Considering Universal 1st time

Cruella 66

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
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951
We'll be arriving in Orlando a day earlier than our WDW ressies. I would really like to see this new Harry Potter land; we've never been to Universal. Would it be worth it to stay overnight in a Universal hotel? What about tickets? Thanks everyone! :)
 
When are you arriving? HP may or may not be open at the time. There has been no official date set yet. If we can get an idea when you're arriving, then we'll be able to help you out better.
 
OMG, you are so right!! Sorry I left out that important item...we'll arrive in Orlando June 19th and we check into WDW on the 20th; which is scheduled to be a none park day at this point in the planning. Thanks!
 
Ah this helps. There are still many speculations to the opening date. Many rumors flying around that it will be opening on Memorial Weekend. But the deadline for the park to be completed and open is June 30th. So it may or may not be open on the 19th. I know this doesn't help in your decision making.

To answer your original question, IMO yes it would be worth it to stay on-site at Universal. Looks like you would be arriving on a Saturday. If so, and if HP is open by then, than it might be safe to assume there are going to be very large crowds. This is just my early assumption.

Undercovertourist.com sells tickets at a better price. They usually have the best prices. I've looked recently and they are cheaper than buying them directly through Universal's site. Might be able to get a good room/package deal though. I would certainly look into that as well.

I'm sure Damo and Metro will be along soon. They seem to be the some of the Universal experts on here. They can give you a better take on things, better than I can. I don't get to go out to Orlando very often. So I hope there are others that can help answer your questions.
 

Thank you Thumper_man! I do value your opinion and look forward to postings from others. We are military...I wonder if they will be having any specials...the current one ends at the end of March I believe. Thank you again! Cindy
 
To answer the OP...it would be 100% absolutely worth it to stay 1 night onsite...esp w/ Harry Potter opening. Also, because you are only staying one night, get the 2 park pass so you can do everything at both parks.

Mid June starts to get crowded because schools are starting to let out.

We won't go to Universal and NOT stay onsite anymore. It is a totally different type of spoiled ;)

and, btw...mac is away for the week.
 
Thank you! Now, since I am a new comer to Universal (however, in the mid 80's I did live behind the field that became Universal...off Lake Marsha Dr.!)...my family make-up is daughters 7 and 14; son 9; my husband and I. Which resort at Universal would you recommend?:banana:
 
In order of cheapest to most expensive (usually)~

RPR
HRH
PBH

RPR is a polynesian/south seas theme

HRH is rockin, cool and loud

PBH is Italian, romantic, quiet


so..if you want to stay on the cheap side, go w/ RPR. If you want close to the parks and rockin, go w/ HRH. Portofino is wonderful and quiet, but furthest away from the parks too.

Also, the RPR has the smallest rooms (standard), then HRH is a bit bigger and then PBH.

It's all a matter of personal preference....we've stayed at all of them and like them all. (But PBH is our fave w/ RPR 2nd and HRH as 3rd fave.)

You really can't go wrong w/ any of them....as it's the roomkey you covet. :worship:
 
I checked them out today and was actually considering HRH...it did look closest. One question...when you say loud-do you mean the rooms are not quiet? :rolleyes1 Hallway noise? neighbor noise? outside noise? I'm good with rockin' and cool! :happytv:
 
"Loud" as in...not a quiet, relaxing hotel/grounds....but, not screaming, give you a headache loud either.

Like at the Portofino, there is Italian music played thru-out the hotel. Hard Rock has rock n roll playing thru-out.

The rooms are quiet...unless you get a noisy neighbor (then contact the front desk about that).

But, at HRH the pool is rockin', you can supposedly hear music underwater (I have not personally because I don't go underwater in pools because of my ears) and the staff look the part. One year at the Beach Club (poolside bar/eatery), we had a dude w/ a mohawk and tats and piercings... While most places discourage this type of appearance, HRH encourages it...to look the part/theme.

Like I said, they are all great hotels...but for kids your kids' ages, HRH might be your best bet. (more their speed :thumbsup2 )
 
We love HRH room has always been quiet. Don't know about the pools, because after 4 different stays we never took the time to visit one. There is always so much to do at the parks. If you only have one day I doubt you will find much pool time. The great thing about staying one night is you will get FOTL for day of check in and check out, so if you had tickets and wanted to hit the parks again early the day of check out before going to WDW you would still be covered. I personally cant imagine only one day with so much to see and do especially if Harry Potter is open, but it may give you a good chance to see what the parks have to offer.
 
Thanks for your input everyone! :worship: We crunched numbers and realistically looked at our time line. HRH was going to cost well over $400, tickets close to $700 and for only several hours on Saturday and Sunday...well, we'll just have to make that a destination trip next year! Thank you again:)!! Cindy
 
I was wondering the same thing I have not been to the old universal in a long time is there at least a days worth of stuff for two adults to do. I was thinking of going and spending sunday June 27th there that is why I am asking and then returning home that same night or the next morning I live about an hr away.

or is there more to do at Disney MGM
 
The difference between 1 day 1 park and 1 day 2 park ticket is about $30. I would pay the extra $30 and go to BOTH parks that day...where you will certainly find PLENTY to do!

Cruella...sorry to hear trip is postponed :(

 
The difference between 1 day 1 park and 1 day 2 park ticket is about $30. I would pay the extra $30 and go to BOTH parks that day...where you will certainly find PLENTY to do!

Cruella...sorry to hear trip is postponed :(


That is a good point any idea of what park I should do first I was thinking old universal and then the new one. Does it make a difference what park I do first
 
That is a good point any idea of what park I should do first I was thinking old universal and then the new one. Does it make a difference what park I do first
If you're going after Harry Potter opens, I would do IOA first and get that out of the way and then take time to slow down a bit at the Studios.
 












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