Is it worth doing a Universal day trip in June About This Page:

[lissybri]

Originally we were planning on leaving Wilderness Lodge and staying at Universal one night with two days at the park and express pass. Unfortunately, doesn't look like we can swing that financially with 14 days at Disney. Would it be worth going for the day? I know we wouldn't get to do everything, but hoping for at least HP stuff and Simpsons. Do you think it's possible in June without express pass? Thanks

[HiddenMickey]

You can't pull yourself away from Disney for one night and two days out of 14?

You'd definitely have enough time to do Diagon Alley and Simpsons at Universal and likely quite a few other things too. I'd suggest going before park opening (they often open early), if Minions are something you want to do, go there first and then to to Diagon Alley to get in line for Gringotts. Then you can explore Diagon Alley, do Ollivanders, drink some Butterbeer, and then make your way to Simpsons. I'd stop and do Men in Black on the way over there. After Simpsons, other things you may want to do are: Hollywood Horror Makeup show (so fun!), Transformers, Mummy, Terminator show, and Shrek.

I would not get a two-park pass just to use the Hogwarts Express and the see Hogsmeade side at IOA with a one day trip.

[GingerJ]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

You can't pull yourself away from Disney for one night and two days out of 14?

You'd definitely have enough time to do Diagon Alley and Simpsons at Universal and likely quite a few other things too. I'd suggest going before park opening (they often open early), if Minions are something you want to do, go there first and then to to Diagon Alley to get in line for Gringotts. Then you can explore Diagon Alley, do Ollivanders, drink some Butterbeer, and then make your way to Simpsons. I'd stop and do Men in Black on the way over there. After Simpsons, other things you may want to do are: Hollywood Horror Makeup show (so fun!), Transformers, Mummy, Terminator show, and Shrek.

I would not get a two-park pass just to use the Hogwarts Express and the see Hogsmeade side at IOA with a one day trip.

If you're really into Harry Potter (like my family is), I'd go ahead and get the park-to-park pass, if you can swing it. I mean, really, when else are you going to be able to ride the Hogwarts Express!!?? The new section hadn't yet opened when we went last year, so I haven't done that yet.

BTW, my sister went earlier this week, and she said the Simpsons ride was the most fun. I passed it up, but wish now that I'd gone.

I second the motion about seeing the Minions early...the line was always 50 minutes or longer when I went, so I passed that up, too.

Have fun!

Ginger

PS: The Hulk roller coaster is a really rough one that knocks your head around and bangs it into the headrests...I hate it, and I usually love thrill rides. You have been warned!

PS2: Most rides at Universal require you to check your bags and other possessions into one of the many free lockers, so try not to bring too much into the park with you.

[HiddenMickey]

Ginger-
I figure that they're going to go back at some point and can do the other park then. The kids will eventually want to spend more time in the Universal Parks (like my kids do).

If I'm wrong and you want to do both now, Liz, I'll have to change up my recommendations.

[lissybri]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

You can't pull yourself away from Disney for one night and two days out of 14?

You'd definitely have enough time to do Diagon Alley and Simpsons at Universal and likely quite a few other things too. I'd suggest going before park opening (they often open early), if Minions are something you want to do, go there first and then to to Diagon Alley to get in line for Gringotts. Then you can explore Diagon Alley, do Ollivanders, drink some Butterbeer, and then make your way to Simpsons. I'd stop and do Men in Black on the way over there. After Simpsons, other things you may want to do are: Hollywood Horror Makeup show (so fun!), Transformers, Mummy, Terminator show, and Shrek.

I would not get a two-park pass just to use the Hogwarts Express and the see Hogsmeade side at IOA with a one day trip.

Lol, thank you for the great advice. I guess I should've explained better. We are DVC members so our resort is taken care of and we have annual passes so we only have to pay for food at Disney. Originally I thought I could save enough to stay overnight at Universal in order to get the express pass, but sadly some financial issues came up and we can't afford it that way.

[Lumieregirl]

I have this exact same issue for my August trip. Please let me know how it works out for you.


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[KDevines]

I have spent the day at Universal Studios after spending the rest if the week at Disneyworld.It has several drawbacks.There are 2 parks and several attractions at Universal so it is impossible to see them all in one day.I find myself running from one park to the other .add to that the heat and I become quite tired and ill.Disney does not have busses taking you to universal so you are getting there on your own which is also hectic.Inlove a Universal but it would have to be my primary vacation destination and I cannot see that happening

[Huntermom]

Like Hidden Mickey's, my kids really preferred Universal when they were teens. I think the many thrill rides have more appeal to teens. I think as long as you don't try to compare them to Disney and take the Universal staff members jokes about Disney in stride you can have as good (or for when my boys were my teens) better time.

My kids all also loved the hulk. I remember them saying it is one of the smoother coasters they have been on but we haven't been for several years.

Is it worth it for one day? Definately. And the hotels are beautoiful. IMHO they definately are "deluxe" and I have had exceptional service.

[HiddenMickey]

We are skipping Disney altogether this year and we've already had two Universal trips (Dec and Mar) and probably another next December (just DD and I). I really love the parks, staying onsite, being able to walk everywhere, and getting express pass to most of the rides. It just feels more laidback to me there. Plus, the APs are A LOT cheaper than Disney's.

The previous trips we took to Universal were all from offsite with my kids individually and included a one-day visit for DD and I to IOA (before Diagon Alley was built). If we were to do a one-day again, it would be Universal, as there is a lot more to do in that park.

[WillCAD]

Originally Posted by lissybri

Originally we were planning on leaving Wilderness Lodge and staying at Universal one night with two days at the park and express pass. Unfortunately, doesn't look like we can swing that financially with 14 days at Disney. Would it be worth going for the day? I know we wouldn't get to do everything, but hoping for at least HP stuff and Simpsons. Do you think it's possible in June without express pass? Thanks

It is absolutely possible.

Being June, it will be busier than the off-seasons, so you will wait in some lines. Just like Disney, the lines for the best attractions are always long. But universal has some things that Disney doesn't, like fans and misters in the outdoor segments of their queues, and TV screens playing loops that help to pass the time.

The heavier crowds during the summer generally mean that it's not possible to do both parks in one day. I recommend taking two days from your 14, one for each Uni park. Uni tickets often go on special; Undercover Tourist currently has 3-day park hopper tickets for the price of a two-day ticket with free shipping.

Transportation is always the kicker, but I've always recommended renting a car. It's possible to get good rates either from National/Alamo at the Car Care Center, or from one of the other companies that has a location at a Downtown Disney hotel (some will pick you up and drop you off at your own resort if you pre-arrange it). Renting a compact for 2 or 3 days can cost you under $100 if you look for coupons and discount codes, and by having your own wheels, you can come and go on your own schedule, never worrying about buses or shuttles. Parking at Uni is generally $1 more than WDW; I think it's currently $18 a day, which is steep but manageable if you're only going for 2 days.

A few dining recommendations:

Lombards in USF is a great table service lunch venue, right on the water across the street from Disaster!

The Islands Dining Room in Royal Pacific is a stupendous Asian TS restaurant. Dinner service doesn't begin till 6pm, however.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in CityWalk is awesome, especially if you are a fan of the movie. That's all I have to say about that.

Jimmy Buffet's Margarittaville in CityWalk is also plenty of fun, with good food and great music, and a volcano above the bar.

[Silver-n-Gold]

You can do it! My daughter plays in the AAU Nationals volleyball tournament in June every year in Orlando- some years we only have time for 1 day at Universal & with a little prioritizing we see everything we want to. The Simpsons ride was great but the line moved VERY slowly the last time we went & made me REALLY sick , I'm skipping that one this year! Have the BEST time!