[BuzzLightyear]

Just wondering if anyone would like to share their expierences, tips, etc... on doing Universal for a day or two then heading up to stay at WDW for a week or so.

Our DS would really be into a few things at Universal, but we really have no idea how we'd go about getting started.

Thanks!

[Dana]

Buzz -
I have tinkered around on their website before and it really doesn't look any harder to book then WDW. I think their hotels are pretty steep though and suggest you maybe grab a WDW resort and just take day trips there or stay at a nearby hotel. Definately start your trip with Universal and end it with WDW. My DD and I are doing SW this trip and are doing it half way through our trip to just take a WDW break. WE could have easily just placed that day trip in the beginning. If you do decide to stay on-site at their place, you do have the option of getting towncar service to take you to there from the airport just like at WDW. I am sure there are also shuttles too. Go check out their website and tinker with it. It's quite easy to navigate.

[mickeymotto]

We were just at Universal in November and stayed on site at Royal Pacific. Prices were a bit steep, but if you can get a deal on the room definitely stay on site. The Express pass (Universal's version of Fast Pass) is worth the stay!!! I almost felt guilty going to the front of the line EVERY TIME!!! That perk is definitely worth the stay! Also, it was so nice to go back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon. We took the water taxi, which only took about 10 minutes to get back to the room! It was great! If you can swing it...splurge!

[Pooh Fan]

We always spend a few days at Universal on our trips. You can either book online or call. I usually go online and check out their prices then call. IF they quote me a higher price then I ask for the price I was quoted online, but most of the time the price I got from calling was cheaper. If you are going when it is busy, I would definitely stay onsite! It is worth it. We went during President's Week on our last trip, and never waited for more than ten minutes even wehn the other lines were long. As for whether or not you stay there at the beginning or end of your trip depends on you. Since we stay in a value at Disney because we like the theming, I like to go to Universal at the end of my trip. This way, we are in a bigger room. The other reason I like to go to Universal last is that there is not as much to do, and with the front of the line privelege it does not take as long. This allows us to go at a much slower pace so that we are not as worn out. For us (park commandos at Disney), it is relaxing. I almost feel refreshed by the time I leave for the airport to go home.

[PhilliesFan]

I agree, stay on site. We stayed at the Hard Rock and loved it. It's very easy to walk to both parks plus City Walk. The express pass is worth the money of staying on site, and is far better than Disney's fast pass. I recommend that you do US last, so you can relax the fast past system (no lines)! When we booked our US trip last year, I was quoted a different price when I called them directly, which was higher then their posted on line price. I would shop around for Universal. We actually booked on-line through an agency, and received a much cheaper price.

[ddoll]

We always end our trip with a stay at Uni now. When we took trips with all our kids, we used to stay in rental homes and go to Uni for a few days in the middle of the trip. Now that only youngest DS travels with us, we stay in the resorts. Once you've tasted those FOL priveleges, you never want to go back!!

As for touring the Uni parks, it's really no different than doing Disney. Look through the websites, ask some questions, and decide which things are really important for you to see/do and which ones you can skip or do last. With the FOL, you'll get to do most everything anyhow.

I'd suggest starting to your right in IOA with Seussland if you have kids and then work your way around counter clock-wise.

As for USF, get into Shrek right away, as even the FP line gets longer as the day goes on. It's the first thing you see when you go in. Jimmy Neutron will be across the street and it's very good too.
Again, if you have kids, you'll probably want to head over to the kids area which will be to the right and down the street a bit.

But, just as in WDW, remember to stop and look around. There's lots of amazing touches everywhere you look. There are movie stars walking around as well as characters from some of your favorite movies. Also, be sure to try the trick photography areas. They're fun to see when you get your pictures developed.