Need some help for first timer [Universal Studios] About This Page:

[Awdrey]

My hubby works at Comcast, and right now they are giving their employees 4 free tickets to Universal plus 30% off of additional tickets and a discount on the rooms too.

Since we are going to WDW in Sept, we decided to take advantage and to Universal at the beginning of trip. At first our goal was to try and take advantage of the actual FREE part of the offer and add as little expense to it as possible...after all it's all about the Disney trip any way, right but the more we dig the more we want to do, but hubby still wants to keep the price down.

There are 7 of us...me, hubby, sis in law and our 4 kids 15, 12, 9, and 4.

We already have plans to stay in a suite at the Holiday Inn Express for 2 night b/f our Disney package starts. Now we are trying to decide if we want to stay onsite at Universal so we can get the early entry. Do we really need it since we will be going the last week in Sept?

For now our plans are to just do one park. We are thinking about going to US. Me and hubby really want to see the WWofHP. Do you think this is the best choice for our kids? The girls won't care so much about HP, but the rest of us will and there are other things they will enjoy. any info you guys could give me would be appreciated. Like I said this is really just a little perk for us, the Disney trip is our main focus, and also want to buy MNSSHP tickets too so we've got to call it quits somewhere, LOL>

[wishes]

Harry potter is in Islands of Adventure, not Universal, so if you are only coin 1park, that's the one to go to. I have stayed both on& off USO property. I prefer on, especially because of the line skipping & it's easier to take breaks, but at that time of the year, lines may not be too much of an issue. It's much cheaper to stay off site, too. If you have a good discount, crunch the numbers & see how much more it will be. USO is fun, but different from Disney, so keep that in mind too. Have fun!

[Awdrey]

OOPS my bad, I knew it was in IOA

Yes, I've done the math, and it's way cheaper to stay off site, b/c on site I will have to get 2 rooms. And like I've already stated, this is just bonus material for us...Disney is our main focus and we know it's NOT Disney

[wishes]

I think then, I'd keep my ressie at holiday inn & spend a day at IOA. Personally, I like that side better than USO, and HP is a must see, even if you're not into the HP stuff (like me-- ). You will have a great time!

[BarryH]

Crowd levels will probably be low when you visit, so save some money and stay at the Holiday Inn. I stayed there a few years ago and it was a nice place. It wasn't the Grand Floridian though!

[Colin4May]

I have to say that as a Disney Veteran (well, four times...guess that not great!) I would always stay off-site now if money is tight!

[singhsongs]

I think you'd be fine staying offsite as well during that time of the year. I like using extra cash for souvenirs and playing, heck if my family wasn't so picky I'd sleep at a campground and spend all my money on junk.

[BarryH]

Originally Posted by singhsongs

I think you'd be fine staying offsite as well during that time of the year. I like using extra cash for souvenirs and playing, heck if my family wasn't so picky I'd sleep at a campground and spend all my money on junk.

I'm cheaper than you. I usually stay at a Motel 6 in Kissimmee. $24 a night!

[Suzie-Q]

Seriously....$24 a night!!!
Is it clean?
We are looking for "cheap and cheerful" for our arrival night next March and will be arriving at the crack of dawn at Universal to check in and get our park passes so we won't even have time for "free breakfast" or anything, so the cheaper the better. I am, however, a clean freak and have found some motels to be very unsavoury.....
What is your opinion of the housekeeping there?

Great score on the tickets Awdrey! I've been lurking on the US/ISO threads since we are planning our first trip and I would agree with the majority that you'll probably be fine staying off property at that time of year, especially if you are dong the park on a weekday. I've seen photos posted of almost empty parks and it sounds like the only line-up you'll find will be for FJ. Save your money for souvenirs!

[HiddenMickey]

As long as you guys will get to the park before opening, you will not need the front of line access pass. We did the parks at Spring Break when they were packed, stayed offsite, and could do everything we wanted because we got there early, did the major attractions first thing and then did the easier things after. Going in late September, I think you'll do way better and never see the crowds we did (really awful by 3pm). (I've also gone in early November...no crowds...that's how I expect late Sept to be).

[elbodans]

I'm not saying you SHOULD spend the money to stay on site. That's not something I can decide for you. But I can tell you about our trip and suggest that perhaps you should consider it!

First, as stated above, if you are going during the week I'd be less concerned about the express pass (though having the express pass was AWESOME. Best. Thing. Ever.) We went during a fairly low crowd time (two weeks ago--may 11th-15th) and were in the parks Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursday was pretty darn empty--though we did use the express passes for a few things (Dragon Challenge, for example) HOWEVER--we arrived at IoA at 7:45 and were typically ON FJ before 8am. This was with our on-site early entry perk. On our first visit--that Thursday--we stayed in WWoHP until almost 11am. It was pleasant for the entire time, even after regular park opening.

Saturday morning was completely different--in both parks. Obviously, the Wizarding World was the worst. We still managed to ride FJ two more times--but both times were before 9am. Once the flood of offsite guests arrived, we got the heck out of dodge!

All of that aside, we LOVE love loved staying onsite. The transportation was fantastic and the resort--Portofino--was hands down the most beautiful place I've ever stayed (I travel a LOT). I'd say that if you can get a discount, do it. Because who knows if you'll ever be there again, and if you'll ever have a discount?

I plan to ramble on and on about how much I loved Universal, WWoHP, Portofino bay, and the express pass in my own trip report, but that's not until days six-ten of the report, and I'm still on day one! Sorry! Just know that 1. Universal is great. 2. Forbidden journey is better than you are imagining, and not as scary as you're thinking. 3. Staying onsite rocks. 4. Express pass is THE best thing EVER. I'd pay anything disney wanted me to pay to have that perk in WDW. (it really is more like a front of the line pass than the fastpasses are, and you can ride over and over and over...)

[Shell_of_the_South]

Originally Posted by elbodans

Express pass is THE best thing EVER. I'd pay anything disney wanted me to pay to have that perk in WDW. (it really is more like a front of the line pass than the fastpasses are, and you can ride over and over and over...)

I agree! I would always stay onsite just for that perk.

Just wanted to mention that the Express Pass you get with your room key (often referred to as "front of the line access") is different than the Express pass you purchase at the parks. Like elbodans said, when staying onsite you can show you room key at the ride entrance and enter the Express line over and over again. We've done that at Men In Black 10 times or more in a row! But the Express pass you purchase only allows you to enter the Express line once per attraction.

[mff10or]

IOA has a variety of rides and experiences to appeal to the range of ages in your party. I think you'll be able to do a lot just by arriving 30 - 60 minutes prior to the posted opening time. Then, be willing to split up into smaller groups so those who enjoy calmer rides can be actively having fun while your older kids can enjoy the thrill rides.

[valegirl5292]

Difficult choice to make, if you have a great discount on the rooms for onsite I would go for it just for the convenience of it. Another thing to consider is the cost of transportation to the parks if you stay off site, car rental, car service or taxi, or some off site hotels do have shuttle service to the major theme parks may charge a fee. If you stay onsite transportation to the parks is not an issue.

[eisens]

Which park depends in part in how old your kids are and if you love roller coasters or not.

US has Barney (no kidding), E.T., more shows and a great ball pit with water guns where your kids will get soaking wet. The Simpsons ride, the Nickoleon rids and Spongebob. . . so if your kids are wee and you aren't a huge roller coaster fan pick US.

If your kids are a bit older pic IOA. You have lots of roller coasters -- from big and scary (Hulk & the revamped dueling dragons) to kid sized ones. You have comic book themed water roller coasters and a Spiderman ride and lots of fun Seuss rides (for the wee ones and even a bit bigger). . . then of course the amazing HP ride. Don't forget Jurassic Park!

You can check out lots of videos on the Universal website and also YouTube but the best park is based on the points I made in my opening paragraph. Either park WILL be fun.