Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids

Check this post out at The Inaugural Dismarks carnival!

Who:   Adult Disney fans.  While Universal Orlando is no Disney World, Universal gets that adult fans have money.  From indicating that certain attractions are best for people over 13, to happy hour, to Citywalk, Universal really wants to keep their adult fans happy.

What: A Universal vacation.  I wouldn’t do anything less than two days there (as long as you’re paying for the on-site hotels, one night gets you two days Express Access).  I do Universal separate from Disney (although I did go to DTD one day on my last trip).

Where:  The Universal on-site hotels are not cheap.  I know that-the Hard Rock Hotel holds the record for the most expensive hotel room I’ve ever booked in my life.  And as such, I resisted going there.  However, I have to tell you Universal’s Express Access you get on-site is worth every penny.  You literally show your hotel ID,* walk into something akin to a Fastpass line, possibly wait a bit, and that’s it.  There’s gossip this may change for Harry Potter Land, but it’s still SO worth it.  I went 4th of July weekend in 2008, and did everything I wanted to do at both parks in one day (the 4th).  I’ve stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel (HRH) and the Royal Pacific Resort (RPR). I had gotten a good rate at the HRH owing to my membership in their All Access Club (think the Rainforest Cafe’s Safari Club for the Hard Rock Cafe).  However, the service at the Hard Rock was pretty bad.  You can walk to Universal Studios (you’re just a stone’s throw away), and Islands of Adventure easily from the Hard Rock.  While the RPR is a bit of a walk from Citywalk to either park, it’s a really pretty walk, you can see  part of IOA from it, and the service is awesome.

If the cost of a Universal hotel is off-putting to you, there are a few things you can try:  Expedia occasionally has deals on the on-site Universal hotels. Also, if you sign up for Universal’s e-mail list, you get codes sometimes.  There are AAA rates, as well as the aforementioned All Access club rates.  I also recommend signing up for the Lowes YouFirst program-while the discounts hav gone down considerably, you still get the occasional deal e-mail.

When:  I’ve been to Universal in the summer every time  Honestly, Universal or IOA on the 4th of July is empty compared to a Disney park, especially if you stay on-site.

Why: Because it may not be Disney, but it’s fun!

Next time-”where should you eat, or what do you mean, you can make a reservation that day?”

*Because of this, in my book a lanyard is a MUST at Universal.  I got one at the Mummy dump shop (I’d brought my Tinkerbell one with me, but it broke in line-talk about your metaphors) for about $4 that holds my room key, AAA card and credit card.

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Related posts:

1. Universal 101 for Adult Disney Fans: Part II
2. Universal 101 for Adult Disney Fans-Part III