If you’re trying to decide between Disney or Universal, you’ve probably already gone down the rabbit hole. You’ve watched Youtube videos, read the blogs, and asked questions in three different Facebook groups.
And somehow you still don’t have a clear answer.
That’s usually because everyone is comparing rides, hotels, and ticket prices.
And yes, those all matter. But, it’s not usually the thing that makes a family choose one over the other.
It’s your family.
I’m Catherine and I’m a travel advisor who specializes in Disney and Universal. And after helping families plan these trips for years, I’ve found that the families who are happiest with their decision aren’t necessarily the ones who picked the “better” destination.
They’re the ones who thought about what they wanted and showed up prepared for it. So, that’s what I’m gonna help you do.
How Much Effort Do You Want To Put Into Planning Your Vacation?
Tips and tricks are fine. But, what about the things that make your life easier? Or the things that keep you out of lines? A lot of those tricks are handed to you by Disney and Universal in their apps.
But still…so many people don’t download it until the day before they leave. By that point, they’re packing suitcases, checking weather forecasts, and trying not to forget anything important.
They’re not trying to figure out how it works.
Yes, both Disney and Universal trips are going to rely heavily on the use of their apps. And many people don’t like that. But the more familiar you are with it, the less time you’ll feel like you’ll need to be on your phone.
Disney’s app, My Disney Experience, has many tools. Take the time to figure out where everything is and how it works. If you know how to use them, they absolutely make your life easier.
Universal’s app, Universal FL, is more straightforward. It doesn’t have all the features Disney’s does. But, you should still be familiar with it and know how it works before you leave you house.
That’s why I tell every single one of my clients to download the app as soon as their trip is booked, not the week they leave. I can walk you though what you need to know, make sure things are linked correctly, and answer your questions.
If you’ve ever tried planning a Disney or Universal trip and felt completely overwhelmed, start here. The app, and I, are here to help you feel more prepared.
Make Sure The Thing You’re Excited About Is Actually There
Unfortunately, this story isn’t unique. But, it’s a lesson I learned early on in my career.
I had clients who wanted to visit Walt Disney World. The mom called me from their Savanna View room at Animal Kingdom Lodge to say how happy their family was. She just wanted me to know that and to thank me for planning this trip for them.
A few days later, I got the call that many other travel advisors have heard gotten at least once in their career – “I’m at Hollywood Studios and I can’t find Harry Potter. Where do we go?”
My heart dropped.
In all of our conversations, they had never mentioned Harry Potter. They specifically asked for Walt Disney World, so that’s what we planned. We didn’t plan anything for Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure. This was before Epic Universe was built.
After that trip, I made it a point to always ask clients what they’re excited to see, do, and experience.
Because I never again want to have a situation where the thing you really want to do is not where you’re going.
What Does A Great Vacation Look Like To Your Family?
The internet loves debating whether Disney or Universal is better. But not everyone’s definition of a great vacation is the same.
The family who wants to ride roller coasters from park open to park close isn’t necessarily looking for the same vacation as the family who is excited about character meals, fireworks, and waterslides at their hotel.
Families just want different things. And that’s ok.
The goal isn’t to figure out which destination is better, it’s to figure out where your family will be happier.
So, Where Are You Going?
For a lot of people, the destination is never the issue. It’s feeling unprepared.
Before you go down another rabbit hole, remember that social media is only showing you the highlights. They’re not showing you the work that happened before they go there. They’re simply telling you what works for them. And no matter how helpful someone wants to be, no one in Facebook groups is thinking about your family when they give you suggestions.
Think about what your group wants and plan with that in mind, even if the idea is unpopular.
The goal isn’t to plan with Top 10 lists in mind. It’s to plan a trip that your family wants to go on.
Got questions? Feeling a bit anxious? Not sure where to begin? We help families, just like yours.
Planning an entire vacation can be overwhelming. But, here’s the good news: we have the answers to the questions that have been stopping you from pulling the plug on your next vacation.
We understand the journey, the ups, and the downs. We’ve been through the training, made our fair share of mistakes, and learned valuable lessons from them. This is what makes us the perfect people to assist you.
From thoughtfully crafted itineraries to having direct access to your dedicated Travel Professional, our mission is to remove the stress from your vacation planning. With our simple 3-step process, we’re here to help you every step of the way, ensuring that your dream destination becomes an unforgettable reality.
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