1-1/2 days at Universal 1/29 and 1/30 staying Doubletree

[turningleaf]

Hi all,

Hoping for advice on our trip planning, both on Universal and on the Doubletree Hilton. DH has a last minute meeting at Doubletree and we've never stayed there before. It's also our first time at Universal Orlando. We have a DD6 who has only ever done onsite Disney and we rely greatly on the monorail/boats for reliable access to the hotel.

We did a short trip to Universal Studios Singapore last summer and that's about it, and my understanding is it's much smaller than the Orlando one. She is 46" and doesn't like thrill rides (she's okay with Soarin and Alice's Teacups but not Goofy's rollercoaster).

Our park times would be late afternoon of the 29th and all day of the 30th up to about 3pm.

1. What is the best way to get from the Doubletree to the parks? Doubletree supposedly has a shuttle run by Universal. Does anyone know if the Doubletree shuttle is dependable and where it drops you off? Is it better to drive? Advantages vs Disadvantages?

2. Touringplans has labelled those days both "1" for crowds. Anyone can tell me if that is dependable and what to expect on a "1" day? Should we buy Universal Express or Unlimited Express? If we don't, can we go back to the entrance and buy them later in the day? We would like to be relaxed about our touring in spite of our limited time there. I figure since our DD doesn't know much about the park, she'll be fine with whatever we get to do. But we don't want to be waiting in line more than we have to.

3. Confused as to the kind of tickets to buy - should we buy the park to park ticket? Will we be going back and forth in a single day? Is one park better for Wednesday night?

4. I realize most people go to WWHP first, but we probably won't even ride the Hippogriff. Should we still go here first? Should we still go at Rope Drop if we aren't going for FJ? What can we do in the WWHP area? Is Olivanders a good option? I assume that's a line with no Express?

5. Suggestions about meals? Should we go straight to the park in the morning and not eat bfast at the Hilton? Which restaurants do your kids like in the parks, and how does the reservation system work? Character Dining wasn't letting me pick any dates in January, so am I out of luck?

Thank you very much for any advice!

 

[Metro West]

1. What is the best way to get from the Doubletree to the parks? Doubletree supposedly has a shuttle run by Universal. Does anyone know if the Doubletree shuttle is dependable and where it drops you off? Is it better to drive? Advantages vs Disadvantages? The Doubletree is right across Kirkman Road from Universal. It would probably be just a quick to walk to the parks than to wait for the shuttle. Plus shuttles usually have a schedule so you could ride over and walk back if you wanted.

2. Touringplans has labelled those days both "1" for crowds. Anyone can tell me if that is dependable and what to expect on a "1" day? Should we buy Universal Express or Unlimited Express? If we don't, can we go back to the entrance and buy them later in the day? We would like to be relaxed about our touring in spite of our limited time there. I figure since our DD doesn't know much about the park, she'll be fine with whatever we get to do. But we don't want to be waiting in line more than we have to. You should wait until you arrive to purchase the EPs...they are non-refundable and date/park specific. If you are going on a "1" day, you probably won't need them to begin with.

3. Confused as to the kind of tickets to buy - should we buy the park to park ticket? Will we be going back and forth in a single day? Is one park better for Wednesday night? That's up to you. If you wanted to do the two day ticket w/o hopping, I think you would be fine. You would only be able to do one park each day. It's not a lot more to get the park to park tickets and you can upgrade once there.

4. I realize most people go to WWHP first, but we probably won't even ride the Hippogriff. Should we still go here first? Should we still go at Rope Drop if we aren't going for FJ? What can we do in the WWHP area? Is Olivanders a good option? I assume that's a line with no Express? Ollivanders quickly builds up a long line so I would say do that first. If you aren't really interested in HP then you could do the other islands and then check back at WWoHP to see what the lines are like.

5. Suggestions about meals? Should we go straight to the park in the morning and not eat bfast at the Hilton? Which restaurants do your kids like in the parks, and how does the reservation system work? Character Dining wasn't letting me pick any dates in January, so am I out of luck? We have a food sticky with tons of information listed. Check it out here:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2681315

If you wanted to get a jump on the lines, skip breakfast at the hotel or take something with you. Then you could pick up a snack while at the parks. You can book through Open Table if you desire but if it's not busy, you can pretty much walk right up whenever you're ready to eat.

I don't do the character meals so I can't help you with that.

Thank you very much for any advice!

My answers in blue.

 

[turningleaf]

Thank you!!

 

[lisagyo]

We stayed at the Doubletree in 2011. We usually caught the first shuttle to the parks in the morning and then walked back to the hotel when we were ready to leave. It is probably about a 15-20 minute walk, there is a path from the hotel all the way to the park. It's a nice walk!