Questions from a Universal first-timer...

[Canadamom]

Hello there. We will be in Orlando March 28 - April 4 and are considering buying the 2 park/7 day pass. We're staying offsite and considering visiting Busch Gardens, doing a beach day, etc. so this is not our only destination. Probably not doing Disney this time. I've read through all that I could on the threads. Forgive me if I'm repeating previously asked questions.

Which days (if any) during this time would be better for Universal Studios and IOA?

Is the purchase of Express passes a necessity during this week? (trying to keep the cost down!)

Any important strategies for touring the parks in order to get the most out of them? (for Disney, we used TourGuide Mike and Ridemax...worked wonderfully during high season, but I'm at a loss for Universal!) I do know to arrive before park opening for one, but that's about it.

 

[macraven]

Hello there. We will be in Orlando March 28 - April 4 and are considering buying the 2 park/7 day pass. We're staying offsite and considering visiting Busch Gardens, doing a beach day, etc. so this is not our only destination. Probably not doing Disney this time. I've read through all that I could on the threads. Forgive me if I'm repeating previously asked questions.

Which days (if any) during this time would be better for Universal Studios and IOA?

Is the purchase of Express passes a necessity during this week? (trying to keep the cost down!)

Any important strategies for touring the parks in order to get the most out of them? (for Disney, we used TourGuide Mike and Ridemax...worked wonderfully during high season, but I'm at a loss for Universal!) I do know to arrive before park opening for one, but that's about it.

i feel the best days anytime are weekdays, Mon - Thur for the parks.
avoid the weekends.
friday would be my last choice if any of the m-th days are not good for you.

if you get to the parking garage by 7:35, you should be about the 4th car in line to park then. they open at 8:00.
you can be parked and at the IOA entrance line within 15 minutes appox.

there are many times guests are allowed into the park before the official opening time of 9.

there are more rides open at IOA if they let you in early.
not as many open at the studios side that early before official opening time.

you are going to hit crowds for the time period you are at universal.
many schools have college breaks and school breaks. it is staggered across the usa on spring/easter breaks from school.


check out the epp costs on the buying tickets site.
if the epps are $19.99, that is an indicator of a low crowd day.
if it reflects a price of $45, you will see more crowds.

go very early to the parks and try to do as much as you can prior to the crowds coming in. that usually happens around 11ish during the day.

then decide if you want to buy the epp's.
if line waits are over 20 minutes and you have more to do in the parks, then you can think about buying them.
they are sold at a couple of places in the park and guest services.

you can only use the epp one time only per ride and attraction.
don't spend the money for them in advance if you don't need them as they are nonrefundable.
even if you haven't used them, still no money back on them.

read thru some of the stickies and threads and trip reports to get more info.

there might be things you read that you wouldn't realize you had a question about.

and, of course, feel free to ask any questions here if you want more detail or more 411.

hope your trip will be great!

 

[Cherbear013]

Wait until you get to the park to see if you even need the Express Pass. You cna get those throughout the parks. Plan to do one park each day. Make a list of which attractions you must see at each park and try to do those first. At IOA if you want to do coasters, do those first. At Universal, head towards Simpsons first. Universal feels much more laidback than Disney, not as much stuff to try and see. Good luck!

 

[Planogirl]

Unless things have changed I would try to hit Men in Black, the Mummy and Shrek at Universal early too. I remember waiting way too long for both of these in the past.

 

[Canadamom]

Thanks so much for the input everyone! I'm making note of everything I can to help make things go smoothly.

 

[Canadamom]

Just looking for further clarification...I'm thinking that the week we are visiting is Orlando's school spring break. Will this make a difference in a big way to park attendance during the week? Still advisable to visit during the week as opposed to on the weekend? Thanks!

 

[kirbsam]

at ioa, hit hulk, spiderman, jurassic park, and dueling in that order. oh yeah, dont forget dr. doom.(sorry about that macraven). then go to anything else you feel like. shows, walk through attractions, etc.

 

[macraven]

at ioa, hit hulk, spiderman, jurassic park, and dueling in that order. oh yeah, dont forget dr. doom.(sorry about that macraven). then go to anything else you feel like. shows, walk through attractions, etc.

let me tell you kirbsam, you are heaven bound for including Dr Doom on the list.....

 

[Metro West]

Just looking for further clarification...I'm thinking that the week we are visiting is Orlando's school spring break. Will this make a difference in a big way to park attendance during the week? Still advisable to visit during the week as opposed to on the weekend? Thanks!

Only Orange County is off when you're here...their Spring Break is 3/28 through 4/6. Osceola and Seminole Counties are out 4/6 through 4/10 so those kids shouldn't make much difference. I think it will still be busy...Spring Break time is always busy but the local children shouldn't make a huge difference.

 

[Canadamom]

Thanks again for the info!

 

[canadathinktink]

Hi Canadamom,

From your Southern Alberta friend,

Only 15 day left........

Canadathinktink

 

[Canadamom]

Have a great time Canadathinktink! Let me know how your trip goes.

 

[damo]

We've been in Orlando when the Ontario break and the Orlando break coincided. It was very busy at Disney but not quite as busy at Universal. However, we were staying onsite and didn't really have to worry about the lines. Follow everyone's advice and get to the parks well before scheduled opening.

I would do parks in the mornings and then just play it by ear for the afternoons.

 

[celerystalker]

at ioa, hit hulk, spiderman, jurassic park, and dueling in that order. oh yeah, dont forget dr. doom.(sorry about that macraven). then go to anything else you feel like. shows, walk through attractions, etc.

I'm a universal newbie!
I kept saying I would wait until Harry Potter opened before going, but one friend who is a coaster fanatic wants to go, so I'm going!

I'm one of those people who goes to Disney in the off season and manages to do Everest, Kali, Dinosaur and Primeval all in the first hour (in that order).

Is the order that Kirbsam posted the best for maximum coaster euphoria?

Is it better to backtrack to Dr. Doom or should you hit that before you leave the Marvel area?

We will have a coaster weenie with us, so mixing some "nice" rides might be the kind thing to do.

Are jurassic park and spiderman considered "nice?"
I'm pretty sure they're not coasters, but I'm guessing they can get intense.

If we rush, during the week of March 19th arriving at opening - is it reasonable to get all those done in 2 hours or so?

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I'm a universal newbie!
I kept saying I would wait until Harry Potter opened before going, but one friend who is a coaster fanatic wants to go, so I'm going!

I'm one of those people who goes to Disney in the off season and manages to do Everest, Kali, Dinosaur and Primeval all in the first hour (in that order).

Is the order that Kirbsam posted the best for maximum coaster euphoria?

Is it better to backtrack to Dr. Doom or should you hit that before you leave the Marvel area?

We will have a coaster weenie with us, so mixing some "nice" rides might be the kind thing to do.

Are jurassic park and spiderman considered "nice?"
I'm pretty sure they're not coasters, but I'm guessing they can get intense.

If we rush, during the week of March 19th arriving at opening - is it reasonable to get all those done in 2 hours or so?

Definately do Hulk first imo. Its popular ride and from my experience it does get long. Spiderman is nice just some spinning and its 3D. JP also nice imo cept a small drop at end. I would prob hit Doom early since its there it usually loads fast and not a long ride so Hulk doom and spiderman be a good start. Then you can do Jurassic if you like and head to dueling dragons for a fire and ice ride. There are usually no lines at DD if you do it in that order from the past few times I have been there.

I would think you can get that all done in 2 hours tbh.