Compulsively Looking for Something to Plan

[AllyGirl_79]

Hi all -

I've been lurking around the US/IOA forums for a while. I'm leaving on Friday for my first trip to Universal Studios (to be followed by a few days at WDW where I have been many times). I have done almost no planning for the US part of the trip! In reading all of your FAQs and searching through posts, it seems like this is ok. But now, as the trip is getting closer, I'm in a bit of a panic.

I'm a compulsive Disney planner. I have schedules, ADRs, etc. in hand for that part of the trip. But for US? I got nothin'.

We're spending two nights at RPR - we'll have Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday until the parks close (at 8pm) for this portion of the trip. I know that we have FOTL access. I have a Loew's First card for hotel benefits. I've looked at reviews for a few restaurants that sound interesting. I've skimmed the DIS and the US site for info about rides and shows in the parks. And we already bought our tickets.

Am I missing something? Do I really just make dining reservations when I get to the park in the morning? I feel like I should be doing something right now, but it seems there is nothing to do!

Can someone please confirm that I'm not missing the boat here?

 

[Metro West]

Am I missing something? Do I really just make dining reservations when I get to the park in the morning? I feel like I should be doing something right now, but it seems there is nothing to do!

Can someone please confirm that I'm not missing the boat here?

Yes...you can make reservations that morning. You don't have to plan everything like Disney...especially when you're staying onsite. You have the tickets, Express pass access and will be walking distance from the parks...there is not a lot to plan. Just go and relax...you will see how different Universal and Disney are.

 

[macraven]

pick up the park guide before you start the park.

check out the times for attractions you might be interested in or times of shows.


be sure to take in the horror make up show.
it is a hoot.

 

[rpbert1]

The concereige at RPR could even make your dining reservations for you, although we usually just decide that afternoon where we would like to eat that night , and never had any problems.
Hope you have a great time.

 

[ky07]

Since your staying onsite not only do you get the unlimited express pass don't forget you also get priority seating at almost all restaurants at citywalk that will help you get in faster

 

[minniejack]

Hi all -

I've been lurking around the US/IOA forums for a while. I'm leaving on Friday for my first trip to Universal Studios (to be followed by a few days at WDW where I have been many times). I have done almost no planning for the US part of the trip! In reading all of your FAQs and searching through posts, it seems like this is ok. But now, as the trip is getting closer, I'm in a bit of a panic.

I'm a compulsive Disney planner. I have schedules, ADRs, etc. in hand for that part of the trip. But for US? I got nothin'.

We're spending two nights at RPR - we'll have Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday until the parks close (at 8pm) for this portion of the trip. I know that we have FOTL access. I have a Loew's First card for hotel benefits. I've looked at reviews for a few restaurants that sound interesting. I've skimmed the DIS and the US site for info about rides and shows in the parks. And we already bought our tickets.

Am I missing something? Do I really just make dining reservations when I get to the park in the morning? I feel like I should be doing something right now, but it seems there is nothing to do!

Can someone please confirm that I'm not missing the boat here?

Relax and don't plan. The best laid plans often go awry.

That is the beauty of a vacation at Universal--you don't need to plan as much as WDW. Go and enjoy!

When we have gone before, we just made reservations that a.m. for late lunches and found that we probably wouldn't even have needed reservations due to low crowds--even during peak seasons.

 

[leanne11]

for something to plan, usually i have spreadsheets, priority seatings, park updates, closures and park hopping all down on index cards,and this is so different..I emailed univ and they mailed me 2 park maps but i have looked them over and not planned any dinners yet keep looking at the menus...
I'm not used to this, i checked the room rates 3 times and got a super saver so don't think they r going to change,,,it's hard for me to not plan..

 

[macraven]

for something to plan, usually i have spreadsheets, priority seatings, park updates, closures and park hopping all down on index cards,and this is so different..I emailed univ and they mailed me 2 park maps but i have looked them over and not planned any dinners yet keep looking at the menus...
I'm not used to this, i checked the room rates 3 times and got a super saver so don't think they r going to change,,,it's hard for me to not plan..

i hear ya............

i plan compulsively for disney and not for universal.

my planning for universal is which park for which day and places i have to eat at.

go to the interactive map on the universal website.
you will get more info there on the parks.

you can see the locations of each place to eat, ride, shops, etc.

take in mystic fountain.
sit on the stone wall away from the front of the fountain.

watch what happens when kids come up and through in money.
it is a show of its own.....a real hoot.

also with the park maps you can see when the fantastic four arrive in the atvs.
you will hear the sirens going off right before their entrance to the area of marvel land.

 

[princess sparkle p]

We leave for our first Universal trip 6/19 and I am going crazy not planning!!! No spread sheets and schedules I keep looking for something to plan and then reminding myself I don't need any! We are also stopping at Sea World and I have to have an afternoon at DTD. I decided not to even plan what days were are going where until we get there...we'll see how long that lasts.

 

[twindad2]

We are leaving next week and I have planned nothing. Have a hotel reservation, tickets ordered, and one character meal planned. Other than that, nothing. Last year for WDW, I had a spreadsheet for every day of the trip. I feel at a loss by not planning anything. However, from others on this board, I feel OK. Looking forward to a relaxing, stress-free vacation.

 

[ky07]

We are leaving next week and I have planned nothing. Have a hotel reservation, tickets ordered, and one character meal planned. Other than that, nothing. Last year for WDW, I had a spreadsheet for every day of the trip. I feel at a loss by not planning anything. However, from others on this board, I feel OK. Looking forward to a relaxing, stress-free vacation.

Everyone is right no over planning needed cause we made no plans last year other than getting the usual hotel , plane , universal tickets and transportation to and from airport and same things for this year.
Universal is way more relaxed than WDW and I guess thats why we love Universal so much .

 

[LeslieR]

Even though you don't NEED to plan for UO, it's part of the fun (IMO). We booked our flight back in April . We've had lots of time to think about and "plan" (still have lots of time ) We are reading all we can on the boards and going over menus on allears. I want to start packing now (my lists keep getting longer and longer ) but I think my husband would have me committed. So if anyone comes up with any new ways to plan (for a vacation that doesn't need planning) let me know, I've got my pencil and paper ready!

 

[macraven]

LeslieR, you can email guest services and request the current park guides they have for the parks.

that way you can get an idea of where characters are located and times they are available.

you can also compare the resturants for the food items you want.

if you like planning, you might be interested in that.

also go to the uo website and check out the interactive map for rides and attractions.

 

[donaldduck352]

I just love when peeps do US for the 1st time.When they come back and report thier trip,how great it was ,how relaxing and how there is no set pace todo anything here.
The Tr's after are great so please tell us about your USO vacation when you get back!!!!!!!

 

[Disneychix]

I just wanted to say I just got back and we had a marvelous time! We stayed at the RPR also and since it was a surprise trip for me I had NO planning! We had no waits for any rides and pretty much no waiting for any restaurants. Actually we didn't wait anywhere we dined from lunch to dinner!

I'm already looking at the rates to see when we can go back!

Have fun on your trip!

 

[donaldduck352]

I just wanted to say I just got back and we had a marvelous time! We stayed at the RPR also and since it was a surprise trip for me I had NO planning! We had no waits for any rides and pretty much no waiting for any restaurants. Actually we didn't wait anywhere we dined from lunch to dinner!

I'm already looking at the rates to see when we can go back!

Have fun on your trip!

Welcome to the darkside!!It's very addictive is it not
Glad you had agreat time.Which resort you stay at?

 

[donaldduck352]

Never mind I see you posted a thread on it.