Disney Fan's First Time at Universal - Tips to help others About This Page:

[Sbparri]

We just returned from a week at in Orlando where we visited both parks at Universal Orlando. Yes, it was Spring Break, but it was not as bad as we had thought it might be. That said, we spent the week speaking under our breath the phrase, "This ain't Disney!" or borrowing from Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, "We're not in Disney any more." We had read a lot of the forum threads so we had planned well, and discovered a few things that may be helpful to others.
1) How many days? We had purchased the "2 day/get 1 free day" ticket and only used 2 of the 3 because we had covered the parks and ridden everything. Things are so close together that once you leave one attraction, you can be at the next one.
2) Meal Plan - They have a 1 day, all you can eat plan, but it is limited to 3 or 4 places in the parks. The choices are extremely limited and the quality is nothing to compare with WDW. Unless you plan to eat 3 meals, they are not a value at all. Be careful. You get an entre and dessert but no drink is included and the menu is almost the same (with few exceptions) at each of the included restaurants.
We went to Lombards for lunch thinking that surely this will be a treat. While a much better option than the meal plan places, it, too lacked the Disney touch. It was pretty but there was nothing special about the food. It was nice to sit down in a relatively quiet place, but nothing to compare with the WDW table service restaurants.
3) Drinks - Drinks are expensive. $2.75 - 4.50 each. We purchased the "Unlimited refill drink cup for $10.95 as we entered but then discovered that it was only good at the same few restaurants as the meal plan. There is another cup ($8.95) that can be refilled at kiosks around the park but refills are $.99 each. We knew we were getting one and were prepared so we had our 3 Disney mugs, would refill the big cup (RFID chipped) and pour it into the 3 cups and would then refill the big one. Worked pretty well. Oh yeah, the cups are good for one day only. We bought one for each day we were there.
4) Lines - our biggest complaint was that there is a "caste system" at Universal. Unless you purchase their version of the Fast Pass, you will wait in line for rides 2-3 times longer that those with the cards. These are available for purchase by anyone but are given to those who stay in Universal Hotels. Their cost is seasonal and for our time (April 1-5) the cost was $69.95 per person, per day. We said "No!". We noticed thought that no matter how long a "regular" line person had waited, a "pass holder" could come and cut in on you as soon as they showed up. We SO appreciate the WDW Fast Pass system that at least gives the same chances to everyone. It is so much more equitable than the Universal system that is all about how much money you will spend.
That said, we still covered all the rides but one in both parks by going against the flow. We spoke with some of the staff and found out that Wednesday is a good day to visit Universal Studios. They were right. We also made a pact that we would not wait in lines over an hour and would come back (not a problem since the park is SO small). We did this and did well by doing so. We saved the more popular rides until later or did them first time since we arrived when it opened. As for Islands of Adventure, we found out that Harry Potter is full by 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (Rides were already 2 hours long by 9:00 a.m.) We waited until about 5:30 - 6:00 and found we could ride everything in less than an hour total. 10 - 15 minute waits and this was at Spring Break!! We had heard to go there first but I'm so glad we didn't. Instead, we went to the Hulk and rode it in 10 minutes and then just made our way around the park with short waits. You can, too!
5) Getting there - no Magical Express! You can pay for shuttle service (more than our car rental for the week) or rent a car as we did. Gathering and shuffling luggage made me miss my Magical Express so badly. Oh well, next time!!!
6) Customer service - They could take lessons from WDW. I know that we all get a bit tired of hearing "Have a Magical Day!!" from every cast member, but it sure would have been better than the scowl we got from some of the US/IA staff. However, everything we needed, we received, just not in the best possible way.

We enjoyed our visit and have now checked it off our Bucket List. We will be returning again to the area within the year (we go about every 6-8 months) and we will be returning back "home" to WDW property and the Deluxe Dining Plan!! I have to say that our most wonderful meal and most enjoyable evening happened on our first night there. We went over to WDW and ate at Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort and then watched the fireworks from the beach. The food was again unbelieveable (Coconut Chicken and Kona Coffee-rubbed Pork Chop plates) and the atmosphere was impeccable. Because I know we are not the only people who go to both places while visiting the area, Universal folks could do well to learn to "take it up a notch" because people are comparing and at least from our visit, WDW won hands down.

[mamasann]

I agree whole heartily! We just got back too. This time staying at the Royal Pacific. 4 star, deluxe hotel...absolutely beautiful...and only HALF the storage area or drawers to put your clothes. I had to leave DS's shirts in the suitcase for most the trip because the drawers (6 of them) were so small. We also found the crowds quite manageable. Being at one of the onsite hotels gave us walking distance to the parks or a quick ferry or bus ride there. The express passes were helpful, but in many of the queues, not really needed. One note....there are 2 types of express passes. The pricier one is unlimited in number of times on the rides. There is one for about $29 per person that gets you one (1) express line for each ride (except Forbidden Journey which doesn't take the express). We had that one last year and didn't really need it for anything but Men in Black. That always stayed busy. I too am a Disney girl at heart. But alas DS & DH like the coasters and "big kid" rides and Disney truly needs to step up its game in that area to draw the teens and tweens back to their parks. We've done the Universal parks twice now. And that will hold us for a good while. But we really enjoyed Busch Gardens. (We split the trip between Orlando and Tampa). The coasters were awesome and the park was beautiful. The lines were way longer than Universals. So, Unfortunately, we did break down and buy an express ticket for one day there to enable us to ride the major rides. It was money well spent, but next time well plan for more days there so we won't have to lay out that kind of money.

[Huntermom]

I thoroughly enjoy the Universal parks and their hotels are top notch. I would stay in one in a heartbeat. I have had much better customer service at Universal than Disney. I attribute this in part to having spent more time at Disney and increasing the chance of poor customer service.

[queenofheartsfan]

Very cool - thanks for the tips! We have never been to Universal, but hope to visit this summer!

[karadisney]

Love both Universal and Disney. I personally can't compare the two because they're nothing alike in my opinion

[crythomas]

Thank you for the information. My husband and I will be spending one day at Universal when we go in October. We are planning to go on a Sunday as from all of the reading I have done the best day to go was on Sunday.

I have to say I don't like there website at all. Not easy to navigate and it sort of fustrates me to a point.

[disneygal]

Thank you for the tips! I found them very helpful, especially regarding the meal plan and refillable mugs. We are going for the first time in August.

[indychristine]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Me, my DH,DF, and DM are going for 1 day when we take our trip in October. I too had seen that Wednesday was a good day to go !

[Tishypops]

I think everybody needs to universal at least once and experience it. Yes I agree it is different to WDW bit isn't that the point. I know for us in the UK the difference in the size is more than compensated with in the difference in prices. 14day Disney ticket is £256 14 day universal ticket is £108 we usually get both and then we have the freedom of doing what we want when we want sometimes only going for a couple if hours then heading back to the other.


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[MomToJedi&Princess]

Thanks for sharing your experience. We have been to Disney several times and feel comfortable with planning for that. We are going to Universal for 3 days in June and I have been somewhat at a loss for planning. We are staying on site so I'm hoping that will help us be able to get it all done while there. I know DS11 will want multiple rides on the coasters. We will be there a couple days after Transformers is scheduled to open. DH and DS are big fans so for them I'm glad it will be open, but I'm worried what it will do for the crowds.
Again, thanks for your tips. I'm adding them to my planning notes.