A couple of questions.....

[hamilkm]

So, I am totally new to Universal. I just booked a two night stay at RPR at the end of my Disney trip in May. It is me and my two younger cousins (23 and 15). We will be at Universal Sunday May 29th (from whenever we leave our Disney resort, we have a Disney park ticket for this day for my 2 cousins because it was only 10 dollars and I have an AP. Not sure if we will go to a park that morning. Just leaving the option there in case the new Frozen stuff happens to open that weekend in Epcot.) til Tuesday May 31st. Our flight leaves MCO at 5:55 pm. We have 3 day park to park tickets that I bought from UT.

After reading as much as I can on these boards my plan is to tentatively save HP for our 2 mornings we will already be at Universal and try to get in EE, then do the few rides not covered by our express pass, then use express pass the rest of the day. I'm also thinking about a nice pool break on Monday, Memorial Day. Does this sound like a good plan?

I read on the Universal website that you can wear your bathing suits on the water rides and store your clothes in a locker??? Do people usually do this? I know you can get really wet on these rides. My plan was to ride them before heading back to the room for the pool break.

Many people seem to like the idea of going bagless at Universal. Me and my 15 year old cousin could probably make this work, but my 23 year old cousin is a type 1 diabetic, so we will have to have a bag with her monitor, insulin, etc. with us. Are lockers too big of a deal? I'm thinking my other cousin and I could throw our phones into her bag to only store one bag when needed.

My last question is, does anyone know when the Hulk will be back up? I think we are going to miss the King Kong ride by a few weeks, but I haven't seen a date for when the Hulk would be back.

Thanks so much for all of the help. All of the threads and stikcys on this board have been so helpful so far, and I am really looking forward to my first USO visit!

 

[macraven]

I need to check the UO website in case that is something new about allowing guests to wear bathing suits only on water rides

To save me time , could join link that to me here?

Use the lockers for your medical needs
My dil is diabetic and had her insulin with her all the time except for ride time

I will guess hulk will be up and running by the time Kong will

Would be great if the open within weeks of each other

 

[hamilkm]

I need to check the UO website in case that is something new about allowing guests to wear bathing suits only on water rides

To save me time , could join link that to me here?

Use the lockers for your medical needs
My dil is diabetic and had her insulin with her all the time except for ride time

I will guess hulk will be up and running by the time Kong will

Would be great if the open within weeks of each other

https://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/What-to-Bring.aspx

It's under swim wear on the checklist. I kind of thought it was odd, but it says some people just wear their swim suits? I probably wouldn't do this, but the teenagers might want to?

 

[keishashadow]

hmmm surprised to see the info on that link. guys wear board shorts into the parks often. I've seen women 'under dress" with a swim suit under their street clothes. Easy to strip off a tshirt or tank and have bathing suit top on the water rides. Will say every adult woman i've seen always has on some sort of shorts, whether bathing suit type or long swim skirt.

i have wicking clothing that dries quickly, works well for my purposes with pair of keen clearwater sandals. flip flops would work too, you have to wear something on your feet. TMs are very diligent about it.

we use double zip lock bags or snorkling dry pac (when i remember to pack it) for phones, etc. and stuff in pants pocket.

on Popeye you will get wet in places you didn't know you have

we save water rides for the last thing before heading back to resort pool.

 

[hamilkm]

hmmm surprised to see the info on that link. guys wear board shorts into the parks often. I've seen women 'under dress" with a swim suit under their street clothes. Easy to strip off a tshirt or tank and have bathing suit top on the water rides. Will say every adult woman i've seen always has on some sort of shorts, whether bathing suit type or long swim skirt.

i have wicking clothing that dries quickly, works well for my purposes with pair of keen clearwater sandals. flip flops would work too, you have to wear something on your feet. TMs are very diligent about it.

we use double zip lock bags or snorkling dry pac (when i remember to pack it) for phones, etc. and stuff in pants pocket.

on Popeye you will get wet in places you didn't know you have

we save water rides for the last thing before heading back to resort pool.

I'm seriously thinking about wearing a tankini top under my tank top. I would never take my shorts off and get on a ride! Then we could just head straight to the pool!

 

[keishashadow]

I'm seriously thinking about wearing a tankini top under my tank top. I would never take my shorts off and get on a ride! Then we could just head straight to the pool!

no judging here lol. was just surprised to read the link you posted and suggestion of wearing bathing suits on the attractions.

many tankini tops can easily pass for street wear, have seen them worn in the parks as 'tops'. I just happen to prefer a wicking tee for more coverage and feel they are cooler - temperature wise

 

[hamilkm]

no judging here lol. was just surprised to read the link you posted and suggestion of wearing bathing suits on the attractions.

many tankini tops can easily pass for street wear, have seen them worn in the parks as 'tops'. I just happen to prefer a wicking tee for more coverage and feel they are cooler - temperature wise

Yeah. That link shocked me! That's really why I asked. I usually can't stand water rides and avoid them, but I have a feeling my traveling companions are not going to feel the same way, lol! For some reason I can't stand anything but a tank top in the parks when it's hot, so I might give the tankini top underneath my normal baggy tank top a try that day. We will see! I'm really hoping there aren't girls in bikinis or the 15 year old will just stay on the water rides all day long

 

[Robo56]

My granddaughter is type 1 diabetic. We have no problems. I have a small backpack and we put her monitor and insulin and a few snacks in there. Put our phones In there too. It fits easily in locker.

I' am sure you are park veterans, but make sure to make considerations for the fact you will be doing lots of walking. This changes the normal routine. Stay well hydrated. We always have fruit and water and fasting acting carbs on hand. Have never had a problem.

We have a blast.

Have a great trip

 

[macraven]

Thanks for that link
I have read thru parts of in the past and more than likely skimmed thru it

I think TM would tell men to wear a shirt or tee when walking around the parks after doing a water ride

I'm with Keisha, wear quick dry clothes for water rides is more my style

 

[squirrel]

I guess I will wear my swim shorts that look like regular shorts, my Tankini and a swim top on the day we plan on doing the water rides.

 

[schumigirl]

I am surprised to see it say that about stripping down to costumes.........

Have never once seen anyone on the water rides with just costume on.......have seen TM tell people to cover up rather than encouraging them to strip down!!!

Costume underneath clothes, absolutely. But never seen people just in costumes.

 

[RMulieri]

When we were on Popeye 2 yrs ago the TM wouldn't let the family across from me ride in just their swimsuits.They also yelled repeatedly at a man to put his shirt back on . As for Hulk , rumors have it opening around the same time Kong does

 

[hamilkm]

Okay, I have a couple more quick questions for you guys! Does the pre paid photo plan at Universal give you all your ride photos like at Disney? On the website it didn't seem to list the Harry Potter rides and stuff as included. I was wondering if this is a good value? I have an AP at Disney with included memory maker, so I love getting tons of photos!

Second question is can you take refillable water bottles into the parks? We usually fill our hydroflask up in our room and take it with us, then refill throughout the day. So quick service restaurants give free ice water at USO? This is what we usually use to refill our bottles.

Thanks so much! You guys are so helpful! I told my cousins last night about the surprise addition to our trip, and they are so excited!

 

[Kivara]

Yes to the refillable bottle and CS giving free ice water...also you can use the Coke Freestyle machines for free ice and water.

I believe all rides that do photos are now included. Used to not be Potter, then there was a confusing way to get them, but you could..I THINK it's all straightened out now.

 

[hamilkm]

Yes to the refillable bottle and CS giving free ice water...also you can use the Coke Freestyle machines for free ice and water.

I believe all rides that do photos are now included. Used to not be Potter, then there was a confusing way to get them, but you could..I THINK it's all straightened out now.

Thanks so much! The freestyle machines will be even easier than we are used to! I will probably end up buying the photo package because I don't want tons of pictures from Disney and none from Universal, especially since its our first time there!

 

[Kivara]

There are always photo takers at the park entrances, and occasionally you can find some milling about in the parks and near characters. I have heard there are far fewer in Uni than Disney (just an FYI so you're not disappointed.) I, myself, have not done Uni's photo package before; just letting you know what I've heard. Maybe someone who does use it can give you more info if you're interested.