Going to Orlando for a work trip (part is going to Universal Studios) in two weeks time, and we have an extra day. Anyone recently been to Universal/Disney, what would you recommend for ONE day? A Park Hopper (between which parks)?

If you only have one day… go to Universal and definitely don’t miss out on Harry Potter… it’s just so fantastic!! Also Jurassic Park, Transformers, minions… it kicks Disney’s butt! I was there for work in November 2019 just before Covid hit. I have been a few other times as an adult and Universal is just so great!

Universal over Disney as an adult.

As long as you like all virtual right that’s all universal is now

Disney on the other hand if you’re going to do one day Magic Kingdom as that’s a whole day
Otherwise if you wanna park hop
Then do either animal Kingdom or MGM studios and add onto one of those two Epcot not a lot of rides in Epcot more virtual rides
With Disney you have to buy your pass now and pre-book at least three time cues or you’re gonna be waiting a long time in lines for everything

Always universal

Hollywood Studios if you like Star Wars or Magic Kingdom

Visit Magic Kingdom in Disney. It’s gonna be cool there!!!

Jumping on to ask your plans for testing coming home? We’ll be down there in a few weeks as well and I’m hearing conflicting stories about Walgreens testing

Michelle we fly from Florida to California for a few days before we leave for Canada. We are going to book PCR in Cali. It varies widely across the states right now…

Michelle you can go to the curative test site at Hawaiian Rumble Adventure Golf. It’s free, close to the parks, and you can just uber it there and back. Curative.com to book.
CURATIVE.COM
COVID-19 Testing & Health Services | Curative

Dont do park hopper. One day is barely enough time to do one park. Pick the park that seems the most appealing and do that. Hollywood Studios is best for rides but Magic Kingdom has some good rides and is like the classic Disney experience.

I'm a Disney nerd, I wouldn't recommend a park hopper for 1 day especially if it's your first time. Walt Disney World property is twice the size of Manhattan, choose on park to visit if you only have 1 day.
Keep in mind that going to a Disney park you require a park pass reservation, and they do book up, especially around the holidays, so check the availability calendar to make sure the park you want is available.
Magic Kingdom is going to be the classic park with the castle, my personal favorite.
Hollywood Studios is very movie based; they have lands like Toy Story and Galaxys Edge (Star Wars)
Animal Kingdom is beautiful, has a great safari ride and an Avatar land that has the best ride in the parks (Flight of Passage).
EPCOT is more laid back, half of the park is called World Showcase, it has different pavilions based on country's where you can see authentic design, merchandise and food. Countries include Mexico, Norway, China, Italy, Morocco, USA, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Canada. The front of the park is currently under a lot of construction, so I would probably wait to visit EPCOT personally, especially if you only have 1 day.

Shelby I’m a Disney nerd too, and so I’m leaning toward magic kingdom!! But we just did Disney Land recently, so it’s a lot of the same rides… we are now between just magic kingdom, or park hopper between magic kingdom and Hollywood studios.. there’s also the after hours Xmas available but the tickets are quite expensive for 4 hours of park time…

Allison Yeah the Christmas party tickets are pretty expensive, is the party happening on the day/night you were planning on going? That would cut into your Magic Kingdom hours since the park closes early for regular day guests (6 oclock I believe). It is possible to get a lot done at the after hours event, but being your only Disney day/experience for that trip, I'd probably just do a regular day/ticket.

Shelby Its in the night time form 9 pm to 1 am!

Allison Yes and the park closes early for regular day guests on party nights, so I would recommend going to MK on a non party night to get the full worth.

Allison Christmas at either park is so, so crammed. But Magic Kingdom is for sure a bigger version of Disneyland, having been to both. But that can be fun if you like comparisons.

Shelby Thank you!!

There's no fast passes right now so know that. My parents were there a few weeks ago. As someone who spent years being there every month with only one day I would go to Epcot, enjoy the countries at the World Pavilion have dinner there and stay for the fireworks. OR do animal kingdom which has a similar vibe and make Aavatar your one ride. Park hopper makes no sense for one day. Or spend no money and just hang out in Disney Springs and spend time checking out the different resorts on the Monerail. Unless you love rides - if that's you go to whichever Universal Park you aren't going to the first day and just be ready for the lines. Last time I went, there was no enjoying Harry Potter, wall to wall bodies. But I haven't done Universal in Covid.

Amanda Looks to be express passes for Universal which we are buying. And they have Genie now for Disney!! Thanks for the recommendations

Allison amazing! Get 'em while you can and have a blast!!!'

I bought genie+ for each day of my tickets and paid extra lightning lane for the rides not included..that’s the alternative to fast pass. It’s not cheap!

you can't do hopper any more. i think its one park a day (covid)

Slavenka That's not what is says online for Disney!! You hop at 2 PM. We already have the hoppers for Universal/Adventure.

it used to be that you couldnt so that may have changed

Slavenka Thank you!

That’s not true. Each park sets the time rules for when park hopping is allowed. Most parks 1 or 2pm

Talk to Liz McIlwee Bardowell and she’ll set you up with a perfect plan for a fabulous Disney day.