DD turning 11....it's time to go to Hogwarts!

[ddhoeg]

We will be visiting Universal in April for DD's 11 birthday. We have never been to Universal and would be grateful for advice on hotels (prefer to stay onsite), ticket options, things not to miss, etc. DD has read all of the HP books and we will be concentrating on WWofHP when we are there. We only have a quick weekend so packing in attractions and the whole HP experience will be important. Can veterans please help us plan a special birthday weekend for DD?

 

[RMulieri]

There are 3 onsite Universal Hotels and you can't go wrong with any of them.Pick the one that appeals to your budget etc..As a universal resort guest you can use ANY of the other resort amenities including the pools.You also get early entry into WWoHP and Universal Express pass included as perks .Universal express is kind of like fastpass at Disney.The differences being it is good at ANY ride (except Forbidden Journey ,Rip Ride Rockit and Pteranodon Flyers).There is no return times and you can use it on each attraction as many times as you want.If you stay offsite, there is NO free version of this like at Disney.There is a purchase version of Express pass, but the cost varies with the projeted crowd levels for the day.It is also only good for ONE ride trip per attraction

 

[macraven]

since you are going only for a weekend and during spring break, possible Easter time period, do stay on site.

you will avoid long line waits for rides, and attractions.
you will be able to use the early entry by staying on site.
you'll be able to do potterville one hour prior to the regular park hour opening.


that is my suggestion.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I thought Pacific Royal was great for the price we paid. Only downfall was it had no water slide. Really love the pool as they have lots of balls and noodles. Though they could have made the water play area a lot more interactive. Volleyball net is ussually loaded with people playing together. Aside from the pool area there are not much grounds to walk on property, but the walk to the parks is pretty. We usually beat the boat by walking unless it was in sight of docking.

 

[macraven]

I thought Pacific Royal was great for the price we paid. Only downfall was it had no water slide. Really love the pool as they have lots of balls and noodles. Though they could have made the water play area a lot more interactive. Volleyball net is ussually loaded with people playing together. Aside from the pool area there are not much grounds to walk on property, but the walk to the parks is pretty. We usually beat the boat by walking unless it was in sight of docking.

i love RPH!

if you stay there and want to be in a pool with a water slide, pool hop.
take the water taxi to CW and then transfer to the water taxi for PBH or HRH.

show your room key to the attendant at the pool and you will be issued towels.

pool hopping is encouraged for all 3 of the onsite hotels.
all 3 hotel pools have activities at different times of the day for children and teens.

 

[stepheb]

We like the hard rock hotel. Stayed there last year for DD 10 th bday, and r staying again next month. Definitely tell the staff that there is a bday - and have them put it on their room key/pass - everyone will wish them a happy bday! Also, room service came up with a special bday treat!

 

[ddhoeg]

Thanks so much to all of you for lending time to give advice to a total stranger! The DIS rocks!! I appreciate the tips and help very much.

When we get to WWofHP, what strategies or suggestions would you give to seeing attractions, shops, restaurants, etc. in the most efficient way possible, or at least trying to hit lower crowds. What order should we do things? What things are "must dos" and what things are just "maybe dos"?

 

[macraven]

Ollivanders probably would be the first thing to go to as the line grows during the day.

it allows about 25 people in the shop at a time for the wand presentation.
it is a short, cute show.


the lowest wait period would be early morning when the park first opens, or possible near closing time in the evening.

 

[Southernmiss]

Just spent DDs 10th birthday at RPH and WWOHP. Had a great time!

We got her a birthday button at guest services as we arrived at Islands of Adventure. She wore it and lots of the employees told her Happy Birthday even while waiting for rides the employees announced it to all in line and they said or sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Neat!

We did the WWOHP rides first thing and then took the time to look around. Did not do Olivanders as line was long. Take the time to look in the shops and in the windows.

We bought her a chocolate frog at Honeydukes. They were bigger than I expected. And we shared a frozen and regular butterbeer and decided we like the regular better. If you can sit inside three broomsticks watch for the shadows of the house elves and owls on the walls upstairs--clever.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I would go Olivanders and then forbidden journey. Everything else can be done in any order. I would just do Olivanders and then buy wand later. And don't bring a bag if you can avoid.

 

[macraven]

any purchase you make in the parks can be sent to the front of the park and be held for you.
this is a great set up as you do not have to carry bags/packages with you all during the day.

(if you are staying onsite, you can have the packages delivered to your room.)



you pick the purchase up when you are ready to leave the park.

 

[ddhoeg]

Thanks for the great tips everyone!! I love the idea about the birthday button. Can I pick up one at the hotel? Or is there a guest services area outside the park entry area where I can get the button before park opening? I am hesitant to take valuable minutes away from our early entry to WWOHP by standing in line first thing at guest services to get the button.

 

[stepheb]

for our DD 9th bday last year - we brought a bday shirt and a hat that looks like a cake with Happy Bday written on it to give her that morning to wear all day. That allowed us to avoid standing in line to get a button. EVERYONE wished her a happy bday b/c of the hat... so much that she decided to stop wearing it by lunchtime - she said that she had enough!

 

[Southernmiss]

Thanks for the great tips everyone!! I love the idea about the birthday button. Can I pick up one at the hotel? Or is there a guest services area outside the park entry area where I can get the button before park opening? I am hesitant to take valuable minutes away from our early entry to WWOHP by standing in line first thing at guest services to get the button.

My SIL (who checked in before we did) asked at the hotel-- RPH and there wasn't one available there.

Really, at rope drop there was no wait at Guest Relations just inside the park and we were in and out in no time we walked right to the counter and almost announced why we were there from the door as we walked in. ALL of my group was anxious to get to WWOHP and we really were not delayed any precious WWOHP time.

 

[macraven]

if the onsite hotels issue a 'birthday button', it is new to me.
could be that some of the employees have buttons of their own that they have given out.
it was nice to hear someone did receive one.

you can get birthday stickers at guest relations/services.
they are located outside and inside each park.

 

[tekoa]

Stayed at the Royal Pacific in September and loved it. The crowds were not bad in September and the front of line access with your room key is the best. Harry Potter got me back to Universal after 15 years and I am very glad that I saw it. Rode Forbidden Journey multiple times in a row using the single rider line. This is my favorite ride in both Universal parks.