Is there an unofficial guide?

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
Is there an unofficial guide to Universal? We are going the week of April 26th through May 3rd. We are not staying on property and have the 7 day tickets. I'm wondering if we should invest in Express Passes. My kids are young so I don't expect anyone to go on the coasters.

We are saving the following week for Disney because last year we found May 3rd-11th to be quiet in Disney. I hope it's the same this year.

One more question. Which way do we go to hit Seuss Landing first?

Thanks.

[patster734]

I haven't been during that time, but I wouldn't expect large crowds during that time. My advice is to hold off buying the express pass. If you do come across large crowds, you could buy the express pass at guest services on the day of your visit.

As for Suess Landing, its the first land on the right as you face the lagoon, after passing through Port of Entry. If you go left, you'll go to Marvel Island.

As for an unofficial guide, one of our resident posters, Kelly Monaghan, releases a Universal Orlando guidebook each year.

[lindalinda]

Heres a link to a wonderful guide book (author posts here).

http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Orlando-2008-Ultimate-Adventure/dp/1887140743/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205871844&sr=1-1

Suess is at IOA, as soon as you enter , turn right.

[Hoopfamily]

I've never seen a book explicitly for universal, But there is a section in the DisneyWorld unofficial guide that goes over the info for universal. They give all the same ratings types etc.

[pixeegrl]

I devoured Kelly's book the moment I got it. Lots of great stuff in it! The link was posted above! Of course this is a great place to get info as well. This is me :surfweb: every morning before work!

[jdragr]

Kelly's book is great and is updated for each year. I have already purchased and read the whole 2008 book.

[damo]

Hi:
Is there an unofficial guide to Universal? We are going the week of April 26th through May 3rd. We are not staying on property and have the 7 day tickets. I'm wondering if we should invest in Express Passes. My kids are young so I don't expect anyone to go on the coasters.

We are saving the following week for Disney because last year we found May 3rd-11th to be quiet in Disney. I hope it's the same this year.

One more question. Which way do we go to hit Seuss Landing first?

Thanks.

You don't need to decide about Express Passes until you are actually inside the parks where they are sold all over the place. Many people make the mistake of buying them right as soon as they enter where it looks like the crowds are huge, instead of waiting and taking an actual look at the lines.

[goofy!]

I've never seen a book explicitly for universal, But there is a section in the DisneyWorld unofficial guide that goes over the info for universal. They give all the same ratings types etc.

The Disney guidebooks are notorious for being full of erronous and very outdated info for Universal.

You are better off with Kelly's book which is dedicated to Universal and is updated each year. He also posts here as mentioned by the others.

[kirbsam]

if you are going for a whole week, and plan to do the parks more than two days, you will have ample time to do everything you want and then some without the express pass.

[CPanther95]

Another big thumbs up for Kelly's book. I get a new one each year.

[sha_lyn]

You have plenty of days planned, no need to buy the express pass
Universal has child swapping for the "big" rides. Give the coasters and other thrill rides a shot.

How old are the kids?

[rwdavis]

IMHO, 7 days is too many for US/IOA. 3 is more than enough to them at a leisurely pace. So the Express passes probably aren't needed.
Bob

[lindalinda]

IMHO, 7 days is too many for US/IOA. 3 is more than enough to them at a leisurely pace. So the Express passes probably aren't needed.
Bob

I disagree. You can cram it in...or you can relax and have fun for 7 days.

[ldmilton]

I disagree. You can cram it in...or you can relax and have fun for 7 days.


::yes::

[MinnieForMe]

Thanks for the great advice! My kids are 10, 7 and 2. We plan on using 3 of our 7 day pass at the parks and perhaps add a 4th day if they want to go back for anything. I don't want to criss cross the parks so we'll take it slow and enjoy it. Heck, we don't get stressed out at Disney so why should I at Universal? I guess for us that's the joy in going every year (Disney that is) if a line is too long we just tell the kids we'll hit it next year!

How ironic is it that we have 16 days this year and I still wish it were longer?

[sha_lyn]

My best advise, for all in general but mostly for the 2 yrd old.....
don't get stuck in the fact that US/IOA do not hold nastalgic value for the adults. So many times we have people come on here and tell us there there was nothing for their toddler/preschooler (practically age age up to teen) to do. Then when we start naming off things they child could do/probably would enjoy, we get "Oh I'm wasn't going to waste my time on__________"

Also don't get stuck in the thought that fun=rides & shows. The play areas at US/IOAare amazing.

[ky07]

::yes:: ::yes:: :thumbsup2 My best advise, for all in general but mostly for the 2 yrd old.....
don't get stuck in the fact that US/IOA do not hold nastalgic value for the adults. So many times we have people come on here and tell us there there was nothing for their toddler/preschooler (practically age age up to teen) to do. Then when we start naming off things they child could do/probably would enjoy, we get "Oh I'm wasn't going to waste my time on__________"

Also don't get stuck in the thought that fun=rides & shows. The play areas at US/IOAare amazing.

[Hoopfamily]

[quote=goofy!;23886380]The Disney guidebooks are notorious for being full of erronous and very outdated info for Universal.

Don't Hate Appreciate:cool1:

[kellymonaghan]

A tip of the hat to the folks who said nice things about my book!

[MinnieForMe]

My two year old is a big Barney fan (lucky us!). I have a feeling that I'll be spending an entire morning in the Barney Show and Curious George play area. It'll be a good time for my husband to take the boys on MIB as I really do very few rides. I enjoy people watching and snapping pictures!

I'm not nervous about finding things to do in Universal with a toddler as the last time we went we had a 3 year old and a 10 month old and had no problem staying entertained! I don't love Universal as much as Disney because they didn't treat the handicap as nicely (me) but it was still enjoyable.

[sha_lyn]

I'm not nervous about finding things to do in Universal with a toddler as the last time we went we had a 3 year old and a 10 month old and had no problem staying entertained! I don't love Universal as much as Disney because they didn't treat the handicap as nicely (me) but it was still enjoyable

I'm sorry to hear that. What did they do/not do?

[goofy!]

The Disney guidebooks are notorious for being full of erroneous and very outdated info for Universal.

Don't Hate Appreciate:cool1:

:confused3 :confused3 Huh?? :confused3 :confused3

[MinnieForMe]

Keep in mind my last visit was five year's ago but my handicap remark was in reference to feeling like I was a burden to the castmembers. I believe one of them actually made a face when I asked about accessible seating in one of the show areas. The other problem we had was not enough employees working when we went. All being said, I did really enjoy Universal and that's why we are going back.

The handicap treatment is the only comparison I would make between Universal and Disney. They just can't be compared as both are great in their own way. Although, with every trip to Disney I find they are less accomodating to the handicap as well. The one exception is they seem to be nicer (Disney) if they believe you are really handicap.

[phamton]

Just stop by Guest Services when you get to the parks and let them know what kind of accomadations you need to make your trip enjoyable.

[kellymonaghan]

Gee, that's too bad. My impression has always been that Universal does a superb job in welcoming guests with a wide variety of challenges.

I am especially impressed that so many employees in customer-contact roles have disabilities of one sort or another.

[nhrenee]

Another fan of Kelly's book! It's terrific!

[wahoolio]

We picked up Kelly's book and it was the perfect supplement to this forum in planning our trip. I also liked the fact that I could throw it in my backpack and have it with me if I needed a reference in the parks. For $15 or so, I recommend it strongly.

If I were to have any quibble with Kelly's book -- and it's very minor -- it's that I don't think I read one negative comment about the whole Universal experience. Now I thought the parks were great, and even though I didn't stay on-site, the hotels looked great, and based on the FOTL privilege I won't make that mistake again. That said, there's got to be SOMETHING about the Universal experience that's not entirely peachy-keen, right? Granted, I didn't come across much in the way of negative during my visit, but . . .

I'm probably just accustomed to Sehlinger's Unofficial Guide for Disney. One aspect of that publication I enjoy when planning a Disney trip is that many (not all) of the opinions are pretty unvarnished, and if something stinks, they say so.

[sha_lyn]

If I were to have any quibble with Kelly's book -- and it's very minor -- it's that I don't think I read one negative comment about the whole Universal experience. Now I thought the parks were great, and even though I didn't stay on-site, the hotels looked great, and based on the FOTL privilege I won't make that mistake again. That said, there's got to be SOMETHING about the Universal experience that's not entirely peachy-keen, right? Granted, I didn't come across much in the way of negative during my visit, but .

in the 7 or so trips we've made to US/IOA the only bad experience we've ever had is with the HRH. We complained, got 2 free nights to return and had problems again. I'll never return. However we've stayed at RPR 3 times I believe, and have always had wonderful experiences.
Never had a bad experience in the parks other than bad meals at monster cafe and mels

[JSThatcher]

A tip of the hat to the folks who said nice things about my book!

We got your book Kelly. Not only is it very, very informitive, but funny as well. Thank you for your wonderfull book, I recommend everyone get it. If your only visting one day or one week. It is very helpfull!!!!

[RAPstar]

I just ordered my copy. Can't wait to read it (even if it'll practiacally be '09 when I go on my trip).

[Tinker-tude]

A tip of the hat to the folks who said nice things about my book!

They just sold me on it! My Amazon order is confirmed. Can't wait to start planning the next trip and making a list of all the fun stuff we missed last time. :banana: :banana: :cool1: :cool1: We'll be staying a little longer this next trip so we can soak up as much as possible.

[tttessa]

Another vote for Kelly!! From the UK, got our 2008 copy on Amazon too. Nice to have the ride by ride breakdown and loads of tips and the "chatty" nature of the book really appeals. Love the midi-paperback format too - easy to hold and read on a plane... Will let you know if it helps!! USO on Monday!!! IOA on Thursday!! Palpitations have started....

Tessa