Originally Posted By RoadTrip Just got back yesterday from our Disney Cruise and two days in Orlando. We are already planning next September's visit to WDW. We plan to spend a week at Saratoga Springs... great for it's convenient access to Downtown Disney and I-4, where Universal Orlando is just 20 minutes away! We can get Annual Passes to Universal for $164.99 compared to $342.93 for a seven-day WDW hopper. Sorry Disney, but you just aren't worth over TWICE as much. I'm not down on the Disney parks... just their prices when there are great parks close by for half the price. I've visited WDW 25 times over the past 15 years and will be visiting Disneyland next spring... I just don't have a huge desire to visit the WDW parks next year. But I will enjoy (as usual) the outstanding DVC accommodations and will be able to hop over to Downtown Disney at night for a little Disney Magic... which in my case will come in the form of a House of Blues Margarita on the Voodoo Garden patio!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip ^^^ Oops... my bad. Just noticed that price was for Florida residents. No problem... I can buy a 14-day Unlimited 3-Park pass (includes Wet & Wild) for $174.99 which suits me just fine. Still about half the cost of a WDW 7-day hopper.
Originally Posted By danyoung Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, especially if you've over-visited WDW recently. I've done Universal enough to know that I'm just not wild about it. Haven't done the Potter thing yet, so maybe someday . . .
Originally Posted By vbdad55 We can get Annual Passes to Universal for $164.99 compared to $342.93 for a seven-day WDW hopper. Sorry Disney, but you just aren't worth over TWICE as much. I'm not down on the Disney parks... just their prices when there are great parks close by for half the price remember Jer-- you can also get an AP as DVC member for approx 2x the Univ cost- -- for twice the parks-- just sayin'
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I believe my last AP was $335 ( after the $100 break... none one can argue why don't they sell a pass for 2 parks only... surely an option some bean counter has looked at, an maybe they should-- but the cost per park still basically the same.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I checked... current rate for a DVC Annual pass is $446.24. Going to Disneyland in the spring should take care of my Disney fix... especially with the new DCA. Ann really liked Universal so that of course has something to do with my decision. Also, the money does make a difference now that I'm retired. We will probably take a few days away from any park to just hang out at our resort and swim or whatever... maybe I should look into just getting a 4-day hopper. It would be nice if I could get used to taking just one vacation a year, but I can't! LOL Besides our recent Disney Cruise we had a week at WDW last January, a trip to Dallas in July, a trip to Minnesota in September, and are planning a trip to Vegas next February and Disneyland in the spring. When I travel so much I have to try and keep the expense down now that I'm retired. Besides... we both REALLY enjoyed Universal. The only park I will truly miss is Epcot.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros If you're planning on DLR in the spring, I'm not sure I would count on all of the 'new' DCA to be ready. The construction schedules for the other makeover projects have all been coming in late. Carsland has been under construction for years now, so hopefully that won't have too many delays, but it seems like Buena Vista Street may not open until August, given their track record. : (
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "Ann really liked Universal so that of course has something to do with my decision" certainly nothing wrong with that.. just remember--"you only take into the cave that which you already have with you"
Originally Posted By RoadTrip So much of my enjoyment of WDW came from shared memories with Rose of the many trips we'd made there over the years. WDW just doesn't feel the same with Ann... the history isn't there. I want to make new memories with Ann... I never went on a cruise or to Islands of Adventure with Rose... those are places where my only memories are of being there with Ann.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "So much of my enjoyment of WDW came from shared memories with Rose of the many trips we'd made there over the years. WDW just doesn't feel the same with Ann... " makes my SW reference above actually relevant. This part I totally get....and you're right, I can understand why you'd want to do that and have a different set of cherished memories...enjoy RT !
