Sept/Oct WDW and Universal Orlando

[rich2603]

I planning on a six day trip staying at Pop Century with the free Disney Dining Plan but would like to have one or two days at universal Orlando with wife and 9 year daughter.
Should I take two days at Universal Orlando with four days at Disney with no hopper or one day at Universal Orlando with five days at Disney with no hopper (two days at Magic Kingdom)? Keep in mind the parks are crowd level 1 or 2 during my stay.

If I decide to have two days at Universal Orlando, I’d consider staying one night at Royal Pacific Loews. Staying at on-site hotel gives you one hour early admission to the Universal Orlando parks and a Universal Park express pass which gives you head of the line privileges to most of the rides except Harry Potter.

I can't seem to find any discounts for Universal Orlando Loews hotel ($219 + tax) during the 9/27 thru 10/3. Anyone knows of any hotel discounts which are available?
Thanks,
Rich

[rich2603]

Help!

[jilly7896]

Does AAA offer any discounts?

[jilly7896]

We are going 9/23-9/29. We are planning 1 day at IOA (9/26) and 5 days at Disney.

[rich2603]

Some TA are offering a 1 day/2 park Universal Orlando with free transportation using Mears shuttle. I called Mears and transportation tickets are $18 each. This assumes your don't have a car.

[jilly7896]

Can you arrange for the Mears shuttle to pick you up at your hotel? I'll have to check with my agency about the 1 day/2 park w/ free transpo. I didn't know about that!

[rich2603]

You need to call 24 hours before for pickup at your WDW resort. On the return leg, I believe least at 1 hour notice. The only question is how long its takes including other pickups.

Also called universal orlando and the deal is good, BUT only a few sellers offer it. www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com

[jilly7896]

I found it on the agents site, any travel agent can offer it. It is sold for $129 plus change for the adult ticket. That doesn't really seem like a good deal to me. You can purchase the adult pass for $112. I'm not sure how that makes the transportation free? I think I'm just going to purchase the 1 day pass and take a taxi to ensure that I get there at RD!

[spindoctors]

We just returned from Orlando and had added two days at Universal to the end of our Disney vacation. We got a discounted rate for AAA members at Royal Pacific but still booked through Universal.

[spindoctors]

I thought I should mention that both days we were at Universal parks, they opened the gates about 15 minutes before they were scheduled to open. It seemed like a regular occurrence.

[rich2603]

I thought I should mention that both days we were at Universal parks, they opened the gates about 15 minutes before they were scheduled to open. It seemed like a regular occurrence.
I’m planning six days in Orlando during September 27 and October 3 with DD9 and DW.

Looking at spending 4 days at WDW with one day at each park and 1 day at Universal Orlando with express pass., but not sure about sixth day. I have ruled out the hopper pass or water parks for cost savings.
Should I spend extra day at Magic Kingdom or Universal Orlando? The crowd levels at WDW are very low during my trip at 1 or 2 out of 10. Not sure about Universal parks crowd levels. What would you recommend?

The Universal Leows hotel have the advantage of free express pass and early admission but are pricy at $215 plus tax. How much percent is the AAA discount for Universal Leows hotel? Also what is the hotel tax, 12.5%?

[spindoctors]

How often do you/have you traveled to Disney?

My kids are 16, 14 and 12. We are frequent visitors to WDW, but this was our first visit to the Universal parks. It was fun, but we wouldn't rush back. If you are an infrequent Disney traveler I would spend the extra days there since it is relatively inexpensive to add park days to your package. I also think that you would have a hard time doing everything at WDW in just four days. I think at least six days gives you a much more enjoyable vacation.

I can't remember exactly what my AAA discount was, but I can try to find the numbers. Our room rate was a little higher since we traveled in June. I think the discount took off $25 or $30.

FWIW, September is my favorite time to visit WDW. Try to find time for the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot.

[rich2603]

DD9 has only been to Disney once when she was four years old. Unfortunately DD9 must see the Harry Potter ride. Since I’m on the hook for one day in universal tickets, the upgrade cost for an additional day is only $20 per person, vice an extra day at Disney for $5 per person.

I’m leaning toward two days at Magic Kingdom, since I would not have to pay the additional cost for Universal hotel of $219 plus tax or $25.99/person/ day for express pass and $19/person for Mears (one day rental is $50 plus tax).

[spindoctors]

Wow. Harry Potter makes things so much more difficult since Universal resort guests get in an hour early. Does she want to do Ollivander's also or just Forbidden Journey?

[rich2603]

I betting DD9 wants to do both Ollivander's and Forbidden Journey. But I'll be there when the park opens and with express pass which works on all rides except Forbidden Journey.

[spindoctors]

The problem is going to be the wait for Ollivander's as well as Forbidden Journey. I would recommend going to Ollivander's first if it is a must-do because that line grows so quickly, but while you are waiting in that long line the line for Forbidden Journey is steadily growing. I know that Gregg just returned from WDW and also visited IOA. Maybe he can chime in on the wait times they experienced since I don't think that they stayed at Universal either. Just a heads up - my kids who are avid video game players had a hard time stomaching the motion simulator of Forbidden Journey.

[Janine]

I’m planning six days in Orlando during September 27 and October 3 with DD9 and DW.

Looking at spending 4 days at WDW with one day at each park and 1 day at Universal Orlando with express pass., but not sure about sixth day. Should I spend extra day at Magic Kingdom or Universal Orlando? The crowd levels at WDW are very low during my trip at 1 or 2 out of 10. Not sure about Universal parks crowd levels. What would you recommend?

Since this is a Disney forum, the recommendations may be swayed, but I vote for an extra day at Disney (MK!)
And yeah, good choice not getting the hoppers.

[texhanddoc]

Hey Rich!

We just returned from IoA/Universal. Our kids are 9, 6 and 2 (almost 3). We were in Orlando for 8 days. We planned one IoA/Universal. We did do the express pass since we were not staying at Universal. I think a couple things determine what you should do.

1. Does your child like/love thrill rides? Does she like ToT and RnRC? Does she like to go fast? Is she 54" and would she want to ride things like the Dragon ride in HP or Hulk?
2. Do you want to do Ollivanders? We went straight to HP Forbidden Journey and were there at rope drop. The wait to get into the HP ride was about 15 minutes and by the time we got out the standby time was 40. Front of the Line does NOT work on Harry Potter Forbidden Journey!! So, if you do Ollivanders, you want to do that FIRST and then hit HP:FJ but be prepared to wait for a while in the standby line. Which isnt horrible, because the queue line is so clever. However, if you are trying to fit both parks in one day, it will be a time drain. Remember, if she just wants a wand, there is a wagon that sells wands right by the Hippogriff ride. Also TIP: Do NOT buy butterbeer from the outside vendors, the lines are horrible. Slip inside the Hog's Head (I think thats the name) tavern. Its air conditioned and the line is much smaller.

I guess my best advice is... if you are going to do both Forbidden Journey AND Ollivanders and are not staying at a Universal resort, it will be very difficult to do both parks well in one day. Now, if your child isnt a thrill seeker then you can skip a lot of rides and it can be more manageable. We got to Universal at about 2:30pm and were wasted by about 4:30pm or 5pm. We definitely were skipping rides on the Universal side just to hit the highlights.

[Ferg]

I really think you will want 2 days at MK. How often do you go? You might consider thourougly doing one US park this time and the other US park next trip. Each park is a full day if you try and experience all of the rides and shows. Our last trip was end of Feb so we had crowds like you are expecting. We did 1.5 at EP, 2 at MK, 1 at AK, 1 at DHS, 1 at US, and 1 at IOA. I have a trip report in this forum if you want to read Day 3 (US) and Day 4 (IOA) if you think you might find some tips for those parks in there.

[rich2603]

I've ironed out my travel plans. Thanks for everyone's help. Now can you help me solve the riddle that is my wife.:RpS_confused:

[Janine]

You're on your own on that one.

[spindoctors]

I've ironed out my travel plans. Thanks for everyone's help. Now can you help me solve the riddle that is my wife.:RpS_confused:

She's always right. As long as you remember that, it should be smooth sailing.

[rich2603]

New plan.

9/27: Arrive at MCO 10 pm, Pop Century
9/28: Mears transportation to IOA/US ¾ day, back to MH for 8PM parade and 9 PM fireworks. The Plaza Restaurant
9/29: Back to IOA/US ½ day, HS for Fantasmic! at 8:30pm
Boma–Flavors of Africa
9/30: EP for food and wine
Tutto Italia Ristorante
10/1: HS
50's Prime Time Café
10/2: MK
'Ohana or The Wave
10/3: Checkout Pop Century, head for AK and leave for MCO at 5PM for 8:10PM flight.
Yak & Yeti Restaurant

Note: I have the free Disney dining plan

[Lovedisneymagic]

she's always right. As long as you remember that, it should be smooth sailing.

love it!