Changes in UO Policies or Guest Tips since May 2015?

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Hi! I am helping a colleague prepare for his first trip to Universal next week. He has never been.

He already has his resort and tickets (RPR, 3 day park to park)

I have a lot of great tips for him based on our trip last May, but I don't want to misguide him on something that has changed since I was there.

Any major changes I should know about before leading him wrong?

I am telling him about using lanyards and not bringing bags and getting the express passes in the resort the night before, bringing a room key for everyone for early park entry, how he will only get into US for his early entry (I checked online) and will have to take HE to IOA. That's all still correct, right?

 

[macraven]

Hi! I am helping a colleague prepare for his first trip to Universal next week. He has never been.

He already has his resort and tickets (RPR, 3 day park to park)

I have a lot of great tips for him based on our trip last May, but I don't want to misguide him on something that has changed since I was there.

Any major changes I should know about before leading him wrong?

I am telling him about using lanyards and not bringing bags and getting the express passes in the resort the night before, bringing a room key for everyone for early park entry, how he will only get into US for his early entry (I checked online) and will have to take HE to IOA. That's all still correct, right?

Yes are correct
You could replace me easily.....

You covered the points I would have
said

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Yes are correct
You could replace me easily.....

You covered the points I would have
said

Ha! I know you are the expert on UO and couldn't possibly replace you.

Thanks for your help. I want to help him and his family have a great trip.

 

[macraven]

thanks for the compliment
i have been many times to the darkside parks and thoroughly enjoy them.
i try to share what i have personally experienced with others so they don't make mistakes that will cost them extra money.

i do have friends employed at UO and that is helpful also.
i totally understand the costs involved in staying at the resort onsite.

i have stayed offsite years ago when there weren't any hotels on site.
so i know about off site shuttles and walking to the park.

i made it a point to stay a few times at least when a new hotel went up at the darkside.

since i find it so convenient for me going solo being at the deluxe hotels, i have not stayed at Cbay.
I have visited there and did some searching while there for people that needed help in that hotel set up.

Sapphire Falls opens in september.
i will be at rpr in october and will check out that new hotel to take it all in.

There are many that post in the UO forums that are extremely knowledgable also.
The more a person goes to UO, the more they catch on to ways to save money and branch out to the other things offered at UO.

talking about things at the hotel such as the saturday night calling of the conch ceremony, the luau dinner experience, cooking with the chef at hrh, opera singers at pbh at sunset, etc.

 

[macraven]

Hey, i'm going to take a stab at this but are you from Georgia?

Looking at your name gave me that clue.....duh.......


I moved from the North to Ga right before Christmas time.
First Christmas in my life that it was 78-9 degrees on Christmas day......

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Hey, i'm going to take a stab at this but are you from Georgia?

Looking at your name gave me that clue.....duh.......


I moved from the North to Ga right before Christmas time.
First Christmas in my life that it was 78-9 degrees on Christmas day......

Yes! Acworth, actually. Welcome to Georgia!

It was so hot in the house this year we had to move our Christmas party outside. Too many people- not enough air.

That is not normal. We usually have a fire going on Christmas Eve. This was an anomaly.

 

[imprint]

You probably know, but just in case: Hulk is being refurbished, Twister is closed, Disaster is closed, Lucy tribute is closed. Was the Raptor Encounter open when you were there last? That's all of the possible attraction changes I can think of.

 

[macraven]

op do check the website for things like imprint stated biting the dust since May 2015.

i can't think of much more that has changed in the past 10.5 months.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

You probably know, but just in case: Hulk is being refurbished, Twister is closed, Disaster is closed, Lucy tribute is closed. Was the Raptor Encounter open when you were there last? That's all of the possible attraction changes I can think of.

Raptor Encounter had just opened, but we didn't get to do it because it was only open for a few hours in the day. It closed very early and opened late so we missed it each time we were in the area. Would you recommend it for a family with children ages 11, 13, and 15?

 

[macraven]

all age groups will get a kick out of it.
cute interactions when you think you are just there for a picture.

there are some videos on you tube of this.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

all age groups will get a kick out of it.
cute interactions when you think you are just there for a picture.

there are some videos on you tube of this.

I read your mind. I was just watching one.

Do they have set times for it? I know we showed up a few times only to have a TM tell us the experience was not yet open or had closed for the day (we always spent early mornings or late evenings in that area for short waits on Pteranodon Flyers).

 

[macraven]

last october i just missed doing this with the raptor.
i asked the TM when the break time will be over and when should i return.

he answered me and i was first in line later in that afternoon.


if the line is short, jump in it.
if the line is long, ask the tm if they will be able to let all in the line have a turn before raptor takes a break.

i saw short lines in the morning.
think everyone was wanting to do rides early that day
i bypassed this place for rides also thinking i could catch it later.

 

[imprint]

Raptor Encounter had just opened, but we didn't get to do it because it was only open for a few hours in the day. It closed very early and opened late so we missed it each time we were in the area. Would you recommend it for a family with children ages 11, 13, and 15?

Our 7 year old was a bit apprehensive, but I think she'll be more into it next time since she'll be a year older. I think 11, 13, and 15 year olds would enjoy it. My wife and I thought it was really fun.

 

[houseofthrees]

We just missed the Raptor Experience when we were there last May. Got to do it in December and loved it (although my 17 year old was not a fan, lol. We got the best picture of her making a run for it. She says she has no plans of revisiting it again this year, but my 10 & 13 year old loved it). They have also added a few different street shows since last May.

 

[dixonsontour]

We loved the raptor encounter I think the kids would enjoy. My Dd loved laughing at me I was scared (it was very realistic