We're headed to Universal this summer and we really have no plans. We have tickets and on-site hotel reservations. That is it. We have been before so I *think* that is OK but coming from the Disney side, if feels like I'm doing something wrong! Is there anything I need to research beforehand and/or do I need a touring plan?
Am I doing something wrong?
- Thread starter crazylady
- Start date
Are you staying at a deluxe resort or Cabana Bay?..If you are staying at a deluxe, no plans are required since you will have express passes and early entry. If you are staying at Cabana Bay, you will only have early entry so you will want some sort of action plan
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SweetPeasMom2
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2006
We went for 3 days during Spring Break. We didn't stay on property. We didn't have a plan other than go straight to the Harry Potter areas first. Then we just followed the park's path. It worked for us.
Cadiewampus
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2008
We are same way. Only thing we ever planned was Character meals when our sons were young but that was it. We just go with the flow.
Our first trip to Universal 2 summers ago I planned everything-touring plans, ADR's etc. Having done Disney several times and having to plan extensively for that I was still in that mode. Our first day at Universal the plan went out the door. Since we were onsite and had unlimited express the only thing we had to plan was when we did FJ. This time around I am just planning when to do FJ, Gringotts and DM. Going to make 2 ADR's. One at Margaritaville on a Sunday night for a birthday dinner and one for lunch at mythos.
Ann
Ann
late spring should be fine!
saturday nights at city walk would be the only reservation i would be making.
if you plan on margaritaville, it does have a big draw on the weekends later in the evenings.
many park guests stop in for dinner when the parks close at the city walk places
if you want to make a couple of dining reservations, do so.
better safe than sorry than sorry.
peace of mind for a trip that doesn't have any oops moments.
Parker Clan
Is it December yet?!
- Joined
- May 25, 2014
We just kind of wandered after doing FJ and Gringotts. We stayed at RP too & it's so worth it that you get the unlimited ride pass. We were able to do several of the popular rides a bunch of times barely waiting. I say just research what rides you would be into going on and that's about it. Just to make sure you get to go on those after the Harry Potter ones! We also made reservations at the Hard Rock there which was good!
cgattis
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2009
My only other thought would be to check out some of the interactive wand "spell stations" early on, say right after you ride Gringott's. If they strike your fancy, buy a wand early so you get the most out of it. Otherwise, just enjoy your relaxed EP touring!! (ANd RP--we love it there 
)
)
schumigirl
It's a bit of a roodie doodie word for lady parts
- Joined
- May 15, 2007
Have a look at www.universalorlando.com
It has park layouts so will have an idea of where everything is in the parks. You definitely don't need a plan, but knowing where things are is always a good idea.
Loads of other info on there too. But apart from that......no real planning necessary.....as mac above says.....maybe a Saturday night reservation if you want to eat at Margaritaville.
It has park layouts so will have an idea of where everything is in the parks. You definitely don't need a plan, but knowing where things are is always a good idea.
Loads of other info on there too. But apart from that......no real planning necessary.....as mac above says.....maybe a Saturday night reservation if you want to eat at Margaritaville.
Not to hijack, but we are also going early June and I see that they are doing a 25th anniversary concert series and Kelli Pickler will be there on Saturday, June 6th. How much are the crowds affected by these concerts?
OP, the beauty of US/IOA and staying on property, in my opinion, is not needing plans. We just go with the flow, head to the parks when we want, eat when we want, where we want (on or off property). After doing WDW numerous times and having just come back from our first Disney Cruise, I cannot WAIT for our laid back trip to US. I used to the love the Disney planning, but now it just makes me crazy, stressed and grumpy
OP, the beauty of US/IOA and staying on property, in my opinion, is not needing plans. We just go with the flow, head to the parks when we want, eat when we want, where we want (on or off property). After doing WDW numerous times and having just come back from our first Disney Cruise, I cannot WAIT for our laid back trip to US. I used to the love the Disney planning, but now it just makes me crazy, stressed and grumpy
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hopemax
Note to Self:
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2000
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem, is low capacity for its demand, so wait times can jump up to 45 -60 min very quickly. The gates open before the scheduled posting time, so we try to get there between 8:30-9:00 and then ride first thing. Last time, we didn't make it until 8:50, and the ride already had a 20 min wait, which was still acceptable for us.
Other than that, we don't ever really plan. We find the wait times for Forbidden Journey and Gringotts get shorter as the day goes by, so we don't try to do those first. Instead we focus on the coasters, or Transformers or Spiderman in IOA. Universal has a wait times app, and I use that a lot, and just keep an eye on things, and go where things appear to be slower.
It's definitely a lot more laid back experience than Disney, which is very appreciated.
Other than that, we don't ever really plan. We find the wait times for Forbidden Journey and Gringotts get shorter as the day goes by, so we don't try to do those first. Instead we focus on the coasters, or Transformers or Spiderman in IOA. Universal has a wait times app, and I use that a lot, and just keep an eye on things, and go where things appear to be slower.
It's definitely a lot more laid back experience than Disney, which is very appreciated.
donnajherren
Slacking off
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
I feel you, OP. Our first trip to Universal is at the end of May, and I'm at a loss. I've made reservations at HRH, bought our tickets from UT, made travel arrangements...and now I'm twiddling my thumbs. I'd still be planning madly for a Disney trip, so this feels like I'm dropping the ball, even though I know I'm not.
My husband just laughs at me and says this is what a real vacation feels like.
My husband just laughs at me and says this is what a real vacation feels like.
there are the rare occasions the husband is right........
and once you go and have fun at the darkside, he'll never let you forget he was right.........
RocketCityMama
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2009
I feel the same right now! We have tickets bought (from UT) and have the resort booked (off property) for early June (7-14), we are spending 3 days at USO so I think we'll do Tues-Wed-Thurs for the parks, I figure that will be the least busy days. We plan to go to Tampa for a beach day too, outside of that just relax at the resort and enjoy the activities there.
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