How many days for Disney + universal?

Hi Kimmy, I've been to all Disneys but the one in Hong Kong ;-) Considering you have been to all of them, I will give you my advice for the 4.5 days that you have. 

Magic Kingdom Park - you should spend the least amount of time there, because it will be very similar to Disneyland Tokyo, which is a very good copy of this park (including the Electric Parade, exactly the same). Disneyland California and Disneyland Paris are also similar (although both of them have their own unique attractions as you know). 

Disney's Hollywood Studios will be somewhat similar to the Disney Studios Park in France, so you might not need a full day. You can probably combine Magic Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios in one day.

Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot are unique to Orlando, so you should definitely go to both parks. You could combine Animal Kingdom with downtown Disney since Animal Kingdom has less attractions and closes earlier than the other parks (it's spread over a very large area, but it has a small number of rides since a lot of the areas are just to see the animals, much like a Zoo). Epcot is a very large park as well and it usually takes up an entire day by itself (food at the World Showcase is great, we had lunch in Japan at Tokyo Dining, dinner in Morocco at Marrakesh, snacks at the Joy of Tea in China, just the Italian gelato wasn't the best, try the ice cream in France which is supposed to be the best one).  

Harry Potter Wizarding World is located inside Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and is very small, you definitely don't need a full day there to see everything (I'm a big Harry Potter fan and was there last December). Have lunch at the Three Broomsticks and try the butterbeer, of course (I didn't care for it but my husband liked it). 

So 1 day for Magic Kingdom + Disney Hollywood Studios, 1 day for Animal Kingdom + Downtown Disney, 1 day for Epcot, 1 day at Islands of Adventure. You can go to Universal Studios on your half day (or spend 1 full day at Universal Studios and a half day at Animal Kingdom, depending on your personal preferences, if you like rollercoasters and 3D simulators you will be better off at Universal Studios). 

I think it really depends on if you're more into the rides or the sights. To me, Downtown Disney could be done in a night. My two favorite parks for rides are Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Magic Kingdom is a classic and Hollywood Studios has all my favorite rides - Tower of Terror, Rock n' Roller Coaster, and the Toy Story ride. (Plus, I love the Muppet Show.) I'd devote a day to each of these parks.

I'd split a day between Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot. They are both fun to walk around, but to me the other two parks are more fun. Mt. Everest is a great roller coaster and Test Track at Epcot is a must-do as well. 

Hey Kimmy,

I would definitely dedicate a whole day to Magic Kingdom Park because there is so much to see and do. You want to soak it all in. It is possible to fit the other parks into 2 days but if you have the time, do a day for each park. Universal Studios Orlando deserves 2 days, it is full of unique attractions that you will never forget. Downtown Disney and Universal CityWalk need an evening each. You could do all of it within a week. That's how we did when we went. Hope that helps. 

Outstanding replies!!! Not much to add but to reinforce them by saying that Magic Kingdom Park is a must to visit plus Epcot, Disney's Animal Kingdom and of course the new The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter. I have been there 5-6 times and have spent an entire week  every time I go. There are there  too many things to enjoy with. If you can stay at one of Disney's hotels that would help you to save time and money in transportation. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is highly recommended as you can book the Sabana view room and watch the zebras, giraffs, etc. from your room itself. An amazing experience! I would also suggest to add to the vacation  La Nouba - Cirque du Soleil located at Downtown Disney, this wont take much of your time as the show is presented at night. (I booked a flight that arrives in the early afternoon and it will let me enough time to Access the show - but please, buy the tickets on line in advance).

Hope this helps!! Saludos!!

The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter will not take you all day--the expansion, Diagon Alley will not open until Summer 2014.  Go to the main attractions first:  Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey at Hogwarts. That has the longest line.  After that, walk around the rest of that "Island" then visit the rest of Universal Studios Islands of Adventure (the Universal Studios park you're in).  Be sure to see Spiderman and ride some of the roller coasters if you like that kind of thing.  Those are the most popular attractions there.  Once you're through them you can play the rest by ear.

As for Disney...
At the Magic Kingdom Park, I usually go to the first turn off Main Street and have breakfast at The Crystal Palace.  Then I travel around through Frontier Land  doing Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiki Birds and Splash Mountain (one of the longest waits) first and work my way through Fantasy Land Tomorrow Land and back to main street for the 3 o'clock parade catching attractions as I go or as show schedules dictate.

At Epcot, I do , then first then head directly to the World Showcase Epcot.  Make your way around the lagoon catching each of the nation's attractions that interest you, then back to Future World.

At Disney's Animal Kingdom, head to the African Safari first as it's one of the longest lines later.  Then go to Asia to hit its attractions checking out the animal exhibits as you go.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, do Rockin' Rollercoaster and The Tower Of Terror first, then check show schedules to fit in the other attractions of interest.

Hope that helps.

At least you need a day per park. Harry Potter is in Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, in that same park there are other things really worth seeing, like the Spiderman ride. I would go to one day to Universal Studios. As for Disney you have 4 parks to choose from: Disney's Animal Kingdom which I like a lot, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. I would go half day to Disney Hollywood Studio (go to The Tower Of Terror, stay for Fantasmic) and the other half to Epcot (have dinner and watch illuminations).

I guess little bit depending on how fast you want to run arround, how many rides you want to take with or w/o fasttracks - I would say 2 to 3 days. 

Was there twice, don't need to see each detail, tend to use fasttracks and 2 days have been enough for me, a fast walker. 

Kimmy,

Your trip sounds amazing! I've lived in Tampa for many years and have frequented both parks on a regular basis.

I'll try and tackle the Walt Disney World experience as best I can.

I would suggest doing Magic Kingdom not on the weekend, and possibly budgeting two whole days for Magic. This is by far the most popular of the Disney parks and is the most concentrated with attractions.

If you're staying at a Disney Hotel they will give you a Magic band. A very cool new tool they've implemented where this is now your hotel key, ticket, fast pass, and payment method. Download the My Disney Experience App as this will let you pick your fast pass times before you get there, make reservations, and scout wait times.

The first thing I would do is make reservations to eat, ASAP, in the Magic Kingdom Park. The two best places to eat, and are always booked way in advance are, "Be Our Guest", which features the Beauty and the Beast theme and is located in the newly renovated Fantasyland, and "Cinderella's Royal Table". This is also a character dinner and is located in Cinderella's castle. I would highly suggest the latter.

Aside from all the rides, the Electric Parade is an absolute must do. They have two times to catch it, 9 and 11. Obviously the 9pm is much more crowded as a majority of the crowd is still in the park. I've had success with this once, with my own story, but go into the city hall as soon as you arrive, and tell them you've been to every Disney park in the world and have saved this one for last. You've heard the electric parade is a must see and was wondering if they could seat you in a VIP section to experience the true magic.

I've experienced this once, and it was total euphoria. All the Disney characters you've come to love are one on one with you as they pass by. Absolutely stunning.

The fireworks show is also a must. The best place to stand is by Tomorrowland as you will see tinkerbell fly over your head. Be sure to set up in a spot at least 15 minutes in advance. People have been in the park with their kids for a long time and they are quite grumpy at this point.

I'll keep the rest of my round up short for the remaining parks.

In Disney's Hollywood Studios, pick your fast passes the night before. Unfortunately you have to choose between Rock' N Rollercoaster and the Toy Story ride, but they are always out of the passes first thing in the morning. If you're a big movie fan you have to try The Great Movie Ride. I would combine this park with either Animal Kingdom or Epcot as it is the smallest, and depending on your interest could take less than half a day to get through.

In Disney's Animal Kingdom, Mount Everest is the go to ride in that park. The park itself is very very big and you will do lots of walking. Tons of culture and really cool animals to look at.

Epcot just had their Test Track ride renovated and is by far the most popular next to Mission Space. I don't really have a recommendation on food for this park as you really have picks from all over the world. This is also an extremely big park and will take most of your day to walk around if you're shopping etc.

All in all you really can't go wrong with how you decide to use your time. Hope this helps a little and that you have an amazing time!

tldr;

Two days for Magic Kingdom, make reservations way in advance. Do Hollywood studios and another park in the same day. Use My Disney Experience App.

Hi Kimmy

I would really recommend doing a google search for Touring Plans as they are usually written by employees who know all the tricks!  We used these for both Disney Orlando and in Paris and they were excellent as they have different plans for different needs, ie, with or without kids or those who like the thrill rides and those that don't.  We were able to get around the parks and do everything we wanted by just after lunch.

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Touring Plans

Epcot and Disney's Animal Kingdom are the two parks unique to the Florida Disney World experience.  I have visited the original Disneyland in California, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disney.  The Magic Kingdom Park is similar to all others.  Epcot has more adult themed rides and attractions in the front part of the park and has the World Showcase.  Animal Kingdom is a wonderful experience in nice weather and requires a bit more walking to see all.  Take the safari ride when you first arrive early in the day.  As the temperature increases, the animals tend to take to more shaded areas and can be difficult to view.  Keep your camera ready.  If you enjoy animals this is worth the time.

As you can see, there are a variety of opinions regarding where, what and how much time should be spent at each park and attraction. The wristband is a new concept but you only get it if you stay in a hotel on property. The Fast Pass system is being revised. The last time we was in Animal Kingdom there were attendants stationed throughout the park who were issuing up to three passes on the spot for non-hotel guests. They told you what times were available and you chose your preference. We were told that Animal Kingdom was the first park in which this was being done but it would eventually be in all parks. This was two months ago so I do not know if that has been done yet or not. You should be able to find out by a phone call. It will be difficult to hit all the "hot" rides in the space of time you have. Most unique: EPCOT-Test Track, Mission Space and Soarin' (same version as Disney's California Adventure). Best food in EPCOT is at the French and Italian restaurants. If you love pastries, go to the bakery in France; Hollywood Studios- Rock 'N Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror. Star Wars is also fun; Animal Kingdom-Safari, Expedition Everest and the River Rafting ride (depending upon weather and you WILL get wet); Magic Kingdom-almost too many to mention but Space Mountain is different than California, Splash Mountain (depending upon weather), Buzz Lightyear is fun. Magic Kingdom is so similar to other parks around the world that is really not your best use of time when you are so limited.

In order to hit all the Disney parks you must have what is called a Park Hopper ticket. These are much more than a one park ticket. Go online and you will see the differences. Getting from park to park is not difficult when you use their transportation system but can take a while. For example, there is no direct link from EPCOT to any other park. You must return to the main transportation hub and change to the EPCOT monorail. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are only served by Disney bus or private car. Once you pay for parking at one lot you do not have to pay at the others. Unfortunately, even a full day at each park is not enough to see it all, especially during the busier summer months.

If you do go to Magic Kingdom the Be Our Guest restaurant is a must. Walk-in for lunch, dinner by reservation only. Either way it is a real treat. It's the only food concession on property where you order your food via computer when you first enter, then find a table and the food is brought to you by a waiter. It's also the only place you get unlimited refills on beverages. One other beverage trick to know is that any of the food stands will give you a cup of ice at no charge, even if you're not buying food. You can bring in bottled water into the park but not food.

Universal is more ride oriented if that is your preference. Not as much to do or experience. Harry Potter at Universal is worth the trip though.

Regardless, you will have fun.

Edit: Forgot to mention, there is an official Disney app for your phone. Look for Disney Mobile Magic (My Disney Experience - WDW) and Disney World Wait Times. Both are very helpful in negotiating the park and give you in real time the wait at each ride. Also in EPCOT, be sure to go on Spaceship Earth (the big geodesic dome at the front of the park). On the way to GM Test Track and Mission Space there is also a big board that posts wait times for the various rides.

Hey Kimmy,

You should go to The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter first thing in the morning, but it gets pretty busy in the afternoon, I would leave that area at lunch and come back for the evening. Go first thing in the morning to the Hogwarts Castle ride, its queue builds quickly and you can be waiting up to 2 hours for this but its worth it, as you queue in the Castle the waiting area is crammed with Harry Potter items, and things you will recognise from the films.

I would go to Downtown Disney at least one night as well. There are some very good entertainers at night especially at Raglan Road.

Dedicate one day each for Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot but definitely more than one for Magic Kingdom Park. Don't miss the Hollywood Studios Fantasia fireworks show, Epcot fireworks and Magic Kingdom fireworks and light show, each of these are unmissable, and breathtaking.

Eat even just a cupcake at the Be Our Guest Restaurant restaurant, we did and it was a highlight for me, I loved spotting all the details in the rooms. especially the rose under glass. 

Enjoy :)

Hi, Kimmy

you should spend 1 day per park. If necessary put a day off into them to relax, 'cause you'll walk so many miles.

The Downtown Disney, you can visit at night, and take a meal there.

Universal Studios is divided in two parts, you can spend 1 day in each. There are a lot of things to do beyond just Harry Potter.

There're some restaurants, clubs and pubs that you can visit at night in Universal.

Hi Kimmy,
I think your plan is great, but if you're only interested in Harry Potter world I don't think a full day is required, at least not until the expansion of Diagon Alley opens this summer. But, the Universal Studios Islands of Adventure which is where the world of harry potter is located is big enough to do a complete day.