advice on a first visit with 4 children

[gzwick26]

Hi everyone,
My wife and 4 children(ages 5-12) will be going to universal for the first time during February. We plan to stay for 3 or 4 nights and they can't wait to do the Harry Potter exhibits. I figured that it would be better and easier with the kids to stay onsite and have the fast passes but when I called I was told I'd need 2 rooms since having more than 5 people was a fire hazard. I'm now looking into possible staying offsite since it would be too much to pay for 2 rooms each night. Any advice from anyone who has any ideas is appreciated.

 

[mrsabbott]

We haven't been to Universal, but have visited Disney/Sea World in February and the crowds were not bad at all! I'd say the longest we waited in line was 10 minutes! February tends to be slower, I think.

We also have 4 kids and are staying off site. It is cheaper that way. You don't get fast pass (but my understanding is they don't offer that for WWoHP rides anyways) and you have to pay for parking.

Everything I have read says that you need to go straight to WWoHP and get in line if you want to do the wand show. That line is apparently always long..

Enjoy your trip!

 

[RMulieri]

We haven't been to Universal, but have visited Disney/Sea World in February and the crowds were not bad at all! I'd say the longest we waited in line was 10 minutes! February tends to be slower, I think.

We also have 4 kids and are staying off site. It is cheaper that way. You don't get fast pass (but my understanding is they don't offer that for WWoHP rides anyways) and you have to pay for parking.

Everything I have read says that you need to go straight to WWoHP and get in line if you want to do the wand show. That line is apparently always long..

Enjoy your trip!

The only things that the Express pass is NOT good on at Harry Potter is Forbidden Journey and Ollivanders.It is good at the 2 coasters.The only other attraction it is not good on is Pteranodon Flyers in the Jurassic Park area.Other than that the Express pass is good on all shows and rides.Februrary isnt bad, but the weekend around Presidents day ( Feb 14-17) is definitely busier and more moderate than low crowds.If you are going to stay offsite, get to the parks BEFORE opening and be ready to go when the gates open.Keep in mind that the onsite guests get early entry into WWoHP and that area of the park will already have alot of people in it

 

[ladeedeb]

Hello,

Cabana Bay, the new on-site doesn't open early enough for you to book, and it does not have Express Pass anyway, however...

Go to the vacation packages & specials on the universal orlando web site. They have some offsite hotels close by. Some include early entry to WWOHP, although they do not have the express passes. You may not need them when you are going. I would check those out as some of them may have suites that sleep 6, or at any rate their rates would be a little more conducive to booking 2 rooms. Have a wonderful time.

 

[gzwick26]

Thank you all for your help. I have booked the flights and will be going on Feb.12 for 4 nights. I'm trying to look at best places to stay, passes to the park, food ideas, etc... It's fun to look and plan. Any help is appreciated.

 

[RMulieri]

Thank you all for your help. I have booked the flights and will be going on Feb.12 for 4 nights. I'm trying to look at best places to stay, passes to the park, food ideas, etc... It's fun to look and plan. Any help is appreciated.

Keep in mind that that weekend ( 14-17th ) is a holiday weekend here so that will make the parks busy

 

[jackie101]

Thank you all for your help. I have booked the flights and will be going on Feb.12 for 4 nights. I'm trying to look at best places to stay, passes to the park, food ideas, etc... It's fun to look and plan. Any help is appreciated.

we also have 4 children and are going in Feb. We booked through the Universal site. but are staying off site at the Comfort Inn and Suites which includes parking, wifi and breakfast and allows early admission to park