Disney/Universal/Epic and Halloween Horror Nights

In October half term 2025 I did the “big one”: 10 nights at Walt Disney World and 5 nights at Universal Orlando, including a day at the brand‑new Epic Universe and a night at Halloween Horror Nights. I went with my two teenagers (16 and 14) and my husband who, to put it politely, is not a fan of Disney or theme parks. Awkward. So this was a trip that had to keep a thrill‑seeking teen, a slightly grumpy theme‑park sceptic and a Disney‑loving planner (me) all happy at the same time. No pressure.

I adore the parks and I absolutely love the planning side, but controversially: I am not a “Mickey ears all day” person. I am not obsessed with every character, I do not own 47 spirit jerseys, and yet I am fully here for the theming, the storytelling and the little hidden details and Easter eggs tucked around the four parks and two water parks. 

For me, Orlando is my escape from the real world. But: it is an expensive escape. You are spending a serious amount of money to cross the Atlantic, so “winging it” is not a strategy, it is a way to spend your holiday standing in queues. I booked our trip in April 2024 when the free Disney Dining offer was released, for travel in October 2025. In those 18 months I basically did a PhD in Disney and Universal planning. I watched the YouTube videos, I learned the crowd patterns, I planned each park day so that we spent our time riding, not just queueing. Time is money and I refuse to spend that money staring at the back of someone’s head in a 90‑minute line.

We stayed at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and then moved over to Loews Royal Pacific at Universal. Having done both on‑site and off‑site in the past, my honest advice if this is a “once in a lifetime” trip is: save up and stay in the Disney bubble if you possibly can. Villas offer loads of space, which is brilliant, but for us the daily driving, parking and navigating just took too much time and energy. On‑site at Disney you get the transport, the 30‑minute early entry and you are already inside the bubble. Those extra minutes in the morning mean you can walk straight to the headline attractions before the masses pour through the gates.

We rope‑dropped most mornings (translation: we were in the queue well before official opening like keen beans) and it made a huge difference. We used the Quick Service Dining Plan and I had already researched which restaurants would give us the best value for money, as well as menus my family would actually eat. I know the rides, which ones are perfect for younger children, which are better for braver teens, and which ones are going to upset anyone with inner ear issues like my husband. If it spins, tilts or drops in a certain way, I can tell you who in your family is likely to come off green.

Over at Universal we stayed at Loews Royal Pacific in a Club room, which was a game changer. The stay included Express Passes for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure (not Epic Universe or Volcano Bay), plus food and drink in the lounge. That meant my husband could happily enjoy the pool and hotel while I took the kids to chase adrenaline on the coasters. And if your children love Harry Potter, I genuinely cannot in good conscience suggest skipping Universal. The Wizarding World is just on another level.

We also did Halloween Horror Nights in 2025 which was brilliantly terrifying. Again, this is something that really benefits from a plan: which houses to prioritise, how to pace your evening, and whether it is actually right for your family and age of your kids.

One question I see a lot is: how many days do we actually need for both Disney and Universal and which tickets are best? The truth is, you are never going to do absolutely everything, but you can choose the right ticket and the best mix of parks for your family so you get maximum magic without feeling overwhelmed.

You need a proper strategy that fits your budget, your energy levels, and whether you think you will be back in Orlando again. And a little side note from us: we went in saying “once and done”… it was a total lie.

The point of all this is: I now have a huge bank of real, recent, first‑hand experience of Disney and Universal. If you choose to book your holiday with me, you are not just getting a hotel and some tickets. You are getting:

• Advice on Lightning Lanes, Express Passes and how to actually use them to avoid the longest queues
• Guidance on which parks to do on which days and how many days you really need
• Help choosing the right hotel for your family dynamic, not just what is on offer
• Restaurant suggestions that match your tastes and make the most of dining plans
• Tips on which rides suit which ages and which attractions to avoid if anyone in your party is prone to motion sickness
• Where to find your favourite characters and those little details that make the trip feel extra special

This is where the real value sits. Yes, you can absolutely book direct with Disney or Universal. They will happily take your money. What they will not do is get excited with you, talk you through the “is this ride too much for my 8‑year‑old?” questions, remind you when you can book dining or make your Lightning Lane selections, or help you tweak your plan when your teenager suddenly decides they only want to ride coasters.

That is what I love doing. I get just as excited about your park days as I did about my own. If you are looking at a big Disney and/or Universal trip and feeling overwhelmed, or you simply want to make sure that the money you are spending translates into memories instead of queues, that is where I come in. Contact me now 07428 478006/01730 450386