First Time at Universal. . .WHAT DO I DO??!!

[Disneyonthebrain]

We are hoping to use a couple of our "down" days at WDW to do Universal for the first time. I feel like a traitor! My kids are tall enough for rides and they like Harry Potter. We are staying at All Star Sports Aug. 21-29. I think we could do Thurs. and Fri. at Universal/Islands of Adventure. Do I need to do 2 full days? Express Passes? Should I stay on THEIR property for a night or two to get the express pass/early entry? WHAT DO I DO???!!! We LOVE rollercoasters and we do EVERYTHING at WDW. I think we can skip anything for preschoolers, though, at Universal. Will it be packed at the end of August?! HELP!!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

You're gonna love Universal ~ especially the thrill rides! But don't skip Seuss Landing. Even though it's geared for younger kids, it's a very cool place.

I would do 2 full days. You can easily spend 1 day in each park. Staying on site would be best, as you would get the express pass. You could stay 1 night & get 2 days worth of express passes - 1 for your arrival day & 1 for your departure day.

I would think by the time you go in August, the summer crowds would have died down a little, as many kids will be back in school then.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[patster734]

You're gonna love Universal ~ especially the thrill rides! But don't skip Seuss Landing. Even though it's geared for younger kids, it's a very cool place.

I would do 2 full days. You can easily spend 1 day in each park. Staying on site would be best, as you would get the express pass. You could stay 1 night & get 2 days worth of express passes - 1 for your arrival day & 1 for your departure day.

I would think by the time you go in August, the summer crowds would have died down a little, as many kids will be back in school then.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

I second this opinion!

And when in Seuss Landing, explore! There's a section of Seuss Landing located between the central lake and the store buildings that the average tourist is unaware of.

 

[schumigirl]

Don`t feel like a traitor.

Universal is fantastic, and as PP says don`t miss the experience of seuss landing, even if you just wander through it.

We were there last 2 weeks in August last year and the first week was fairly busy, but the second week was quieter. Of course this year HP will be open so it`s anyones guess how the crowds would be.

I would definately stay at one of the hotels, they are fabulous and if you stay 2 nights you would get 4 days express pass....well worth it whenever you go

The coasters are brilliant, so much fun and the theming of the park is just fantastic.

People always ask if they can do the parks in 2 days.......but for us 2 days just isn`t enough..........

You`ll all love it

 

[BrerFoxx]

I agree with other posts. EXPLORE!! They dont call it Islands of Adventure for nothing.Universal's theming is right on parr with Disney if not better. You will love the rollercoasters, and the water rides are fantastic. If possible definately stay on-site, FOTL will help you so much. With FOTL, you can do Uni in two days. But, like other people have mentioned 2 days is not nearly enough for me. I will be staying at Universal five nights in August, and loving ever minute of it.

 

[nicolepdonnelly]

We are doing nearly the same thing except aug 27- sept 2. I think we will rent a car one day and drive over to universal for Harry potter world. We have the rental car booked, tix ordered from undercover tourist, but where do you park and how long of a drive from all stars movies do you think it is? How early before park opening do you sugest we arrive. We can only afford 1 day and will do IoA as we are huge HP fans.
Any other tips would be great- I am a confident DW traveler, but have never been to Universal.

 

[Planogirl]

You're not a traitor. I think that even Disney knows that good business at Universal will likely mean more business for them. It's a win-win situation.

Do allow a lot of extra time to get to Universal from the WDW area. You want to get there well before opening and traffic can be bad on the Orlando highways early in the morning.

You will park in a parking garage and make note of your section because it's big. Then you go through the garage and down some hallways (with standing people movers) and go through Citywalk. Swing to the left to get to IOA, Universal Studios is to the right. Parking is $15 if I'm not mistaken.

Head straight for HP and have fun! Be sure and ride Spiderman while you're there - it's still the best. If you get hungry I recommend Thunder Falls Terrace in Jurassic Park. That is, if Three Broomsticks gets too crowded.

 

[mjohnson96]

I would stay onsite for at least 1 night so you can get 2 days of the unlimted express pass. And since you are going during summer it might still be a little crazy so it will be worth it.

And don't skip anything, even DH likes to ride the Woody Rollercoaster with DD (7) and the Suess area is just really neat.

Plus if you stay onsite then you can go over and enjoy Citywalk and the different resturants and activities to do there.