Couple questions before we leave...

[tammyd]

We leave in 48 hrs. for our first ever trip to Universal. We are staying at RPR and are only doing Universal Parks. The DIS has been invaluable for so much great info. I found everything I ever needed to know from you good folks. Only had a couple last minute questions....

1. Do the parks open before official opening time? How early should we arrive?

2. Does anyone swim at the pools this time of year? I thought I read somewhere the RPR pool is heated. I just wondered as my 7y/o thinks any time we go on a trip to Orlando it means he gets to swim. I figured it would be too chilly but thought I'd ask.

Thanks so much!

Tammy

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I don't think there is a firm answer to your question. I have been to the parks 15-20 minutes before opening and have been surprised to see that they had already let people in. I have also been there 15-20 minutes before opening and have waited in line for the gates to open until the official opening time. The nice thing about staying on-site at Universal, as you are soon to find out, is the front of the line access. Getting there to open the park is not really necessary when you get to avoid the bulk of the lines anyway. The reason we go at opening at least one time during our visit is because we like to ride the front row on the Hulk and then go over to the Pterdon Flyers. You do not get FOTL on either of those (the Hulk yes, the front row of the Hulk no). So, go ahead. Sleep late. Have a leisurely breakfast (The Islands Dining Room at the RPR has a great breakfast buffet--pricey but good! And I don't usually like breakfast buffets.) Head to the parks around 11. FOTL takes theme parks to a whole other level. You actually have time to relax!

As for swimming--the pools are heated. My son swims during our December trips. He has done so even when the air temperature is only 60 degrees.

 

[phamton]

Well yesterday and today, they opened 15 minutes early. The closer to the holidays, the more likely they will open early.

 

[tammyd]

Thanks so much for your replys. My son will be thrilled to get to swim and we will be thrilled not to have to get up and out so early every morning (Orlando is an hour ahead of us in time zone). We will go early to ride Pterndon Flyers as you recommended. Thanks for the info.!!