People visiting Orlando for a Disney World trip might want to also spend some time at Universal.
Today, I have some information on Universal and my tips on adding it to your Disney World trip.
I also have a quick tip about how to easily rent a car to use for the day when staying at an on-site Disney resort.
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These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.
In this article
Link to recent post mentioned in this episode
Disney World park ticket comparison chart
About Universal
Universal is made up of 2 parks (Islands of Adventure and Universal), a shopping area (CityWalk) and 3 on-site resorts (soon to be 4).
People who stay in 1 of the 3 on-site resorts get special perks:
- Unlimited Express Passes
- On-site transportation
- Early admission to Wizarding World of Harry Potter (located at Islands of Adventure)
- Priority seating at restaurants
- Room charge and package delivery privileges
Express Passes work kind of like FastPasses in that they allow you to enter a separate line. However, you get to enter the line immediately (as opposed to coming back during a 1 hour time frame) and there's no limit to how many you can have in 1 day. Off-site guests can pay to purchase the Express Passes. (Note: although most attractions offer Express Passes, Wizarding World of Harry Potter doesn't.)
To add Universal to a Disney World trip, I suggest spending 2 days there before your time at Disney World. We got through each park in just 1/2 day so ambitious people might be able to do both in the same day.
I don't suggest people with little kids or issues with motion sickness visit Universal because there aren't enough attractions for each to enjoy.
You can purchase tickets that include transportation from Disney World if you'd like.
You can review my post about Universal for more info, including touring plans to use in each park.
Quick tip of the day
You can rent a car when staying at an on-site Disney World resort which can be helpful when spending some time at places outside of Disney World (like Universal, the beach, etc.).
Alamo and National have offices at the on-site Disney World Car Care Center. They will send a shuttle to your Disney World resort to take you to get your car. The number for the Car Care Center is 407-824-3470.
Be sure to check out the rental car info on Mousesavers.com for more info on renting a car, including ways to find the best deals.
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Will you be adding Universal to your trip? Or do you have questions?
Please feel free to share them in the comments.
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19 Comments on "Adding time at Universal to a Disney World trip – PREP026"
Great Disney tips! My family and I are looking to vacation at Disney World, but hear it’s a little difficult to navigate through their commuter system. Thanks for help making the whole travel process a little easier!
We are trying to decide if we should stay on site with the benefits at Universal or just stay at Disney and rent a car. Can you give me any insight on this. We are going to be at Universal the last weekend in September. At that time of year do we need the extra hour at Harry Potter and the Express Pass? Also, should we attend the Halloween Party? and is it worth the extra money? Thanks for your help. So enjoy your website.
I am so excited to see that Dreams Unlimited offers a combo ticket/transportation to Universal from Disney area hotels. I’m wondering if anyone has tried this? In the past we’ve hired a town car which took us straight to Universal. I’m worried that the transportation that comes with the ticket might be a shuttle that makes a lot of stops or takes a lot of time. Any information on this would be very appreciated. We are going to Disney at the end of January and making a one day trip to Universal!
Hello!
The site doesn’t specify where the transportation is from the Disney hotels to Universal, do you know? Or have more information on that?
We just returned from a trip in which we spent 5 days at WDW and one day at Islands of Adventure. We all really enjoyed the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (the main reason why we went to IOA). It was definitely worth the day spent there. The kids also enjoyed the giant roller coasters in the marvel area. We didn’t have long waits for anything at this time of year on a weekday, so the express pass wasn’t needed.
Great podcast! Just one note: Cabana Bay WILL have early entry to WWoHP. A handful of offsite hotels have early entry as well, although there’s speculation that that will be done away with when Cabana Bay opens. And I agree with a previous commentator– Disney first, then Universal! To go from waiting in virtually no lines to waiting in a bunch can be tough!
I went to Universal in the early 90’s…seems like the rides have changed a lot! Thanks for the post. I was wondering if it is somewhere I should take my 7 yo. Seems like we can wait a few more years to take her! More time at WDW then!!!
Thanks for the suggestions, Julius. She was not a huge fan of Mt. Everest or Tower of Terror, so I know she is not ready for other coasters yet. I think we will wait a few more years.
I really struggled with WHERE to put US/IOA during my trip to WDW this summer. I have done the US/IOA both before and after a WDW trip. I prefer the after segment for US/IOA b/c I think having been so scheduled with FP plus times etc. it will be nice to have front of the line at the end of the trip and honestly I get so sad when my Disney vacation is over, it will be nice to have US IOA to head over to!
Great podcast, Shannon!
A note to first-timers: while you need to pay for Express Passes, there are a ton of rides (including the Harry Potter ride) that have single rider lines, which can significantly reduce your wait time. You often end up riding with your companions anyways, so you do not always end up riding alone.
Great tip that I forgot to mention! Thank you.
And of course, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey doesn’t have an Express Pass line at all; neither does Olivander’s. I’m not sure if the new HP rides at Universal will use Express Pass or not.
Well, there’s certainly enough to do at Disney World for the week but your kids are at good ages to do Universal. Are they really excited to visit Universal and do they like thrillers? If so, I say do 1 day and try to fit in as much as Universal as you can.
My wife and I did 2 days at Universal in September after a week at WDW, and it was dead. We did multiple turns at Rip Ride Rockit, The Simpsons, Despicable Me, Transformers, Dragon Challenge, HP and the FJ, Spiderman, and others while still squeezing in a meal at the Hog’s Head.
If you go at an off-time, it’s less busy, but with the new HP land opening, it might be busier for a bit.