Booked my tickets...

[Tinks1984]

Well, I've finally booked my Universal tickets today

I've got us the two park, two day tickets with a 3rd day free, so what are the things that should be top of my list to do while I'm there? There's so much to do and so little time there!! I don't even know where to start!!

Any help will be much appriciated!

Thanks.

 

[patster734]

Will you be staying on-property at Universal or off-property? And, if on-property, which hotel?

 

[Tinks1984]

We're staying on the Disney AllSports property without a car!

I plan on getting up earlier the days we go to Universal, so we can get there for opening and have a good few hours on the days we're there.

 

[patster734]

Yes, that's a good idea to be there by opening because you're staying off-property. Expect one day at each park. We can usually get through IOA quicker than USF, so it might be best to do USF on the first day and IOA on the second day. That way, if you complete IOA, you can either go back to USF and catch anything you missed on the first day, or reride the attractions you liked at IOA.

At IOA, must see attractions are Spiderman and Jurassic Park River Adventure. If you like rollercoasters, add Hulk and Duelling Dragons to the must see list. If you like water rides, add Duddly Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges to the list. Also, try not to miss The Cat In The Hat. The Eighth Voyage Of Sindbad is an exciting stunt show that shouldn't be missed. Poseidon's Fury is an interesting if not spectacular show that could be missed if time is short. IOA also has a must see restaurant called Mythos! Unfortunately is can be closed in the late afternoon and/or evenings for private parties so it's best to eat lunch there.

At USF, must see attractions are Revenge of the Mummy, Men In Black, Shrek 4-D, Jaws and Universal Horror Make-up Show. Lower on the list but still see worthy are E.T., Twister, Jimmy Neutron, Terminator 2:3-D and Beetlejuice's Graveyard Review. There are also several attractions and shows worth catching like Earthquake, The Blues Brothers and Fear Factor Live. Also, if you have any young children, there are several rides and shows geared towards them such as A Day In the Park With Barney, Fievel's Playground, and Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster.

At Citywalk, the restaurants I suggest are Margaritaville, Hard Rock Cafe, and Bubba Gumps. These are just my favorites and others have their favorite restaurants.

 

[damo]

I can't stress enough how important it is to get to the parks before opening. You can do so, so much more in the first two hours than at any other time. Make it high priority!!!

 

[huskies90]

I've got us the two park, two day tickets with a 3rd day free,

Just curious why you didn't get the 7 day for $86? I am not being critical - I am new to USO and going for the first time this summer and I haven't bought tix yet so, I am just curious if the two day is is a better deal...

 

[Tinks1984]

Just curious why you didn't get the 7 day for $86? I am not being critical - I am new to USO and going for the first time this summer and I haven't bought tix yet so, I am just curious if the two day is is a better deal...

We got this one because we live in the UK and this is the best that they offer us from over here. I also don't think we'll have the time to spend 7 days in Universal, we'll be doing Disney also, and I'm sure two/three days at Universal will be plenty!

Thanks for the replies also, gives me a good idea what to do in our days there, possibly what to head to first and what to miss out if we don't have the time.

I know we'll be there for opening, we don't have much choice if we want to have a good look around and do all the rides/attractions that we want too!

Again, thanks, much appriciated!!

 

[macraven]

when it is said to be there early, let me be a tad more specific.


be in the line to park the car at the garage at 7:45 am.
the garage opens at 8 but the line starts to get long soon after you would get there at 7:45.

if you don't get to the garage line until 8ish, you wil have a wait.


get to the garage early, and get to the turnstiles at 8:20.
when the line grows to enter, most of the time you will be let in.

not all rides will be open then as they technically open at 9 but you can get great photo shots with the park to yourself, or a small number of people.

 

[Tinks1984]

when it is said to be there early, let me be a tad more specific.


be in the line to park the car at the garage at 7:45 am.
the garage opens at 8 but the line starts to get long soon after you would get there at 7:45.

if you don't get to the garage line until 8ish, you wil have a wait.


get to the garage early, and get to the turnstiles at 8:20.
when the line grows to enter, most of the time you will be let in.

not all rides will be open then as they technically open at 9 but you can get great photo shots with the park to yourself, or a small number of people.

Thanks for that. We won't be driving while we're over in Florida, so I won't have to park the car. I'm hoping we'll be able to get a taxi up to Universal from Disney, so once we arrive we can jump straight into the line and wait for the park to open.

Sounds like a good idea to get some great shots of the park too, before it gets too busy!

 

[Lynne1875]

Thanks for that. We won't be driving while we're over in Florida, so I won't have to park the car. I'm hoping we'll be able to get a taxi up to Universal from Disney, so once we arrive we can jump straight into the line and wait for the park to open.

Sounds like a good idea to get some great shots of the park too, before it gets too busy!

Just to let you know a taxi from Disney to Universal ain't cheap. We got a cab from International Drive to Animal Kingdom and it cost us $40. This was 7 years ago. Hazarding a guess I'd say you're likely to pay upwards of $50 for a cab from Disney to USO. If you go there and back three days then that's gonna be the best part of $300. You would be as well hiring a car by the time you've paid that

 

[Tinks1984]

Just to let you know a taxi from Disney to Universal ain't cheap. We got a cab from International Drive to Animal Kingdom and it cost us $40. This was 7 years ago. Hazarding a guess I'd say you're likely to pay upwards of $50 for a cab from Disney to USO. If you go there and back three days then that's gonna be the best part of $300. You would be as well hiring a car by the time you've paid that

Thanks for the info.

As I'm only 23, I don't feel confident enough to drive over in Florida, I fear that I'll end up doing all kinds wrong due to being scared beyond belief at being on the wrong side of the road!

I guess I'll have to look into the situation in a little more depth before we leave, since it's only next April, I've got a few months to work this one out!

Don't really fancy paying out $300 plus on taxi's though, that's far too much spending money gone!!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Most of the popular town car companies have a $60 round trip fare for USO to WDW. That doesnt include the tip and its for a town car. A cab would run around the same w/o traffic. This taxi estimator is helpful.

http://www.mearstransportation.com/TaxiFareEstimator.asp

 

[Lynne1875]

Thanks for the info.

As I'm only 23, I don't feel confident enough to drive over in Florida, I fear that I'll end up doing all kinds wrong due to being scared beyond belief at being on the wrong side of the road!

I guess I'll have to look into the situation in a little more depth before we leave, since it's only next April, I've got a few months to work this one out!

Don't really fancy paying out $300 plus on taxi's though, that's far too much spending money gone!!

Maybe one of the locals around here could give you the number of a decently-priced cab company, but it is a fair few miles between Disney and USO.

To be honest driving over there really isn't that bad. Just remember to keep the kerb on the passenger side at all times and you're sorted! Most of the time the roads are that busy that you just follow whatever the car in front is doing and you quickly get a fair idea of what to do. We hire a car every time we go and being honest I couldn't do without one now. The shuttle buses are a bit of a pain because you have to stick to THEIR schedule and not yours. A car gives you the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want.

Of course, if you were to pay my holiday for me, I'll come over and chauffeur you around

 

[AprilFool]

Have you considered just staying off-site? We always stay off-site and book a hotel with free shuttles to all the parks cause we would rather not drive either. It is way less hassle.

 

[Tinks1984]

We're already booked at the AllSports and if I'm honest, I'm glad I'm staying on-site at Disney.

I've been looking around the internet today for different ideas to get about whilst there and I've come across a few taxi places (as mentioned above they will sometimes to a deal for an 'all-round' trip) and there's also the Lynx buses, but as the timetables are so crazy, I'm still trying to work them out, lol!

There's still the option of a car, but I'm still not confident with the idea. Also, I've looked into the insurance for the car and with me only being 23, the price for over here in the UK is coming in around £400-£500 for the two weeks!

I dunno what to do, guess I'll just sit here for the next few months and mull it over!

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions though, they're helping with the thoughts!

 

[Lynne1875]

There's still the option of a car, but I'm still not confident with the idea. Also, I've looked into the insurance for the car and with me only being 23, the price for over here in the UK is coming in around £400-£500 for the two weeks!

Of course, I forgot about that. I knew there was a reason we didn't hire a car in 2000 / 2001 cos I was only in my early 20's. If you're under 25 they sting you for the insurance big time.

Just think, you've now got an excuse to go back in 2 years' time! You'll be able to hire a car cheaply!

 

[Tinks1984]

Just think, you've now got an excuse to go back in 2 years' time! You'll be able to hire a car cheaply!

Now that sounds like a plan!

Looks like it's going to be the buses then! Unless, as my Dad keeps saying (he's been winding me up saying they're coming with us, and secretly I hope they are!!) it'll be okay because he'll have a car anyway!