Where do I start?

cantwaittogosoon

Earning My Ears
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
First time back to USF in about 15 yrs. I'm a big planner for WDW but don't know where to start for Universal. Hubs and I are going mainly for Harry Potter but would like to see some of the other attractions. We're not big coaster riders. Can anyone point me in the direction of a good planning book for Universal or have any great ideas which, where and how should I go about making an itinerary? We have three days and we do not spend all day in a park. Thanks for any help you can give me.
 
I suggest not making too much of an itinerary, just research attractions and see what appeals to you (skipping the coasters). Try not to time everything exactly, just see how it goes
 
I agree with the last poster. I was the same as you. I went to Disney almost every year and sometimes twice for over 20 years but with all the changes at Disney lately, especially with the FastPass and former guest assistant pass (we have a handicap family member) I decided to go try out Universal (again) last summer staying at Lowes Royal Pacific.
So, I will talk to you in Disney speak. Imagine that IOA and Universal are only about the size of Disney Hollywood Studios and the park entrance/exits into Downtown Disney and the big hotels branch our from there. If you were staying on property you could decide you wanted to go back to your resort for a little RR you could be there from about any point in either park and be "home" in about 20 minutes door to door! You could see either park in a day but definitely do it at your own at a really relaxed pace on 4 days. I am going back to Universal with my hubby for our 30th anniversarry and I am so excited for him to see it. You can research it to death like I do (for fun) but I think you will definately find it so much easier to go with the flow at Universal than Disney because it is much smaller and more compact.
 
No need for a planning book, you are here at DIS and that is plenty. You do not have to plan like Disney, especially if you stay on site at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, or Portofino Bay, and get Unlimited Express. Know the maps from Universal website, look at the menu sticky on this forum (just about every menu in the entire resort), and read on the hotel forum about the differences between the on site hotels. Keep in mind that you are welcome and encouraged to use amenities at all of the on site hotels (pool hopping). Like previous poster mentioned, you can get end to end in a brisk 20 minute walk. So, research to know the layout, the hotels, the food, then match to your desires and enjoy. No 180 day ADRS, no 90 day FP+, show up and enjoy!!!
 


No real planning necessary for Universal.

Have a look at the website www.universalorlando.com

It has all the information you will need about rides and park layouts. Both parks are very close together and so easy to go between then as long as you have park to park tickets.

Lots of info on these threads too.......
 
I would head on over to http://orlandoinformer.com/. They have a free online guide to Universal that is pretty inclusive and covers frequent questions about Universal hotels, dining plans, express passes, refillable mugs, etc. It's a pretty good resource and FREE!

Have a good trip!
 


I'm planning our first trip for November. Unofficial Guide just put out their first UO guide a week or two ago, so of course I got one. Although there's certainly a lot of useful information, for the most part it's not anything you can't pick up elsewhere for free(mostly here :-)). Definitely a lot less planning involved than WDW! We are focusing on the Wizarding World too, and seems like it basically comes down to taking advantage of early park entry by staying on site and saving your Potter activities for either the beginning or the end of the day when crowds in those areas are lower.
 

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