Universal with pre-teens and medical issue for mom -- advice, please About This Page:

[Lilyian]

We just booked our annual Xmas trip to Disney. However, I am entertaining taking my 12 yr old twins (boy/girl twins) to Universal for a day or 2. I really need advice, though, because the last time I was at Universal was when they just opened Islands of Adventure, which was maybe 13 years ago! I have a few questions and would LOVE some advice. Here goes:

1. When I went to Universal so many years ago, the cast members were rude and didn't care about their jobs. Definitely lacked the Disney magic feeling! That really changed the tone of our experience and enjoyment of Universal. Has that changed now, or will I spend my time at Universal being annoyed with how unfriendly the cast members are?

2. My twins are not big thrill seekers in regard to rides. For example, Big Thunder Mountain is their big thrill ride at Disney, and they didn't like Splash Mountain. Given that, I am guessing that Universal and NOT Islands of Adventures is the park to take them to. Am I correct in that?

3. Harry Potter World. Our whole family loves the Harry Potter movies. It appears that the rides in Harry Potter are thrill roller coasters, so my kids wouldn't like them. Is that correct, or are there other rides? Is it worth buying tickets to go over there since we are big fans even if the kids don't have any rides other than roller coasters?

4. Xmas crowds. This may be my biggest deterent. (We may go to Universal 12/16 and 12/17 or a week later.) At Disney, I am given a Guest Assistance Pass because I have a rare disease and can get very ill from fatigue, sun, and heat. We discovered years ago that Disney is the safest place for me to vacation (as in it keeps me out of the ER while on vacation), so it is a lovely vacation for us because that Guest Assistance Pass makes the biggest difference for me due to putting me instantly through the Fast Pass lines anytime. The big question: does Universal offer this service, and will they honor it everywhere? the last thing I want to do is to have to argue with cast members at Universal about letting me use a pass if they offer one). Stress also starts up my symptoms, so that would be a quick way for me to get sick. At Disney, we can go during Christmas and have no line and waiting problems. I wonder how this would be handled at Universal for me. Anyone know?

5. Should we just stick with Disney at this point and wait till our kids are older?

5. Lastly, if we did Universal and Harry Potter -- is that a 2 day visit?

Thanks so much everyone for any advice!!

[HiddenMickey]

We just booked our annual Xmas trip to Disney. However, I am entertaining taking my 12 yr old twins (boy/girl twins) to Universal for a day or 2. I really need advice, though, because the last time I was at Universal was when they just opened Islands of Adventure, which was maybe 13 years ago! I have a few questions and would LOVE some advice. Here goes:

1. When I went to Universal so many years ago, the cast members were rude and didn't care about their jobs. Definitely lacked the Disney magic feeling! That really changed the tone of our experience and enjoyment of Universal. Has that changed now, or will I spend my time at Universal being annoyed with how unfriendly the cast members are?

I haven't noticed a problem with this. Any time we asked for help, the cast members were very helpful this summer.

2. My twins are not big thrill seekers in regard to rides. For example, Big Thunder Mountain is their big thrill ride at Disney, and they didn't like Splash Mountain. Given that, I am guessing that Universal and NOT Islands of Adventures is the park to take them to. Am I correct in that?

I agree that Universal is probably a better bet for your kids, than IOA.

3. Harry Potter World. Our whole family loves the Harry Potter movies. It appears that the rides in Harry Potter are thrill roller coasters, so my kids wouldn't like them. Is that correct, or are there other rides? Is it worth buying tickets to go over there since we are big fans even if the kids don't have any rides other than roller coasters?

WWoHP is a really nice area, but you are correct, if they don't like thrill rides, this area's attractions are really not for them.

4. Xmas crowds. This may be my biggest deterent. (We may go to Universal 12/16 and 12/17 or a week later.) At Disney, I am given a Guest Assistance Pass because I have a rare disease and can get very ill from fatigue, sun, and heat. We discovered years ago that Disney is the safest place for me to vacation (as in it keeps me out of the ER while on vacation), so it is a lovely vacation for us because that Guest Assistance Pass makes the biggest difference for me due to putting me instantly through the Fast Pass lines anytime. The big question: does Universal offer this service, and will they honor it everywhere? the last thing I want to do is to have to argue with cast members at Universal about letting me use a pass if they offer one). Stress also starts up my symptoms, so that would be a quick way for me to get sick. At Disney, we can go during Christmas and have no line and waiting problems. I wonder how this would be handled at Universal for me. Anyone know?

I don't know about guest assistance passes. You might think about calling the park and asking about this before making a final decision about whether to go there. I haven't been there in December so can't comment on crowd levels.

5. Should we just stick with Disney at this point and wait till our kids are older?

Your kids are actually a good age for US/IOA at this point, but if you want to wait, you could do that too. When we chose to do US/IOA the first time with our kids, the oldest was about your children's ages. We chose not to do WDW parks on that visit and did three days at IOA/US, one day at Typhoon Lagoon, and one and half days at Seaworld on that trip. It worked out nicely.

5. Lastly, if we did Universal and Harry Potter -- is that a 2 day visit?

If you want to do both parks, I'd do two days. Harry Potter is just a small part of IOA.

Thanks so much everyone for any advice!!

[Shell_of_the_South]

I've heard complaints that Team Members (Universal's term) are rude. I've encountered some absolutely wonderful Team Members, and one that was the opposite. But... I've encountered rudeness at WDW too. It's interesting that some people feel that Universal has rude employees, because there are a good many employees that work for both Universal and Disney - I've talked to a few. Universal is not going to put up with rude Team Members - they are very aware of their competition.

Universal is not Disney, but it's still a fun experience! If people go in with an open mind and not try to compare every little aspect to their Disney experiences, they will have a better time.

As far as the guest assistance pass, there is a sticky thread at the top of the forum that has a link to a discussion on Guest Assistance Passes at Universal. But it's from 2007, so I don't know if their policies have changed. You might want to contact Universal directly to get more info. Here are some links from their website for disabilities:

ADA Information for Guests of Universal Orlando

http://www.universalorlando.com/Imag...cm13-10940.pdf

If a guest assistance pass is not available, you might consider purchasing Express passes. Universal onsite hotel guests get automatic Express pass entry.

Universal has two theme parks: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a section of Islands of Adventure. There is one thrill coaster - Dragon's Challenge, a dark ride - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and a kiddie type coaster - Flight of the Hippogriff.

We went to Universal around 12/16 in 2006, and the place was practically empty. I think you're early enough that you won't encounter massive crowds, although Harry Potter is hugely popular and has increased the crowd levels somewhat. You will be there during Grinchmas and the Macy's Parade for the holidays.

We love Universal for the thrill rides, but there lots of other attractions and shows that you can enjoy. If you are planning to visit both parks, I would recommend two days to avoid that "commando" rush. It is vacation after all!

[Carousel96]

Originally Posted by Lilyian

1. When I went to Universal so many years ago, the cast members were rude and didn't care about their jobs. Definitely lacked the Disney magic feeling! That really changed the tone of our experience and enjoyment of Universal. Has that changed now, or will I spend my time at Universal being annoyed with how unfriendly the cast members are?

While the only Universal cast members that were oozing "I-love-my-job" were the ones in WWoHP and in Seussland (especially the operators at One Fish Two Fish), there's a long way from that to rude. The cast members we encountered were helpful and polite and friendly.
As pointed out above, theme parks are a customer service industry, and they have to provide a good experience for visitors.

Originally Posted by Lilyian

2. My twins are not big thrill seekers in regard to rides. For example, Big Thunder Mountain is their big thrill ride at Disney, and they didn't like Splash Mountain. Given that, I am guessing that Universal and NOT Islands of Adventures is the park to take them to. Am I correct in that?

Based on that description, I'd agree that Universal is the better bet. We aren't thrill ride people either, and it seemed that there was more to do at Universal. However, Seuss Landing was a lot of fun and its in IOA.

Originally Posted by Lilyian

3. Harry Potter World. Our whole family loves the Harry Potter movies. It appears that the rides in Harry Potter are thrill roller coasters, so my kids wouldn't like them. Is that correct, or are there other rides? Is it worth buying tickets to go over there since we are big fans even if the kids don't have any rides other than roller coasters?

Dueling Dragons is definately a thrill coaster. Forbidden Journey is an experience unto itself. There are whole threads devoted to trying to explain it, but if you aren't a thrill ride person, it's iffy. I say iffy because I don't do thrill rides and coasters, but I was determined to ride FJ and I lived to tell the tale. Jury is still out on whether I'd do it again, though.
Flight of the Hippogriff is a kiddie coaster, but an IOA ticket is pretty pricy for one ride and the singing frog show.
We went right after Thanksgiving last year and missed the show at Ollivanders because the line was always so darn long.

Originally Posted by Lilyian

4. Xmas crowds. This may be my biggest deterent. (We may go to Universal 12/16 and 12/17 or a week later.) At Disney, I am given a Guest Assistance Pass because I have a rare disease and can get very ill from fatigue, sun, and heat. We discovered years ago that Disney is the safest place for me to vacation (as in it keeps me out of the ER while on vacation), so it is a lovely vacation for us because that Guest Assistance Pass makes the biggest difference for me due to putting me instantly through the Fast Pass lines anytime. The big question: does Universal offer this service, and will they honor it everywhere? the last thing I want to do is to have to argue with cast members at Universal about letting me use a pass if they offer one). Stress also starts up my symptoms, so that would be a quick way for me to get sick. At Disney, we can go during Christmas and have no line and waiting problems. I wonder how this would be handled at Universal for me. Anyone know?

No experience with special passes at US/IOA. Someone should know, though. You may want to post this question separately in the Special Needs forum to find an answer more quickly.

Originally Posted by Lilyian

5. Should we just stick with Disney at this point and wait till our kids are older?
5. Lastly, if we did Universal and Harry Potter -- is that a 2 day visit?

Your kids are actually a really good age for the Universal parks. They've probably seen a good number of the referenced movies (Men in Black, ET, maybe even Jaws) and aren't too jaded for the superhero portion. Plus they're old enough to appreciate the special effects makeup show.
But if you do Universal and Harry Potter, I'd definately make it a 2 day visit. Harry Potter is just a little piece of IOA -- and once you're in there you can take advantage of Seuss Landing, eat at Mythos, and enjoy the visit.

[Lilyian]

Thank you so much everyone. You are all being so helpful to me, since I am just now reacquainting myself with Universal. I am the one all my friends go to for planning their Disney vacations, but I am out of my element with this. I went to the bookstore today and bought a guide book on Universal as well, so that I can better understand what is in each area there.

I think I will have to call Universal and ask about the guest assisistance options. Their own guidelines are very specific for mobility, hearing, or blindness. It doesnt address the other type of people like me who have a stupid invisible illness that can turn really bad really quick when triggered up. So I will see. One of you pointed out that even without the pass, the crowds might be fine the week before Xmas. I think that is probably very true. So there is hope! (or we buy those express passes.)

I am loving the help!! Thanks!