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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
We drive down (I'm in NC), so transportation isn't a problem.
I don't know much about Universal.
How many days? We thought 2 max? (Kids would be 8 & almost 6)
What resort would you recommend?
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Posted 8/28/15 10:05 PM  |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
We did 2 days at Universal and 4 days at Disney one trip not last February, but the one before. Universal was a lot of fun. A lot of motion simulator type rides though (which make me sick). The Harry Potter part is amazing. Get there right when it opens. The Dr. Suess area is so cute, loved that!
We stayed offsite for our Universal portion, but if you stay on site, you get early entry. Their new Cabana Bay hotel looks cute
Message edited 8/29/2015 8:47:44 PM.
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| Posted 8/29/15 8:47 PM |
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JennP
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 3986 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by BargainMama
We did 2 days at Universal and 4 days at Disney one trip not last February, but the one before. Universal was a lot of fun. A lot of motion simulator type rides though (which make me sick). The Harry Potter part is amazing. Get there right when it opens. The Dr. Suess area is so cute, loved that!
We stayed offsite for our Universal portion, but if you stay on site, you get early entry. Their new Cabana Bay hotel looks cute
Did you pay extra for the Express Pass? Thoughts on doing so based on your experience?
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| Posted 8/29/15 9:08 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Def book a universal resort: you essentially get a free fast pass to everything & can do the park in record time or just relax & enjoy.
At 6 & 8, your kids will be able to enjoy just about everything (lots of the rides there are "older" than Disney IMO). We just do universal studios, but there is the islands of adventure too (our kids were very young when we last went).
I've stayed at Hard Rock & Portofino. Loved both: rooms were amazing, pools were amazing, food was great too. We spent 2 days on property doing no park, 1 Disney, 1 universal. I def prefer the hotels to anything Disney!
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| Posted 8/30/15 7:25 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by nycgirl
Def book a universal resort: you essentially get a free fast pass to everything & can do the park in record time or just relax & enjoy.
I could be wrong but only the first three original hotels get that privilege (portofina, hard rock and the royal). The Cabana one and the new one opening in 2016 only give early entry. No Fast pass privilege.
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| Posted 8/30/15 8:02 AM |
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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Great replies!!!!
Can a Disney Specialist do both???
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| Posted 8/30/15 9:14 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
I didn't get an xpress pass, my son has special needs, so I just used their accommodations.
Like a PP said, you don't get a free express at Cabana Bay Resort. I guess because it's like $100 a night for the less expensive rooms.
I have no idea about a Disney specialist booking. I don't use a travel agent, ever. I bought my tix through the USSSA site at a hefty discount.
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| Posted 8/30/15 5:06 PM |
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FranM
And so it goes....
Member since 9/05 2217 total posts
Name:
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Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
We did both a few years ago I think it was 3in Disney and 2 in Universal. It was great but exhausting. We made rope drop most days and it really made a difference. We didn't buy the Universal express pass but did use fast pass at Disney.
We returned from Orlando yesterday. This trip I gave DS 12 yo a choice between the 2 parks, he choose Universal. We did 3 days there which was more than enough. We were there before rope drop the first day and they were letting people in as attractions were opening. We got online for Minons and basically walked in. The croud level must have been very low. Wait time were 15-20 min tops on the big attractions (Harry Potter, Spider-Man, the big coasters)
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| Posted 8/30/15 8:45 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
If you can, you should stay at Hard Rock at Universal. It is walking distance to US and IOA. Also gives you 1 hr early entry and free express passes to the parks.
We tried to book Hard Rock but it was sold out. We are staying at Royal Pacific, which is supposedly very kid friendly and walking distance to IOA and boat ride to US.
We decided to pass on Disney on this trip but we have been to Disney 5x already. DH said he can't ride the Dumbo ride again and only agreed to go if we don't go to Disney.
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| Posted 8/31/15 11:08 AM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
We just did it over Presidents week. 5 days in Disney, 3 in Universal. We stayed onsite at both and got the Universal express passes and early entry with our hotel stay at Universal. It was an amazing trip and we will absolutely do it again.
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| Posted 8/31/15 12:52 PM |
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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by PatsBrat
We just did it over Presidents week. 5 days in Disney, 3 in Universal. We stayed onsite at both and got the Universal express passes and early entry with our hotel stay at Universal. It was an amazing trip and we will absolutely do it again.
Did you do all the booking yourself?
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| Posted 8/31/15 10:44 PM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by NewlyMrs
Posted by PatsBrat
We just did it over Presidents week. 5 days in Disney, 3 in Universal. We stayed onsite at both and got the Universal express passes and early entry with our hotel stay at Universal. It was an amazing trip and we will absolutely do it again.
Did you do all the booking yourself?
Yes. It was very easy to do.
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| Posted 9/1/15 7:22 AM |
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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by PatsBrat
Posted by NewlyMrs
Posted by PatsBrat
We just did it over Presidents week. 5 days in Disney, 3 in Universal. We stayed onsite at both and got the Universal express passes and early entry with our hotel stay at Universal. It was an amazing trip and we will absolutely do it again.
Did you do all the booking yourself?
Yes. It was very easy to do.
How do you know you're getting the best deal? I always thought specialists are better for quoting low crowd, best rate, & if deals come out after you've booked.
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| Posted 9/1/15 1:55 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Travel agents get the same price you do. You just have to do your own research. Go to the website and price it. That is what they do. If you see another deal, you call Universal and switch. Easy peasy stuff.
Also with a travel agent, ALL of your travel docs go to them, and any questions you have or hotel information you need, you have to get from them. The hotel will absolutely not speak to you regarding your reservation.
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| Posted 9/1/15 2:38 PM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by BargainMama
Travel agents get the same price you do. You just have to do your own research. Go to the website and price it. That is what they do. If you see another deal, you call Universal and switch. Easy peasy stuff.
Also with a travel agent, ALL of your travel docs go to them, and any questions you have or hotel information you need, you have to get from them. The hotel will absolutely not speak to you regarding your reservation.
Yes. What she said. 
I did all of my research using The Unofficial Guide to Disney, Unofficial Guide to Universal Studios, Birnbaum's Walt Disney Word, www.mousesavers.com. and www.disboards.com. Then I booked directly.
Message edited 9/1/2015 3:19:22 PM.
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| Posted 9/1/15 3:14 PM |
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MrsP23
LIF Infant
Member since 9/14 232 total posts
Name:
K
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Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
We did a 9 day and 8 night trip last summer. At Universal we stayed at the Hard Rock and loved it. The pool has a water slide lots of kids we had a great time. We did 1 pool day and 2 days in both parks. First day we checked in and spent the whole day relaxing at the pool. Then second day got the extra hour early and spent the whole day doing rides. Third day got there early again did more rides in the morning then after lunch did the few water rides and then went back to the hotel and relaxed in the pool. The pool day and the half day in the park we had dinner on the board walk. Fourth day there we checked out and then checked into our Disney hotel. We then spend our fourth though ninth day in Disney. The fourth day we checked out after breakfast took a taxi to Disney and checked in we were in the park by 1pm. My in-laws have a time share there so we stay at Old Key West.
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| Posted 9/1/15 3:34 PM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by MrsP23
We did a 9 day and 8 night trip last summer. At Universal we stayed at the Hard Rock and loved it. The pool has a water slide lots of kids we had a great time. We did 1 pool day and 2 days in both parks. First day we checked in and spent the whole day relaxing at the pool. Then second day got the extra hour early and spent the whole day doing rides. Third day got there early again did more rides in the morning then after lunch did the few water rides and then went back to the hotel and relaxed in the pool. The pool day and the half day in the park we had dinner on the board walk. Fourth day there we checked out and then checked into our Disney hotel. We then spend our fourth though ninth day in Disney. The fourth day we checked out after breakfast took a taxi to Disney and checked in we were in the park by 1pm. My in-laws have a time share there so we stay at Old Key West.
So funny because our schedule was the exact opposite! Disney days 1-5 and U.S. Days 6-8.
We stayed at The Beach Club and Portofino Bay.
Message edited 9/1/2015 8:29:19 PM.
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| Posted 9/1/15 8:28 PM |
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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Wow....I was always under the impression that they got the best deal.
Disney I can handle, because we've become very familiar with what works for our family. US is totally foreign to us., but ou girls really want to see Harry Potter!
I guess my hardest part is deciding what's the best time crowd/price/& school schedule.
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| Posted 9/1/15 9:37 PM |
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Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
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Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Universal is very easy to plan. If you stay at one of the three deluxe resorts you get free express pass for both parks. All are really nice. We had a great time at the Hard Rock because it was the closest and we could walk to the parks. We didn't make any dining reservations ahead of time. It was very easy to get last minute reservations to most of the restaurants or even just walk up. And this was during Columbus day weekend. Just remember to take advantage of the early entry perk and do the Harry Potter areas early because they get crowded and the express pass does not work on most of the rides there. And get park to park tickets so that you can take the Hogwarts Express between them. Umiversal is great, we all loved it.
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| Posted 9/2/15 8:10 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by NewlyMrs
Wow....I was always under the impression that they got the best deal.
Disney I can handle, because we've become very familiar with what works for our family. US is totally foreign to us., but ou girls really want to see Harry Potter!
I guess my hardest part is deciding what's the best time crowd/price/& school schedule.
www.orlandoinformer.com is great. Has crowd calendars. They say Sunday is one of the best travel days for Universal during "busier" times since most people fly home or fly in on Sunday. I found that to be true on February break. We went the Sunday at the end of break and it wasn't bad. But Monday after break was even better. (my kids missed Monday and Tuesday)
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| Posted 9/2/15 9:13 AM |
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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Thank you for the help!!!!
Do you think 1 day is doable, 2 a must? We are early risers/late stayers. But I don't want to feel like we wish we could return a second day,,,but only planned on 1 KWIM.
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| Posted 9/2/15 9:32 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
I really think you need 2 to be able to see most of it. We did 2 and I felt good with that. Not rushed, and the 2nd day we went back to the Harry Potter area again.
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| Posted 9/2/15 10:09 AM |
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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by BargainMama
I really think you need 2 to be able to see most of it. We did 2 and I felt good with that. Not rushed, and the 2nd day we went back to the Harry Potter area again.
Great! now to decide on time of year.
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| Posted 9/2/15 10:20 AM |
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PatsBrat
LIF Adult
Member since 10/06 2326 total posts
Name:
Ms. Brat
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Re: Anyone do Disney & Universal in 1 trip?
Posted by BargainMama
I really think you need 2 to be able to see most of it. We did 2 and I felt good with that. Not rushed, and the 2nd day we went back to the Harry Potter area again.
I agree!
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| Posted 9/3/15 4:25 PM |
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