Completely NEW to Universal - a plea for help

[AThrillingChase]

Hi guys! I have never been to Universal and looking to plan my first trip. (But, not new to Orlando as I am a RunDisney runner and I make it down to Disney 2-3x a year for races, and a star wars nut). So, I am going down April 14-24 for Star Wars Celebration, then Universal Monday and Tuesday (park to park), then Disney for the Dark Side Challenge weekend. So basically, I am attempting to piece this together with the added complication of Easter/Spring Break. Any help from the experts is appreciated!

1. I will be at the Orange County Convention Center for Celebration through Sunday the 16th, when I plan on moving from my convention hotel to CB when it ends at 5pm. I booked late dinner at Tchoup-chop and plan on drinks at Jakes American Bar afterwards. I saw they have shuttles between hotels for dining - is there a schedule for these? Or do they run every so many minutes?

2. It is right after Easter so I'm assuming crowds ranging from very painful to extremely. We want to do the one hour early open - what time would you suggest we board the bus? Or, is it easy to walk it? (I have also seen people saying to walk across the street to Sapphire falls for the boat transportation? Is that allowed like at disney?)

3. Any tips for dining at Three Broomsticks and Cauldron? We are happy to eat in off times, just not sure what those are exactly for these two. I know no reservations, so I assume you just wait in line?

4. Also looking to eat at Mythos for dinner one night - are reservations needed?

5. Just one more - anyone know the best way to get to the Universal/convention area? I have priced out uber black car but not sure if it is more than a taxi.

Thank you for any help - I got a lot of info from these boards but started hitting a wall with these ones And since I really have no idea what to expect - I will take any tips I can find!

 

[bchbetha]

I can answer some.
I'd be at the bus stop 30-40 minutes early if you want to be there right at the start. You're also welcome to walk or take the SF boat. It'll all be pretty equal. Maybe a bit faster with Boat or walking bc you aren't in the main crowd for security.

Just go at off times, earlier is better. Like lunch at 11-11:30, dinner 5. The line moves well.

Yes, it doesn't hurt to make a reservation. They open up about 10 days ahead of time.

Are you opposed to Uber X? Not sure if you desire th fancier Uber Black. But, if you're ok with just a normal car, Uber x will be significantly cheaper.

Have fun!! We loved Cabana Bay (plus all of Universal, of course ).

 

[macraven]

The Cbay bus runs from that hotel to the parks letting you out at the end of city walk

The info of the shuttle bus from hotels to other onsite hotels is on the UO website

Since you have a dinner reservation, you can use that shuttle service

You can have crowds for part of your April vacation

Take advantage of the EE

 

[AThrillingChase]

I can answer some.
I'd be at the bus stop 30-40 minutes early if you want to be there right at the start. You're also welcome to walk or take the SF boat. It'll all be pretty equal. Maybe a bit faster with Boat or walking bc you aren't in the main crowd for security.

Just go at off times, earlier is better. Like lunch at 11-11:30, dinner 5. The line moves well.

Yes, it doesn't hurt to make a reservation. They open up about 10 days ahead of time.

Are you opposed to Uber X? Not sure if you desire th fancier Uber Black. But, if you're ok with just a normal car, Uber x will be significantly cheaper.

Have fun!! We loved Cabana Bay (plus all of Universal, of course ).

I would love to do Uber X - but the airport won't allow that or lyft. Only the black service since it is more of a professional limo service I guess? I've seen it suggested to take a shuttle to an airport hotel and then uber from there. But that just seems like a pain so I will probably cough it up! Thanks for the tips!

The Cbay bus runs from that hotel to the parks letting you out at the end of city walk

The info of the shuttle bus from hotels to other onsite hotels is on the UO website

Since you have a dinner reservation, you can use that shuttle service

You can have crowds for part of your April vacation

Take advantage of the EE

Hmm I will go back to the website and look. I was only able to find that they were offered so far not the schedule. I am still getting to know their website! Thanks!

 

[ahutton]

I would love to do Uber X - but the airport won't allow that or lyft. Only the black service since it is more of a professional limo service I guess? I've seen it suggested to take a shuttle to an airport hotel and then uber from there. But that just seems like a pain so I will probably cough it up! Thanks for the tips!

***
It might be less expensive to use Tiffany Town Car or I think the other one is Florida Tours? We've used Tiffany many times and wish we would have known how much more expensive Uber Black would be.

 

[wookiebeck]

2. It is right after Easter so I'm assuming crowds ranging from very painful to extremely. We want to do the one hour early open - what time would you suggest we board the bus? Or, is it easy to walk it? (I have also seen people saying to walk across the street to Sapphire falls for the boat transportation? Is that allowed like at disney?)

3. Any tips for dining at Three Broomsticks and Cauldron? We are happy to eat in off times, just not sure what those are exactly for these two. I know no reservations, so I assume you just wait in line?

4. Also looking to eat at Mythos for dinner one night - are reservations needed?

2. Yes, you are def going to want to do EE. You want to be getting to the transportation just less than an hour ahead of the rope drop time. You can be among first in. If rope drop is 8am, they will open 10-15 minutes before that, 30 minutes in queue and 15-25 minutes for hotel transportation and walk to gate. So start your journey 60 min prior.

2.5. Yes you are allowed to use the water taxi boats to get around.

3. The HP eateries are considered quick service, thus no rezzies. Lines move quickly. Seating is handled way better than WDW. You will like both places. We go during the pre-lunch crunch since rope drop was for EE.

4. During high crowds times, it is always nice to have a rezzie in hand. Watch the timing, though. I think Mythos closes rather early. Might be good if lunch at 3 broomsitcks was early, too.

 

[angryduck71]

I usually stay at Royal Pacific so some of these I can't answer, but Mythos -- I think it's more open for lunch. See you at the convention!!!!

 

[AThrillingChase]

Thank you guys! Really looking forward to this!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

I can answer your question about Mythos. We were able to get a same-day reservation when we were there in July. We stopped in before we left the park for a pool break, make a dinner reservation for 5pm, and came back in time for dinner.

I want to say we got on the bus around 7:15 for an 8am opening. CB buses are very convenient. We entered on the Universal side and were only about 10 people back. We had to wait for them to open the turnstiles.

We had breakfast at Leaky Cauldron. You walk up to a counter, give them your order, then sit down with your drinks. They will bring your food to you. We had no wait.

 

[bchbetha]

I would love to do Uber X - but the airport won't allow that or lyft. Only the black service since it is more of a professional limo service I guess? I've seen it suggested to take a shuttle to an airport hotel and then uber from there. But that just seems like a pain so I will probably cough it up! Thanks for the tips!

Sorry, I tried to follow what your itinerary was and thought you were coming from the convention center. You can get an Uber X at the airport Hyatt (right in the airport) but it takes some finagling. It's only around $35 but might not be worth dealing with. It wasn't hard, just not perfectly convenient.

 

[JaxDad]

2. Yes, you are def going to want to do EE. You want to be getting to the transportation just less than an hour ahead of the rope drop time. You can be among first in. If rope drop is 8am, they will open 10-15 minutes before that, 30 minutes in queue and 15-25 minutes for hotel transportation and walk to gate. So start your journey 60 min prior.

Hi @wookiebeck, I appreciate all the information you have been providing.

Regarding your recommendation above, is the 30 minutes in queue time just to ensure you are at the front of the pack when the rope drops? I want to get the kids to the HP areas as early as reasonably possible, but don't want to be part of a mad rush, especially since we will be there on a crowded day. I will be happy to be right behind the mad rush!

Thanks again!

 

[wookiebeck]

Regarding your recommendation above, is the 30 minutes in queue time just to ensure you are at the front of the pack when the rope drops? I want to get the kids to the HP areas as early as reasonably possible, but don't want to be part of a mad rush, especially since we will be there on a crowded day. I will be happy to be right behind the mad rush!

We never felt like it was a mad rush. There is no running involved. If 10 people run past you, no biggie in terms of lost time. I always looked at it as 30 minutes queuing before rope drop was 30 minutes saved worth of park time because if you are behind the rush, you will get to Gringotts and the wait is 30 minutes. Does that sentence even make sense? Sheesh, bad grammar by me.

It can be personal preference. Another example is the wait for the transportation. If we go to the bus stop at CBay 60 minutes prior to RD, we can get on the next bus that pulls up. If we wait until 30 minutes prior to RD to be at the bus stop (ensuring that you will enter the park after the first rush gets through), it seems like EVERYONE is going at that time. You lose time just waiting to get on the bus. The parks business just builds and builds and builds on days like you are expecting. I like being ahead of the wave versus fighting it. If you feel there is a sweet spot behind the wave, use it to your advantage.

 

[JaxDad]

Another example is the wait for the transportation. If we go to the bus stop at CBay 60 minutes prior to RD, we can get on the next bus that pulls up. If we wait until 30 minutes prior to RD to be at the bus stop (ensuring that you will enter the park after the first rush gets through), it seems like EVERYONE is going at that time. You lose time just waiting to get on the bus.

I definitely agree that avoiding a crowd at the bus stop is well worth the extra 30 minutes at the rope. Thanks! I'm crowd-averse but stuck going on a crowded weekend, so looking for every break I can get!

I don't now if you saw my question regarding vouchers in another thread. I will need to redeem a voucher my first morning. Do you know if the ticket office at the gate will be open in time to accommodate early entry?

 

[macraven]

I definitely agree that avoiding a crowd at the bus stop is well worth the extra 30 minutes at the rope. Thanks! I'm crowd-averse but stuck going on a crowded weekend, so looking for every break I can get!

I don't now if you saw my question regarding vouchers in another thread. I will need to redeem a voucher my first morning. Do you know if the ticket office at the gate will be open in time to accommodate early entry?

Guest services opens 30 minutes prior to Park opening

There can be times they will open earlier than the above statement

Guest services outside the park opens early

Guest services inside the park opens when that park opens

Btw....TM's will (yell) shout at you if you are running or not staying behind them at EE opening

I only had to be told sternly twice not to run
After that I followed the rules....

TMs are stationed along the routes to the EE opened rides each morning

 

[macraven]

JaxDad
Forgot to tell you to ask at the attractions desk at the hotel to see if they will redeem the vouchers for the tickets

I do not know if this can be done at the Cbay and Sfalls hotels but it has been done at deluxe in the past


You could send an email to the hotel and ask them if your vouchers can be redeemed at your hotel

When I did tickets for (hhn tix/tours)events, I either did voucher exchange at hotel attractions desk
Or used the kiosk to get my tickets as I ordered online thru UO

 

[JaxDad]

Thanks @macraven! I called Cabana Bay, and the guest services desk there closes before I arrive, so I will need to redeem the voucher at guest services outside the park. As you stated, they should be open for early entry. I will probably plan on getting there even earlier and hope they will be open then. Thanks again!

I'm really looking forward to visiting Universal! It will be our first visit, other than Blue Man Group and cruising City Walk. We normally just go to Sea World or the many other Orlando attractions (we haven't been to Disney since 2010).

 

[macraven]

Two years ago I had an issue with my preferred ap and was told to go to guest services to take care of it

I'm still using the photo hard plastic ap card from 2002

I failed to take care of the issue that day and realized that well after parks were closed

I went to the EE park the next morning and was the only one in line one hour early

They opened the outside gs 45 minutes early that morning as they saw the line was 25 deep

So go early and just wait it out being the first in line

It will only take minutes to have your process done that morning

If you are way back in the line, could have a longer wait than wanted