Defer Disney Florida trip to wait for new parks at Universal (Harry Potter and Mario)

[muddiecuddles]

We’re planning our once in a lifetime Disney trip next Easter with DCs 12, 9, 6 and 6. DH now has twigged that the new attractions won’t be open until May 2025 so we’ll miss them, and he wants to delay the trip by a year (kids don’t know anything yet so their potential disappointment isnt a consideration). I think we should still go but not sure if he’s right. Thoughts?

I'd wait a year.

There will always be rides closed for refurbishment but if you go next year then Big Thunder Mountain at MK will be closed (year long refurb). The Rivers of America and Tom Sawyers Island (MK) may be a building site for the development of Cars. Test-Track (Epcot) may not yet be back open. Dinosaur (AK) will be closed for "re-imagining". Not sure about Its Tough To Be A Bug (AK).

I don't know your budget but look into staying a few nights at one of the premier Universal hotels. Presently, this gives the benefit of "free" fast path on all the rides at UO expect Hagrid's. Disney have just announced a similar benefit (ride once only) that will cost $400 each for a day at MK (less for other parks).

If you've got your heart set on visiting Universal then I'd wait. We went in May this year and enjoyed Universal far more than Disney. Epic Universe opens May 2024.

Many of the Universal rides have a 1m20 minimum height. How tall is your 6 year old?

Here you go .....

"Here’s a look at the Lightning Lane Premier Passes per person, per day for Disney World:

• Magic Kingdom: $329-$449 plus tax
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: $129-$199 plus tax
• EPCOT: $169-$249 plus tax
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: $269-$349 plus tax"

💯 I would wait until Epic is open. We went to Disney/Universal last October (and are going again on Sunday 🥳) and while our older teen daughter loved universal, our 9 year old got a bit bored as she doesn’t like the big roller coasters. Having another park there will just give you more options for your younger ones who might not be tall enough for the big rides yet.
Also others may disagree but I think our dd’s would have struggled to do Disney at 6 years old. We did 25,000 steps a day most days and she was knackered at 9. I think at 6 she couldn’t have done so much walking and we we would have either had to have more breaks back at the hotel or used one of the strollers you can hire.

^. Be aware that most young children surveyed said that the best thing about their WDW holiday was the swimming pool!!!!

Exactly this. I spoke to a colleague this week who took his three children (2, 5 and 7) to Florida in august and said their favourite part was the sandpit at animal kingdom and the pool at the hotel, which are things that could be done much cheaper without an 8 hour flight.

We are GP looking to decide when to treat our GC to their first Orlando trip. We took our own DC when they were 10 and that was just about right. It's a really tough decision to make. A good strategy might be to "test" them on some cheaper UK/European parks first to see how they stand up.

thanks all! Plenty to consider

I have learned never to defer if it can be avoided. You’ll have a wonderful time either way.