It's hurting my (Disney loving) heart, but I'm excited About This Page:

[Teresa]

We're going to be in Florida for the National Karate competition in late June/early July.
We've decided against going to WDW and instead head to Universal.
We've not been to Universal for almost 20 years!
Tell me, what do I need to know? IS the price for a package (including the front of the line pass) worth it? Is the front of the line pass worth it? What's the deal with the dining plan? All I can find is the quick service dining pass. Any good sit-downs?
We're only planning on 3-4 days, at most, but I want them to be worth it.
We're looking at staying from the 29th of June (Sunday) to the 2nd of July (Wednesday). We'd leave early to mid-afternoon on the 2nd. That's about 3 days worth of park time. Too much? Too little? Or, am I like Goldilocks and going to find the "Just Right" mix?

Thanks!

[HiddenMickey]

Get a room at one of the resorts that has FOL passes (not the new one). It will be worth the location and the access.

There are no great TS in the parks, except maybe Mythos. Eat in City Walk or at the resorts. Don't bother with the QS meal plan either. Three days of park time should be just about right.

You'll likely love Universal and IOA. We enjoy the parks a lot now that our kids are older.

[Teresa]

So, another question: Stay at a near-by resort and just buy tickets, or go for the full immersion deal like we do with WDW? At WDW, it really is worth it, IMO, but I'm not sure about US.

[mamasann]

We did our first trip off-site. Never again!! We stayed at the Royal Pacific the last time, much better! Beautiful resort and it was a brief walk, or ferry ride to the parks. This Thanksgiving we're going to try the Hard Rock. The unlimited FOL passes that come with the onsite packages are great! The year we stayed offsite, we bought express passes that got us FOL on each ride ride once. One thing to know.... FOL passes do not get you on Forbidden Journey, and I'd doubt they'll get you on the new HP ride either. We do Universal in 2 days easily. Without FOL passes, 3 days would still more than suffice.
There are tons of restaurants at City Walk. If you decide to stay offsite, on International, there's an IHOP very handy where you can chow down without breaking the bank.

One suggestion... the day you plan on really hitting Island of Adventure's water rides, let the kids dress in swimsuits and shorts. Because they WILL get drenched! The standing dryers are a waste of money because you really don't get dry at all.

[HiddenMickey]

I've done both. Hard Rock on my first trip. The other trips we stayed in timeshares along I-Drive.

Staying onsite is preferred, for sure. So easy to get around and having FOL express passes on your room key is a super extra.

You can do it just fine off-site, but you'll be waiting in more lines. (I refuse to pay extra for Express Passes).

[joelsmom]

Stay onsite! It's worth the extra expense. Once you get in the parks, you'll wish you had the express pass, and any Universal hotel except Cabana Bay will provide it with the package. The meal plan is a rip off. Don't do it. Also, the City Walk area has some decent dining...Margaritaville, Emeril's, Bubba Gump, NASCAR Cafe...a selection of okay options, but the food in the parks is basically fast food, with the exception of Mythos. You might want to go into Three Broomsticks in the Harry Potter area. I don't drink alcohol, but we had the non-alcoholic butter beer, and it was really refreshing on a hot July day. My son and his dad just got back from Universal/IOA, and they opted to eat outside the parks every evening for dinner. Three park days will be plenty.

I hope you enjoy it.

[ferrazalves]

I´d stay onsite due to front of line perk! It definetelly worth the extra cost

[Huntermom]

The on site hotels are beautiful and I think nicer than some Disney deluxes. FOTL makes the trip so easy and you get a lot done without waiting in line for each ride.

It is so easy to walk from park to oark and stop at City Walk for a meal break on the way.

I think three days should be plenty if you are on site. My kids are bog coaster fans so by the time they hit the teen years, they much preferred Universal/IOA. My kids grew up with Dr. Seuss and I love just being in Seussland.

[Sue M.]

We are booked for 3 full days in August (pre wdw). We booked Portofino and bought our park to park tickets from Undercover Tourist. Not doing Dining plan.
On site is worth it for the unlimited FOTL pass alone.

The new Harry Potter and now Diagon Alley sched to open in June? Will not have FOTL pass but the rest of the attractions in the parks will. So worth it.

I think now with both Harry Potter and new Diagon Alley 3 days is the minimum, 4 would prob be better. I'm wishing now I got the 4 day pass!!

You will want to be sure you get park to park passes so you can use the Hogwarts Express train!! Looks so cool, I can't wait. Tons of info on Orlando Informer web site!! It looks amazing. I can't wait!!

People have been reporting good discounts for Universal resorts on Orbitz. Note, the new Cabana Bay Resort doesn't include FOTL passes. Only the 3 deluxe resorts.

[nebula5]

On most of our previous Orlando trips, my husband and I have spent one day at the Universal parks, but stayed at a Disney resort throughout the trip; we plan to do the same on the trip we're planning for early December. On our last trip (and for our upcoming one), thanks to the generosity of a dear friend who works part time at Universal, we have free park passes! Can't beat that! Our only costs for that day will be the rental car, gas, and parking. Well, aside from meals and souvenirs...

We know which attractions we've liked and didn't like from previous visits (not fans of most roller coasters), and are willing to skip a lot of the park to see and do only what we want. This time we're itching to do all of the Harry Potter areas; they were just finishing the initial construction last time we were there. We've set aside Wednesday as our Universal day. My question: Can two not-very-young adults in reasonably good shape manage to do all of the stuff in the Potterworld in one visit? Is it going to be so crowded (first week in December) that we'll spend a lot of our time in lines?

We know we will be back and can do it again someday, but we can't make the trip that often, so I really try to optimize the time we are there as best we can; any advice would be appreciated.

[sparks74]

Oh My Goodness!!! I am going through the same thing. We are planning to head to Orlando in June for a few days and are only going to US/IOA and SW. It has been 19 years since I have been to either so we are taking my DDs for the first time. The consolation prize for me is that I am going to be in WDW a year later for my 20th anniversary!! Have fun planning...if you are like me I feel like I am over my head at the moment.

[Sue M.]

This is an old post! OP has prob been there and back, like me so glad I booked onsite, Portofino was amazing, and the boat ride going to the parks is beautiful. FOTL pass is the best ever perk.
I'd book 3-4 days depending on how you tour. We aren't commando people, and enjoy mid day breaks. We only booked 3 days and for us, 4 days woukd have been good. Allow us to do more exploring, look at the other resorts, maybe even enjoy their pools. At Universal, pool hopping is allowed.

[karadisney]

The Mummy ride and Twister are great! I love Universal! Have fun! Oh, and City Walk is great! Lots to see and do!