How many days?

Cinderelley;2457278 wrote: John, if you don't mind, can you tell me how your days at Universal generally go? Just to kind've walk me through what to expect.

This may blow your mind... But we don't plan anything in advance.

The only common theme was getting up early to get into the HP attractions before the rest of the public - taking advantage of our hotel stay.

Because we stay at one of the 3 deluxe resorts, we got express which was great and on the HP rides after the mornings, we just did single rider each time.

So... Up early. Go with the flow and see what you want to see till noon. Fast food at lunch usually and there are plenty of good places to try. Really liked bumble bee mans tacos and of course the HP restaurants. Mythos has been ranked one of the beat theme park restaurants many years running... We liked it.

After lunch, we went back and chilled at the pool and refreshed.

Dinner, head out of the park and go to one of the restaurants in the city walk area.

To cap the day, be sure to see the universal nighttime show (we watches from the wharf area). You will be surprised at how many movies you know.

Then, consider doing some of the city walk clubs. Rising Star is a favorite... They do karoke on a big stage with a live band. Some of the folks are incredible.

Bottom line, if you have express, you don't have to get too hung up on planning. That's a welcome change!

If you are staying onsite and utilizing early entry for the Harry Potter stuff and Express Pass for everything else, I would say that 1-1/2 days in each park would do, although I would suggest two or three days in each park, if possible. That would give you enough time to go back to the resort in the afternoons or early evening and just hang out; the Universal/Loews resorts really are nicely themed and full of amenities.

My son and I were at UO this past March for two full days (1/2 day on arrival, one full day and then another 1/2 day) and we felt rushed compared to our previous trip where we stayed for 4-1/2 days.

We love Universal and don't try to compare it with WDW, as they're two different types of theme parks, each with their own pros and cons. Really about the only major con that I can think of to UO is the lack of shade in some parts of the parks, more so in Islands of Adventure than the Studios. It can get pretty hot pounding the pavement when the sun is shining, but that's a good time to do the water rides or have a cold one. :cheers:

Thank you all for your replies. Wow, very different opinions! Though I have to say I like Natalie's version best. I'm also not much into movies, not at all into going from ride to ride, and never even got into the Simpsons!

I'll be doing the DISapalooza at Diagon Alley this December with the DIS folks, but I realize that's going to be a very limited experience, so I wanted to go at some other time to experience the two Harry Potter lands a bit more leisurely. This will NOT include any of the rides, just the experiences and possibly the restaurants.

I never do rope-drop at WDW and have no intention of doing so at Universal either. It's my vacation and I have the right to sleep late! I would definitely like to stay at Cabana Bay. Why? Because I grew up in the sixties and this is very nostalgic for me. I don't mind waiting for a bus. Already used to it from WDW.

Again, thank you so much for your varied opinions and I wish your podcast came out a bit more often. You guys are very entertaining!

Nora :mickey:

Tinky-Bell;2457372 wrote: Thank you all for your replies. Wow, very different opinions! Though I have to say I like Natalie's version best. I'm also not much into movies, not at all into going from ride to ride, and never even got into the Simpsons!

This is something I don't understand. You don't have to be "into movies" to enjoy quality attractions. I can honestly tell you I don't like watching Disney movies. I have no interest in them. But I do enjoy Disney attractions that are based on their movies.

I don't like the Spiderman movies but love the Spiderman attraction at Universal. Many people aren't into the HP movies but love the HP attractions.

You have your heart on going for 1 1/2 days and that's OK, but I think you will be selling yourself short. I find many people go to Universal not wanting to like it and not giving it a chance.

Here are a few facts according to me.

-Universal Hotels bypass Disney's in everyway
-A Universal vacation is much much more relaxing than a Disney vacation now
-Universal and Disney restaurants are both good....One does not have better restaurants than the other.
- Prices at both Disney & Universal are equal... except for hotel value at Universal is better
-Little or no planning is needed at Universal
-While staying at Universal you are actually "on property" and don't need transportation to get to the parks

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BrerGnat;2457273 wrote:

I find much of the park lacking in cohesive themeing and I get tired of all the simulators. Frankly, a lot of it feels cheesy and poorly thrown together (i.e. Simpsons area). Universal, in particular, feels very disjointed and I often feel lost there. It makes me uncomfortable.

The theming at the Studio is Hollywood and Movies...I think they pull it together perfectly.

I think that lack of cohesive theming could be said about Disney also.

MK...with the exception of Adventure Land and Frontier Land the rest of the lands are just a mish mash of stuff.

In Tomorrow Land you have the COP which is def not a thing of tomorrow, along with a race car track, and a spaceship rollercoaster.....No common theme there.

In Fantasy Land you have It's a Small World, Dumbo, and the teacups....No common theme there.

Cheesy is Dinoland at the AK.....but I still enjoy it.

I could go through every Disney park and pick them apart for lack of common theming too.

I understand that not everyone likes the same thing but what I dislike is that some people will base their trip to Universal on these reviews and go into a visit with such low expectations before even setting foot inside of the park. It's just like when I hear people who have never been to Disney saying it's a waste of money, time, or just for kids.

John;2457280 wrote: This may blow your mind... But we don't plan anything in advance.

Bottom line, if you have express, you don't have to get too hung up on planning. That's a welcome change!

That sounds like heaven.

Cinderelley;2457407 wrote: That sounds like heaven.

Trust me... It is [emoji3]

NJGIRL;2457387 wrote:

-Universal Hotels bypass Disney's in everyway
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What is it about the Universal Hotels that you like more?

NJGIRL;2457391 wrote:
I understand that not everyone likes the same thing but what I dislike is that some people will base their trip to Universal on these reviews and go into a visit with such low expectations before even setting foot inside of the park. It's just like when I hear people who have never been to Disney saying it's a waste of money, time, or just for kids.

In some ways, going in with low expectations is good. Then you can be blown away by great stuff. I prefer that to having high expectations and then being let down.

John;2457280 wrote: This may blow your mind... But we don't plan anything in advance.

Much like a WDW vacation used to be... Now, you need your cardiologist on speed dial for the heart attack you get from all the stress of planning a WDW vacation...

Cinderelley;2457410 wrote: What is it about the Universal Hotels that you like more?

They are Lowe's Hotels, which is a top notch chain. They are true 4 star hotels. The quality of the rooms from furnishing to beds to bathrooms are excellent. Lobby's and other common areas are beautiful. For what you pay for the quality of the room, I believe is a value. Personally I compare the Lowe's chain to the Omni chain.

IMO Disney hotels have fun themes but lack the quality and value that I get at a Lowes hotel. I have stayed at AKL, WL, CSR, and the Contemporary and found that Disney's Deluxe are 3 star hotels in the real world. Fun themes but room quality is lacking.

I am staying at the Royal Pacific in Sept for $200 per night......also staying at POFQ in Sept for $225 per night.....Universal Deluxe Hotel $200....Disney Moderate $225.....

DizneyFreak2002;2457418 wrote: Much like a WDW vacation used to be... Now, you need your cardiologist on speed dial for the heart attack you get from all the stress of planning a WDW vacation...

LOL

NJGIRL;2457419 wrote: They are Lowe's Hotels, which is a top notch chain. They are true 4 star hotels. The quality of the rooms from furnishing to beds to bathrooms are excellent. Lobby's and other common areas are beautiful. For what you pay for the quality of the room, I believe is a value. Personally I compare the Lowe's chain to the Omni chain.

IMO Disney hotels have fun themes but lack the quality and value that I get at a Lowes hotel. I have stayed at AKL, WL, CSR, and the Contemporary and found that Disney's Deluxe are 3 star hotels in the real world. Fun themes but room quality is lacking.

I am staying at the Royal Pacific in Sept for $200 per night......also staying at POFQ in Sept for $225 per night.....Universal Deluxe Hotel $200....Disney Moderate $225.....

Ah. I'm not really a deluxe hotel kind've girl. There are just a lot of amenities there that I never use. I can say that AKL was pretty amazing. It is the only deluxe I've stayed at that I would consider returning to just because of the animals. That is pretty lame about the prices though.

I agree that the Universal hotels are overall better. What I don't like about them is all the add on charges. Parking? Pay up. Want to use that nice gym? Pay up.

Cabana Bay was pretty cool but it is on the same level as Disney Moderates, I would say, and pricing isn't too much different. We paid for a standard room at $130/night and got a free upgrade to a family suite. The regular prices for that room were about $200/night and while it was a fairly nice room, calling it a family suite is extremely generous. There were only two of us. More would have felt claustrophobic. The room opened to the outside and the hallway areas were pretty ugly looking and always flooded from sprinklers (poor drainage, I guess).

The lobby, public area and pools were great though. And the theme was pulled off very well.

You don't get the express pass with Cabana Bay, though, right?