Disney and universal Florida. How to do both..

We were at Disney from the 13th - 18th last week. We love it there. Our kids are 14 and 10 and the prior year our then 9 year old would not ride all the rides at Disney. This year he rode them all and LOVED them all. We find the parks and FW magical. I just booked FW last night for 8 nights for next years spring break trip.

We plan to do Universal but more than likely 2 years or so out. Our 10 year old son is not as willing to try thrill rides as his older sister was at his age so I want to make sure that if I am going to drop $1200+ on 4 adults for 1 day at Universal we can ride 95% of the rides, if not 100%. Enjoy it. Kids grow up fast and one day they will tire of going so we will keep going until they want to do something different.

lawrosa wrote:
Im heading to Florida in June. Im looking to make reservations at ft wilderness. Im doing like a 2 park pass there and am trying to get universal for two days also.

I dont see anyone that offers a package deal online.

Do I need to buy tickets separate for universal studios?

Anyone know if they do package deals on line with universal and Disney?

Thanks in advance..

Do you HAVE reservations now? FW can possibly be filled this late in time.

I think You should do it. That 16 years old, is getting to the point where they often don't want to go with the parents so much.

Yes it will be hot and crowed, kids will still have a great time. Don't let some old grumps like me scare you off. ( we have been 4 times in the last 25 years, we are just kind of done with it) Kids always loved it though

If you are there three days, maybe just do 2 days at the parks, and spend one day hanging around swimming etc. Just a thought

The kids I guess when asked will be ok with disney..

I myself know how hot it will be and crowded. My plan as I said was do the whole trip in 2 weeks or so.

NJ to florida with one overnight at Wallyworld. Hit disney for 3 days, then take the rest of the time and mosey on home.

I was just going to wing it on the way home and follow park adviser app. Looking for no hook up state parks and such.

I have 280 watts solar and an inverter.. Gen for back up..

Cruise through east coast GA on way home, hit smokeys, maybe nashville, ect etc..

Maybe we shouldnt even go to disney as it may just be a we were there thing..

In reality with a 2 week time limit, staying somewhere each for one day, we technically only would have 6 stops somewhere.

Not too familiar with Universal, hadn't been in years but the rides are a bit more extreme, so trill riders will like it better and then tamer Disney rides (although they are good). With Disney, you will get more bang for the buck as you add days to your visit. And you cannot do all of Disney in a couple days, so don't try it unless you can go 20 hours a day. Both parks are $$$ and packed.

We do Sea World, Busch Gardens and Aquatica (water park) for a year for under $250 and that includes food discounts and free parking. Different types of parks, but way less crowds, better food and much cheaper.

winnietrey wrote:
....

But I would say this, in June, you are going to be looking at extreme crowds. So unless you get to the parks very early, you are looking at extremely long lines. Like 90 minutes and way plus for the good stuff.

The Disney fast pass allows you to beat those lines. If you know how to use it, and you are good at scheduling. ( lets say you want to go on space mountain, for instance, and you don't want to wait 2 hrs. ) You can use a fast pass, wait would only be say 15 min. But you have to log on to their system, look for space mountain, times available for 4 people. Only time available, maybe say 7pm. Just did not work for us
.........

Definitely agree with this. Be there when the gates open and head to the most popular rides because the wait times go up rapidly. And the lines begin to decrease late afternoon/evening. An early morning and late day with a mid day rest can be a good idea.

You are only allowed a certain number of fast passes, and those can go fast. By early afternoon they can be completely gone. Get the Disney app on your phone and use it to see what fast passes are available for the rides you want and what times may be available. Read up on the fast pass rules before you go so that you can maximize their use. You can also use the app to see wait times for all the rides.

I was just in Orland at Fort Wilderness 2 weeks ago.
My thought is Universal has more rides for adults and older kids.
If you are interested in doing rides you will need a fast pass at either park.
Without the fast pass the wait will be excessive.
Fast past patrons (those who paid the extra $$) will continually be placed in line front of you making your wait even longer.
I did not understand the reality of the fast pass phenomenon until recently visiting the park. If you are there for the rides the fast pass is required in my book.....it's only money.LOL
Without the pass every line will be an hour plus wait. You will never get to do the entire park at that rate. You will run out of time.
Luckily I am past the ride phase of my life, however I can see how the Fast Pass has changed the game and is really a 2nd ticket/payment required to enjoy the rides at the park!
Without the pass your experience will be less enjoyable due to the long wait.
times.

I would spend most of the time for Disney, at least 1 day each for Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom. I would skip Epcot & add 1 day at Universal. We got 2 days for the price of 1 online & did not pay extra for fast pass there. I would not pay an extra 80 each! We did not experience very long lines, but it was March. Enjoy!

One last thought, you can Google WDW crowd predictor, it will give you an idea of what crowds will be for your dates

lawrosa wrote:
OMG im so confused now...:S

Kids are 16 and 9..

Dont they have rides at disney magic kingdom?

Yes both do, Universal though has Harry Potter, Spiderman, and others that are 3-D. Both parks are good.

But I would say this, in June, you are going to be looking at extreme crowds. So unless you get to the parks very early, you are looking at extremely long lines. Like 90 minutes and way plus for the good stuff.

The Disney fast pass allows you to beat those lines. If you know how to use it, and you are good at scheduling. ( lets say you want to go on space mountain, for instance, and you don't want to wait 2 hrs. ) You can use a fast pass, wait would only be say 15 min. But you have to log on to their system, look for space mountain, times available for 4 people. Only time available, maybe say 7pm. Just did not work for us

Universal on the other hand you give them an extra 80 bucks per, and you go when you want, no scheduling.

I think personally the rides for a 9 year old and especially a 16 year old, will be more appealing to them at universal than at Disney.

Another thing, these new roller coasters, are not your father's roller coasters, no way you are getting me on them. But at 9 and 16 they will think they are great. And they can get on and off quickly and you don't have to wait for two hours for them.

The 3-d rides I had no problem going on, and we did them together. The roller coasters no way I was doing them.