Don't Ruin the Magic: Separate Disney and Universal Vacations
"Universal and Disney are close...right?"
"Let's go to Disney for a week and then a day at Universal!"
These are common phrases I hear when I start planning vacations to Walt Disney World. Many clients want to visit both destinations within the same trip since they are “already in Orlando” and I'm here to tell you three reasons why you need to separate these vacations!
1. They aren't THAT close. It is 35-40 minutes from your Disney Resort to Universal's City Walk. From City Walk you can walk to Universal's Islands of Adventure AND Universal Studios park, which is great! But...you need to get there right at park opening to maximize your 'one day at Universal.'
2. You get different perks at each resort. When you stay onsite at Universal Orlando, you get early entry into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter....and when you stay onsite at Walt Disney World...you get early entry into every theme park every day! These are huge perks that can really set you up for a great day. At Universal, you will want to go straight to Hagrid's Magical Motorbike Adventure, and you need to be in the park as early you can to avoid a long line (trust me on this...). You can no longer access early entry to The with a one-day ticket only.
- Plus, when you stay onsite at Walt Disney World, you can purchase individual lightening lanes for the most popular attractions at 7am! If you stay off property, you have to wait until park open.
- When you stay at the top Universal Orlando Resorts, Universal Express Pass Unlimited is INCLUDED in your vacation cost!! Adding this onto your 1 or 2-day ticket can easily double. the price of your ticket!
3. THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO. I'll say it again. THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO! I know, you used to think Universal Orlando was just some Harry Potter stuff and a few roller coasters. Let me tell you - I DID THIS. I did "Let's go to Disney for a week and then one day at Universal"....and it was rough. I was beyond exhausted at the end of my Universal day, and I didn't even bring my kids (I was there to research as many rides as I could, just for you!). We had the express pass so we hardly waited in any lines, but still - think about all the walking! I felt like we went from one attraction to the next and I really would have enjoyed 1 or 2 extra days to really experience it all. In the future, I will definitely travel to Universal Orlando separately from Walt Disney World!