Buying tickets direct from Universal

[neil2jo]

Hi everyone. I have been reading the various threads regarding Universal and we are going to Disney for the first time in a couple of weeks and I am now convinced we should try to fit in a day or so for Universal.

My problem is that we are only staying in Disney for 1 week (Clearwater for the second week) so I did not want to push the amount we did as DS is only 2. However, I am now tempted to try to fit in 1 day at Universal. My second problem is if I only go for one day do I choose Universal Florida or IOA?. I am currently swinging for Universal as I think Barney and a few of the others things mentioned would appeal to my little one but I would like to hear some of your views if possible to help me make up my mind.

With this in mind I have been looking at the Universal website and if I am reading it correctly I can purchase a one day/one park ticket but get 4 additional days free at the same park (which might be useful if we really like it and have time to go back). My question though is has anyone ordered direct from them and if so how long did the tickets take to come as I go in 2 weeks time and I am a bit worried the tickets will not arrive on time.

Sorry to go on a bit but got carried away!! Thanks

 

[JohnnySharp2]

First of all I would probably not order direct from them, they would I think arrive in time but whether you would want to take that chance I would doubt.
As you are going in a couple of weeks time your best bet is to buy your tickets from the gate when you arrive.

In theory you could do both parks as IOA and US are literally right next door to each other, less than a 5 minute walk between the 2.

Whilst both parks have attractions for young children the problem you have is that Suess Landing at IOA, is probably more suited to the age of your child, despite the fact that the majority of this park is basically more for thrill seekers with plenty of coasters etc

US generally has more attractions for children, however your son is probably too young for many of them, including Woody Woodpecker and possibly ET.
Although Barney's playground is great fun for little one's, my son is 8 and still loves it there.

Hence you are sort of stuck between the 2 I think, it's a shame we cannot move Barney over to IOA for you

Overall I would probably plump for IOA, mainly as I say because your child would not be old enough I don't think for the US children's attractions. If he was a few years older I would definitely say US.

 

[UKDEB]

You can order tickets online directly from Universal and use the 'will call' machines at the entrance. We did that once and it's very easy - you insert your credit card and your tickets are dispensed. Of course, you could just wait to buy until you get there, but there are sometimes long lines at the ticket booths.

As Johnny says, the parks are right next door to one another, so I might be tempted to do both.

 

[neil2jo]

Thanks for the views so far. I am now even more undecided than I was before. I can understand everything you are saying Johnny but at the same time I know how much he would like to see Barney. I think I need to get my serious thinking cap on!!

Maybe I will check out the difference in price between the 2 park ticket and the 1 park ticket. That might help swing my judgement.

 

[traceycooper]

Can i ask where in Clearwater you are staying?
We are going in October/November & are getting married at Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, never been to clearwater So would like some feedback on this hotel.
Sorry for changing the subject!!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for the views so far. I am now even more undecided than I was before. I can understand everything you are saying Johnny but at the same time I know how much he would like to see Barney. I think I need to get my serious thinking cap on!!

Maybe I will check out the difference in price between the 2 park ticket and the 1 park ticket. That might help swing my judgement.

Neil,

If your son would love to see Barney then go to US.
There is also Curious George which has a small undercover play area with a slide etc that would be ideal for your son (forgot about this earlier).

And in addition to the show, there is an indoor adventure playground at Barney which I am sure your son will enjoy, as well as seeing Barney himself and having photos taken etc
One thing though it doesn't open till 10 - like many of the theme parks for some reason not ALL the attractions open at 9 (sorry just one of the little things that annot me).

 

[neil2jo]

Hi Traceycooper. We are staying at Best Western Sea Wake Beach Resort. We have never been before either so not too sure what it will be like but hopefully it will be nice. We booked our holiday with British Airways and if I remember rightly they only had a choice of 2 hotels for Clearwater and the other one was a lot more expensive.

 

[jna]

Here is a link for you to the Trip Advisor feedback section on this hotel. Rated #11 out of 103 hotels so people seem to like it.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...earwater_Beach_Resort-Clearwater_Florida.html

 

[Queenie]

I think there's a show at US where pets do tricks, that might be suitable for your son as well?

 

[traceycooper]

neil2jo - Your staying in the hotel my parents are staying in!!! Please pm a trip report when you return
jna - thanks for the link.
I would chose IOA over Universal with a young child, but i would really try to fit both parks in if you can, as its already been stated they are next door to each other & it takes minutes to get to each one. As your going low season hopfuly the parks wont be too busy. We did universal in a morning when it was low season (got there for opening which also helps!!)

 

[neil2jo]

traceycooper - I will send you the details on my return. I go on the 24th Feb and return on the 11th March so will get back to you then. I just hope I can face coming back to the boards on my return when I guess I will feel depressed about being home!!

Thanks to any others who have given their views.

 

[neil2jo]

Hi. I don't want to panic or alarm you but I have just read on tripadvisor.com that the Best Western Sea Wake Beach resort is closing down in March 2006. I am now panicing myself as to what the state of the hotel will be and I am going to contact BA to see what they say as for the amount we have paid I am not too happy.

Further to the above I have just called the hotel and the guy on reception tells me that the closing date has been moved to July at the earliest and that all facilities are still operational etc. I'm now not sure what to think and will still give BA a call on Monday to have a moan as they never once mentioned the hotel was closing down.