Ok, I have cried wolf at least twice before for which I apologize but this time it’s really happening! I need to be in Kissimmee for work so suddenly my family is going to parlay this into a 4 night Epic and maybe VB trip from 8/22-26.
You guys are honestly so helpful and I appreciate any answers and advice.
I need to choose a hotel. I am leaning towards Cabana Bay since we will have more resort days than Epic days.
Epic is a crowd level 7 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday. Do you think that’s a noticeable difference?
Do you think it’s worth doing a weird split stay to get EPs? Which is the cheapest hotel I could do that at? Our focus is fully Berk and Nintendo. It’s TBD if DH and DS6 will join us in the park. It might just be me and DS9.
Any suggestions for things to do on a resort day (besides pool) with DS6 and DS9? I am hearing that CityWalk is underwhelming.
Citywalk is NOT like Disney Springs. Mostly lots of food options. But if you are willing to pay for things, there are two putt putt golf courses, a movie theatre, and an Escape room you could try if you are so inclined.
Cabana Bay, while never having been myself, does have the best pool area with the lazy river, and the 50s kitsch is a cool vibe. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the layout of the family suite there compared to the Endless Summer resorts. Apart from that (and the fact that Cabana is slightly more expensive), I would probably choose Cabana Bay since you plan more resort days. You can also walk to Citywalk from Cabana Bay. I think there is also a bowling alley there.
We like Toothsome as an event meal. We turn it into a multi-course meal by ordering one thing at a time and sharing. Favorite first course is the chocolate waffle. The ice cream itself is equal to the generic grocery store ice cream in the big plastic tubs. So we don’t get the shakes, but the non-ice cream desserts are pretty good. We go post lunch rush and tip well. When they bring one thing out, we are ready to order the next thing.
Yes, you can use the pools at any Universal hotel. Just see the concierge desk at that hotel, and ask for an access card for the pool.
The main benefit to staying at Aventura, is you have a short walk to the Water Taxi at Sapphire Falls. That cuts out extra walking from the big transportation hub to the park entrances. But, it is still a short walk to VB, just like Cabana Bay.
Hey! I’ve been away for a bit, but trying to get back into being on TP regularly! Your questions seem to have been answered by our other resident UOR specialist! However, I wanted to confirm. I’m still figuring out my next UOR visit
If your family will be spending any significant time not going into the parks then this is a great hotel option. So many things to do for families right on campus.
If TP is accurate then this should be noticable. A one point difference is negligable, but this is 3 points. However, they are only guessing since they have very little data. That’s the real catch.
It has been answered. To confirm EU doesn’t offer any form of UXP, only VIP tours.
You are hearing wrong!!! CityWalk is soooo much better than Disney Springs for actual activities to do.
Things to do with kids in CityWalk -
Hollywood Drive-in Mini Golf
Universal Great Movie Escape
Movie Theatre
The flower garden path and butterfly garden between CityWalk and Hard Rock Hotel
An actual piece of the Berlin Wall is behind Hard Rock Cafe
Water Taxis - They are fun to just ride to the hotel and back
The Epic Preview Center just closed, but something new is coming
Tattoos! Get your kids actual painful tattoos at Hart & Huntington (This is a real activity at City walk!! But I’m just checking if you’re still actually reading this)
Plus so much dining! You can have everything from themed steampunk robots serving your meal to nicer Itailan meals.
I love CityWalk. I wish there was something like it near me! Can you spend all day there? Probably not. Can you spend 2 - 4 hours there with kids and keep them happy? Absolutely!
There are differences, for sure…but you used the “soooo” much better…and, well…we find Citywalk generally boring, and Disney Springs is a must do every trip…even when we are on a Universal-only trip!
It comes down to vibe. Disney Springs feels “lively”. Citywalk just feels blah most of the time, whether it is crowded or not. Both have plenty of places to eat, of course.
You can nearly always find live music in various forms scattered about DS. I don’t know if I’ve ever even once seen live music in Citywalk. (There is an amphitheater, so I presume there must be at times?) I’m not talking inside the restaurants, because both DS and Citywalk have that kind of thing. At DS, there is also the amphitheater, but also the strolling piano, and also I’ve seen guitar players, violin players, and other musicians about.
While Citywalk has miniature golf…DS SORT OF does…since you hop on a bus over to Winter Summer Land just across the street. Both have movies. Both have access to boats to resorts. DS has legitimate shopping, which Citywalk doesn’t, really, other than the Universal-themed shops.
I’m not saying Citywalk is horrible or anything…only, I find Disney Springs just a fun place to be. Citywalk really is mostly just a place to eat, and a means to get into the parks.
ETA: Forgot…Disney Springs also has a bowling alley, which I don’t think Citywalk has. (Did it used to?)
I would clarify to state EU has XP (just not unlimited like you’d get with staying at a Premier). I know that’s what you meant by UXP but you can get a single ride in the express line. Even with the group VIP Tours you don’t get UXP after the tour like you would in the old parks but if you rode it during the VIP group tour you could ride it again with the single express pass.
I agree that there is tons to do. Is the Karaoke bar 18/21+? That’s fun too. I love the mini-golf courses, they are better than Disney’s and the Escape Room (we did JP but are planning to do BTTF in Dec) is fun too.
But I’m just checking if you’re still actually reading this)