First time for Universal, questions!

[bangzoom6877]

Hello! On past family trips we haven't yet gone to Universal. On our trip next summer, our boys will be 9 and 11 so we figure it's time to take them there. I'm the only one of the four of us that's been there, and that was in 1992 and 1994! So I have some questions.

Background info to help with answers to my questions...DH and one of our sons will go on roller coasters, but they can take them or leave them. Our younger son and I don't go on any roller coasters or thrill rides. None of us goes on spinning thrill rides. We are more interested in family rides, shows and attractions like that. While both sons like the Harry Potter books, they're not the biggest fans you'll find. And finally, our style of touring theme parks is to get there before the park opens, leave early afternoon after lunch, and maybe go back in the evening. We never get park hoppers, as we prefer to tour one park per day and not make it overly exhausting especially in summer heat. I am a huge planner and do lots of research so we don't end up waiting in line for long for each ride. Here are my questions:

1. With only one day, should we go to Universal Studios or Islands of Adventure? (Keep in mind that thrill rides aren't a priority)
2. DS10 is allergic to tree nuts, peanuts and shellfish. How well does Universal handle food allergies? We've had amazing experiences at WDW.
3. Is the Express Pass worth it for late July/early August? Or is there a way to tour without it and without waiting hours on line and only riding 3 rides in a day? We would buy it if necessary.
4. How much does it cost to park at Universal's theme parks? Could you pay once and then return that same day without having to pay for parking again?
5. When is the best time to purchase our tickets? Are they like WDW tickets which don't expire until you begin using them, or are they only good until a certain date? In other words, if I buy them this Fall, will they be good to use in late July or early August of 2016?
6. Are there character meals at Universal Studios or IOA with the minions from Despicable Me?
7. Are there character meals at any of the Universal Orlando hotels with the minions from Despicable Me?

Thanks in advance!

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

I will try to answer a few of them. Starting at the bottom, there is a Superstar Breakfast that includes Minions, Gru, Dora, EB from Hop. Our family loves it. It is at Universal Studios and not every day, so pending which day you are there, could be hit or miss. Also, based on questions #6 and 7, it appears the Minions are important. You get to meet/dance with them after the Minion ride, which is also possibly the longest line in the parks, so you may want to consider Express passes just for that.

If you are buying one day Express Pass, there are two option: Regular and Unlimited. With the regular, one time for each ride (no HP). Unlimited is, well, unlimited. You can go over and over. I know you stated only one day of touring, but keep in mind that one night stay on site, although there is some sticker shock, is usually cheaper than the unlimited passes for four for one day. Also, you get Unlimited Express for two days. If you are a planner and looking at next summer, think about it. We leave in 15 days for a Sea World package, but we still booked one night at RPR to give us a two day excursion at UO, IofA.

Tickets are not date specific, you probably don't need to buy now, others will chime in. I have always bought from undercovertourist and they ship to my house in about a week to 10 days for the free option.

As for nut allergies, my son has it as well. Universal has been great, but make sure to ask at counter services if they fry in peanut oil or not. Sit down restaurants have been very accommodating for us. Cedar Point is tough for us for fried foods, but my memory is that Universal has been an easy go.

Again, if you are not a fan of thrill and spinning rides, unless you are the biggest Seuss fan living, head to Universal. The Minions are there, the animal show is very fun, love the Blues Brothers, ET, Fievel's playland, Woody's coaster (very mild), Diagon Alley is so fun to just tour, and maybe (I hope) Beetlejuice show will be relocated, and a pretty fun parade. I would also give Shrek and Transformers a try, not sure if Transformers is too "thrill" or not. Same with Gringott's, it is a different type of ride, you should try!

 

[Brenda Kim]

Agree with pp and will add: You won't need the express pass if you don't ride the thrill rides, the only ride that will have a long line will be DM, but you could hit that one first since you get to the parks early. Also if it is really busy that day and you find that the lines are too long you can purchase the express pass while in the park, there are several spots to buy it.


Parking at Universal: from their website.
The enclosed parking garage utilizes moving sidewalks, escalators and elevators, on-site wheelchair rental, and an on-site kennel. Vehicles can leave the garage and return the same day by stopping at the toll plaza upon re-entry and presenting their parking ticket.

Daily parking fees per vehicle:

• Regular Parking $17.00
• Florida Residents Free after 6:00 pm with proof of residency
  • Proof of Florida Residency: please provide one of the following:
    • Driver's License
    • Florida State-issued ID card (must have Florida address)
    • Restrictions apply, Not Valid Halloween Horror Nights, New Year’s Eve and Special Events
• Preferred Parking $25.00
• RV/Bus Parking $22.00

 

[Goofy41]

Hi, this would be our first time going to the Holloween Horror Nites, do we need park admission and horror nite tix or is it like Disney, you can enter park after a certain time

 

[bangzoom6877]

Thank you everyone! Universal Studios it is, sounds like that's the better fit for our family.

I will add that I always buy our WDW tickets from Undercover Tourist.

Also, we are already staying at our DVC home resort (Boardwalk Villas) for 10 nights on our DVC points, so we definitely aren't spending more money for a night at a Universal hotel.

I think I will most likely use the suggestion above, to head straight for the minions ride at park opening, and then head to everything else.

We've used Touring Plans in the past for WDW park planning. They have an option for Universal Studios too. It costs $5.95 for one year of using it. Do you think it's worth it, or is there enough free info out there on touring Universal Studios? If so, could anyone suggest some websites to check out? I don't mind taking the time to plan, I actually enjoy it very much.

 

[Brenda Kim]

Hi, this would be our first time going to the Holloween Horror Nites, do we need park admission and horror nite tix or is it like Disney, you can enter park after a certain time

You just need the Halloween Horror Night ticket. Universal will close to the public at 5 PM and reset for HHN's and let HHN ticket holders in starting at 6PMish.

 

[Brenda Kim]

Thank you everyone! Universal Studios it is, sounds like that's the better fit for our family.

I will add that I always buy our WDW tickets from Undercover Tourist.

Also, we are already staying at our DVC home resort (Boardwalk Villas) for 10 nights on our DVC points, so we definitely aren't spending more money for a night at a Universal hotel.

I think I will most likely use the suggestion above, to head straight for the minions ride at park opening, and then head to everything else.

We've used Touring Plans in the past for WDW park planning. They have an option for Universal Studios too. It costs $5.95 for one year of using it. Do you think it's worth it, or is there enough free info out there on touring Universal Studios? If so, could anyone suggest some websites to check out? I don't mind taking the time to plan, I actually enjoy it very much.

I use http://orlandoinformer.com/page/index.html ORLANDO INFORMER, seemed to be on the forefront of the Universal explosion and has good touring plans for 1 or multiple days. If you have any questions just ask me.

 

[VacaPlanner2012]

I would never suggest anyone to spend more than they are comfortable, it is just a tip I received years ago. You had mentioned being open to pay for Express Passes in your original post. Per the Universal Website, using July 13, 2016 as a sample day:

One night at Royal Pacific - $381 (after taxes), two days of Unlimited, a brief inconvenience to visit the lobby to check in/check out/get your picture taken for Express passes
Universal Studios Express (one use per ride) - $400 (before taxes)
Universal Unlimited Express - $520 (before taxes)

On the surface, it seems ludicrous to pay for two hotels in different places for the same night. But, if you look at it as buying express passes, it's a way to get a discount. If you are not buying passes at all, easy math. Anything is > $0.

 

[macraven]

if you are only going for one day, i would't leave the park for a break during the day.
if it is a neccesity to do so, take that afternoon break at city walk for a long lunch period.

or choose to go to some of the shows where it is a/c for a longer break.

 

[macraven]

Hi, this would be our first time going to the Holloween Horror Nites, do we need park admission and horror nite tix or is it like Disney, you can enter park after a certain time

if you have park tickets and there during the day time, you head to one of the holding areas (SnS) to wait until hhn is open to the park.

those in that area get a head start on the houses as they open early around 6ish for those already in the park.

if you only have the hhn ticket, be at the front gate before 5:00 so you are ahead of the rush entering when the park repopens to the public.
all must go thru the metal detectors that are coming from this line
those in one of the holding areas, do not go thru any metal detectors.

the outside line opens at various times.
could be 6:15 when it does.
a lot depends on how large the waiting crowd is and the day of the event.

if the line opens at 6:10 and you are far back in the line for the metal detectors to go thru, it could take more time than you would want to wait to enter the park.

 

[ladyelizabeth]

I would never suggest anyone to spend more than they are comfortable, it is just a tip I received years ago. You had mentioned being open to pay for Express Passes in your original post. Per the Universal Website, using July 13, 2016 as a sample day:

One night at Royal Pacific - $381 (after taxes), two days of Unlimited, a brief inconvenience to visit the lobby to check in/check out/get your picture taken for Express passes
Universal Studios Express (one use per ride) - $400 (before taxes)
Universal Unlimited Express - $520 (before taxes)

On the surface, it seems ludicrous to pay for two hotels in different places for the same night. But, if you look at it as buying express passes, it's a way to get a discount. If you are not buying passes at all, easy math. Anything is > $0.

I would also vote for staying on site at Universal even for just one night. Getting the express passes alone is worth it! Also, if you enjoy taking afternoon breaks, it'll be a lot easier to head back to a Universal deluxe hotel (remember Cabana Bay and Sapphire Falls (opening next summer) don't offer the express pass). The deluxe hotels are just a relaxing boat ride away or a walk, plus the pools are great (Universal also lets you pool hop between the hotels). And you get the Unlimited Express pass for BOTH parks for all the days you stay there including check-in and check-out. Another reason to stay on site is the extra hour in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Depending on the season, it is either both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, or just one (typically Hogsmeade).

I would also suggest that you purchase the park-to-park tickets. Without these you won't be able to ride the Hogwarts Express, which is a great attraction and it seems like your family would enjoy a relaxing ride like it. Also USO and IOA are right next door, I always found the park-to-park worthwhile and that become even more so with the addition of he Hogwarts Express.