First time going to Universal... tips and hints please?

[Princess Oliviea]

My DM (50+) and I (23) will be going for the first time in early December. I'm used to Disney planning, and all this new information is throwing me for a loop. We are really only interested in WWOHP, we've got P2P tickets. Any tips, tricks, or hints will be greatly appreciated TIA

 

[schumigirl]

There is a ton of info on the stickies listed at the top of the forums here........full of info on hotels, restaurants, HP and anything else you can think of.

Have you checked out www.universalorlando.com

Ton of info on there too..........

You have P2P tickets, that's always a good start as you can ride the Hogwarts Express between the parks........

Are you staying onsite or off? Early December shouldn't be too bad crowd wise, will be busier at weekends but if you are staying onsite you won't have to worry how crowds are anyway.

Any specific questions........ask away, always someone to help here.........

 

[damo]

How many days are you going for?

 

[bchbetha]

Get the official Universal app if you have a smart phone. Has maps, wait times, show times and lots more.

 

[Marc D]

If you can, be there first thing in the morning (with one extra hour if you stay onsite) and be prepared to walk fast. Both Potter worlds are far from the gates and everyone rushes there at opening. I would do either Escape from Gringott or Forbidden Journey (depending on your starting park), ride the Hogwart Express, do the other big ride and then spend the rest of the day visiting the other rides, shops and restaurants and using the train to switch between the two parks. The train ride is different in each direction. Once Escape and FJ are out of the way, even on busy days, it's a much more leisurely visit. And if you are early enough, you might get to ride them 2-3 times in a row before the line gets too long.

Also, bring something to note your locker code (if you have a bad memory like me). A lot of rides at UO requires that you use them.

 

[Princess Oliviea]

We are staying at Disney. I have checked out the universal site. We're going just for one day, on a Tuesday. I literally just downloaded the app. I was thinking about taking larger fanny packs for both of us. And ya my memory sucks too so definitely going to take a lanyard with a pen and paper. We don't have a rental car so what's the best way to get there from Disney?

 

[Marc D]

I would think Uber or a cab. Mears runs shuttles but you'll spend a lot of time waiting for them or other guests.

 

[damo]

Forbidden Journey makes a lot of people sick, like Star Wars. If you are prone to motion sickness on Star Wars, take a less drowsy dramamine in the morning or night before to help.

 

[TheConsciousness]

Check out the Harry Potter planning threads to map out what you should do when getting to Diagon Alley. Get your wands early and take time to stop at all of the interactive zones in the area as you make your way around.
Hope you guys have fun!

 

[Disneytam]

Check out the Harry Potter planning threads to map out what you should do when getting to Diagon Alley. Get your wands early and take time to stop at all of the interactive zones in the area as you make your way around.
Hope you guys have fun!

Members of my party are really interested in getting wands and doing the interactive experiences. Where do you locate them and is their signage telling where they are or do you just have to know. Can you bring a wand purchased from years ago or do they need to be a newer variety. Sorry for all the questions but I'm a Disney girl and all this Universal stuff is really foreign to me. I will be at Universal in six weeks and I haven't made a signal ADR! The horror

 

[tony67]

Members of my party are really interested in getting wands and doing the interactive experiences. Where do you locate them and is their signage telling where they are or do you just have to know. Can you bring a wand purchased from years ago or do they need to be a newer variety. Sorry for all the questions but I'm a Disney girl and all this Universal stuff is really foreign to me. I will be at Universal in six weeks and I haven't made a signal ADR! The horror

You will have no issue finding a place to buy wands - they sell them in both parks.
In IOA there is a cart and a shop with the wand experinace or whatever they call it.
In US there is a shop as well.
As long as the old wands are interactive wands they should work.

I doubt you will need reservations for restaurants - but it does not hurt to make them, but I never had

 

[pcstang]

Members of my party are really interested in getting wands and doing the interactive experiences. Where do you locate them and is their signage telling where they are or do you just have to know. Can you bring a wand purchased from years ago or do they need to be a newer variety. Sorry for all the questions but I'm a Disney girl and all this Universal stuff is really foreign to me. I will be at Universal in six weeks and I haven't made a signal ADR! The horror

You will have to get the interactive wands. They are around $50 each including tax. The wand will come with a map that shows the locations to cast spells.

 

[dmanwi]

If you buy a wand they can't go onto many of the rides correct? So if I buy a wand early in the day I will need to use a locker?

 

[pcstang]

If you buy a wand they can't go onto many of the rides correct? So if I buy a wand early in the day I will need to use a locker?

That is correct. The lockers are not an issue in my opinion.

 

[schumigirl]

That is correct. The lockers are not an issue in my opinion.

Yep, we used the lockers this year as I forgot my Kipling Multiple bag........had no issues whatsoever.......

 

[tony67]

If you buy a wand they can't go onto many of the rides correct? So if I buy a wand early in the day I will need to use a locker?

Yeah - and if you want to do any of the inverted coasters you would need a locker anyway - you can have nothing in your pockets on those

i was concerned about the lockers - but they really were not an issue overall

 

[bchbetha]

You can have the box and bag sent back to the onsite hotel, if you're staying at one, or sent to one of the gift shops by the exit for pick up at the end of the day.