Disney girl has NO clue how to plan for Universal! About This Page:

[mamasann]

BEC ~ We're just learning the ropes ourselves as this will be our second trip in a few weeks. Both of the parks seem really small compared to Disney parks. In fact we could see them from our hotel room and didn't realize we were seeing BOTH. They're beside each other. I would think one day per park would be plenty. Are there kids traveling with you or just adults? I'd go to Universal's website to check out the rides and attractions at each park to help make your decision. My gang enjoyed the shows at Universal and your mom could ride Men in Black and shoot aliens. IOA was all about WWHP and getting wet for DS.... and he LOVES coasters & the Universal parks have stellar ones. Personally, if I was going to walk around a park (that wasn't WDW) and not ride anything, I'd opt for Sea World. Pretty park, great shows & relaxing atmosphere. But you really can get a good idea regarding the shows, rides, etc from the Universal website. Good luck!

[Bec]

No kids. Had already checked Universal website & really didn't see anything my mom will ride. We will probably just do IOA to see Harry Potter, although she won't ride the rides.

[HiddenMickey]

Originally Posted by Bec

No kids. Had already checked Universal website & really didn't see anything my mom will ride. We will probably just do IOA to see Harry Potter, although she won't ride the rides.

Since you won't want to do Forbidden Journey ride, make sure you ask the CM out front where to go just to tour the Castle. They have a separate line just for walking through so you can see the queue and it lets you out of the building before you get to the ride loading area. We did it because we wanted to see more and take pictures (couldn't take camera on the ride). And make sure you walk through the outdoor are leading up to the Dragon coaster so that you can see Hagrid's hut and the enchanted car that belongs to the Weasley family. You can't really see them unless you walk into the ride area....you can turn around and walk out the entrance afterward. And if you go just a bit further...into the building, you can see the 'tent' and the Triwizard Cup from the Goblet of Fire movie.

[Bec]

Thanks, Hidden Mickey. I wondered if there was a way to see things without going on the rides. I want to ride the rides but my mom won't. I may walk through with her & take pictures & then sit her down with a butterbeer & go back & ride the rides.

[sheldoal]

We've been twice. First time, we stayed at Royal Pacific. Loved it. Second time, we stayed at Days Inn Main-gate, which is within walking distance of Universal and very affordable, but definitely not luxury.

The walk from the parking garage is still quite a hike, in my opinion, if you aren't young. We passed it on our walk to the park. BTW, there is a cross walk, so you won't be run over by cars if you choose to stay at a nearby off-property hotel and walk to the park. We walked back at night and never felt in danger. There are nicer hotels than Days Inn within walking distance.

For Bec, if your mom isn't riding any rides, do not get into regular line at Forbidden Journey--or any ride with single rider option (at least not after the initial go-through). We went through normal queue so that I could get my pictures, and then used single rider lines after that. It was fabulous. For Forbidden Journey, we walked through single rider, no one in our way. Just as we arrived at front of line, CM was calling for 2 in main line. No one spoke up, so she turned to us and sent us, no wait, to join another couple. My husband and I just looked at each other like What just happened? We were giggling. The regular line was over an hour wait. We jumped right back in line after that. This time, they sent me along with a group of three. My husband ended up two cars behind me. I waited for him in the gift shop. No problem. We were easily able to ride twice in about 30 minutes or so (and most of that was the time taken up for the ride itself); then we retrieved our stuff from locker. Single rider is your friend!

My husband did single rider for Rip Rocket ride at Studios (barely any wait), and we both used it for Men in Black--several times. Again, walked up and were instantly placed in car together. Second time, same car, different rows. Good memories. We did do MIB early in the morning. HP was evening.

We did Meal Deal this past trip. Three eateries per park accept the arm band. You can get a complete meal (entree and dessert) or just what you want (dessert or entree only). Drink is separate. I got water since I can't drink soda. Husband bought the refillable drink container. We found it worth it; waiting in line during lunch, however, can be long and tedious. Having the arm band, they usually wave you on your way. One of the eateries had fruit cups, so I got us that as a snack while my husband rested on a bench in Studios.

Rides at Studios: Despicable Me seems like a ride that even a 74 year old woman could do. It's 3D and doesn't jerk too much. Really cute. Shrek 4D is doable. It's a show more than anything with special effects. Men in Black might be too much for a 74 year old woman who doesn't do rides. It spins you about. ET is a nice, calm ride. There are shows and parades. Most of the rides in IoA are more hard core except for the ones in Seuss Landing. Hogwarts is awesome--I love it even more in the evening. If you brace yourself against the wall, you can get some great shots of the castle at night. I didn't want to bring my tripod.

As for the lockers, don't make my mistake. I pushed down way too hard, and it wouldn't accept my imprint. Just lightly press your finger done. I felt dumb after a CM had to tell me what I was doing wrong.

Sea World is a wonderful experience. The "Believe" show had me in tears. I've only been once--if you stay on property and sign up a day in advance, a shuttle will take you to and pick you up from Sea World. Oh, AARP members get a small discount at Sea World--AAA members do too, I think.

[DrsG]

We did Discovery Cove last Friday for the 2nd time. It was fabulous. Yes, the initial price tag seems very high, but you have to add up all the perks and you'll see it is a pretty good deal really. We watched prices and jumped on a $219 deal. SOOO, here is how it can be broken down: If you want to swim with dolphins somewhere, it will cost you at least $100. Seaworld and Aquatica are included. Seaworld is over $90 and Aquatica must be at least $50, right. So already you've broken even. Now, a lovely breakfast and lunch are included not to mention all the snacks and drinks (including alcohol) you can handle too. We eat a early lunch and then go through again right before lunch line closes down for "lupper". So they've feed us all three meals for the day!! Then there is the wonderful experience of the park itself. We love it. So by the time it's all added up, the value is very good. Now, if you need to get a taxi back to your room if you enjoy the drinkie poos too much, it might not be as good of a deal!!!!

Anyway, all that being said, here's a plan for the day: arrive before 7:30, go straight to breakfast then to get your swimvest or shortie and locker, go nab a nice lounge chair that you might never even use and jump in the Grand Reef before the rest of the people are done with breakfast. The bird area was very busy in the morning but by afternoon much less crowded on our day. By then it might be time for your dolphin swim. Pick up any photos you've ordered early to avoid the crowds too. And yes, they are expensive!!!!! Find a price list ahead of time, determine what you really what before you go because it is hard to resist the whole package in the heat of the moment when looking at all those wonderful photos. Oh, one more thing we learned Friday: 5:30 close means the WATERWAYS (and snack bars) close at 5:30. You don't have to be out of the park by 5:30. You can stay in the water until the very last second, then go shower, dress, empty your locker and shop, then slowly make your way out of paradise kicking and screaming (or bawling your head off, if you are one of us).....

[mimidodaplgo]

I have a co-worker looking to go to Universal this Spring and was asking me about the meal plans offered for a lunch and dinner each day. What is your opinions on these plans and what do these plans offer each day..what restaurants are eligible for the meal plan, etc. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer me.

[sharron379]

We are finally going to take my boys (7 and 9) during fall break. Huge Harry Potter fans! We are going Oct. 17-20. How are the crowds at this time? Will we need express passes? We are staying at my aunt's condo that is closer to downtown disney. I know it's a little bit of a distance, but it's a free place to stay! Also can we get away with doing two days in the park or do we need three? We want to do both parks! We are huge Disney family and go every year, but this is our first Universal trip. Any tips are very appreciated.

Thanks
Sharron

[manticorjenn]

We went to Universal in 2011 (before I found out about this wonderful board). We used the Unofficial Guide: Beyond Disney Parks. It had a lot of wonderful info. I agree with every one else in that you should see Harry Potter first. Because we stayed on property, we had front of the line access. However, for most of the visit we didn't need it. Most of the rides were pretty much walk on or very little wait.

[Disneygirl427]

Hi! I really don't post to much on the boards, but my daughter is 10 years old now and she like more thrilling adventures. We love Disney but last year we went to Universal in Fl and stayed at the Royal Pacific and we love it. We had a great time there and the place is gorgeous. We weren't crazy about the pricing for the buffet and there wasn't enough food items for dinner to choose from. (Thanksgiving week)
The place is very convienent to get to the theme park,. We stayed there because they had a great packageprice with the Express Pass with our stay.
This year, we're traveling with friends for 4 days and 3 nights around the same time in Nov. and the hotel stay is a bit pricey for them. Any suggestions? I was wondering if anyone knows where else is a nice hotel around the area to stay near the park? No more than 1 mile away. I still want to be close by. We didn't get the meal package there, and I wanted to know if anyone thinks it's really worth it to get for te lunch times it since we plan 2 days to eat dinner at 3 broomstick, and we just love the Lobster Feast off the strip area. We love it there. Both places have great food.
Also, If anyone has any great ideas on the best way to explore and navigate the 2 parks and plan which areas to visit in each park that would be great too. We normally play it by ear with out the planning and follow the map guides. We love all the rides at both park areas and go to the Island of Adventure first. The lines seem to get long very fast for Forbidden Journey. and no Express pass.
Please help. Thanks.

[mamasann]

There are tons of great hotels along International and they're just minutes from the parks. We too stayed at Royal Pacific last time and found the breakfast prices outrageous. But the year we stayed on International we stayed at the Palms. Not pricey, and not even Best Western, but Absolutely no Royal Pacific either. There was a Sheraton right beside us that looked really nice and had an awesome Japanese restaurant in it too! And there was an IHOP right near where we made our left off International to go to the parks, so that's where we ate each morning. The whole trip's worth of breakfasts at IHOP cost what ONE did at Royal Pacific and they tasted better too.

[cdnmousegirls]

Okay, our most recent trip in July of last year we did US, IOA and Aquatica. First of in the craziness of July US was busy and the lines were long. DH hated it but would not cough up the extra for express pass it really does add to the cost. I agree hit HP ASAP, we waiting only about 30 minutes at the start of the day, March will be a bit slower. Wait to see if you need the express passes when you get there, you can buy them anywhere! The Simpson Nd Minions rides are both good times.

Aquatica was well worth a full day it was relaxing and had some great slides and a very awesome "rushing river". We did the meal deal there for unlimited food, the food was decent and was a great value.

Discovery Cove we did. Few years back, yes it is expensive but in all honesty from another girl who is Disney through and through was one of our best vacation days we have ever had as a family. Choose an earlier dolphin swim time, and spend the rest of the day exploring, snorkelling, eating the included food, and relaxing. The whole family loved it, when we went it was me, DH, DS whoa was 15, DD who was 12 and DBFF, honestly some if the best money we have spent. The pictures were a bit expensive but they are proudly displayed throughout our home.

Seaworld- it is a good day, Manta is a a great ride, food is pricey but when included with the Discovery Cove it is worth it.