1st Trip to Universal (few questions?)

[fishhunter]

Hello all. My family and I are heading to Universal and Seaworld two weeks before Christmas 2010. We have been to Disney but never Universal. We are planning staying 5 nights / 6 days. We will be staying on site. Our initial plan is to spead 1 day at Seaworld and the remaining time between the two Universal parks. I did a WHOLE LOT of planning for Disney but am unsure if that much is needed for Universal because of the size difference. I do have a few questions if anyone can please help me out. ? #1: Do you need to make restaurant reservations in advance like Disney. I made reservations way in advance with Disney. ? #2: Do you think the time we are planning on being at the parks is enough time to experience everything comfortably? ? #3: Does Universal have something similar to fasspass? I believe I read something where if you stay on site you are able to jump lines. ? #4: Do the parks open early for on site guest and do they have night time entertainment (fireworks and stuff) like Disney? I know this is asking a lot of questions but I do try and plan accordingly. Thank everyone so much for any responses. Any other suggestions are certainly welcome.

 

[plutotek]

Hello all. My family and I are heading to Universal and Seaworld two weeks before Christmas 2010. We have been to Disney but never Universal. We are planning staying 5 nights / 6 days. We will be staying on site. Our initial plan is to spead 1 day at Seaworld and the remaining time between the two Universal parks. I did a WHOLE LOT of planning for Disney but am unsure if that much is needed for Universal because of the size difference. I do have a few questions if anyone can please help me out. ? #1: Do you need to make restaurant reservations in advance like Disney. I made reservations way in advance with Disney. ? #2: Do you think the time we are planning on being at the parks is enough time to experience everything comfortably? ? #3: Does Universal have something similar to fasspass? I believe I read something where if you stay on site you are able to jump lines. ? #4: Do the parks open early for on site guest and do they have night time entertainment (fireworks and stuff) like Disney? I know this is asking a lot of questions but I do try and plan accordingly. Thank everyone so much for any responses. Any other suggestions are certainly welcome.

With the time you are planning, you should have PLENTY of time to see everything. We went in June 06, spent 3 days and were able to see everything and ride our favorites numerous times, so December should be a piece of cake.

As for FP, I believe you get their version by virtue of staying onsite, not sure of the limitations. If you aren't staying onsite, you pay for the FP.

Sorry I can't definitely answer the others, but I would think since the restaurants on Citywalk are chains, they wouldn't be tied to any type of US/IOA reservations system.

 

[Planogirl]

When staying onsite you get unlimited front of the line access so you have in effect a constant fastpass. Front of the line is not available for Forbidden Journey or Rip Ride n Rocket or I believe Pteradon (sp?) Flyers. It's a very nice feature and should make it easy to see whatever you want to in just a few days.

Since you are onsite be sure to take advantage of the nice pools. You can pool hop at the Universal hotels. When we stayed at the Royal Pacific my guys went over to the Hard Rock Hotel's pool and had a great time one day. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough for you.

As for dining reservations, I believe that it can be good to get them for places like Mythos but I'm not sure if it's necessary. We've never eaten there but I see others commenting that they make reservations on the day they dine. Hopefully someone will come along and explain!

Citywalk has great places to eat but they're independent restaurants. We have never made a reservation but enjoy eating there during lunch to escape the parks for a bit. I understand that it can be more crowded in the evenings.

We've never been during holidays so can't answer whether there are special events at that time. Also, I hear different things about onsite guests getting in early so I won't touch that one either!

 

[Disney_Lover06]

1. If you want to eat at CityWalk, you can make reservations that morning but you don’t have to. Since you're staying onsite, you can get preferred seating which will cut the wait times down some. As far as the parks go, most places won't take reservations so it's all walk ins. Mythos at IOA takes reservations but most of the time you won't need worry with it. Just stop in the morning you want to eat at Mythos and you should be okay.

2.You have plenty of time to see everything. You’ll have plenty of pool time as well. Since you are staying on site, you’re allow to pool hop to the other on-site hotels.

3. Universal has express pass that allow you to get into another line rather than the "normal" line. Since you are staying on-site, you get them for free and have no limitations on the amount of times you can use it. Just show your hotel card key and you have access to all the lines with express lanes.

4. WWoHP has been opening at least an hour early for on-site guests. Though, it has been changing so verify when you check in what time you’ll have access. IoA used to have firworks during their high season. However, since the Harry Potter was under construction, they haven’t. Hopefully, they’ll bring them back.

 

[MadeToLove]

Hello all. My family and I are heading to Universal and Seaworld two weeks before Christmas 2010. We have been to Disney but never Universal. We are planning staying 5 nights / 6 days. We will be staying on site. Our initial plan is to spead 1 day at Seaworld and the remaining time between the two Universal parks. I did a WHOLE LOT of planning for Disney but am unsure if that much is needed for Universal because of the size difference. I do have a few questions if anyone can please help me out. ? #1: Do you need to make restaurant reservations in advance like Disney. I made reservations way in advance with Disney. ? #2: Do you think the time we are planning on being at the parks is enough time to experience everything comfortably? ? #3: Does Universal have something similar to fasspass? I believe I read something where if you stay on site you are able to jump lines. ? #4: Do the parks open early for on site guest and do they have night time entertainment (fireworks and stuff) like Disney? I know this is asking a lot of questions but I do try and plan accordingly. Thank everyone so much for any responses. Any other suggestions are certainly welcome.

1. Reservations.... It's a good idea to make reservations for Mythos for lunch. However, I wouldn't recommend doing it too early if you are going to WWoHP that morning. As for Citywalk, Margaritaville and Hard Rock are crowded, so you may consider making reservations for them, but if you don't mind waiting a few minutes, flash your hotel room card when you go up to inquire about a table and you'll get priority seating for walk ups.

2. You've got plenty of time, 3-4 days, depending on if you are the type who likes to go all day, or take naps in the afternoon and break it up, is enough time to see everything, so five days will allow you to relax and and enjoy yourselves even more.

3. Express passes for onsite guests are even better than fastpasses. I recommend geting a lanyard for each person in your party to hold your tickets and hotel room keys. Flash that card at nearly every ride you come to (they'll say whether there is an express lane), and ride it over and over with little to no wait. You are not limited to how many times you can use express when you are staying onsite (unless HP&FJ opens an express line, then they may have a limit at first).

4. There is a one hour early entry into IOA for hotel guests to experience WWoHP without the large crowds. If you can get up early, take advatage of it, you can get a lot done during that hour. US doesn't have early entry.

No fireworks or nighttime shows generally, (due to noise ordinances and city codes in the neighborhood). But Hogwarts at night is not to be missed, and Citywalk stays open late, and RPR has a luau on select nights, and most of the onsite hotels have some sort of pool party or movie night at the pool.