Disney-Experienced, Universal-Not So Much

summerskye

Ears Earned, What's Next
Joined
Aug 30, 2009
Messages
1,163
We are headed to Disney Thanksgiving week (21st - 30th). We are staying on-site. On Tuesday we are taking an overnight bag and headed to RPH for a night. 1st trip to Universal. We will have the Unlimited Express Pass (from the hotel stay) We have 2 day PTP tickets. We plan on checking in and leaving bag with bell services, then head to park. Next day check out, again leave bag with bell services and enjoy park. I have many questions. And, I would love advice.

1) How long does it take to travel from Disney BoardWalk to Royal Pacific?
2) Which would be better? Taxi or Towncar - Cost?
3) How early can I check in?
4) Giving the above scenario, any touring suggestions? (Plan to hit HPW on 2nd day for early entry)
5) ???

Thanks in advance :thumbsup2
 
We are headed to Disney Thanksgiving week (21st - 30th). We are staying on-site. On Tuesday we are taking an overnight bag and headed to RPH for a night. 1st trip to Universal. We will have the Unlimited Express Pass (from the hotel stay) We have 2 day PTP tickets. We plan on checking in and leaving bag with bell services, then head to park. Next day check out, again leave bag with bell services and enjoy park. I have many questions. And, I would love advice.

1) How long does it take to travel from Disney BoardWalk to Royal Pacific?
2) Which would be better? Taxi or Towncar - Cost?
3) How early can I check in?
4) Giving the above scenario, any touring suggestions? (Plan to hit HPW on 2nd day for early entry)
5) ???

Thanks in advance :thumbsup2

1. In normal traffic it will take around half an hour
2. I think we paid about $40 from Boardwalk to the Portofino in a cab.
3. You can check in around 7 am
4. You won't need a touring plan

5. Have fun and make sure you take your time to see all the little things!
 
Thanks for the reply. The little things are the reason we love disney. We wanted to try something new this year. Any suggestions or tricks? Being new I would like to avoid so so rides/attractions. I know everyone is different but opinions can be helpful. Again thanks for the info.
 
Thanks for the reply. The little things are the reason we love disney. We wanted to try something new this year. Any suggestions or tricks? Being new I would like to avoid so so rides/attractions. I know everyone is different but opinions can be helpful. Again thanks for the info.

GO to Universal with an open mind and try not to compare it to Disney( I know its hard ) .But too many people go and spend the entire time thinking " this isnt how Disney does this " , " this isnt like Disney" .They spend so much time lamenting how much it isnt Disney and not enough time just enjoying it.Soak up the atmosphere, pay attention to the little things and DO NOT discount any rides or attractions because you think they might be a waste..Some of my favorite attractions/show at Universal are things I thought would be a waste , or I wouldnt enjoy.....If you let Universal be Universal you will have a fabulous time.
 

GO to Universal with an open mind and try not to compare it to Disney( I know its hard ) .But too many people go and spend the entire time thinking " this isnt how Disney does this " , " this isnt like Disney" .They spend so much time lamenting how much it isnt Disney and not enough time just enjoying it.Soak up the atmosphere, pay attention to the little things and DO NOT discount any rides or attractions because you think they might be a waste..Some of my favorite attractions/show at Universal are things I thought would be a waste , or I wouldnt enjoy.....If you let Universal be Universal you will have a fabulous time.

:thumbsup2

To tell the truth, we have been wanting to try Universal for years. But every trip, we get wrapped up in the bubble. Don't get me wrong, we stay on-site because we like the bubble. This year with all the FP changes it pushed us over the edge. I like to plan but... I feel like Disney is going in the wrong direction with respect to the repeat visitors who pretty much know what they like and dislike. The old system allowed one to enjoy certain things multiple times if one wanted. With Universal, everything will be new and exciting. We are not checking out of our Disney resort. We decided it would be worth it to get another room for a night at Universal to take advantage of the Express Pass system. We are excited. Thanks for your thoughts.
 
:thumbsup2

To tell the truth, we have been wanting to try Universal for years. But every trip, we get wrapped up in the bubble. Don't get me wrong, we stay on-site because we like the bubble. This year with all the FP changes it pushed us over the edge. I like to plan but... I feel like Disney is going in the wrong direction with respect to the repeat visitors who pretty much know what they like and dislike. The old system allowed one to enjoy certain things multiple times if one wanted. With Universal, everything will be new and exciting. We are not checking out of our Disney resort. We decided it would be worth it to get another room for a night at Universal to take advantage of the Express Pass system. We are excited. Thanks for your thoughts.

We just got back from a non-Disney park trip, too. We did 3 days at Universal and IOA and a 3 night DCL cruise. We didn't want to monkey with the Magic Bands and Fast Passes.


It was great! Lots of wonderful technology at Universal, far surpassing WDW in some areas. We didn't have FOL access, and that would have been really nice with the crowds.

I'm going to keep in mind the day bag for an overnight stay at USF. Great way to maximize your time.
 
jodifla.

Glad you had a great trip. I really think that a change of scenery is going to be nice. Since we decided to add the Universal leg to our trip, I am getting excited.
 
We went to UO/IOA last year and I'd like to share a tip that I found to be a true worry & time saver.

I had been reading about how you couldn't bring bags on some of the rides at UO/IOA and how the lockers at HPFJ could turn into a cluster....

My solution was a short sleeve work shirt with breast pockets that buttoned. I kept my cash/CC/ID (in a Ziploc) & cel phone in buttoned one pocket and my glasses (or sunglasses) buttoned in the other. Viola, empty hands and nothing to worry about checking or losing. I wore the work shirt mostly open, over a tank top, and never got overheated...and this was in August.

If you don't have to carry lots of stuff the work shirt is a perfect solution.

Have fun. You really won't have to plan if you're staying onsite.

Oh, one other tip...go to Springfield and have a Big Pink donut :). I dearly wish that you could get them somewhere else.
 
Thanks for the tips. I like the shirt pocket idea. We usually carry a backpack. I will change up for our Universal days. I usually wear cargo shorts wuth lots of pockets anyway.
 
I'll let the wife have the pink donut. I will be looking for the cold adult beverages...
 
Howdy Neighbor!-(Baytown here!)

We love Universal!...(well, we love Orlando)...and try to go at least once or twice a year!

My .02 worth...Many of the rides at US are geared toward the thrill seekers, and I'll ride anything they can strap my big tail into. The Hulk rollercoaster at IOA and Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket & Revenge of the Mummy at US are a few of our favorites. If you are a movie fan of any type, take in the Cinematic Spectacular at night...(get a viewing spot about 30 or more minutes ahead of time.)
The Christmas parade won't be going on yet when y'all are there, but the "Minions" parade should be.
Any questions...give us a shout. :goodvibes
 
Hi we have been to universal twice and are going back in August,we love it just as much as disney!

A tip from me would be,try and hit the Harry potter forbidden journey ride either at the very beginning of the day or 30 or so mins before the end if the queues are too big as this is the only "big" ride which you can't use your express pass for. They want you to go through the queue because it's awesome,and it really is but I've seen the queue for that get to over an hour by midday so it's best in the morning or at night for a shorter wait :).

Other than that have a fabulous time! There's tonnes to see and do,and a really nice restaurant which is really reasonable too is mythos,we were so impressed with service,value and quality in there,it will be on out list to try again in August for definite!
 
Just so you know- There will be HP at both parks when you are there. The new HP area opens at US this summer and the existing one is at IoA now. And there will be a train- the Higwarts Express that runs between the two. You will need park to park tickets to ride the HE.
 
Howdy Neighbor!-(Baytown here!)

We love Universal!...(well, we love Orlando)...and try to go at least once or twice a year!

My .02 worth...Many of the rides at US are geared toward the thrill seekers, and I'll ride anything they can strap my big tail into. The Hulk rollercoaster at IOA and Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket & Revenge of the Mummy at US are a few of our favorites. If you are a movie fan of any type, take in the Cinematic Spectacular at night...(get a viewing spot about 30 or more minutes ahead of time.)
The Christmas parade won't be going on yet when y'all are there, but the "Minions" parade should be.
Any questions...give us a shout. :goodvibes

Hey neighbor

Thanks for the info. I too love thrill rides. But, the motion simulator rides are a no go for me. Years ago, body wars just about did me in. Roller coasters are no prob. We are excited.
Now we just have to make it thru the texas summer. 7 months to go.
 
Hi we have been to universal twice and are going back in August,we love it just as much as disney!

A tip from me would be,try and hit the Harry potter forbidden journey ride either at the very beginning of the day or 30 or so mins before the end if the queues are too big as this is the only "big" ride which you can't use your express pass for. They want you to go through the queue because it's awesome,and it really is but I've seen the queue for that get to over an hour by midday so it's best in the morning or at night for a shorter wait :).

Other than that have a fabulous time! There's tonnes to see and do,and a really nice restaurant which is really reasonable too is mythos,we were so impressed with service,value and quality in there,it will be on out list to try again in August for definite!

Thanks for the info. We will have to try Mythos.
:thumbsup2
 
Just so you know- There will be HP at both parks when you are there. The new HP area opens at US this summer and the existing one is at IoA now. And there will be a train- the Higwarts Express that runs between the two. You will need park to park tickets to ride the HE.

Thanks for the heads up. We did get park to park tickets already. I wonder if the new section of Harry Potter will also be open early for resort guests. If so, we may head to the original since for us it will all be new. The Hogwarts Express sounds awesome.

:cool1:
 





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