Disney Nut Goes to Universal...Help!

[mjaclyn]

Hi all! My family and I are huge Disney fans who will be visiting Universal for the first time in August. I went once about 25 years ago and don't remember much at all. Our two kids are 7 and 5 so I'm not sure how much they will be able to do. We will be going with other family so DH and I will still be able to experience some of the rides even if the kids aren't tall enough. My questions are: What are the best attractions to do with children in US and IOA? What are the "do not miss" attractions for DH and I? Which hotel should we stay in? Is the front of the line pass worth paying extra? Anything we should skip? Thank you so much!

 

[Metro West]

Hi all! My family and I are huge Disney fans who will be visiting Universal for the first time in August. I went once about 25 years ago and don't remember much at all. Our two kids are 7 and 5 so I'm not sure how much they will be able to do. We will be going with other family so DH and I will still be able to experience some of the rides even if the kids aren't tall enough. My questions are: What are the best attractions to do with children in US and IOA? What are the "do not miss" attractions for DH and I? Which hotel should we stay in? Is the front of the line pass worth paying extra? Anything we should skip? Thank you so much!

Some ideas for you:

Read the trip reports on the DIS...they will help you decide which resort might be the best fit for you.

Explore www.universalorlando.com to get a lay out of the parks and see which rides you want to experience.

Check out YouTube for ride videos...you will get a general idea of what to expect.

Come back and ask specific questions once you've done the initial research.

 

[clsteve]

What MetroWest said!

Once you pick your Hotel, (all of the on-site's, minus Cabana Bay which as early entry only, include Express Pass plus Early Entry with your stay), decide on Express Pass if you choose an off-site, and do a little research on what rides and attractions work for you, your planning's pretty much done!

That's the "hidden beauty" we found on our January trip - UO is sooo much easier and more relaxing as a trip from a planning perspective compared to WDW.

Enjoy!

 

[JasNicMadAl]

We were in your shoes a few weeks ago as we just planned our Oct. trip. Read the 'sticky' posts on the resorts, compare them on trip advisor or similiar site & find what fits for your family. We found several great tips on these boards & on mouse savers. Good luck on your planning!

 

[mrsabbott]

We went over spring break with our kiddos (9, 7, 5, and 2) and it was FANTASTIC!! PLENTY for kids to do of all ages! A lot of the larger rollercoasters have either the single rider line or a ride swap option (where one adult rides while the other stays with kids and then you switch without having to wait in line). All of our kids were able to ride the Hippogriff coaster, even our 2 year old, and it was a family favorite! Dr. Seuss land is awesome for all ages, as is the Toon Lagoon area! And that is just I of A!! Minion Mayhem and the Woody Woodpecker/Fievel play areas were big hits over at Studios.. as were the parades and shows that spontaneously happened while we were walking around!

Crowds were reasonable when we went, as our spring break fell pretty early compared to most.. The time of year you are going should have decent crowds! We stayed off post and didn't have an express pass and didn't suffer for it. I will say that we went on a Sunday and a Tuesday and the Tuesday was practically deserted! Hardly any wait times for anything!

At no point were our kids bored or did they complain about waiting or anything like that! I measured my kids and there is a list of rides and height requirements.. we knew ahead of time which ones they could and could not ride on. The only thing.. my 5 year old doesn't like scary stuff so even though she was tall enough, she didn't care for some rides. But she still found plenty of things she loved to do! You will have a blast!

 

[Best Aunt]

If you're going in August, then Diagon Alley will have recently opened. That will impact everyone's touring plans, I think, whether they want to see it or avoid it or avoid crowds of other people who want to see it.

I think a lot will depend on the personalities of your kids. I went to Disney World with a nine-year-old niece who didn't want to do anything which would be scary or get her wet. On another trip I went to Disney World with a seven-year-old nephew who didn't want to do anything which wasn't scary. So I had to plan accordingly. A lot of the Universal rides are scary and/or get you wet (if not drenched), so you will need to determine how your kids will feel about that.

Edited to add: And I forgot to mention motion sickness! If someone in your group tends to get motion sick, there are a lot of rides at Universal which should be avoided (including Men In Black and Spiderman, both of which took me by surprise in the I-feel-queasy department).

 

[mrsabbott]

I just reread and saw you are going in August.. I somehow read September.. August crowds might be a little busy, depending on when school starts. I know it starts in early August around here.

 

[mjaclyn]

Thanks so much! I will definitely take your advice and read some trip reports and compare hotels. We will be staying the whole month of August so if it's better towards the end we can always wait and visit then.

 

[nkereina]

If you stay at a Universal Resort, Express Pass is included - with the exception of the new Cabana Bay. We are doing our first Universal trip this Fall and found really good prices through AAA and are staying at Royal Pacific. Not only is Express Pass included, but it's unlimited. I believe the one for purchase has some limitations on it. So IMO, it's worth the money to stay on-site. We've found Royal Pacific to be the cheapest, including Express Pass.

 

[englanddg]

If you stay at a Universal Resort, Express Pass is included - with the exception of the new Cabana Bay. We are doing our first Universal trip this Fall and found really good prices through AAA and are staying at Royal Pacific. Not only is Express Pass included, but it's unlimited. I believe the one for purchase has some limitations on it. So IMO, it's worth the money to stay on-site. We've found Royal Pacific to be the cheapest, including Express Pass.

They do have an "Unlimited" for purchase, but it is expensive. Most of the cheaper Express Pass options are limited.

The one you get by staying as a USO Resort (except Cabana Bay) is totally unlimited, and very much worth having.

I stayed at Royal Pacific. It's a short walk (or boat ride) to the parks from there, or you can take a Rickshaw (which is a fun experience). The Rickshaws are "free", but what that really means is that you set your own rate by cash tipping the driver. I set a rate of $5 a ride when we went, but how much you tip is up to you.

There isn't much planning required for USO. You basically just show up, do what you want, and leave.

I would recommend looking into a Blue Man Group show, they are lots of fun to see, and I think the kids (5 and 7) would enjoy it. If you contact BMG directly (use their website for the number) instead of booking your tickets through Universal Travel Company, you can get into the "splash zone". I think your kids would love that. They do provide ponchos for this experience, but I'd recommend wearing your own. The Ponchos they provide are pretty bad.

As far as the hotels, I liked Royal Pacific. Hard Rock is the closest to the parks, but that's nominal. I think Portofino Bay is the prettiest.

You are going to find your 5 year old probably won't be able to do quite a few of the rides. Go to universals website and check ride heights. Not that this means your 5 year old won't enjoy it, but you will want to know in advance what he/she will be able to do. I took my kid when she was 7, and she was able to do everything except for Rip Rocket, Hulk and Doctor Doom.

Mythos Restaurant looked really good! I didn't have a chance to eat there, because I was unaware of it before going. But, I poked my head in, and I looked at the menu. Next time we go I'm gonna check it out.

Do get park hopper.

Do NOT get the Dining Plan. It's not worth it.

Do buy the refillable Popcorn bucket

Do NOT buy the refillable drink mugs. Or, if you do, be wary. There are two types. One is for certain restaurants, the other is for refills at certain refreshment stands.

If you want, check my signature, I have a link to my trip report from 2012 there. We did 4 days at Uni, 10 at WDW.

Have fun!

 

[RMulieri]

I just reread and saw you are going in August.. I somehow read September.. August crowds might be a little busy, depending on when school starts. I know it starts in early August around here.

I wouldnt count on that slowing down the crowds any.we went last August 18-23rd and it was busier than we thought ( school had started the 19th ) and the crowds calendars were also wrong and had it as low crowds.With Harry Potter opening, I wouldnt count on the crowds dying down at all in AUgust

 

[mjaclyn]

Do you think the crowds will be big for the whole park or just Harry Potter? My kids have never seen it, and we aren't fans so I don't plan on going there if it's a madhouse. Also, if you stay onsite is the parking included or do you have to pay for that as well?

 

[RMulieri]

Do you think the crowds will be big for the whole park or just Harry Potter? My kids have never seen it, and we aren't fans so I don't plan on going there if it's a madhouse. Also, if you stay onsite is the parking included or do you have to pay for that as well?

This summer both parks will be crowded.Summer is very busy at Universal anyway, that isnt going to change.
Staying at a resort you still pay parking.Loews hotels runs the resorts and they choose to charge for parking separately vs . adding it into resort costs.If you stay onsite, you wont need to use a car to drive to the parks.the resorts are closer.