Finally- first visit to US/IA in 18 years!

[MrBellatrixLestrange]

Another question- our first day is on a Sunday- January 23. Is it worth it to stay at a Premier resort for the unlimited line pass? We will have a two park/two day ticket. I got a GREAT rate for the Dockside- like $65/night so to go to $329/night would hurt.

If they want to ride lots of rides I would say it's worth it but you shouldn't need it to enjoy the 2 days. Unfortunately it sounds like the single rider line wouldn't be ideal for you as utilizing that also helps keep down time in lines though it means you get less of the ambience.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Don’t forget to check the Universal Calendar…the resorts offer early morning entry on certain days.

I also recommend you familiarize yourself with the Universal AAP (attraction assistance pass ) for guests visiting with special needs.
I also think Disney has similar DAS pass.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I haven't been to UO since IOA opened in 2003 either. This trip will be a first for my boys. Before last year, they weren't familiar with any UO IP other than Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss. In that past year they've seen the Minions movies, Jurassic Park, the new Tom Holland Spiderman films, the new Bumblebee movie and ET. I'm not going to watch the Fast and Furious films or Mummy ones with them though and we'll probably skip those rides too. I've made table service lunch reservations in the parks each day of our trip so we're guaranteed a nice break in the AC without having to wait in long quick service lines.

 

[lorenae]

I haven't been to UO since IOA opened in 2003 either. This trip will be a first for my boys. Before last year, they weren't familiar with any UO IP other than Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss. In that past year they've seen the Minions movies, Jurassic Park, the new Tom Holland Spiderman films, the new Bumblebee movie and ET. I'm not going to watch the Fast and Furious films or Mummy ones with them though and we'll probably skip those rides too. I've made table service lunch reservations in the parks each day of our trip so we're guaranteed a nice break in the AC without having to wait in long quick service lines.

When are you going? I'm hoping for not needing table service lunches but we'll see!

 

[lorenae]

I have no idea what franchises the boys like or what their tolerance for rides are (some are ride cowards and some want to want ride everything)
Minion Mayem is fun if they like Minions/Despicable Me
The King Kong ride is great.
If they are fans, the Harry Potter section is fantastic and there is so much to see. If you want a break, watch the in park shows. Try the ice-cream in Diagon Alley.
There is a Marvel section of the parks if they are into that (There are people who love the Spiderman and Transformers rides but I am not a fan of them).
Unless they are superfans, skip the Fast and the Furious ride (It isn't very good)
The Simpsons section is great. Bumble Bee Man's Tacos are really good. Walking around Springfield is so fun because its detailed. The Simpsons ride is okay.

Thank you so much- saving this for sure! The kids are pretty much into everything, and enjoy everything so I think they'll want to do as much as I can handle!

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

When are you going? I'm hoping for not needing table service lunches but we'll see!

We're scheduled to go in December, the week before Xmas. I'm anticipating that it will be as busy as WDW typically is that week, so even though we'll have Express passes with our hotel, I thought the midday breaks might be nice to escape the crowds a bit.

 

[Kit Jackson]

ET is a fun simple enjoyable dark ride. If they are fans of the movie it is worth riding.

 

[Travelgrrl]

Can you tell me more about the wands? Do they take batteries or otherwise go dead? I'd like to get them for Christmas for them!

I know someone else answered, but there are no batteries. If the wands you purchase on Ebay or from Universal ever stop working (because the tip is really really scratched), you can bring them to Ollivanders to be 'fixed'. In reality they give you new ones. I bought two wands from two vendors from Ebay, with shipping I probably paid $50 total for two. They weren't listed as "interactive" (which pushes the prices higher) but just as "Harry Potter Wand". Best to search those three words in "All Categories" then sort "Price Low to High" and see what you can do. The ones I got had their Ollivanders boxes with them and I could see by the listing photos that they had the little bulb tip, and were therefore the interactive wands. Then I found a vendor on Ebay who made wand holsters for $10 each (they thread onto a belt, backpack or fanny pack) and they look SO COOL with the wands and made them easier to carry around.

There are websites that list all of the official spell locations in Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, and Hogsmeade, as well as some 'secret' ones. The spell locations are marked by brass discs on the ground in front of the thing (often in a window, but sometimes a sign above or whatever) that's going to move or do something cool when you cast spells. The brass discs show you the wand movement to make, which is different in each case. (There's also an incantation to say but that's more for fun than efficacy.) Note: make SMALL arm movements when waving the wand. It's easier for the detector to discern that you've done it correctly. You might have to wait for others to vacate the disc to cast a spell there.

I also searched "Harry Potter" in "All Categories" and "Price Low to High" to find lots of cool Harry Potter watches, jewelry, magnets, stickers, and other ephemera for less than $3 with shipping. They come from China or other places in Asia, and they take 2-3 months to so order things now for Christmas or a January trip! When each HP movie came out, there must have been a few thousand extras made of each item which are now sold for dirt cheap! Even though I'm going with adults, I have over a dozen gifts for each person to give out morning and night during our trip. Just something else fun they boys might enjoy.

 

[kbelle8995]

I looked on ebay to see If I could get a wand cheaper and the majority once you calculated the shipping fees it doesn't offer that much of a savings. You might get lucky get a really good deal and get an inexpensive wand. But like most of ebay be careful and watch what you order.

It helps me that I get discounts off them with my ap.. I would book reservation for sit downs just in case. We went on a holiday weekend and sit downs were slim picking. Plus after the pandemic a lot of things changed better to have things in advance. Other than that there's not a massive amount of planning. Dockside does get early entry which is a big plus

I will be there for the start of the Christmas season. Christmas is great time to visit just for the decorations. Universal decorates the whole park. They had Xmas trees that fit the area. Spiderman colored trees come on. Love it