1st timers to Universal...need help

[jimmytammy]

Hey We are hoping to go in Mar. 11. We own DVC pts so no matter what, we need to stay on WDW property, we cant justify paying for lodging at Universal, though we would love too, knowing we have pts at WDW. Anyway, DD and DS are looking forward to HP stuff, plus we are ready to check out all that US and IOA have to offer!
Knowing HP is so popular, any and all advice is appreciated. DD especially looking forward to that experience, so we have to see it! We arent early risers on vacation but can be if this is most likely way to see HP. Should we get express passes? We will be there for 4 days, will this allow us enough time to see all of US and IOA? What is best way to get tickets? As you can see, Im a greenhorn, so any and all advice will help.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Metro West]

Hey We are hoping to go in Mar. 11. We own DVC pts so no matter what, we need to stay on WDW property, we cant justify paying for lodging at Universal, though we would love too, knowing we have pts at WDW. Anyway, DD and DS are looking forward to HP stuff, plus we are ready to check out all that US and IOA have to offer!
Knowing HP is so popular, any and all advice is appreciated. DD especially looking forward to that experience, so we have to see it! We arent early risers on vacation but can be if this is most likely way to see HP. Should we get express passes? We will be there for 4 days, will this allow us enough time to see all of US and IOA? What is best way to get tickets? As you can see, Im a greenhorn, so any and all advice will help.

Thanks so much!!

Four days will allow you plenty of time to see everything in both parks. Express Plus passes should not be purchased ahead of time because they are non-refundable and date specific. Of course the price could change until you buy it but if you're not going until March 2012, that's not something to worry about now.

Tickets can change in price at any time and since there was a ticket increase just the other day, I think you're fine in waiting. You might want to keep any eye on AAA, Costco and Undercover Tourist for ticket specials. Most tickets are good forever until you activate them but you'll need to check the fine print. Each deal is different.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We went with a froup of 10 in september- just a few months after opening. I can tell you that the day of the week made a huge difference. Sunday it was packed, Wednesday- main ride in HP had a 25 minute wait at 12:00. No problems at all on Wednesday. Don't know if that is the norm or not. We could have done each park a day and seen it all- so I think 4 days is WAAAAY enough. We also stayed on Disney property while at Universal-and didn't get there very early either.

 

[rwdavis2]

HP does not take Express Passes. From everything I've read the best bet to do HP Land is get there as early as you are allowed in.

 

[mesaboy2]

Four days will allow you plenty of time to see everything in both parks. Express Plus passes should not be purchased ahead of time because they are non-refundable and date specific. Of course the price could change until you buy it but if you're not going until March 2012, that's not something to worry about now.

Tickets can change in price at any time and since there was a ticket increase just the other day, I think you're fine in waiting. You might want to keep any eye on AAA, Costco and Undercover Tourist for ticket specials. Most tickets are good forever until you activate them but you'll need to check the fine print. Each deal is different.

()

HP does not take Express Passes. From everything I've read the best bet to do HP Land is get there as early as you are allowed in.

Sort of. The headliner attraction at WWoHP, Forbidden Journey, does not take Universal Express--nor does Ollivander's. However, both Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff within WWoHP do take UE.

 

[Florida Dreamin']

Generally Dragon Challenge has about a 10-15 minute line. As for Harry Potter and the FJ, I wouldn't bother waiting in the heat of the day. If you stay around until close to park closing the line simmers down to around 20-30 minutes.

Just remember to have fun!

 

[tinydancer09]

We went with a froup of 10 in september- just a few months after opening. I can tell you that the day of the week made a huge difference. Sunday it was packed, Wednesday- main ride in HP had a 25 minute wait at 12:00. No problems at all on Wednesday. Don't know if that is the norm or not. We could have done each park a day and seen it all- so I think 4 days is WAAAAY enough. We also stayed on Disney property while at Universal-and didn't get there very early either.

March vs. September.

March 11 is shaping up to be one of the top Spring Break weeks for college

 

[CentralFloridian99]

March should be calm, as its off season, and WWOHP should be mellow then. IDK when Despicable Me will open or when SPiderman goes into refurb to HD.

 

[jimmytammy]

Thanks for all the info folks!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Are Express Plus the same as the Front of the line passes for staying on Universal?

 

[Metro West]

Are Express Plus the same as the Front of the line passes for staying on Universal?

There is no such thing as a Front of the Line pass...that exists only on the DIS. The difference between Express Plus passes is simple...Onsite guests receive unlimited access whereas people who purchase the EP can only have a single time through the line.

Again...there is no such thing as a Front of the Line pass at Universal. It only lives on the DIS.

 

[damo]

There is no such thing as a Front of the Line pass...that exists only on the DIS. The difference between Express Plus passes is simple...Onsite guests receive unlimited access whereas people who purchase the EP can only have a single time through the line.

Again...there is no such thing as a Front of the Line pass at Universal. It only lives on the DIS.

And Universal Hollywood...http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/ticket_front_of_line.html

 

[Metro West]

And Universal Hollywood...http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/ticket_front_of_line.html

I guess I should have said only in Hollywood does the FOTL pass exist.

 

[damo]

I guess I should have said only in Hollywood does the FOTL pass exist.

I wish they would just eliminate the name altogether. It is very misleading.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

There is no such thing as a Front of the Line pass...that exists only on the DIS. The difference between Express Plus passes is simple...Onsite guests receive unlimited access whereas people who purchase the EP can only have a single time through the line.

Again...there is no such thing as a Front of the Line pass at Universal. It only lives on the DIS.

Hey, at least I didn't call WDW Disneyland!

I've never been to Universal but my DD11 talked me into it so we have two nights booked at PB with DU in August -wait for it- on a weekend! This is not going to be pretty.

Booked first researched later, I'm going to be pay the price!

Is there anything close to the Unofficial Guides touring plans?

 

[heidijanesmith]

Hey We are hoping to go in Mar. 11. We own DVC pts so no matter what, we need to stay on WDW property, we cant justify paying for lodging at Universal, though we would love too, knowing we have pts at WDW. Anyway, DD and DS are looking forward to HP stuff, plus we are ready to check out all that US and IOA have to offer!
Knowing HP is so popular, any and all advice is appreciated. DD especially looking forward to that experience, so we have to see it! We arent early risers on vacation but can be if this is most likely way to see HP. Should we get express passes? We will be there for 4 days, will this allow us enough time to see all of US and IOA? What is best way to get tickets? As you can see, Im a greenhorn, so any and all advice will help.

Thanks so much!!

I can see why you would not want to stay on site at US with DVC points to use.
I would buy the Express Pass if you are going during a busy time. We did stay on site and used our EP all the time, as we toured in July. Do WWoHP
1st thing in the AM and then tour the rest of IoA later. We tried to go back before closing and WWoHP was still packed, but I have read that other people had good luck.
4 days should be plenty of time to see everything you want and then some.

 

[bostonsnana]

Four days is too long. You will have done everything in two days.

 

[macraven]

i stay 8 days and go solo.


never run out of things to do when i stay onsite.

hit the parks everyday.

 

[Planogirl]

We always go for at least three days and could spend more time easily.

 

[damo]

We usually go anywhere from 3 to 7 days. I always feel I could stay longer.