1st timer - week of Nov 9th...questions

[gee1209]

This will be our first time at Universal - we have gone to Disney every year with our 6 six old since he was 1!...We are staying offsite and have a few questions..


1 - the express pass...do you think we will need it during that week? can we purchase it in the park after admission?
2 - I heard that the walk into the theme park is pretty far..how about valet parking? does that make it any closer?
3 - Where can I get maps of the parks before I go? the ones that are given our at the parks?
4 - Any great dining places where you can sit and be served in the parks or at City Walk?
5 - Do we have to get back into the car to get to City Walk?

/Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

This will be our first time at Universal - we have gone to Disney every year with our 6 six old since he was 1!...We are staying offsite and have a few questions..


1 - the express pass...do you think we will need it during that week? can we purchase it in the park after admission?
2 - I heard that the walk into the theme park is pretty far..how about valet parking? does that make it any closer?
3 - Where can I get maps of the parks before I go? the ones that are given our at the parks?
4 - Any great dining places where you can sit and be served in the parks or at City Walk?
5 - Do we have to get back into the car to get to City Walk?

/Thanks!

To answer your questions:

1.) I don't think you'd need it that week and certainly do not buy it ahead of time. If the lines are getting too long for you, purchase the EP at either park.

2.) The walk from the garage to the parks isn't that bad. You can utilize the moving sidewalks to save a few steps.

3.) If I head over to the parks next weekend, I can pick you up a map of each park. Otherwise, look at the website so you can see the layout.

4.) Just about anywhere at CityWalk would be a nice place but I really like Margaritaville. At the Studios, sit down service is great at Finnegan's and at IOA, Mythos is the way to go.

5.) You will not have to get the car to go to CityWalk. CityWalk is in between the garage and the parks.

 

[terbethk]

I don't think you'll need the express pass.
we went this week last year and did half days both of the days we were at US and IOA. Nearly everything was a walk on (hulk, dueling dragons, spiderman, jp, shrek, jimmy neutron, mib, twister)
The only things I recall waiting for at all was Jaws (30 min), Mummy (around 30 min), and I believe we had a very short wait for ET.
It was an excellent trip & the weather was really nice too!