dedicated Disney fan strays to Universal, I have no idea what I'm doing, HELP!

[CherylA]

So we go to Orlando atleast once a year but we always only do Disney. This year with the free ticket from Universal's Super Bowl giveaway we're going to try out Universal. I think we'll have 2 days, maybe 1 day in each park? My kids will be 4 and 7 and the 7 year old is very timid when it comes to rides. So where should I be aiming to spend my time? What MUST I know before I tackle this August trip?

 

[Metro West]

So we go to Orlando atleast once a year but we always only do Disney. This year with the free ticket from Universal's Super Bowl giveaway we're going to try out Universal. I think we'll have 2 days, maybe 1 day in each park? My kids will be 4 and 7 and the 7 year old is very timid when it comes to rides. So where should I be aiming to spend my time? What MUST I know before I tackle this August trip?

One day in each park would be perfect. There are lots of things in both parks to keep your daughters amused for hours! The best place to start is to read some of the trip reports and see how others spent their time...many were first time experiences with young children. Also...check out the website to get an overview of the resort.

You might also consider staying onsite so you can take advantage of the unlimited Express access as August is busy and very humid.

 

[Darcy03231]

We did US/IOA in August 2007 with a 3.5 y.o. and a 9 y.o. who is very petite and timid. The 9 y.o. was tall enough to ride everything except Hulk, Dr. Doom and Dueling Dragons (all in IOA). She was a bit nervous on a couple of rides but ended up liking all of them, except for Earthquake and Terminator.

Since the 7 y.o. is timid there are a few rides I would do child swap on first in Universal Studios to see if you think its ok for them. They are The Mummy (inside roller coaster type ride, doesn't go upside down), Men in Black (similar to Buzz Lightyear), Earthquake (now Disaster - similar to the Back Lot Tour) and Terminator (3-D movie/show).

In Islands of Adventure Dudley Do-Right is similar to Splash Mountain, but it has a bigger drop, Popeye is similar to Kali River Rapids, Jurassic Park is kinda like a cross between Dinosaur and Splash Mountain. There's really nothing to compare Spiderman too (and its awesome, one of the best rides in Orlando).

Suess' Landing in Islands of Adventure is great for little ones. Some of the best theming I've ever seen. My niece also really liked the playgrounds and water park areas. There was lots to keep her entertained.

Make sure you see the Animal Actors show at Universal Studios (the kids loved this). They also really liked the Sinbad show in Islands of Adventure (the little one absolutely loved it - I think we saw it at least 7 times while we were there).

Hope this helps.

 

[keishashadow]

for a U 1st timer with lots of Qs, while the DISboards is great , for indepth info (particularly as to which rides r geared to children) check out the following (most libraries have available to borrow ):

Universal Orlando, Kelley Monaghan
UG-Unoffical Guide to WDW-yes, it has a section devoted to U as does
Passporter (which has reviews by their daughter as to 'scary levels')

i devour guidebooks

 

[donaldduck352]

We did US/IOA in August 2007 with a 3.5 y.o. and a 9 y.o. who is very petite and timid. The 9 y.o. was tall enough to ride everything except Hulk, Dr. Doom and Dueling Dragons (all in IOA). She was a bit nervous on a couple of rides but ended up liking all of them, except for Earthquake and Terminator.

Since the 7 y.o. is timid there are a few rides I would do child swap on first in Universal Studios to see if you think its ok for them. They are The Mummy (inside roller coaster type ride, doesn't go upside down), Men in Black (similar to Buzz Lightyear), Earthquake (now Disaster - similar to the Back Lot Tour) and Terminator (3-D movie/show).

In Islands of Adventure Dudley Do-Right is similar to Splash Mountain, but it has a bigger drop, Popeye is similar to Kali River Rapids, Jurassic Park is kinda like a cross between Dinosaur and Splash Mountain. There's really nothing to compare Spiderman too (and its awesome, one of the best rides in Orlando).

Suess' Landing in Islands of Adventure is great for little ones. Some of the best theming I've ever seen. My niece also really liked the playgrounds and water park areas. There was lots to keep her entertained.

Make sure you see the Animal Actors show at Universal Studios (the kids loved this). They also really liked the Sinbad show in Islands of Adventure (the little one absolutely loved it - I think we saw it at least 7 times while we were there).

Hope this helps.

Great advise!!The Sinbad show does have some loud sound effects in it-but a must see for the kiddo's..

You wont or the kids be dissapointed in eighter park!!

 

[CherylA]

Thanks for the tips. I actually have the passporter I'll have to check it for some Universal info. We will be staying in Disney World so no Universal resort for us. We're going back to Orlando in February (over the New England Feb vacation Feb 13-20th) Is that a better time to go to Universal? I'm thinking maybe I don't want to be hot and exhausted in parks I'm not familiar with. At Disney we know the parks and we do the midday break thing which we wouldn't be able to do at Universal.

 

[Metro West]

We're going back to Orlando in February (over the New England Feb vacation Feb 13-20th) Is that a better time to go to Universal? I'm thinking maybe I don't want to be hot and exhausted in parks I'm not familiar with. At Disney we know the parks and we do the midday break thing which we wouldn't be able to do at Universal.

February would definately be better weather wise and probably hotel rate wise as well. Then you could do the noon time breaks and not be rushed.

 

[christophfam]

Thanks for the tips. I actually have the passporter I'll have to check it for some Universal info. We will be staying in Disney World so no Universal resort for us. We're going back to Orlando in February (over the New England Feb vacation Feb 13-20th) Is that a better time to go to Universal? I'm thinking maybe I don't want to be hot and exhausted in parks I'm not familiar with. At Disney we know the parks and we do the midday break thing which we wouldn't be able to do at Universal.

The superbowl tickets expire in Dec. so they wouldn't be good for a Feb. trip. I'd actually do Universal at one of their onsite hotels in Aug. and do Disney in Feb. At Uni you get front of the line access when you stay onsite so it SO beats Disney in the heat. The resorts at Uni are very nice and so easy to get to from the parks which makes those afternoon breaks during the heat of the day so easy to do (much more so than Disney unless you're at a monorail resort). Think about flopping your trips around. Feb. is easy at Disney and not so much in Aug. With FOTL at Uni, anytime is good to go.

 

[bubba's mom]

Agreed...ticket expires end of year. Also, Universal parks close a lot earlier than Disney parks in February vs summer (Aug).

IF you can at all swing 1 night onsite, you'd get 2 days of unlimited Express Pass....and being August, will be worth it!

Also, Kelly's book is da bomb....every bit of info you need. Details of the rides, eateries in the parks and at City Walk, the hotels, City Walk, etc.... I bought it for our first trip and it was invaluable!

 

[CherylA]

The superbowl tickets expire in Dec. so they wouldn't be good for a Feb. trip. I'd actually do Universal at one of their onsite hotels in Aug. and do Disney in Feb. At Uni you get front of the line access when you stay onsite so it SO beats Disney in the heat. The resorts at Uni are very nice and so easy to get to from the parks which makes those afternoon breaks during the heat of the day so easy to do (much more so than Disney unless you're at a monorail resort). Think about flopping your trips around. Feb. is easy at Disney and not so much in Aug. With FOTL at Uni, anytime is good to go.

Agghh I was wondering about an expiration date on the superbowl tix, couldn't find that info anywhere. We got a free room from the lastminute travel rooms for $1 promotion so our hotel for Aug is set, no changing it to stay at Universal for the Aug trip. I'm wondering if the free ticket is worth using. We still have 3 other adults and 3 kids we'll be paying for, maybe Febuary even though I won't be able to use the free superbowl ticket.

 

[CherylA]

Agreed...ticket expires end of year. Also, Universal parks close a lot earlier than Disney parks in February vs summer (Aug).

IF you can at all swing 1 night onsite, you'd get 2 days of unlimited Express Pass....and being August, will be worth it!

Also, Kelly's book is da bomb....every bit of info you need. Details of the rides, eateries in the parks and at City Walk, the hotels, City Walk, etc.... I bought it for our first trip and it was invaluable!

So 1 night onsite huh? Whats about the cheapest rate I'd get for that? And for how many people? We're 4 adults and 3 kids (2 families) if we got 1 room would that get all of us an express pass? I don't think we'd even stay in the room, maybe use it for a midday break. Do the kiddos even need the express pass? They won't be doing any of the bigger rides, come to think of it neither will my hubby, he's a ride wimp!

 

[inkkognito]

If you're not doing the big rides, you can probably get by without Express, especially if you're willing to get to the parks first thing in the morning.

 

[CherylA]

I looked on the Universal site and I can buy those front of the line passes for $20/day for each person in my group (we're traveling during the cheap dates, yay!). Hmmm maybe I'd do that. If you could choose to have the express pass for only one park would you want it for Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios?

 

[Darcy03231]

So 1 night onsite huh? Whats about the cheapest rate I'd get for that? And for how many people? We're 4 adults and 3 kids (2 families) if we got 1 room would that get all of us an express pass? I don't think we'd even stay in the room, maybe use it for a midday break. Do the kiddos even need the express pass? They won't be doing any of the bigger rides, come to think of it neither will my hubby, he's a ride wimp!

I did this in August 2007 (there were 9 of us, me & my two teens, my mom, my sister, BIL and their 3 kids, two teen and a toddler). As I recall I paid about $175.00 for the room & got 2 days unlimited FOTL with the 5 keycards. Me, my two teens and my sisters two teens used the FOTL. My mom, sister and BIL weren't interested in any of the big rides and the toddler was too little. For the few things they wanted to do we got there early and they just stood in line and did them (Spiderman, Jurassic Park, Popeye, Men in Black, Earthquake). It was really nice having the room so BIL, sister & niece and my mom could go back during the day for a rest/nap.

 

[inkkognito]

I looked on the Universal site and I can buy those front of the line passes for $20/day for each person in my group (we're traveling during the cheap dates, yay!). Hmmm maybe I'd do that. If you could choose to have the express pass for only one park would you want it for Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios?

If you're going to be there during the cheap days, that is a good indication that you probably won't need FOTL. Remember, it only buys you one time on each ride vs. hotel FOTL being unlimited. If you stay offsite, I would advise waiting till you get there before deciding if you need to buy it.

 

[Metro West]

I looked on the Universal site and I can buy those front of the line passes for $20/day for each person in my group (we're traveling during the cheap dates, yay!). Hmmm maybe I'd do that. If you could choose to have the express pass for only one park would you want it for Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios?

You can choose which park you want to purchase the EP for but I wouldn't purchase anything until you get there. As the other posters have indicated, if the EP is $19.99 you probably won't need it.

 

[CherylA]

Glad to know it might not be that busy. I guess Florida must be back to school already? We're in Orlando from Aug 18-26th so we'll be going 2 days during that timeframe. Can the price on the FOTL passes change as the date gets closer or if it's a 19.95/ day now will it definatly be a 19.95 day when we arrive? Also if they arent' that busy is there any reason for FOTL, purchased or through a room, I mean does it cut what might have been a 10 minute wait down to a 2 minute wait or do they not even really use FOTL when the crowds are light?

 

[bubba's mom]

Glad to know it might not be that busy. I guess Florida must be back to school already? We're in Orlando from Aug 18-26th so we'll be going 2 days during that timeframe. Can the price on the FOTL passes change as the date gets closer or if it's a 19.95/ day now will it definatly be a 19.95 day when we arrive? Also if they arent' that busy is there any reason for FOTL, purchased or through a room, I mean does it cut what might have been a 10 minute wait down to a 2 minute wait or do they not even really use FOTL when the crowds are light?

Most Fla schools go back early/mid August...but, it can still be crowded. The price will probably not change for the EP (def. won't go cheaper), but there are a limited number of them available for purchase. If it's not busy, you may not need it at all. When we went in Feb '07, it was off peak. We were there on a Fri and Sat. Friday, the EP lanes weren't even open...but they were opened (and used) on Saturday. If it's slow and the EP lanes are open, you have little or no wait. Mid to late August can still be busy...I doubt any EP lane will be walk on for you.