I moved from Detroit down to about 2 hours from Orlando about a year ago. We've been down to Universal a couple times over the past year. Just from our limited experience, I can say your tips are spot on.
We did 1 day at Magic Kingdom and 1 day at Islands of Adventure and the vibes were very different! Universal was so much more relaxed so far as lines, feeling like we had to rush, etc. We will back at the end of March and doing 3 days at Universal and one night at Magic Kingdom after hours. We picked the after hours event cuz it seems like it's far more relaxed even if it is a shorter time frame to work with.
My brother has told me between Universal and Disney, he and his family do prefer Universal. Now going to Disney World had been a dream of mine since I was 6 after learning my aunt and uncle went there and we finally went last December as a big 40th bday gift for me (my aunt and uncle helped pay for the trip) and I knew going there things would cost a lot more and I prepared for it. I loved it even with the hiccups (what vacation doesn't have them?). Now I want to go to Universal in Orlando, but I want to wait for the newest park to open there that'll have Nintendo Land so it'll still be awhile (I definitely want to go before my oldest nephew graduates HS). But being the big pre-planner that I am, I am already looking at videos like these (I started pre-planning for WDW like 5 years before we went lol). I've looked at the official website, and even though I've scratched the service, all ready I can tell it's going to be cheaper based on the resorts alone. My mom and I had to have different sleeping areas because I snore, talk, and singing in my sleep and my mom is a light sleeper so we ended up staying at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness (it was a lot of fun). We also drove so having a kitchenette was important too because we wanted to bring our own food for financial reasons (we ate 1 meal in the parks each day). Seeing the suites at the "Value resorts" wow, they're like the normal price of a regular hotel! I didn't know there we walkways to the parks either. Granted, by the time we do go, I doubt I'll want to walk since I am no spring chicken anymore lol. I'll get enough walking in the parks lol. I am hoping that the same technique I use at every amusement (Disney included) will work here too and that is getting into the park early (another reason why I want to stay at a resort because of the early access) so I can get on the rides I want to get on first that are popular. There's rarely a line when that happens (of course with both the Flight of Passage and Rise of the Resistance it was still 30 minutes, but that was short wait time for me lol). It did help I was able to use a Disability Pass (similar to Lightning Lanes) to get onto 2 rides quickly at each park. I did see Universal has something similar and I'll look into that more. Speaking of Dining, I haven't done really any research in that area, but I am assuming Universal has more casual dining places where you can eat outside right? As a rule, theme park meals I know cost more than the average restaurant, even at casual places, but I was curious. And can you still order food ahead of time at these casual places? I like the idea of ordering my food ahead of time and just picking it up. My family used Disney Gift cards for our meals and that helped save on time. Oh, does Universal have gift cards? Omg, the free refills souvenir cup sounds cool! My own local theme parks have things like that, which I take full advantage of whenever I get season passes to them, so that's good to know Universal does the same. I'll be honest, I don't know when I want to go to Universal as far as what time of the year goes. I know for sure I want to aim for a low attendance time, but since I also want to go with my brother's family, that might not be possible since his kids are still in school (2 of them are teens). I'll just have to wait and see. I do know I want to avoid Summer because of all of the rain. I'll make sure to do more research for sure though as time gets closer.
Thank you so much for checking out our video! And I don’t think you can ever be too prepared for a universal vacation so it’s great that you are already looking at videos and hotels now! And yes Universal does have some great quick service options as well as mobile ordering in the parks! Good luck planning the rest of your trip and the countdown now begins 🙌🏻
@@TheParkProdigy That's good to know thanks! And this is one minor detail, but I am curious, does the Harry Potter areas have a Sorting Hat that actually sorts you lol? And on my list is to try Butterbeer and I know there are different types. I take you've tried them all and if you did do you have a preference?
Hi 21 year old here who is planning a trip for a couple people if you go back to Disney go do SeaQuest it lets you go scuba diving in the aquarium at epcot super cool experience and since I've got a lot saved up from oilfield money taking a couple buddies this next year
I highly recommend you check out the Orlando informer meetups at Universal. It’s an after hours event but food is included too! And most rides are no more than a 5 min wait to get on (if even that). I’m taking my son to the June one for his birthday. They also offer discounted hotel rooms after the tickets go on sale.
In my experience it’s better to send Uber eats drinks to your hotel instead of buying it at the parks. U will only get your moneys worth on express if you go during school holidays
Great video! My family and I are planning four days at Disney World and one day at Universal Studios in June. Should we get the express passes during the Summer? We're staying on the Disney property this year.
Since you won't have early park admission by styaing off Universal property, you may want to consider looking into the Universal Express if you want to ride many rides in 1 day!
When it comes to theme park dining, i cant believe nobody talks about how good the Confisco Grille is. Yes, it's not quite as good as Mythos but its stil real good. The Pad Thai is a lovely dish. My favoruite restaurant meal at universal by far.
Haven’t personally been to these hotels, but a lot to people seem to recommend Red Lion and the Rosen Inn International as off site hotels. Red Lion has an 18 dollar resort fee per day, Rosen Inn does not, and also has free parking. They are what you expect, a place to sleep and not amazing quality but not terrible, you get what you pay for
We are coming from the UK in July with kids aged 18, 21, 21. We have up to a week in the Orlando area - would you suggest we stick with Universal and do 3 days there? and forget Disney? We did Universal in LA in 2016 - with a 1 day vip pass and had a brilliant time
Hi Emma, thanks so much for checking out our video! I would say one day at both Disney and Universal can be tough so it might not be a bad idea to focus entirely on one of them.
So both Endless Summer Resorts are the only two resorts which don't allow pool hopping to the other hotel pools. Thank you so much for checking out our video and I hope this helps!
I think this list has.... a few problems at best. 1st I stayed off site on my trip last summer and we were perfectly fine with times and never had to worry about being to early or too late. 2nd. YOU NEED THE EXPRESS PASS, it is a living hell hole in a middle of a swamp if you don't. If you are going to be at the parks for 1-3 days it is very necessary. The lines take forever even with the express pass. I understand it is more pricey, but I would rather spend $2,000 and enjoy your time, over a wasted $1,000 where you wait in line for 3-5 rides max. and then realize the parks are closing. That is at least my experience on that. I went in mid to late June and had a great time at both of Disney's and Universal's Orlando resorts. Maybe you don't need the express pass if your going in a less popular time, but I was going with my whole extended family, so the summer was the only time that worked. Anyway, those are my thoughts on the 1st and 2nd tips. I feel that the rest of the tips are pretty good.
Thanks so much for checking out our video!! I feel you, and do see the value in the express pass if you can afford and want to get on every ride however we just want to make sure guests don't feel pressured as we do help families all the time get a ton out of their trip without it! Is it more convenient, no shot, but is it possible yes.
Hi, i have a question about the one night stay, two day useage of the express pass. If the express pass is actually your room key, how can you use it after checking out in the morning?
I know that this was posted a few months ago but the Velocicoaster is now express pass eligible. Also I completely agree that universal is soooo much more enjoyable than Disney. Honestly to me Disney sucks now compared to universal. The restaurants are better and honestly more aligned with normal prices than Disney is. I don’t care what people say City walk is better than Disney springs. Or whatever it’s called now.
It can take a few days for stuff to get to your hotel. My stuff was there the next day. Make sure that you know how many bags they put your things in; they initially did not give me one of my bags.
Refillable Cup? Yes! Photo package? NO!!! Think about it -- how many photos do you REALLY need? And, you're going to be taking lots of photos with your phone. Also, there is a 30-minute delay between refills. There was a problem with one of the machines and we got a bad refill of Coke. Probably low syrup or bad calibration. Anyway, the machine and the skinflints at Universal don't care, and they have a 30-minute delay between refills, even if you got a bad drink. I told a clueless girl at the restaurant counter about it, but all she could say was, "Ummmm, I don't know anything about that machine. There's a guy who works on it?" We gave up and moved on. Most of the other machines seemed to be working well.
Premium motels I’ll get you two days of Express passes.. The cups in a park a cost you five dollars each day.. The Disney world they can take your pictures with you phone to.
I find the comment about food being better at Disney odd. Universal offers better food for snack and quick service vs Disney. I'm a passholder to both. Problem is people sometimes just go to the worst quick service at Universal because they are scared to try places like green eggs and ham, crepe place, etc.
Photo pass, is a no. Not worth it and they will take the photo with your phone. And the food is better at universal. But yes get the cup, we got two and filled the one on the rest of the days with water and used the other for drinks.
I moved from Detroit down to about 2 hours from Orlando about a year ago. We've been down to Universal a couple times over the past year. Just from our limited experience, I can say your tips are spot on.
We did 1 day at Magic Kingdom and 1 day at Islands of Adventure and the vibes were very different! Universal was so much more relaxed so far as lines, feeling like we had to rush, etc. We will back at the end of March and doing 3 days at Universal and one night at Magic Kingdom after hours. We picked the after hours event cuz it seems like it's far more relaxed even if it is a shorter time frame to work with.
You will get low crowds at the after hours event so that is great!
My brother has told me between Universal and Disney, he and his family do prefer Universal. Now going to Disney World had been a dream of mine since I was 6 after learning my aunt and uncle went there and we finally went last December as a big 40th bday gift for me (my aunt and uncle helped pay for the trip) and I knew going there things would cost a lot more and I prepared for it. I loved it even with the hiccups (what vacation doesn't have them?). Now I want to go to Universal in Orlando, but I want to wait for the newest park to open there that'll have Nintendo Land so it'll still be awhile (I definitely want to go before my oldest nephew graduates HS). But being the big pre-planner that I am, I am already looking at videos like these (I started pre-planning for WDW like 5 years before we went lol).
I've looked at the official website, and even though I've scratched the service, all ready I can tell it's going to be cheaper based on the resorts alone. My mom and I had to have different sleeping areas because I snore, talk, and singing in my sleep and my mom is a light sleeper so we ended up staying at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness (it was a lot of fun). We also drove so having a kitchenette was important too because we wanted to bring our own food for financial reasons (we ate 1 meal in the parks each day). Seeing the suites at the "Value resorts" wow, they're like the normal price of a regular hotel! I didn't know there we walkways to the parks either. Granted, by the time we do go, I doubt I'll want to walk since I am no spring chicken anymore lol. I'll get enough walking in the parks lol.
I am hoping that the same technique I use at every amusement (Disney included) will work here too and that is getting into the park early (another reason why I want to stay at a resort because of the early access) so I can get on the rides I want to get on first that are popular. There's rarely a line when that happens (of course with both the Flight of Passage and Rise of the Resistance it was still 30 minutes, but that was short wait time for me lol). It did help I was able to use a Disability Pass (similar to Lightning Lanes) to get onto 2 rides quickly at each park. I did see Universal has something similar and I'll look into that more.
Speaking of Dining, I haven't done really any research in that area, but I am assuming Universal has more casual dining places where you can eat outside right? As a rule, theme park meals I know cost more than the average restaurant, even at casual places, but I was curious. And can you still order food ahead of time at these casual places? I like the idea of ordering my food ahead of time and just picking it up. My family used Disney Gift cards for our meals and that helped save on time. Oh, does Universal have gift cards?
Omg, the free refills souvenir cup sounds cool! My own local theme parks have things like that, which I take full advantage of whenever I get season passes to them, so that's good to know Universal does the same.
I'll be honest, I don't know when I want to go to Universal as far as what time of the year goes. I know for sure I want to aim for a low attendance time, but since I also want to go with my brother's family, that might not be possible since his kids are still in school (2 of them are teens). I'll just have to wait and see. I do know I want to avoid Summer because of all of the rain. I'll make sure to do more research for sure though as time gets closer.
Thank you so much for checking out our video! And I don’t think you can ever be too prepared for a universal vacation so it’s great that you are already looking at videos and hotels now! And yes Universal does have some great quick service options as well as mobile ordering in the parks! Good luck planning the rest of your trip and the countdown now begins 🙌🏻
@@TheParkProdigy That's good to know thanks! And this is one minor detail, but I am curious, does the Harry Potter areas have a Sorting Hat that actually sorts you lol? And on my list is to try Butterbeer and I know there are different types. I take you've tried them all and if you did do you have a preference?
Hi 21 year old here who is planning a trip for a couple people if you go back to Disney go do SeaQuest it lets you go scuba diving in the aquarium at epcot super cool experience and since I've got a lot saved up from oilfield money taking a couple buddies this next year
I highly recommend you check out the Orlando informer meetups at Universal. It’s an after hours event but food is included too! And most rides are no more than a 5 min wait to get on (if even that). I’m taking my son to the June one for his birthday. They also offer discounted hotel rooms after the tickets go on sale.
In my experience it’s better to send Uber eats drinks to your hotel instead of buying it at the parks.
U will only get your moneys worth on express if you go during school holidays
Uber eats is always a solid move! Thank you so much for sharing your tips & tricks and for checking out our video 🙌🏻
Great video! My family and I are planning four days at Disney World and one day at Universal Studios in June. Should we get the express passes during the Summer? We're staying on the Disney property this year.
Since you won't have early park admission by styaing off Universal property, you may want to consider looking into the Universal Express if you want to ride many rides in 1 day!
Endless Summer Dock Side Resort is a wonderful resort that is affordable and convenient
Totally agree!
@The Parl Prodigu can you do one how universal studios meal vochers work when you book a package deal like quick servce dining?
When it comes to theme park dining, i cant believe nobody talks about how good the Confisco Grille is. Yes, it's not quite as good as Mythos but its stil real good. The Pad Thai is a lovely dish. My favoruite restaurant meal at universal by far.
Great tip!!
Haven’t personally been to these hotels, but a lot to people seem to recommend Red Lion and the Rosen Inn International as off site hotels. Red Lion has an 18 dollar resort fee per day, Rosen Inn does not, and also has free parking. They are what you expect, a place to sleep and not amazing quality but not terrible, you get what you pay for
Thats good to know!
Great video! Planning an October trip! Really excited! Can use all the tips I can!
Glad it was helpful!
We are coming from the UK in July with kids aged 18, 21, 21. We have up to a week in the Orlando area - would you suggest we stick with Universal and do 3 days there? and forget Disney? We did Universal in LA in 2016 - with a 1 day vip pass and had a brilliant time
Hi Emma, thanks so much for checking out our video! I would say one day at both Disney and Universal can be tough so it might not be a bad idea to focus entirely on one of them.
Was there jully last year expresstickets saved so much time
Glad to hear this!!
Can you visit othered resort that you’re not staying at. For example if I’m staying at Dockside can I visit Cabana Bay for their pool?
So both Endless Summer Resorts are the only two resorts which don't allow pool hopping to the other hotel pools. Thank you so much for checking out our video and I hope this helps!
Universal Hotels charge for parking which adds quite a bit.
yes, its about $18 per night
What do you do with your universal cups when you go on a ride?
You will have to put them into a locker
I think this list has.... a few problems at best. 1st I stayed off site on my trip last summer and we were perfectly fine with times and never had to worry about being to early or too late. 2nd. YOU NEED THE EXPRESS PASS, it is a living hell hole in a middle of a swamp if you don't. If you are going to be at the parks for 1-3 days it is very necessary. The lines take forever even with the express pass. I understand it is more pricey, but I would rather spend $2,000 and enjoy your time, over a wasted $1,000 where you wait in line for 3-5 rides max. and then realize the parks are closing. That is at least my experience on that. I went in mid to late June and had a great time at both of Disney's and Universal's Orlando resorts. Maybe you don't need the express pass if your going in a less popular time, but I was going with my whole extended family, so the summer was the only time that worked.
Anyway, those are my thoughts on the 1st and 2nd tips. I feel that the rest of the tips are pretty good.
Thanks so much for checking out our video!! I feel you, and do see the value in the express pass if you can afford and want to get on every ride however we just want to make sure guests don't feel pressured as we do help families all the time get a ton out of their trip without it! Is it more convenient, no shot, but is it possible yes.
Hi, i have a question about the one night stay, two day useage of the express pass.
If the express pass is actually your room key, how can you use it after checking out in the morning?
Yes you can use it on check in and check out days
@@TheParkProdigy awesome, thanks for the reply
Between June and August 2024, would you advise overseas tourists (family) to visit Universal Orlando or Disney World?
If you can do both, both! But Disney World has more parks to experience if you have a longer stay
@@TheParkProdigy thanks 🙏
I know that this was posted a few months ago but the Velocicoaster is now express pass eligible. Also I completely agree that universal is soooo much more enjoyable than Disney. Honestly to me Disney sucks now compared to universal. The restaurants are better and honestly more aligned with normal prices than Disney is. I don’t care what people say City walk is better than Disney springs. Or whatever it’s called now.
Yes, Velocicoaster is now included with express which is awesome
When doing delivery of purchases do you need to be staying on property for more than 1 day? That is what I heard.
No if u go to the universal app u can order to ur home no need to go if u don't want to or can't.
It can take a few days for stuff to get to your hotel. My stuff was there the next day. Make sure that you know how many bags they put your things in; they initially did not give me one of my bags.
Yes, there are certain restrictions specifically around when your check out day is. Thank you so much for checking out our video!
Refillable Cup? Yes! Photo package? NO!!! Think about it -- how many photos do you REALLY need? And, you're going to be taking lots of photos with your phone. Also, there is a 30-minute delay between refills. There was a problem with one of the machines and we got a bad refill of Coke. Probably low syrup or bad calibration. Anyway, the machine and the skinflints at Universal don't care, and they have a 30-minute delay between refills, even if you got a bad drink. I told a clueless girl at the restaurant counter about it, but all she could say was, "Ummmm, I don't know anything about that machine. There's a guy who works on it?" We gave up and moved on. Most of the other machines seemed to be working well.
Thank you so much for checking out our video!!
Not a bad list
Thanks so much for checking it out!
Premium motels I’ll get you two days of Express passes.. The cups in a park a cost you five dollars each day.. The Disney world they can take your pictures with you phone to.
Thanks so much for checking out our video Chris!!
I find the comment about food being better at Disney odd. Universal offers better food for snack and quick service vs Disney. I'm a passholder to both. Problem is people sometimes just go to the worst quick service at Universal because they are scared to try places like green eggs and ham, crepe place, etc.
Great point!
Big thing. Do not take family that expects you to be their tour guide the whole time. I made that mistake my first go. Trip was a disaster.
Photo pass, is a no. Not worth it and they will take the photo with your phone. And the food is better at universal. But yes get the cup, we got two and filled the one on the rest of the days with water and used the other for drinks.
👍
I completely disagree with you about the food at Disney being better than at Universal!
Thank you for watching and what are some of your favorite restaurants I would love to check them out!!
@@TheParkProdigy we really enjoyed thunder falls and the Central Park crepes
Dockside beds suck
Sorry to hear this!