Back from our 1st Universal trip!!

[jelo]

We had a good day! I'm glad we watched all the Harry Potter movies before we went!!
HP was the first place we headed, in line for over 90 grueling minutes!! I should have taken something for my tummy, I felt a little nauseous for the rest of the morning!
We didn't get into Olivanders, the line wasn't worth it!

We brought personal pizzas and cookies from Disney and ate them for lunch!

When DH and DD were in the Simpsons ride, my younger DD wanted ice cream...no can do....couldn't find any!!! Then the girl informs me that they close at 6pm....it was 5:45!!!! We still hadn't done NY or Hollywood yet! So as soon as they came out we headed around that way then over to the other side, since it closed at 7pm....I found that early closing a little bizarre!! No wonder everyone says it takes two days to do the parks, they arent' open all day! I probably read this somewhere, filed it away in my brain somewhere and forgot all about it, so I was surprised!

There seemed to be alot of people sitting on the curbs and benches on our way out. I thought they were lining up for a parade or something, so I asked a staff member. But no, nothing was going on....weird?

I also didn't care for the flow of the parks, the layout was confusing and I'm sure we missed alot. There should be a way to cross to the other park at the back and middle instead of everyone trying to get out at the front, it really bottlenecked.

I'm glad we went, I really liked Suess land, so did my little one! But now that I"ve been, I don't think I'll rush back....I guess I like Disney too much!!!

 

[wdw4rfam]

We felt the same. Maybe every 5 years. Not Disney for sure!!! We did 2 days, one at each park. Loved harry potter, just thought it was small.

 

[John Paul]

We had a good day! I'm glad we watched all the Harry Potter movies before we went!!
HP was the first place we headed, in line for over 90 grueling minutes!! I should have taken something for my tummy, I felt a little nauseous for the rest of the morning!
We didn't get into Olivanders, the line wasn't worth it!

We brought personal pizzas and cookies from Disney and ate them for lunch!

When DH and DD were in the Simpsons ride, my younger DD wanted ice cream...no can do....couldn't find any!!! Then the girl informs me that they close at 6pm....it was 5:45!!!! We still hadn't done NY or Hollywood yet! So as soon as they came out we headed around that way then over to the other side, since it closed at 7pm....I found that early closing a little bizarre!! No wonder everyone says it takes two days to do the parks, they arent' open all day! I probably read this somewhere, filed it away in my brain somewhere and forgot all about it, so I was surprised!

There seemed to be alot of people sitting on the curbs and benches on our way out. I thought they were lining up for a parade or something, so I asked a staff member. But no, nothing was going on....weird?

I also didn't care for the flow of the parks, the layout was confusing and I'm sure we missed alot. There should be a way to cross to the other park at the back and middle instead of everyone trying to get out at the front, it really bottlenecked.

I'm glad we went, I really liked Suess land, so did my little one! But now that I"ve been, I don't think I'll rush back....I guess I like Disney too much!!!

What time did you arrive? JUST CURIOUS AS WE ARE GOING SOON FOR OUR FIRST TIME. Ooops sry bout the caps!

 

[damo]

It is really tough to get a good feel for the parks when you try to do both parks in one day. You miss all the great details because you can't take the time just to absorb your surroundings. I find the flow for both parks very simple. They are just circles and you walk around the circle.


If rumours are true, there will be a Hogwarts Express train that will link the two Harry Potters areas (a new area is rumoured to go into Universal where the Jaws area was).

 

[Karpkg]

We had a good day! I'm glad we watched all the Harry Potter movies before we went!!
HP was the first place we headed, in line for over 90 grueling minutes!! I should have taken something for my tummy, I felt a little nauseous for the rest of the morning!
We didn't get into Olivanders, the line wasn't worth it!

We brought personal pizzas and cookies from Disney and ate them for lunch!

When DH and DD were in the Simpsons ride, my younger DD wanted ice cream...no can do....couldn't find any!!! Then the girl informs me that they close at 6pm....it was 5:45!!!! We still hadn't done NY or Hollywood yet! So as soon as they came out we headed around that way then over to the other side, since it closed at 7pm....I found that early closing a little bizarre!! No wonder everyone says it takes two days to do the parks, they arent' open all day! I probably read this somewhere, filed it away in my brain somewhere and forgot all about it, so I was surprised!

There seemed to be alot of people sitting on the curbs and benches on our way out. I thought they were lining up for a parade or something, so I asked a staff member. But no, nothing was going on....weird?

I also didn't care for the flow of the parks, the layout was confusing and I'm sure we missed alot. There should be a way to cross to the other park at the back and middle instead of everyone trying to get out at the front, it really bottlenecked.

I'm glad we went, I really liked Suess land, so did my little one! But now that I"ve been, I don't think I'll rush back....I guess I like Disney too much!!!

Glad you enjoyed it; it is hard though to do 2 parks in 1 day without any express pass or FOTL passes, especially if it's your first time. Universal tends to close at the same time or one hour earlier than IOA.

Just like Disney though, for a newbie, I don't recommend doing half a day at a park you haven't been to.

After we came out of Simpson's Ride we wanted ice cream too but we found the ice cream shop 2 down, across from Circus Macgurkus(sp?)

Universal's layout is a similar to Epcot in that it's circular but at least it's definitely smaller than the World Showcase. As far as traversing from one park to the other,the walking distance is much closer than even Epcot and DHS.

 

[RMulieri]

Its hard to do both parks in one day, especially without express pass..I found the flow of the parks pretty simple, but we did 4 full days onsite , so we had time to enjoy all the details.We loved it so much we are going back again and will just drive to Disney for the day.Even my 8 yr old enjoyed it.

 

[doris1976]

I haven't been in about 5 years but use to go a lot so was able to pretty much do everything. Didn't have HP back then and look forward to when I can go again. Guess times have changed a little or perhaps it is just the time of year. I always went in the fall/winter as it was cooler and didn't seem as crowded. Try that time of year if you decide to go again.

 

[jenseib]

It sounds like you didn't know ahead of time that the parks closed so early. Didn't you look at the hours prior to going?

 

[jcc0621]

Glad you enjoyed it; it is hard though to do 2 parks in 1 day without any express pass or FOTL passes, especially if it's your first time. Universal tends to close at the same time or one hour earlier than IOA.

I think this is why I am glad I planned on one day in each park, and we are staying onsite at RPR, so have express access. I just want to be able to have time to look at all the little details and not "just hit the rides"---if that makes sense.

It sounds like you didn't know ahead of time that the parks closed so early. Didn't you look at the hours prior to going?

We are going in August, but park hours aren't our yet. Will last years August hours give me an idea of what they will be this year?

 

[Metro West]

We are going in August, but park hours aren't our yet. Will last years August hours give me an idea of what they will be this year?

Yeah...I don't think there will a lot of difference from last year to this year.

 

[damo]

People sitting on the curb on the way out of Universal were most likely just people waiting for the rest of their party to finish riding Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

 

[Albytaps]

I have to admit that it is depressing how early the Universal Parks close... they are supposed to be the more adult oriented parks compared to Disney!

However, with FOTL access I found IOA really easy to explore and do everything in one day... same goes for US. But to do both in one day with both parks closing at a ridiculously early time is nearly impossible.

I think I made a post awhile back about the closing time and people basically responded saying it's against the law to stay open any later or something? Lame. I love being in the parks at night.

 

[jenseib]

I have to admit that it is depressing how early the Universal Parks close... they are supposed to be the more adult oriented parks compared to Disney!

However, with FOTL access I found IOA really easy to explore and do everything in one day... same goes for US. But to do both in one day with both parks closing at a ridiculously early time is nearly impossible.

I think I made a post awhile back about the closing time and people basically responded saying it's against the law to stay open any later or something? Lame. I love being in the parks at night.

I read it had something to do with the area it is located and near residential areas.

 

[macraven]

Glad you enjoyed it; it is hard though to do 2 parks in 1 day without any express pass or FOTL passes, especially if it's your first time. Universal tends to close at the same time or one hour earlier than IOA.

Just like Disney though, for a newbie, I don't recommend doing half a day at a park you haven't been to.

After we came out of Simpson's Ride we wanted ice cream too but we found the ice cream shop 2 down, across from Circus Macgurkus(sp?)

Universal's layout is a similar to Epcot in that it's circular but at least it's definitely smaller than the World Showcase. As far as traversing from one park to the other,the walking distance is much closer than even Epcot and DHS.

........circus is in ioa

 

[damo]

I have to admit that it is depressing how early the Universal Parks close... they are supposed to be the more adult oriented parks compared to Disney!

However, with FOTL access I found IOA really easy to explore and do everything in one day... same goes for US. But to do both in one day with both parks closing at a ridiculously early time is nearly impossible.

I think I made a post awhile back about the closing time and people basically responded saying it's against the law to stay open any later or something? Lame. I love being in the parks at night.

Hopefully as attendance increases, park hours will increase as well. It was just never needed to have the parks open late during the week.

 

[Planogirl]

When we were there last year in August, IOA was open until 9 and the Studios until 8. We must have gotten lucky.

I don't understand anyone trying to see both parks in one day! People always say that the Disney parks take days and days and we see each of them in one day each because we know how to tour them and that's with a midday rest. But how can two big parks at Universal take only one day?

But to each their own. I like Disney but I'll pick Universal first each time.

 

[TurkA77]

I have to admit that it is depressing how early the Universal Parks close... they are supposed to be the more adult oriented parks compared to Disney!

However, with FOTL access I found IOA really easy to explore and do everything in one day... same goes for US. But to do both in one day with both parks closing at a ridiculously early time is nearly impossible.

I think I made a post awhile back about the closing time and people basically responded saying it's against the law to stay open any later or something? Lame. I love being in the parks at night.

I responded in that thread before. IOA stays open til 11pm during some weeknights and weekends during peak periods, so I don't think closing at 7pm has anything to do with laws, just budget cutting.

 

[Planogirl]

Actually I understand that there are regulations against noise past a certain time except during certain periods. Others here definitely know more about this.

 

[RMulieri]

I would imagine that there is some noise ordinance issues..Unlike Disney, Universal sits SMACK in the middle of a residential area

 

[damo]

I responded in that thread before. IOA stays open til 11pm during some weeknights and weekends during peak periods, so I don't think closing at 7pm has anything to do with laws, just budget cutting.

The peak periods seem to coincide with school not being in session so the neighbouring children go to bed later, lol.