Disney Pro First UO/IoA Trip! Questions

[BobbyBond2]

Hello All,

Let me first say, that I haven't been to UO/IOA in almost 20 years and when I went it was still a technical preview! I'm somewhat of a Disney Pro and had that planning down to a science until COVID decided to join our world. We (Myself, 7y/o, 10y/o) are staying at Disney's Boardwalk (we are DVC members) for our trip in June and then at a friend's condo in August. We'll be visiting UO/IoA for 2 days in June and up to 5 days in August. With us going more than a few days and coming back within a year, we opted for the Preferred AP.

I have a bunch of questions, sorry if this is long!

1.) Travel from Boardwalk to UA/IoA - I looked into Mears Shuttle and the earliest they pick up is 7:25am. Is this early enough? Should we Uber instead or use another service? Especially if we need to pick up APs from Will Call.

2.) Are lanyards provided for AP holders?

3.) We pre-purchased Exp. Pass Unlimited for our First Day (Friday), what happens if the park reaches capacity before we get in? Will they refund this?

4.) With 2 kids and their appetites, any suggestions for dining, especially seating? Is it like Disney where advanced dining reservations are needed?

5.) Does anyone know what the Express Pass Unlimited may cost on a Saturday in June when purchased at the park (if available)? It looks AP members can save 30%. Just weighing options.

6.) Can purchases inside the park be delivered to the front and picked up at the end of the day similar to Disney?

My daughter has been immersed in Harry Potter this past year (read all the books!), my game plan is to head to IoA, try to get a Hagrid's Virtual Queue ticket, hit some of the Harry Potter Rides, Jurassic Park, and make our way over to UO. The good news is we'll be back the next day and in August in case it's crazy busy or the weather decides to flip. The bad news is telling my daughter that we need to hit as many rides with our Express Passes before hanging out in Diagon Alley or Hogsmead!

Thanks!

 

[macraven]

The stickies can help with some of your questions

I can tell you from personal experiences to hit
the potter section during early entry.
You can cover more ground then as crowds grow early once the park is open to all



take advantage when you stay onsite for that early one hour entry.
staying off site .... be there early so your wait in line time is not forever to get into the park
Line await time can vary based on the days you go to UO

 

[BobbyBond2]

The stickies can help with some of your questions

I can tell you from personal experiences to hit
the potter section during early entry.
You can cover more ground then as crowds grow early once the park is open to all



take advantage when you stay onsite for that early one hour entry.
When you buy an ap, you receive the generic lanyard

staying off site .... be there early so your wait in line time is not forever to get into the park
Line await time can vary based on the days you go to UO

Thanks for the reply, which stickies?

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I believe you will get early entry with Preferred APs.

I would Uber from Disney, it's a pretty quick ride.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

You can buy special UOAP lanyards, but they are not provided free.

Dining is pretty easy - good QS options, or great table service (and QS) in City Walk which is very convenient also. For dinner, reservations are a very good idea / probably necessity on Fri/Sat nights. But except for Toothsome or Bigfire, you can wait until a week or less out to reserve.

 

[Drew729]

To your point 5)

Maybe consider using your AP rate to grab one night at a premiere hotel during your trips, even though you have lodging you wouldn’t actually need to stay there. Since you have the AP already you would get the unlimited express pass for 2 full days(both check in/out days) which would probably cost about the same as buying one day express pass for everyone.

 

[BobbyBond2]

To your point 5)

Maybe consider using your AP rate to grab one night at a premiere hotel during your trips, even though you have lodging you wouldn’t actually need to stay there. Since you have the AP already you would get the unlimited express pass for 2 full days(both check in/out days) which would probably cost about the same as buying one day express pass for everyone.

So, book a room and not use it? Just making sure I understand!

 

[jjr42cornell]

I agree with @Drew729 - Every time I visit Universal Studios I look to book a room at Lowes Royal Pacific Resort (There are a couple more resorts that also provide free express pass). For booking a room for 1 night, you can use the free express passes for both the day of check in as well as check out. Additionally you would be able to use the pools at the resort if you wanted to take a break during the day from the parks.

 

[BobbyBond2]

So, book a room and not use it? Just making sure I understand!

Actually, I kinda like this idea... We may just stay the night to avoid the headache of getting up early again. Can the express unlimited i pre-purchased be refunded?

 

[schumigirl]

Thanks for the reply, which stickies?

There is a variety of stickies posted at the top of the forums......hotels, AP info and restaurant menu`s to name a couple.

Full of info about many things which may be useful as it`s been so long since you`ve been.

 

[Drew729]

So, book a room and not use it? Just making sure I understand!

Yep. An example would be Sat 6/26 would be you check in day, for the cost of the room for one night gives you park to park unlimited express on 6/26 and 6/27.

Feel free to price out what 2 days of express passes would be for your party, I am fairly certain it’s cheaper just to book 1 night at a premiere hotel.

 

[jjr42cornell]

Actually, I kinda like this idea... We may just stay the night to avoid the headache of getting up early again. Can the express unlimited i pre-purchased be refunded?

I believe the express passes are non-refundable unfortunately. If I was in your position I would call and explain that you are considering booking a Hotel that includes the express passes and if they would be willing to offer the refund due to that. Maybe you will get lucky - I have had many pleasant experiences dealing with their customer service employees.

 

[BobbyBond2]

Yep. An example would be Sat 6/26 would be you check in day, for the cost of the room for one night gives you park to park unlimited express on 6/26 and 6/27.

Feel free to price out what 2 days of express passes would be for your party, I am fairly certain it’s cheaper just to book 1 night at a premiere hotel.

Ok, my next logistical question. Can we check in early that morning and leave our bags, etc there? The problem is, we haven't picked up our APs yet. Will we be able to do this at the front counter in the morning?

 

[jjr42cornell]

Ok, my next logistical question. Can we check in early that morning and leave our bags, etc there? The problem is, we haven't picked up our APs yet. Will we be able to do this at the front counter in the morning?

You are allowed to "Check In" to get the express passes as early as 6AM. I have never left bags with them as I usually would just leave them in my car, but I think it is extremely likely that you would be able to leave bags at the hotel. I apologize but I do not have any info related to picking up your APs.

 

[Drew729]

Ok, my next logistical question. Can we check in early that morning and leave our bags, etc there? The problem is, we haven't picked up our APs yet. Will we be able to do this at the front counter in the morning?

You should be able to do all the above with no issue.

 

[BobbyBond2]

Thanks everyone for their help! I was able to get ahold of guest services, get a night's stay at Portofino and refund the express passes. My kids are going to flip out!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Thanks everyone for their help! I was able to get ahold of guest services, get a night's stay at Portofino and refund the express passes. My kids are going to flip out!

I love Universal Guest Services! So glad they were able to refund the express passes so you could apply that cost toward your room. Have a great trip!

 

[macraven]

There is a variety of stickies posted at the top of the forums......hotels, AP info and restaurant menu`s to name a couple.

Full of info about many things which may be useful as it`s been so long since you`ve been.

Schumi...!

 

[disneyseniors]

Hello All,

Let me first say, that I haven't been to UO/IOA in almost 20 years and when I went it was still a technical preview! I'm somewhat of a Disney Pro and had that planning down to a science until COVID decided to join our world. We (Myself, 7y/o, 10y/o) are staying at Disney's Boardwalk (we are DVC members) for our trip in June and then at a friend's condo in August. We'll be visiting UO/IoA for 2 days in June and up to 5 days in August. With us going more than a few days and coming back within a year, we opted for the Preferred AP.

I have a bunch of questions, sorry if this is long!

1.) Travel from Boardwalk to UA/IoA - I looked into Mears Shuttle and the earliest they pick up is 7:25am. Is this early enough? Should we Uber instead or use another service? Especially if we need to pick up APs from Will Call.

2.) Are lanyards provided for AP holders?

3.) We pre-purchased Exp. Pass Unlimited for our First Day (Friday), what happens if the park reaches capacity before we get in? Will they refund this?

4.) With 2 kids and their appetites, any suggestions for dining, especially seating? Is it like Disney where advanced dining reservations are needed?

5.) Does anyone know what the Express Pass Unlimited may cost on a Saturday in June when purchased at the park (if available)? It looks AP members can save 30%. Just weighing options.

6.) Can purchases inside the park be delivered to the front and picked up at the end of the day similar to Disney?

My daughter has been immersed in Harry Potter this past year (read all the books!), my game plan is to head to IoA, try to get a Hagrid's Virtual Queue ticket, hit some of the Harry Potter Rides, Jurassic Park, and make our way over to UO. The good news is we'll be back the next day and in August in case it's crazy busy or the weather decides to flip. The bad news is telling my daughter that we need to hit as many rides with our Express Passes before hanging out in Diagon Alley or Hogsmead!

Thanks!

I can answer question#1. Our first visit to Universal, we decided to use Mears transportation to Universal. The night before, we had concierge call Mears and make our reservations for pick up the next morning at 7am.
The next AM we were at the pick up spot at 6:45. By 7:30 no one had showed up or called us. No communication at all. The park opened at 8am, so we were going to be late or rushing it to get to Universal before opening. We had a cab hailed and we were on our way and got to Universal at 8am. Not our plans for early arrival at all. We were upset by Mears lack of communication and not picking us up after it was confirmed by concierge.
So, I would definitely NOt depend on Mears transportation for anything.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Ok, my next logistical question. Can we check in early that morning and leave our bags, etc there? The problem is, we haven't picked up our APs yet. Will we be able to do this at the front counter in the morning?

You can leave your bags at the hotel. The last time I went to Universal, when we arrived at the hotel, the room was not ready or it was too early for check-in; I can't remember which. The important thing is we were able to leave our bags at the hotel and spend some time in the parks before the room was ready and we could check-in.