First Time at Universal and during Christmas week..need help with plan!

[Disney Jen]

We are going to be at Disney resort from Dec 26-Jan 1 (could we pick a busier time haha)? We know crowds will be heavy everywhere but a few questions...

My DH ad I love, love, love thrill rides. Our DS is 4years old and 42 inches. He will ride anything he is tall enough to ride.

1.) We are getting 2 media one-day one-park comp tickets to Universal (just have to pay for a child's admission). Are you able to upgrade comp tickets to two parks-one day or 2 parks-2 day tickets? I would think not but can't hurt to ask.

2.) We will most likely just do one day at Universal Studios. We are not staying onsite. Does it matter (crowd-wise) if we go on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that week or will crowds be equally heavy every day?

3.) Does Universal have child swap and/or single rider lines on rides my 42-incher can't ride? Which rides? How does this work?

4.) What would be your suggested plan of attack as we plan to arrive at opening/stay until close (order of popular rides, shows etc).

5.) Anything we HAVE to do if there during the holidays?

6.) Anything my DS4 would love...character greetings, characters meals, shows etc that we might otherwise overlook? He is most excited for ET and MIB rides!

Thanks! We are excited!

 

[mesaboy2]

I think most every ride has child-swap options, and many have single-rider queues as well. For a 4yo, I would also recommend SeussLand as it is perfect for that age, plus it will be decked out with Christmas decorations--I think more than any other area at Universal. I'm afraid it'll be equally busy no matter what day you go.

Be aware that the Harry Potter area will likely institute controls during this time to limit access. When active, it is very similar to Disney's FastPass system, except it only gets you access to the area, not any particular attraction once inside.

Sorry I dont know the answers to the rest of your questions. Good luck!

 

[momabaarjo]

We will be there the same dates (arriving the 25th and departing for WDW on the 30th)!

As for rides I have a 44 incher...here is a link for height requirements:

http://www.universalorlando.com/Resort-Information/Ride-Height-Requirements.aspx

USO side has a kid area of the park...IOA has an area within Jurassic Park for kids and then there is Seussville.

We are looking forward to breakfast with the Grinch as well as doing the Grinchmas Show, plus the Macy's Parade at 8 pm in USO one night.

Plan of attack....I will PM you. We are going mainly for Harry Potter which is our #1 priority...my 2 oldest are HUGE HP fans.

 

[macraven]

be at the park and in line to enter waaaaay before opening time.

on site guests will be in the park an hour (at least) prior to opening.

be among the first of the next wave of guests that will be able to enter IOA.


the child swap system is superior to the disney system.
it's a very nice set up at universal.

book the breakfast with the characters at confisco grille.
think grinch will be there for it.

it is a great one on one event for all who do breakfast there.
you can take all the photos you want and visit with them as they do not rush from table to table.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

We are going to be at Disney resort from Dec 26-Jan 1 (could we pick a busier time haha)? We know crowds will be heavy everywhere but a few questions...

My DH ad I love, love, love thrill rides. Our DS is 4years old and 42 inches. He will ride anything he is tall enough to ride.

1.) We are getting 2 media one-day one-park comp tickets to Universal (just have to pay for a child's admission). Are you able to upgrade comp tickets to two parks-one day or 2 parks-2 day tickets? I would think not but can't hurt to ask.

Yes. You can do that at the Guest Services that is outside the park, or upgrade once inside (again, at Guest Services). For your comps, you'll just pay for the upgrade fee.

2.) We will most likely just do one day at Universal Studios. We are not staying onsite. Does it matter (crowd-wise) if we go on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that week or will crowds be equally heavy every day?

During 12/26-12/31, every day is supercrazywhatthescarab busy. Timing is key. It's slowest early (9am-11am) and later (6pm-10pm). That midday section is when ALL the lines reach 60-90+ minutes. Express lines can even reach 20-30 mins!

3.) Does Universal have child swap and/or single rider lines on rides my 42-incher can't ride? Which rides? How does this work?

Single Rider lines available at: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Revenge of the Mummy, Ripsaw Falls (sometimes), Hulk (sometimes), Forbidden Journey (be sure to utilize the Castle Tour as well), Doctor Doom. There are also Single Rider lines at Spider-Man and MIB, but your DS is tall enough for both of those.

All rides have Child Swap. The way it works is this: everyone goes through line (Singles/Express/Regular). Near the loading area, simply tell the TM that you're doing Child Swap. The person riding first will be directed to the ride. Those waiting will be directed to the Waiting Area. The person that rides exits, goes to the Waiting Area, and the person waiting tells the nearby TM that they did Child Swap. That person will then be directed to the ride with less than 5 min wait.

4.) What would be your suggested plan of attack as we plan to arrive at opening/stay until close (order of popular rides, shows etc).

IOA first method: Harry Potter First. This is the most popular area of the park, and that area can close to capacity and institute crowd control methods. If you're there early enough, you'll be able to evade this. See everything in WWOHP before venturing to other areas of the park. When finished with WWOHP, head towards Seuss, see a Grinchmas show, and do any rides you want to. Leave IOA by 4pm. Arrive in USF and find a spot along the parade route to watch the Macy's Parade (starts at 5pm). Then explore at your leisure. Wait until dark to ride Jaws. It's more fun.

USF First method: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit first, as it will have a long line from 10am on. Then cycle towards the back of the park; try to do things in this order: ET, Simpsons, MIB, Jaws, Disaster, Mummy. Head over to IOA when ready. Pick a direction and go for it. Jurassic Park looks great at night.

5.) Anything we HAVE to do if there during the holidays?

Macy's Parade (5pm, USF), Grinchmas (IOA, various show times)[/quote]

6.) Anything my DS4 would love...character greetings, characters meals, shows etc that we might otherwise overlook? He is most excited for ET and MIB rides!

Thanks! We are excited!

The Marvel Superheroes have a motorcade several times per day. Scooby Doo and Shaggy are also around frequently.