(Closed) Honeymoon- Disney or universal studios?

• MrsWhitneyC2015
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: September 2015

Fiance and I have decided on Universal.  We’re going to Orlando for a week, and we’re getting the Orlando Flex Pass.  So it’s good for Universal, Islands of Adventure, Wet n Wild, Aquatica, and Seaworld.  We’re probably doing the Busch Gardens add on too.  That way there will be lots to do.  

I love the idea of Disney, but I know a ton of people who have gone to Universal and LOVED it.  Including my aunt who is super jealous that there are like 3 new Harry Potter rides since she went.

• mrsnewlywed
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: April 2015

We were going to do both but ended up doing Disney and then a cruise. I think universal is 2-3 days and Disney can be a whole week. We only did 3 days at Disney this time- we love it! We did downtown Disney the day we arrived, then full day at magic kingdom and full day at Epcot. If I were to do it all over again, I would of just chosen Disney all week OR cruise all week. We were exhausted when we got home. Ideally, I would plans 6-7 days at Disney with 4 parks days ( we like going to all 4) and then resort/rest days too. 

have fun! We are planning a universal/Florida trip separately – or so we told ourselves when we cut universal from our trip. I can’t see how I’ll be in Florida and not include Disney. Plus, the bride ears and buttons and perks at Disney were fun too! 

• cmarie13
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: December 2015

We are doing Disney for a week! We are staying at a Disney resort because we love not having to worry about driving anywhere. If you want to go on a ton of roller coasters, you should probably do Universal because a lot Disney is more about shows. 

There are thrill rides at Disney, but I wouldnt say they are the majority. My Fiance and I do love drinking around the world in Epcot though…and the resturants are amazing. 

• FutureMrsBex
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: November 2014

I’d say do both if you have the time. I liked Universal only for the Harry Potter part (and I haven’t been since they opened the newest part)  I actually found the rest of Universal to be run down and geared for kids. Many of the rides are very outdated. I find Disney to be more “magical” as corny as that sounds. There are so many more adult oriented activities from fine dining restaurants to the Downtown Disney area. 

• futuremrsslp
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: May 2014

I would do both but spend more time at Disney. Universal is awesome and I would suggest going if you like big rides, but I don’t think you need to go for more than one or two days. Disney gives you the option of four different parks. Disney is more magical. Get the bride and groom ears and the “Happily Ever After” pins!

We went on a cruise and then to Disney for a few days during our honeymoon, so I may be a little biased towards Disney!

• Hannakm
• 5 years ago

SaugaBride:  

My Fiance and I go to florida about two to three times a year because thats where his family lives. We always go to universal when we are there, its our favorate place to go. The rides are much more geared towards adults, and the food is amazing. Every once in a while we’ll decide to try Disney AGAIN, and we are always dissapointed. Its like paying to wait in line because they don’t have the different fast pass options like universal does. It also primarily only has fast food and its the same everywhere you go in the parks. Universal actually has the top rated reastaraunt in a theme park in the world and it is AMAZING. City walk offers a lot to do as well. I would recommend doing Universal, and then maybe going to downtown Disney which is freee and it still gives a nostalgia feel. 

• Mandy0721
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: October 2016

SaugaBride:  I say neither… Discovery cove is the best place to go… It’s fun and can be very intimate and romantic… It is all inclusive therefore all you have to bring is your suit… It includes a light breakfast, all you can eat snacks like soft pretzels all you can drink alcohol Budweiser products and piña coladias, all you can eat lunch even includes salmon, snorkel gear to use and special fish safe sunblock… Then they give you a pass to go to aquatica for unlimited times for a 2wk period. I live in fl, have been to all the parks had the annual passes know magic kingdom like the back of my hand… It’s fun, but unles you have a pass to go a whole week you will not see every character or ride and that’s just magic kingdom…. If you have alot of money to spend I would suggest animal kingdom resort to stay… The more expensive rooms over look animals so you can sit on your balcony and see zebras and such snd their pool area is so nice with hot tubs in secluded areas 

• gemlwk
• 5 years ago

We go every year and I love both – I’d do 2 days at Universal and 4 at Disney. Disney has a great fast pass system. Universal’s HP is amazing. 

But please watch Blackfish and then avoid Seaworld. That place is cruel and needs closing down! 

• pearlrose
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: July 2015

I would personally go to Disney but spend a day at universal to see Harry potter.  I think Disney just has that more “magical” feeling that is hard to replicate.  Yes, Universal has a higher concentration of “thrill rides.”  But to me, Universal feels very similar to Busch Gardens or Six Flags.  I personally love eating at the restaurants and shopping in Epcot world showcase, and I love Animal Kingdom.  If you are trying to avoid kids, don’t go to Magic Kingdom at a peak time.  

• MelissainNC
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: June 2016

Universal by a landslide — Disney World is very much focused on children — you can go there after you have a few of your own.  Universal is much, much more fun for adults.  Universal has big roller coasters and other adult-size rides (in addition to stuff for kids, of course).  Disney has NO major roller coasters (Space Mountain does not count as a major roller coaster, especially not compared to the roller coasters at Universal.  Space Mountain is a roller coaster for kids as much as adults.)

The only exception I would say is EPCOT — it’s a very cool place for adults, but not so much kids.  

So I would spend the vast majority of my time at Universal, and maybe 1 day at EPCOT.

And, yea, I agree – stay away from Sea World.  I worked there in the 90s, and I enjoyed working there.  But knowing what I know today, I won’t be going back (depsite the fact that my parents are very good friends with one of the whale trainers!)

• yourhandinmine
• 5 years ago

SaugaBride:  I can help you on this, as I live right next to Disney and Universal and go multiple times a year! Obviously, I suggest both, if possible. The parks are so completely different from each other that comparing them is just not possible. Here is what to expect at both parks, as well as the environment. 

If you’re okay with being in a VERY large crowd, and very long line waits, and more of a ‘child magic’ feel, then Disney is for you. Disney is huge-it has four parks. However, you will have to pay for each individual park, at about $100 ticket per park. So if you want to attend all four parks, that’s $400 for one of you alone, not including food, drinks, etc. However, Disney IS magical, and the rides are very nostolgic. It does feel magical there (I’ve been going for years) and if you’re into the more tame, relaxed rides, then Disney is your choice.

Universal is the much more cheap option, because there are two parks (and I highly suggest going to both, especially if you want to go to Harry Potter world. Diagon ally is in one park, and Hogsmade in another, and if you want to ride the train, you need to buy passes for both parks). But, still, much more cheaper then Disney. If you want a more adult friendly environment, with more intense, complex, and a wider selection of rides, Universal is where you should go. 

Disney is great-but Disney, honestly, can just come across as very forced, money hungry, and very dissapointing at times. I have NEVER been dissapointed at Universal, and if Harry Potter is your thing, you will be in LOVE. So I suggest maybe choosing one or two parks for Disney (if one park, I obviously say Magic Kingdom-cut out epcot in the options because unless you’re drinking around the world-which is SO expensive-there’s nothing in epcot) and then spend the rest of the time at Universal. For the record, Universal can be done in two days, tops. 

Hope I can help some! 🙂

• yourhandinmine
• 5 years ago

MrsWhitneyC2015:  I HIGHLY suggest fitting B. Gardens, if you can! It is SUCH an underated park and has some really amazing rides!

• Lokie85
• 5 years ago

I have been to both parks each year sometimes twice a year since age 3 and I can honestly say that there is someting for everybody at both.  As an Adult  I enjoy Disney more and more with each visit.  I would avoid going in the summer as much as possible.  September-November and Feb-April (minus spring breaK) are the best times to go to avoid the crowds and long lines.  We do everything humanly possible to avoid going in the summer. Disney is my Favorite by far.  Although the disney resorts are nice, we like staying off the property becasue of the amenities that many resorts offer.  

Disney: Buy a park hopper pass and save the Magic Kingdom for and evening trip(OR two) to avoid the crowds with the young kids.  Epcot and Hollywood studios is more adult oriented.  Make all of your dining reservations before hand (3-6months) and I recommend Hollywood and Vine, The Crystal Palace Brunch, and Boma.  If you stay at a Disney resort You can take advantage of extra magic hours and that is the perfect time to visit The Magic Kingdom.  Also Book your tours In advance too( 3-6months more if traveling in the summer).  They have a behind the scenes tour that is awesome!

Universal: Much more like a typical theme park.  Same as above for the crowds.  Just go and enjoy!

Make sure to plan some rest days and do not try to do and see everything in one week.  I find new things to do at both places each time I go.  

• halfling
• 5 years ago

• Wedding: October 2015

SaugaBride:  That’s a tough one! I love Disney! But I’ve only been to Universal once when I was like 10 when it was pre-harry potter. So I’d pick Universal for that reason alone, I’ve looked it up because I’ve been re-watching Harry Potter and the park looks SOOO cool! I heard there is a lot to do. Is there anyway you can do Universal then do one of the DIsney parks? Like MGM/Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom? I’ve seen adults on character rides and in line to meet characters, so I really wouldn’t worry about that. There are still great more adult rides like Rock n Rollin Rollercoaster.

And I also 2nd Busch Gardens. I’ve never been to the Orlando one, but I heard it’s great. I really enjoy the one in VA.