Universal Studios Orlando

[HangOutdoors]

Trying to take the family down in December for 5 days. The prices are crazy. I had a package in my cart and then when I clicked checkout it told me my session timed out. Went back through the process and now the package is $1018 more, with economy resort and 4 day park passes. Now I am afraid that if I wait the prices will go up again or they will be all booked. What a scam.

 

[Yambers]

Spent THOUSANDS there a couple years ago for 1 day and 5 people. Dont wanna go back. Lol

 

[HangOutdoors]

Kids are both in High School, the Admiral wants to do as many of these types of things as possible and finish off her bucket list before they graduate. We are actually driving down, since airlines want just und $1000 for round trip ticket's each. $4k ???? Not going to be paying that. Cuts into my boat upgrade fund.

 

[Acard7]

I will always remember Disney world when my dad took us in 1999. I wasn’t quite 7 years old. I told my wife we will do it when our kids are around 10 and under. The hotel/resort we stayed in had a nintendo 64 and speakers on the wall. The stunt shows, rides, etc were great back then, can’t imagine how much better it is now! My favorite ride was the Men In Black one, I bet they no longer have it ?? such simpler days back then, lol. Buy the tickets, go on the cruise, take the trip; just sucks you’ll have to deal with COVID precautions, but what’s new!

 

[mwalker4]

@Acard7 you are a bit younger than my son and daughter, we have always loved men in black. We would use the single rider line to ride over and over. We were there 3 years ago with my kids spouses and still loved it. @HangOutdoors we would always take the kids out of school for a few days in January. Much cheaper and better experience. Not sure how Covid economics impacts that decision. People have too much money and time.

 

[Miitch]

Funny you bring this up.. I have just planned a vacation for the lady friend and I... Originally, i was looking at Universal studios. I have heard great things about it from friends that have gone, and was aware of the price they paid. I was NOT aware of how steep the COVID markup was going to be. We were planning on going for 5 days. After flights, park passes, AirBNB, Car, we were already close to $6000. Factor in the conversion from metric dollars to imperial dollars, and it was not looking pretty....

We were able to book a 5* all inclusive in Punta Cana for 7 days and $2000 less. Seemed like a no brainer. Two extra days, less $$$ and no driving/buying food responsibility.

 

[Liveto99]

Look into buying 1 season pass. You get parking and other benefits then looking at staying just a little off property with the parking you will be able to park really close.
if they like roller coasters Hershey is awesome. Way more family friendly, also worth buy one season pass.

 

[tabbibus]

I'm going to disney in September. Got great deal because I booked it a while back. The closer it gets the crazier prices go

 

[HangOutdoors]

We are going to drive it and stay 6 days, 5 nights. $3k for Park to Park and staying one of the resorts on the Property will be there through New Years Eve. 4 people. Not bad, not great. The park tickets $2100 of it.

For comparison, Cedar Pointe next week, 6 people, 1 night is $1029

 

[HangOutdoors]

We are going to run over to Disney One day so I can ride and experience Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. Been wanting to do that since they opened it.

Been to Disney once, loved everything about it. Never been to Universal Studio's.

Definitely want to go back to Disney for a week again when scheduling permits. Would really like to take the boat and do 2 weeks down there, 1 week of boating then Disney. I got laughed at.

we would always take the kids out of school for a few days in January.

I tried that, but she won't take the kids out of school for any amount of time for a vacation. It is her thing.

 

[tabbibus]

We are going to run over to Disney One day so I can ride and experience Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. Been wanting to do that since they opened it.

Been to Disney once, loved everything about it. Never been to Universal Studio's.

Definitely want to go back to Disney for a week again when scheduling permits. Would really like to take the boat and do 2 weeks down there, 1 week of boating then Disney. I got laughed at.



I tried that, but she won't take the kids out of school for any amount of time for a vacation. It is her thing.

lol

I love universal as well! Good stuff everywhere. I'm never going to grow out of the disney/universal phase. haha

 

[Yambers]

If you end up going to Universal, make sure you get one of the $100 Harry Potter wands. I ended up buying 3 for the kids. Now they sit in a box, under beds, or lost. Only work in the park. haha

 

[WiskyDan]

Was at Epcot last summer, earlier this summer, and Universal in June. I’m a big Harry Potter fan so we did the park hopper pass so we could experience all of that stuff. I still think the original Harry Potter ride that’s inside of Hogwarts Castle is the best ride ever but the Escape from Gringotts ride was pretty good.

 

[mwalker4]

I love New Years Eve at Universal City Walk. Done that 3 times. $100+ per person all you can eat and drink at multiple clubs. Best New Years eves I've had. Over 21 only of course.

 

[Neutron]

My oldest daughter, son in law, and 2 grandkids just came back Saturday from Orlando. both vaccinated and all 4 got Covid bad. They wore masks and tried to be careful but got it anyway.
I would stay away until this thing gets better.
The 3 and 6 year old only got runny noses but the 2 adults are definitely suffering

 

[tabbibus]

My oldest daughter, son in law, and 2 grandkids just came back Saturday from Orlando. both vaccinated and all 4 got Covid bad. They wore masks and tried to be careful but got it anyway.
I would stay away until this thing gets better.
The 3 and 6 year old only got runny noses but the 2 adults are definitely suffering

Oh man I hear you. We've moved this disney trip 3 times already. I hope by End of september delta has burned through Florida.

 

[HangOutdoors]

We were scheduled to go last August, cancelled that and moved to last February, Cancelled that, then to May and cancelled that.

 

[dbfl]

Also consider: Orlando Informer Meetup at Universal Orlando Resort | November and December 2021

...if you don't mind going at night. Nice deal and includes all-you-can-eat food and virtually no lines on most rides. Includes both parks and recently they started doing multi-day events. We've been to three of the meetups and just kind of burned out on Universal. Disney has something similar (Disney After Dark), though it includes just a few things to eat and isn't itself a social event nearly as much. That was fun too.

If you stay at the right Universal property, they include an Express Pass - nice for when going in at 5pm before the meetup officially starts.

FL residents get a little discount on the regular passes, etc. Still very expensive. We find plenty of other less-costly things to do. You can spend so much at those parks once in the gate! EPCOT comes to mind with the tasty Chilean margaritas next to the Mexican pavilion. I replicated the recipe and now we make 'em at home.

 

[HangOutdoors]

@dbfl Yeah Epcot took a chunk out of me and my wallet, was awesome though. There is a German Restuarant there that I was introduced to Schöfferhofer (schofferhofer.us) , Ever since then it has been a go to drink for me when I want something refreshing and want to relax.

 

[dbfl]

When in the area, try German Restaurant | Hollerbach's Willow Tree Cafe | Sanford,FL in Sanford (north of Orlando). They also have a grocery and gift store of sorts with traditional clothing. Regular customer there. It's the most authentic and very good in its own right... German food I've had in the US, e.g. compared to several places in Berlin (where the breweries still run their own restaurants!).

Now if the town of Sanford would just construct some public day docks on Lake Monroe... (so close to downtown Sanford and $25 to rent a slip for a day from the private marinas).