Could you help us plan our universal trip?

[serenitygr]

Hi everyone! Total universal newbies here! We're on our way down from Minnesota right now and will be at universal Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Staying offsite (at Disney)

I've done some reading but still don't know much about universal. I have two teenage boys that are huge Harry Potter fans and will go on anything. Then there's our two 12 year olds that one goes on a lot of rides but has gotten motion sickness, especially with spinning. The other one hates most rides and definitely can't do spinning or something that's like star tours at Disney. And dad and I are prone to being chickens and also don't like spinning or simulated rides like star tours.

Can anyone help us plan an itinerary?

 

[Robo56]

First off safe travels to you and your family as you make your way to Orlando.

Welcome to Universal. You all will love it. There are rides for everyone.

Take a look at the maps of the parks on the Universal Orlando Website. This will help familiarize you with the parks. Look at Plan Your Visit drop down: All the rides are listed also along with the height requirements, Park hours etc.

Also under the Things To Do drop down: All the restaurants are listed for you to get a look at the menus.

There are 3 Parks 1. Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and 3. Volcano Bay (the water park).

Since you are not staying onsite you will not be able to get into the parks 1 hour early. So I would be there at rope drop to get the most out of your time in the parks.

Park to Park tickets are required to ride the Hogwarts Express between the Two Harry Potter Parks. Hogsmeade (In Islands of Adventure) and Diagon Alley (In Universal Studios).

You will see on the park hours that Universal Studios is closing early on Thursday at 5 pm. This is because HHN (Halloween Horror Nights) is presently going on at Universal Studios on Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun. You will want to keep that in mind as you look at your time in the Parks.

The Parks are going to be busy with HHN going on. Lines could be long as a result.

There are Express Passes that can be purchased that allow you to skip the regular lines at IOA and US. Regular Express pass allows one express ride per ride. Unlimited Express allows unlimited rides on all rides.

Those in the family who get motion sick should avoid Forbidden Journey in Hogsmeade. Flight of the Hippogriff is located there also by Hagrid's Hut. Small coaster should be fine.

Simpsons ride at Universal Studios is another stand out for motion sickness.

Hulk Roller Coaster in IOA, RRR and Mummy are coasters that will give you a good run for your money so if you don't like coasters you won't like these.

They have Ollivander's Wand show at both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I like the one in Diagon Alley better.

There are magic tricks that can be done with the interactive wands in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. The wands are sold in the Universal Store in CityWalk and in the shops in the parks.

The family feast at The Three Broomsticks is a meal that will fill up a family of your size at a great price.

You can request free cups of ice water at any area they sell drinks.

Refillable popcorn containers are a great price to keep the kiddos filled up for a good price on the snacks.

They also sell refillable coke cups that might be an option also.

You will be wowed by the Harry Potter Parks.

This will get you started.

Have a great time at Universal

 

[serenitygr]

First off safe travels to you and your family as you make your way to Orlando.

Welcome to Universal. You all will love it. There are rides for everyone.

Take a look at the maps of the parks on the Universal Orlando Website. This will help familiarize you with the parks. Look at Plan Your Visit drop down: All the rides are listed also along with the height requirements, Park hours etc.

Also under the Things To Do drop down: All the restaurants are listed for you to get a look at the menus.

There are 3 Parks 1. Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and 3. Volcano Bay (the water park).

Since you are not staying onsite you will not be able to get into the parks 1 hour early. So I would be there at rope drop to get the most out of your time in the parks.

Park to Park tickets are required to ride the Hogwarts Express between the Two Harry Potter Parks. Hogsmeade (In Islands of Adventure) and Diagon Alley (In Universal Studios).

You will see on the park hours that Universal Studios is closing early on Thursday at 5 pm. This is because HHN (Halloween Horror Nights) is presently going on at Universal Studios on Weds, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun. You will want to keep that in mind as you look at your time in the Parks.

The Parks are going to be busy with HHN going on. Lines could be long as a result.

There are Express Passes that can be purchased that allow you to skip the regular lines at IOA and US. Regular Express pass allows one express ride per ride. Unlimited Express allows unlimited rides on all rides.

Those in the family who get motion sick should avoid Forbidden Journey in Hogsmeade. Flight of the Hippogriff is located there also by Hagrid's Hut. Small coaster should be fine.

Simpsons ride at Universal Studios is another stand out for motion sickness.

Hulk Roller Coaster in IOA, RRR and Mummy are coasters that will give you a good run for your money so if you don't like coasters you won't like these.

They have Ollivander's Wand show at both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I like the one in Diagon Alley better.

There are magic tricks that can be done with the interactive wands in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. The wands are sold in the Universal Store in CityWalk and in the shops in the parks.

The family feast at The Three Broomsticks is a meal that will fill up a family of your size at a great price.

You can request free cups of ice water at any area they sell drinks.

Refillable popcorn containers are a great price to keep the kiddos filled up for a good price on the snacks.

They also sell refillable coke cups that might be an option also.

You will be wowed by the Harry Potter Parks.

This will get you started.

Have a great time at Universal

This is AWESOME advice to get us started! Thank you! We do have park to park tickets and are not doing the water park

 

[bobbie68]

Hi we love Universal and just got back from another trip last month. robo56 has given you a great place to start. I would add the two Harry Potter Parks get busy so they are best to do first thing in the morning.

This is a little tip if you are in Hogsmead and want to try butter beer the stands outside get very busy. However, there is the Hogs Head Pub (attached to the three broomsticks) they sell pumpkin juice and butter beer there and there is usually not a line.

I would watch the Men in Black ride. It is a cool shooting game however if your car is targeted it can spin a lot. I got very sick on it when it was spinning.

The Hogwar'ts express is different in both directions so if you get a chance take it both ways. It really is awesome.

Thunder Falls Terrace restaurant in IOA near Jurassic Park is a good restaurant. The food is good and they have comb meals with milkshakes.

If you are going to do the Minions ride in the studios I would do that right after Diagon Alley one morning. This ride consistently has long waits.

As far as motion sickness. I agree Forbidden Journey and Simpsons is rough.

There is a raptor adventure in the Jurassic Park area of the park. If you get a chance check it out on you tube first.

There are a couple of water rides in IOA. Jurassic Park ride you get wet but it is a hit or miss. However, Rip Saw Falls and then there is a popeye raft ride these two you can get soaked. We just skip these for we do not like being in wet clothes all day.

Your two sons who love rides will love the hulk and rip ride rocket. These are good coasters. We enjoyed the Kong ride and Spider man.

Well I hope you have a great trip and welcome to Universal.

 

[DisPhanatic]

Good morning -

I am so excited for you and your first Universal experience. I did two trips to Disney with small detours to Universal and now I am hooked. I'm sure you will be too.

I agree with what has been said about motion sickness. Simpson's is the worst. However, I also suffer from motion sickness and would highly recommend Bonine for your daredevil 12 yo. One chewable in the hotel and he or she will be fine. There are several rides that can trigger motion sickness and I think it's best to be prepared especially if the 12 yo loves rides. I might still avoid Simpson's (I sometimes leave feeling queasy with the meds) but the other rides should be fine.

The other suggestion I have is for the 12 yo who does not. Purchase an interactive wand for this child. While everyone else is riding the more intense rides in Potter lands (Forbidden Journey and Gringotts), this will keep the other child occupied and is a lot of fun. If the kids are good with sharing, they can take a short spin with the wand too when they aren't on the rides. Also, everyone will enjoy the queues of these rides and they are not to be missed. You can opt out of the ride when you get to the boarding area.

Enjoy!!!!

 

[gotomu212]

Getting an interactive wand for the non daredevil is a GREAT idea. The shops are incredibly themed and even though we aren't shoppers we always spend time looking around in them.