up a ton of time just on HP stuff.

 

[Incomudro]

Not sure which hotel you meant. They don't have a Mandalay Bay hotel. But if you meant Portofino Bay, 2 days min. But you'll have length of stay express passes. If you meant Cabana Bay, you wouldn't get express passes, so I would say 3 days. With some downtime around Cabana Bay's great pools and lazy river.

I'm sorry, my mistake re. the hotel name.
Thank you for the info.

 

[Incomudro]

So, 2-3 for Universal and the rest Disney.
Great!
Thank you so much for the info.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I'm sorry, my mistake re. the hotel name.
Thank you for the info.

I love Universal and their resorts, so I would really just say 3 days regardless of which ever hotel you choose. That way you get to experience the parks, the hotel, try some CityWalk restaurants, and have some downtime relaxing around the pool. You know, like an old fashioned vacation. No ADRs, No FP+s, just good ol' fashioned relaxing fun.

 

[epcoteric82]

we are doing 3 at Universal and 6 at Disney. but we are also staying offsite so that we can get in a couple extra days.

 

[Mukta]

I prefer 3 days at Uni at the end of my trip

 

[YozhikRoth]

Personally next time I would stay on-site at Universal. I stated at an immense hotel at the Convention Center, and between the walk from my room to the parking garage, and the walk from the Universal lots to the gate, my kids and I were spent after a few days.

 

[kimberlymautz]

I'm planning two days for Universal and five at Disney this year. A friend and I went to Universal a few years ago and just did one day park to park and it was a lot of fun, but we definitely missed out on a lot more than I wanted to because the lines were so long (this was also the very end of June and Disney was packed as well). I think two days would be perfect. One day in each park and plenty of time to do and see everything.

 

[DManRightHere]

2 1/2 days if you like to stay at the parks all day. They have a 3 day ticket for the price of 2 at the moment. Be sure to get park to park tickets so you can ride the hogwarts express. Utilize single rider lines to maximize your time, but be sure to go through the full lines on both Harry Potter rides and The Mummy at least once, there are a lot of show elements. If your family enjoys visiting Disney Springs or your hotel pool I would visit on your arrival day to Disney to save a few bucks on tickets. Universal tends to close their parks a little early. If not I'd go ahead and spend the extra $10-$20 for an extra day for a Disney park with EMH if it works out.

 

[DManRightHere]

Personally next time I would stay on-site at Universal. I stated at an immense hotel at the Convention Center, and between the walk from my room to the parking garage, and the walk from the Universal lots to the gate, my kids and I were spent after a few days.

Bicycles work very well if you're able to!

 

[graphite1326]

We did Uni. for the first time on our last trip. 2 days would be my advice.
I didn't care for it that much. But that is just me.

 

[LowesChevy]

I like to have a rope drop for each park.

Universal on site guests get in an hour before general public. Three nights are perfect if you can swing it-we tend to go to Uni every other year. I feel like the 3 day pass will allow you to see almost everything and visit a few attractions multiple times, especially with the park to park option.

I like to end the trip at WDW though

 

[Incomudro]

Thanks Everyone!
We've booked 3 days at Uni, and 5 days at WDW.

 

[Tinkerkelle]

Last trip we did 7 at the Contemporary at WDW and 7 at HRH at Uni. Spent all our 7 days in the Disney bubble but ventured outwith Uni when we stayed at HRH, but still found ourselves at the parks a lot!! We did Uni in the second week as it's a slower, more relaxed pace, especially with onsite express passes and early entry cutting wait times coupled with no need for ADRs. Enjoy!

 

[Incomudro]

I like to have a rope drop for each park.

Universal on site guests get in an hour before general public. Three nights are perfect if you can swing it-we tend to go to Uni every other year. I feel like the 3 day pass will allow you to see almost everything and visit a few attractions multiple times, especially with the park to park option.

I like to end the trip at WDW though

Thank You.
Yes, we prefer to wrap it up at Disney as well.
Disney is "home" as you know.