a few universal questions

[momto3gr8boys]

hi everyone. we are going to universal for the first time next week! we land at 11:30 on tuesday, so i assume we'll be at the HRH and ready to hit the parks around 2 (i'm basing this on my disney experience). we're staying on site for two nights, have three day park to park tickets, and are heading to the beach club at disney on the third day whenever we feel ready to go. there are five of us (myself, DP, and three boys 14, 12, and 9 who are coaster freaks).

at this point i don't have much of a plan except to hit universal our first day, and possibly head over to IOA after dinner time to see how crazy things are at the WOHP. The next morning we'll take advantage of the early opening to go see WOHP. Obviously we want to see as much as possible, but would also like to spend some time at the pool at the hard rock and not go non-stop all day (we still have 10 days at disney after this so i need to not burn out in the first three!).

all that said, my questions are,

1. will we have enough time to do both parks and enjoy the hotel a bit in two and a half days? i do have an ADR for 7:30 in epcot on our last day in universal, but i don't have to keep that if we are not ready to leave.

2. is eating going to be a hassle. i have no reservations...is this a big problem or can we pretty much walk up to a restaurant? i'm so used to having to book so far in advance at disney that going with no eating plan is starting to worry me a little.

3. is it easy to hop between parks? how much time does it take and can you walk from US to IOA? and what's the best way to get to both from the HRH?

4. is city walk good for kids my boys ages? any must dos over there?

5. are there any other must-dos to ensure a great time at universal?

thanks!

 

[damo]

1. Yes, you should have a nice amount of time for everything.
2. You can make reservations in the morning if you like. Concierge will help you. We don't make reservations and have been just fine. Show your room key for priority seating.
3. It is about a 5 minute walk from HRH to Universal and another 2-3 minutes to IOA. There are many ways to get there. Fastest is probably out to the parking lot and left to the end of the lot and across to the park. You can also go through the pool to the pathway (pool is closed early and late though). You can also go out the doors to the boat dock and catch the pathway over there. You can also take the boat or bus.
4. Not a lot at Citywalk for younger kids. There is more fun to be had at the hotel.
5. You probably don't have enough time to do anything else. Parks, pool and eating should fill your schedule right up.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

2. You can make reservations in the morning if you like. Concierge will help you. We don't make reservations and have been just fine. Show your room key for priority seating.

thanks for your reply! when i read your response i remember hearing that the express pass can be used for priority seating. how does that work? are you put on a different list than the general waiting list?

 

[MaMudduck]

momto3gr8boys: Please let me how it all works out for you.... I'm going for the first time too but in Nov. so I know how you're feeling after planning WDW trips for so long it feels really strange to start a whole new learning curve with NO idea where and how Universal is mapped out, APR's, hopping etc.

I'd really like to know through the eye of a first-timer what it's like.

Have a great trip!

 

[damo]

thanks for your reply! when i read your response i remember hearing that the express pass can be used for priority seating. how does that work? are you put on a different list than the general waiting list?

lol, I have no clue. I believe that there are two lists. We've only ever done priority seating once and that was so long ago. We just never seem to need it.

 

[ladeedeb]

momto3gr8boys: Please let me how it all works out for you.... I'm going for the first time too but in Nov. so I know how you're feeling after planning WDW trips for so long it feels really strange to start a whole new learning curve with NO idea where and how Universal is mapped out, APR's, hopping etc.

I'd really like to know through the eye of a first-timer what it's like.

Have a great trip!

Ditto to this.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

thanks for the feedback. and to those of you who are also going on your first trip, i will let you know how it goes! i'm excited, but i keep focussing on disney because i know it so well .

 

[Worfiedoodles]

This is my favorite tip for first-timers -- If you have AAA, be sure to show it everywhere. It will get you a 10% discount at most restaurants and stores, including the food carts in the Parks! It really can add up to quite a bit if you use it every time you can.

I have a ds12 and he only has 2 things he really likes at CityWalk -- the movie theater and the Burger King! The Burger King Bar is a fun thing to do because it has so many more toppings than a regular Burger King, and I think the kids like a touch of the "normal" while they're on vacation.

Maria

 

[Metro West]

when i read your response i remember hearing that the express pass can be used for priority seating. how does that work? are you put on a different list than the general waiting list?

I don't think having Express access will get you priority seating at CityWalk...you can't get that at restaurants in the parks. If you're staying onsite you can get priority seating by showing your room key but again...I'm sure Express would not help you.

 

[Planogirl]

I can only go by my son who thought that Citywalk was cool when he was 14. He liked the Hard Rock and Margaritaville particularly well.

You might want to eat lunch at least once at Citywalk. We find it a refreshing break from the parks and never bother with reservations. We do show up early though.

 

[damo]

I don't think having Express access will get you priority seating at CityWalk...you can't get that at restaurants in the parks. If you're staying onsite you can get priority seating by showing your room key but again...I'm sure Express would not help you.

I think that is what she meant since she is staying at the HRH.