Bunch of questions for a newbie who just moved to Orlando

[supraman85]

Going to Universal on a weeknight in September. Plan on buying annual passes with the parking privledges and staying at a hotel where I can get the Fast Pass option. Arriving after kids get out of school and seeing the Blue Man Group. First question, can I park at the hotel I'm staying and walk to where the Blue Man group is playing? Second question, I think the park opens at 9, can my family get in at 8 because we are staying at one of the park's hotels? If so approximately how long will it take to get to Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios(whichever one we decide to go to) Can we get up at 7 and make it there for 8? I know at Disney World just because a park opens early doesn't mean all the attractions do as well. Is Universal the same? If I'm going with this early morning strategy does one park make sense more than another? Finally do I leave my car in the hotel parking lot or can I bring it to the park I decide to go to. Sorry for all the inane questions but I have never been there and I have no idea how close things are to each other.

 

[phamton]

Going to Universal on a weeknight in September. Plan on buying annual passes with the parking privledges and staying at a hotel where I can get the Fast Pass option. Arriving after kids get out of school and seeing the Blue Man Group. First question, can I park at the hotel I'm staying and walk to where the Blue Man group is playing?

If you are staying at an onsite hotel then the walk will be shorter than parking at the parking lot for Universal/Islands of Adventure.

Second question, I think the park opens at 9, can my family get in at 8 because we are staying at one of the park's hotels?

You may be able to get in even earlier than 8 since you are staying onsite. The park that is open for early entry is Islands of Adventure.

If so approximately how long will it take to get to Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios(whichever one we decide to go to)

The walk is 10 minutes or less depending on what hotel you are staying at and which park you are going to.

I know at Disney World just because a park opens early doesn't mean all the attractions do as well.

Right now the only rides open are the ones in the Harry potter area and also Spiderman and Hulk is open by 8:00 AM.

Finally do I leave my car in the hotel parking lot or can I bring it to the park I decide to go to. Sorry for all the inane questions but I have never been there and I have no idea how close things are to each other.

Leave the car at the hotel. The walk is closer from the hotels.

 

[Purseval]

Since you live in Orlando do you plan on spending the night at the hotel or just using it to get FOTL and early entry? It makes a difference because one costs you $$ to park and the other doesn't. You can still drop everyone off at the hotel and pick them up then move your car into the garage which is already paid for via your AP. The problem with the garage is that you can't leave your car there overnight.