Disclosure: My family was provided with a discounted package price as part of the Family Forward conference with Mom It Forward. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions, as always, are my own. #FamilyForward
As someone who visits Disney World at least once a year sometimes twice, there were several things we enjoyed more at Universal Orlando. I was happily shocked!
- We loved their Unlimited Express Pass, which allowed us to enter a shorter line for almost all the rides (not Harry Potter ones) as many times as we wanted at any time we wanted to. Plus the Unlimited Express Pass is complimentary when staying onsite at a deluxe hotel (see my review of the Loews Royal Pacific Resort)
- We loved the close proximity of the hotels and parks. Everything was walk-able or a short boat ride away.
- Hogswarts Express is a ride that takes you from Universal Studios to Islands of Adventure or vice versa. So you can hit both parks but never feel like you are actually leaving the parks. I cannot tell you how much I loved that the parks were so close together they literally touched.
- So many character opportunities and each park offered unique characters. Unlike at Disney World where each park has Mickey and Minnie, the princesses are in multiple parks, etc. at Universal Orlando there is not the overlap of characters. The only exception to this is character meals.
Things That I Wished Universal Orlando Would Add
- More rides aimed for young children
- More variety of rides; many of Universal Orlando rides are either roller coasters, 3D or simulation or a combination. In fact The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman and Transformers: The Ride sequence is almost exactly the same!
If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando you may enjoy my tips.
