We're at Universal this week. We've got a 2BR condo at one of the Marriott timeshares in the Sea World neighborhood, and I ended up buying the Premiere APs. Those include one-time-per-attraction Express after 4P, which is why I bought them---it was about the same price as regular tickets plus a day or two of Unlimited express.
They were also about the same price as a week's worth of Disney hoppers,
before buying any G+/ILL options.
But, I've positively fallen
in love with another perk: valet parking. We sleep in and have breakfast in the condo. We roll into the valet about 1 or so, have lunch somewhere in City Walk (Cowfish is great!) and then amble around the parks until close-ish, which this week is 9P at USF and 10P at IOA. Duck back to the valet, get the car, and head home. Rinse, repeat.
Universal isn't Disney, and I don't think it makes sense to try to call one a replacement for the other--in either direction. Universal is a little more irreverent, intense, and not quite so self-conscious/self-important. Disney has more heart and is more consistent in terms of creating a sense of place. We like both of them, and while we spend more time at Disney, we don't begrudge our "not Disney" trips to Orlando.
We are definitely high on the thrill-meter, so Universal works for is in ways it might not for everyone. Hagrid's is tons of fun, and I think most anyone able to ride the full set of Disney coasters would probably enjoy it. Velocicoaster is
outstanding--as in,
top-5 for the coaster enthusiasts--but it is probably too much for the average Disney visitor. I've been on the top three of that list, and five of the top ten. Velocicoaster belongs on it and is in good company. DW decided she won't ride it, and she probably made the right call. And that's a woman who rides a
lot of very intense coasters. The
Mosasaurus Roll is no joke.