It is no secret that Walt Disney World is my go-to vacation spot, so I was very curious to see how Universal would measure up. I know people love Universal and I book clients there all the time, but I hadn’t been there in many years and was excited to see what the hype was all about.

Let me tell you – Universal is awesome – and remember this is coming from your number one Disney fan. It truly exceeded all of my expectations and I am bursting with so much information I almost didn’t know where to start this article. Instead of describing every nook and cranny of the parks and property I’m going to give a general overview. If you’re feeling inspired it might be time to take a trip of your own!

Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay are a short 30 minutes away from WDW. Many clients use Universal as an add-on to an already scheduled Disney vacation, but a vacation purely dedicated to Universal will be just as amazing. Universal is more compact than Disney and often described as a college campus because of the proximity of the resorts to the parks and CityWalk.

Universal is definitely a sensory overload and you will be dazzled by the sights and sounds from the moment you step onto property. From the various themed resorts, CityWalk, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, or Seuss Landing, there is something for everyone. I would recommend a Universal vacation for families who enjoy thrill rides, simulated rides, and have children who meet the height requirements and are brave enough to endure the rides.

Something to take into consideration when planning your schedule at Universal is the fact that Universal Studios has 80% of the rides indoors, and Islands of Adventures has 80% of the attractions outdoors. This setup is important to keep in mind as you plan your day because typical Florida afternoon thunderstorms will likely close outdoor attractions.

Don’t want to wait in lines? Then the unlimited express pass is for you. This will allow you to maximize your time in the parks and ride as many attractions as possible. There are hotels for every price point, but staying at the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort includes the unlimited express pass with your reservation. You can still purchase the unlimited express pass even if you stay at any of the other resorts on property or are buying tickets separately.

I love the deluxe resorts and wanted to try out the Portofino, which was perfect for someone who loves the action at the park, but needs downtime at a quiet resort. Clients who are looking for a bit more action at their resort should check out Hard Rock next door. Both Portofino and Hard Rock have ferry boat service, or you can walk along a beautiful path next to the river. Depending on how fast you walk, you can make it from the Portofino to Universal Studios in 10-15 minutes.

Loews Royal Pacific Resort is the third deluxe accommodation that will include the unlimited express pass in your stay, but the pool does not have a slide. Sometimes this can be a determining factor for families with kids who love pool time as part of their stay. Although the beach vibe at Royal Pacific is super cute and many clients love staying here even in the absence of a slide.

The other resorts on property are very well themed and can accommodate many price points for all families. They all have pools and bus service to the parks, making staying on property a super convenient option. The benefit to staying on property is early morning access for whichever park is opening at 8am that day, when regular guests are not allowed in until 9am. If you’re purchasing tickets only through your trusty travel agent (aka me) you will also get that early morning access – score!

If you’re pushing the limits on the amount of Disney World vacations I highly recommend Universal being next on your list to try out!

by Ellen Volpe – Co-Owner of ET Family Travel