Leave Disney for the day to visit Universal or ??? - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There are other changes as well.
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Leave Disney for the day to visit Universal or ???
Our Disney trip is booked: POP w/Dining Sept. 25-Oct. 3. Tix w/hopping only, no waterparks.
Already have air booked too.
I REALLY want to visit Universal. I've been many times...love having front of the line access.
Not sure what's cheaper...
Oct. 2 (day before going home)
Eat our "free" breakfast @ Disney then leave for the day (Mears) to commando both Universal parks - need also need front of the line access.
OR eat our last "free" breakfast @ Disney, check out & go stay a nite on-site (Royal Pacific is cheapest I think) at Universal to get "free" front of line access...then we could actually visit Universal 2 days I guess. Would it even be worth the effort leaving Disney?
BUT would we take Mears back to POP the next day to get our "free" Magical Express ride to the airport or will Mears take us to the airport...not sure how our particular case would work.
I was hoping Halloween Horror Nights dates would be released because IF we stayed on-site @ Universal, I may spring for an in-room sitter & take my fiancé IF they offer it that evening...a nite out with him would be nice...if anything, maybe a nice dinner at CityWalk.
I am having trouble crunching the numbers myself & I booked thru Small World Vacations....she can't help me with anything other than Disney planning.
I don't think I can help with figures, but one thing to keep in mind is that if you do stay at Universal, you'll get the front of the line passes, I think they're called Express passes. That's one reason why I'm looking at spending a night at one of the Universal hotels next year....
Welcome to the Passporter Boards and the Universal/Islands of Adventure forum!
www.mousesavers.com has a Universal page with info on any discounts for Universal. Maybe that will help you with the numbers.
www.screamscape.com does a good job of keeping up with any info on HHN including dates when they are released, so that's another site you can monitor.
Stayine one night at a Universal hotel will give you 2 days of "front of the line access" at the parks. When you arrive at Universal that morning, you can check in at the hotel. Most likely your room won't be ready, but you can leave your bags and receive your room keys. Each person will need a room key for FOTL access in the parks. They will give you a number to call and check on your room later in the day. But you can head to the parks and start using that key as much as you want!
Next morning, you can check out and store your luggage while you head back to the parks for day 2!
I'm not sure I can crunch the numbers either because I don't know the costs of your transportation. You will need to pack, check out, arrange your luggage storage for DME, eat breakfast, travel to Universal and be there at around 8:30 am, and be prepared for a full commando day. Harry Potter will be in full swing by then and will most likely be drawing some big crowds, as does HHN. I'd choose the 2 day option if you can afford it.
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Thanks for the warm welcome! I've been around for years...albeit quietly :-)
I wasn't going to go commando on my very last day if I only chose to go to Universal for the one day. That would be TOOOOOO commando for me....I am but only a mortal mama! LOL!
I love the Royal Pacific and would stay there any time, even if I didn't go to the parks. One time our room over looked IOA and I was quite content to sit and watch the Hulk from my room. Of course, my DD didn't agree.
Can you just head over to Universal and stay until you do to the airport? It is much closer to the airport so I don't know if that changes the mears rate.
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Have you looked at the cost of a car rental for a day or two? The cost may be better than paying for shuttles or at least even out. This way you don't have to worry about a MEARS shuttle which can be limiting. You can rent from DTD or the dolphin from Alamo. There are coupon codes for Alamo online as well on mousesavers.com.
I am happy to help you crunch numbers but the one missing piece of info is how many people are in your party. (We need that to factor in the front of the line pass cost).
If you decide to stay a night off site, you will not be able to go back to Disney to take Magical Express. They only provide that service on check out day. Most likely a car to drive yourself to Universal and than the airport will be your best bet.
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