First time at Orlando!

[kitgal421]

I'm going to Orlando/Universal studios for the first time ever October 11-14. We are leaving early thursday (11th) morning and returning home later afternoon sunday (14th).

My friend and I are going as an early college graduation present from our parents. We were planning on a summer trip, but that changed with the recent announcement of Silent Hill and Walking Dead horror houses. Both of us are HUGE horror fans!

There are two main things we want to hit: Harry Potter world and Halloween Horror nights.

We plan on staying onsite (the Loews Royal Pacific) and getting the Harry Potter vacation package with breakfast at the three broomsticks.

We are most likely getting the three day multi-park tickets with a stay and scream on one (possibly two) of the nights.

Any advice on how to maximize our time at these two attractions would be greatly appreciated!

Also, are there any other "must see" recommendations for older college aged kids (who are totally little kids at heart)?

 

[damo]

My advice is to not get the package. Do your bookings separately. You can eat lunch/dinner at the Three Broomsticks since breakfast is quite overpriced.

book your hotel here... http://www.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR and order your tickets from undercovertourist.com (not sure if they have the hallowe'en tickets you are looking for).

Remember you must be at least 21 to book the hotel on your own. If you are under 21 you will need an adult with you.

Since you are staying onsite, you will get the 1 hour early admission every day from the day you check in until the day you leave. This should give you lots of time to do the Wizarding World.

Make sure you do the Horror Make-up Show at the Studios. You should be able to do everything at both parks a few times.

 

[Metro West]

For HHN...purchasing an Express pass will greatly improve your chances of seeing everything in a single night...if you are only doing one night.

You might want to consider purchasing an EP the first night and then go the second night w/o it...since you should have seen everything previously.

Stay & Scream will also help a lot. Make sure they are in the Studios before closing so they can stay.

 

[kitgal421]

Thanks for the advice! I recently turned 22 and my friend is 21, so no worries about hotel booking.

The way you've suggested (no package) does seem much cheaper which is great!

undercovertourist.com has "3 day park to park" tickets WITH a "Halloween Horror nights " combo ticket. The Halloween tickets are good on thursday and friday night, but not saturday. I don't see any kind of Halloween express pass on that website. Would we still be able to see everything on thursday and friday without an express pass?

That makeup show sounds fantastic! We will certainly put on that our "must see" list!

Also, what is the best transfer service from the airport to Loews hotel?