First post can anyone direct me?

[Gerbiljo]

hi everyone

First post though I have read posts here many times.

We are Disney pros, and ready to go in just 6 weeks eeek. 4 of us including our daughters 9 (52inches) and 4 years old (will hit 40 inches on dry land in shoes!) who’ve all been before. We’ve booked the restaurants the fast passes and we know the system well but this time we’ve decided to do something different... Usually we try and go just to Disney, no car to keep the cost down but staying within those parks/resorts etc.

My daughter has been doing about Harry Potter at school and so we’ve splurged on universal... we have 2 days there, were gonna go via Uber, seems like a plan from what we’ve read and we’ve booked a despicable me breakfast for the first day.

The second day we’ve splurged again on a vip pass, so can anyone give me any tips or recommendations or if there’s an article on how to get the best out of this first day as the second day wel be taken care of? I am going to presume we should completely avoid Harry Potter on this first day and save it for the vip... I’ve read some good stuff but I’d like some tips really if anyone has any ?

Oh also my oldest daughter was so excited but we looked at rides last night but when she saw the rollercoasters she cried‍She can do every Disney ride (not water) Aerosmith and Everest etc no probs are any of these rides significantly worse that we should avoid? I’m trying to find an article comparing rides between the two places?

My last visit to universal was over 20 years ago and a lot has changed (back to the future ) so I’m treating it as a complete beginner!!

Any constructive suggestions would be super thanks Jo

 

[bchbetha]

If there were a time machine, we would have suggested booking a deluxe room at Universal for the Express Passes. 1 night equals 2 days of EPs for the family.
There’s no way I’d make a HP fan wait a day to do HP stuff!! And waiting in lines for those rides really is ok as the theming is so cool that you don’t necessarily want to rush through. Minions followed by HP is my suggestion.
Except for that climb in RRR, the coaster isn’t very intense.

 

[gotomu212]

My suggestion is to check out HP the first day, later in the afternoon and early evening as the crowds die down. Get interactive wands and let them go crazy doing spells and checking out the shops. The shops are incredibly themed and worth walking around in even if you aren’t shopping.

Those areas can get really packed down the day so even with the VIP you’d miss out on some of the fun midday. You can leave the HP rides for the next day where VIP will really help you out.

 

[macraven]

If she can do Aerosmith and EE, she will have zero problems for many of the rides

Gringitts, Mummy, Spider-Man, (hulk, maybe) are tame rides with a bit of fast portions in them

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh also my oldest daughter was so excited but we looked at rides last night but when she saw the rollercoasters she cried‍She can do every Disney ride (not water) Aerosmith and Everest etc no probs are any of these rides significantly worse that we should avoid? I’m trying to find an article comparing rides between the two places?

Why did she cry?

The coasters at Universal are no joke. They are beyond what Disney has. Although rip ride rockit is good once it gets going, the climb can feel terrifying.

(Though I should state that I despise Disney’s rockin rollercoaster, so if she likes that she might like everything she’s tall enough for)

The water rides are also no joke. You WILL get wet. Soaked. Expect it. Bring extra clothes down to underwear and socks.


Not sure what the vip tour entails at Universal Florida, but especially with a 4 year old realize that she’s not going to be able to go on a large number of rides. Where does she go during the rides for the tour? Oh maybe the guide waits with her? That would be convenient.

 

[skylock]

My suggestion is cancel the vip part and get a throw away room at one of the hotels that offers express passes.

That would give you 2 full days of express passes for everyone.

If you don't understand the term throw away room, that is when you book a room for the perks and do not plan on actually staying there. You can check in way early in the morning and use express pass that day, and the next day also.

If you don't understand express pass. it is sort of like fast pass, but way better. You basically get the short line on EVERY ride all day as many times as you want to ride. There would be no need to avoid HP the first day because now the hp rides are included in express. Actually there are not that many actual rides in HPville, but lots to explore and look at.

The only coaster I would say is quite scary is rip rocket and that is only because of the straight up bit at the first of the ride, after that, it is one of my favorite.

Hulk looks intimidating, but it is a very smooth ride and is my sons favorite.

 

[Gerbiljo]

Thanks for ur help so far guys! So Harry Potter interactive in the first day then, it’s frustrating as I think everything in the shops are 10% off on vip day so maybe I did it the wrong way round!
She cried because she said it’s ok in the dark as you can’t see it but she didn’t like seeing them all in the air... personally I hate tower of terror but she loves it. I think she will be ok for most. We did the vip as only having 2 days we thought we might want to do some things more than once and just 2 days might only allow to just cover the whole thing.
We will take ponchos, she hasn’t done big water rides before because even though last time she just hit 48 inches (just over 2 years ago) and could do Aerosmith even with coral shoes the water park signs seemed higher (?) plus with no rider switch we didn’t want the queues. She can swim but coming out of a tunnel into a pool shucked her about but again she is 2 years in swimming lessons on! So getting wet isn’t an issue on rides as such.
That’s s great idea about the Harry Potter shops as well we will do that. I read people saying vip is worth it some said no so I did some overtime and just went for it!! Time will tell!
I think regarding vip the little one will wait with one of us and the guide who apparently are great with telling u facts and secrets etc then we will just switch and biggest daughter will get to ride twice like she does at Disney!
Thank you so much guys this is so helpful!

 

[Gerbiljo]

Oh, so no vip I’ll have to have a think not sure they allow cancel, I mainly did it incase she wanted to Harry Potter ride multiple times..
I don’t think she’d quite make hulk I think that’s 53 inches so I think she has to grow an inch in 6 weeks... I think she can do rrr though, the climb looks scary I’m pretty scared myself I will chat to her and see how she feels about it.
Thankyou

 

[macraven]

Did you book a private day Vip tour or a public one?

 

[Gerbiljo]

It’s a group vip tour

 

[Lynne G]

Note that one or both Potter areas are open 1 hour early for resort guests only. So, I'd check which park has resort early entry, and go to the other park first. If you want to ride the train, which is fun for Potter fans, make sure you have a park to park ticket. Have your daughter watch the rides on youtube, to get a feel for what they are like. Many have screens. Nice thing is, that even if the 4 year old can't ride, all can come in the line, and then those not riding can go to a family room and wait, it's inside the ride. Some wait rooms are just rooms, some have TVs playing movies or comics. And get there early both days, Universal sometimes opens a little earlier than posted. The first 2 weeks of August will still have summer crowds. Use the Universal app on your phone, it's pretty good at letting you know wait times. And yes, all 3 water rides, only in IOA, can get you really wet. There are paid for lockers near those wet rides, but I'd use a poncho, and water shoes, and give things not to get wet to any not riding.

For your 4 year old, don't miss the Curious George area. Shooting plastic balls at each other can be all ages fun. Have both kids look at the rides, and let the kids pick which ones they want to go/see. The Animal Actors show is cute for all family members, as well as the Horror Make Up show. So you may want to make time for both shows.

Oh, and I have a picture of when my 10 year old (she's still short as an older teen now) first rode on RRR. She asked me how I knew it was her car, well, it was the only one I couldn't see a rider in the seat. So, if your daughter likes coasters, RRR is a good one. It does not go upside down.

I hope you all have a blast at Universal.

 

[skylock]

Trust me, an inch in 6 weeks in the summer for a nine year old is quite possible.

But the very reason you give for wanting vip will be taken care of with express pass. (I am sure you can cancel).

As for the stuff they tell you, once upon a time that was interesting. I have done it myself, but there are no secrets from the internet. You can spend the next 6 weeks checking out youtube and various websites to learn everything the guide could possibly tell you. And lots lots more.

I am telling you, express pass is what you are wanting. With vip the group hangs together. Unless you booked a private vip tour, there will probably be another family or two with you. It was when we did it.

With fast pass you can split up and do what you want and not be waiting around for the woman who was lagging behind and that left her bag on a bench somewhere. (true story)

Oh yeah, with the hotel option you will get an hour early admission each day. A good way to see hpville much less crowded.

The nine yr old can ride potter until she has had enough and the little one can ride the trolley in the sky (one of my favorites) until they have had enough. Both days.

If you want to do the hotel option, I strongly recommend you get on that. You are going at a busy time.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

First, my DD loves indoor coasters but will not ride outdoor coasters. This sounds like your DD. The only things she avoids at Universal are Hulk, Rip Ride Rockit, and Doctor Doom. Doctor Doom might sound description-wise like Tower of Terror (it is a drop ride), but it is mostly outside, and it shoots you up rather before dropping you down. All of the other coasters are inside, and it sounds like she will like those. There is a little outside coaster in Hogsmeade - Flight of the Hippogriff. If your DD will do Barnstormer at MK, she'll be fine on this one. It is almost the same ride track and goes just a little faster. Same for the small Woody Woodpecker coaster.

I really enjoy VIP tours and so does my DD. It is nice sometimes, especially visiting a new place, to let someone else lead you around. I would really want it on the first day so that we know what to go back and do again (and what things we missed) on the second day! Definitely spend a lot of time in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley the first day. The VIP tour will be on a schedule, so your DD won't be able to linger at her favorite spots, and there are lots of good places to linger. Depending on the timing of the tour, you should be able to go back after you are done.

 

[Gerbiljo]

Yes I did check and it can be cancelled at this time, I will consider... However we aren’t going consecutive days so booking the hotel might not work. I don’t really want to change the day lay out and one day we have a breakfast booked so might not make the early start?

Oh yes I didn’t want to spoil surprises too much but actually watching them online is a super idea. I stuck our bigger one on tower of terror as soon as she was 40inches and didn’t realise what it was like but despite being scared at the time she has wanted to do it time and time again, although knowing that I am still nervous at putting my little one on it. I think most rides she will be ok I will go through them all and show her the ones online she will fear from how they look externally which will probably be rrr and hulk I guess it’s just whether she makes the height, I know last time she only just scraped Aerosmith and it’s two and a half years on so she’s grown about 4 and a bit inches in that time.
Thankyou for all the advice guys it’s all helping to get me excited as well

 

[macraven]

It’s a group vip tour

The tg decides the rides for the group on public Vip day tours

If others in your group have children also maybe some rides will be chosen based on how many will participate

Can’t expect a 4 yo doing RRR but if that ride is on the agenda, you can wait with her while the group rides

From what you posted I am assuming your tour is a 2 park tour
Don’t think many adults in the group would be interested in carolseuss ride

Public tours are set up by the tour guide
Private tours are set up by the one that books it and the park day is decided by that person

I’ve booked private day tours

You should be able to cancel the public tour since you are six weeks out from it

Explain your little would not be able to meet height requirements and they should let you be refunded without cancellation fees

Think about doing a throw away room or buy ep’s for one day of your visit

Many people book the Vip day tours so they can do those rides that are popular and have little wait time for them

 

[cadawson]

I also vote for getting a room at one of the on-site hotels that offer Express Pass and early entry. You’ll then be able to explore the parks at your leisure - one night gives two days of EP and early entry. My two kids are 6 yrs apart. I’m thinking back - I couldn’t see myself hauling my 4 yr old on a tour. We get much better use of the Express Pass - we can divide up as needed and the waiting around by younger sibling is reduced. I’d probably wait to do a VIP tour when they are both older and both want to enjoy all the benefits of the VIP tour, considering the cost. Hard decision! I think your Minions bfast is at Sapphire Falls - if you decide to go the room route, you’d want to book your one night at Royal Pacific so you can walk between Hotels for room keys to use as the EP. why not actually use the room for the night instead of going all the way back to WDW? We did that on our most recent stay. Parked at RP and used boat transportation to the parks.Had a fun swim in the evening at Royal Pacific.

 

[Gerbiljo]

I prob should have done the vip the first day. In my mind I thought we would do all the less popular and probably kiddie rides the first day and then the vip could cater for Harry Potter and it would be a highlight at the end of the holiday and the things with big queues that we chose to miss the first day we could tick off in the second day.
I know the guide plans it but I think it’s a max 12 people so I thought anything we felt strongly about we could manage within the group, the private vip would have been a splurge too far.
I think the main disadvantage is missing the shopping discount and probably need to browse the Harry Potter area the first day and will not have it!!
Not too worried about little one in the big rides, she will miss a lot at universal as unfortunately 42inches is a big marker at universal whereas 40inches is good for Disney. But tbh last time we didn’t even go universal for this reason and every time we go more opens up for us as a group and otherwise the big one can ride twice. We will get fun in other ways , spotting them on the coaster etc!
Yes I think it is the outside coaster thing, saying that she likes expedition Everest so maybe it’s just seeing something that large for the first time as Disney doesn’t really have that. Glad u said that about doctor doom as well about zooming up as that is different to TOT.
I will think about the express or seeing if mainly I could swap the vip day with the non... I can’t swap to consecutive days as we’ve done all our fast passes and we do lots of character Disney meals and work around morning extra magic hours so the schedule is hard to change now except for the order we plan to do things in the day.
Thanks guys

 

[Gerbiljo]

I think I’m hindsight that would if been a plan it’s just there’s 4 days of Disney between our two universal days so we’d only get express passes for 1 day that we could use unless we booked two nights, I prob should have come on here before planning my schedule!!

 

[Lynne G]

Note that we call it a throw away room, for a reason. One night at one of the three onsite hotels that have the unlimited express that gives all that are booked in the room, a room key, that gets you early entry and the unlimited express pass for both the check in day and checkout day, so 2 full park days of express pass. Depending on the price of buying the express, which is a non refundable park(s) at day specific purchase, most do the math. For a family of four, with two kids under 18, and 2 adults, you would all get the unlimited express for 2 consecutive days, for the price of one night hotel rate. Compare that to the even the one time at each ride express price times 4, as no discount for kids, to the one night hotel rate. Sometimes better to book a night, and check in at like 6:30 am, to take advantage of the early entry, then check out by 11am the next day. Even a day pack can be stored by the staff, at no charge if you go to the parks, if room not ready, or checking out, then going to park.

 

[skylock]

I do not usually encourage someone to change their plans figuring it is their vacation, but as someone who has done both the vip group tour and express passes, I can not tell you how much better the express pass is and you did ask for suggestions.

Even if you only use the hotel express pass for one day I would still say it will be worth it over the vip group tour and depending on the pricing now, probably cheaper.

If you were doing a private tour or everyone was equal in what they could ride like my group is, maybe I would think differently. But like macraven said, the group tour will be on their schedule, not yours.

After the tour you should have time for the parks on your own and will have a limited express pass where it is good for one time on each ride. At least that was how it was on ours.

In fact that is how I came to discover the express pass. I had bought the VIP tour for my sons bday. The next year I bought express passes and I have not looked back and started doing the throw away rooms now because we have a large group so we stay in a 4 bedroom condo or one of the vacation homes depending on price.

I hate disney fast pass system and have not gone there for 4 years. I hate having to zigzag across the park with an eye on my watch trying to make a fast pass time. Hurry up and finish your sandwich, we have to be at whatever in 15 min. Go pee too because we will not have time before we do the ride. With universal express pass, if you see something you want to do, just get in the express line. No booking ahead of time, no trying to get everyone headed in the right direction to make our time. In fact, after we ride what we all like together, we split up and the thrill ride people go one way and the tamer group goes another, planning a meet up spot for later.

I am going back to disney in the spring because we are attending a wedding there. And that is the only reason. Even at disney we use a throwaway room for the perks and not for the accommodations.

We have been doing the parks for 30 years now so we have it figured out. My son was 5 and I had just graduated college so I took my graduation money, went to disney and fell in love.