1st Trip: Help with 2 Days at Universal

[JenniferH]

Our family is going to have 2 days at Universal and none of us have ever been before. How would you split your time to maximize it? Any tips / must-dos since this might be the only time we go? We are staying on site so we will have EP, if that makes any difference. Oh and we will probably be a little slow moving/tired the first morning, because our flight gets in late the night before. TIA!

 

[schumigirl]

Make yourself familiar with the rides and shows available in both parks. The link below has links to park maps, restaurant and general info.

It’s a great place to start along with the website.


https://www.disboards.com/threads/faq-quick-access-links.3494264/


Spend a day at each park. You don’t say if you have park to park tickets, you need that to ride the Hogwarts Express if that’s of an interest to you.

You have EP so you have no planning worries..........do what you fancy doing when you fancy doing it. Having a lazy slow morning will be workable with EP.

You may not see and do everything, but being familiar with the park layout and choosing what your priorities are will make the best of your time.

Loads of stickies with info on restaurants and park hours in the link above too.........

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

Do your best to get to the parks by 10 am on day one, spend 2-3 hours walking the parks, riding some rides - you will absolutely be able to ride near 15 rides with EP in those few hours, so you can hit what looks best and get a feel for the park layout. Grab a map onsite that has show times, you will have express for them as well. Then grab lunch and go back to your rooms - swim or nap based on how you feel from the late night arrival. Not knowing what time of year or park hours that you are going, we have found a wave of people leave the parks between 5-6 pm and evenings in the parks with dwindling crowds are just superb! That night, pull out the maps and make sure you didn't overlook anything that you feel is a must do, the spend Day 2 filling in the gaps and riding your faves a second/third/fourth...time.

And please, don't overlook the shows! Horror Make Up show is great and air conditioned, Blues Brothers is so fun, but is out in the heat pending time of year, the pet show is entertaining but not a must. And if you are a Potterhead, there are shows in those areas as well.

 

[hhoope01]

One extra suggestion, if you want to hit the water rides in IOA (Jurassic Park ride, Ripsaw Falls, Bluto's Barges) you might want to plan when you are hitting them. Since I'm not a huge fan of walking around the parks soaking wet, I like to hit those rides all together usually just before lunch-time. With EPs, we hit each of them a few times. I normally will bring a change of shirt and walk in flip-flops. Right after finishing, I'll change shirts (to get a little drier) and then we will head back to the hotel (on-site hotel) changing into dry clothes and then eat lunch.

Of course if you don't mind walking around the park all wet, then it isn't a problem to worry over.

 

[macraven]

Totally agree with all the responses to your question

Only thing I can add is to read some of the trip reports in our 3rd forum

Many share personal experiences and give tips of what made their stay great

Also, many have pictures of many things inside the parks, hotels, city walk, etc