First Time - Some Qs that need As

[stan]

Hi everyone! My wife and I are going in a few weeks to Universal for a couple of days as part of a Disney/Universal trip. We haven't been to Universal before, so I have a few questions.

1) Any general tidbits I should know? I have read up on stuff the Unofficial Guide and some websites, but want to know the scoop from real DISers. We will not be getting the Express Passes, and by all accounts the time we are going (second week of Feb) should be a relatively low time. We are staying on-site and so will get the extra hour.

2) Should we worry about crowds at all when getting in at the extra morning hour? Should I worry about whether to get on Minions or Gringotts first? Are there any other particular rides I should make sure to go on as soon as regular park hours start? (On our days US opens for the early hour, but IOA does not)

3) We are staying at Cabana Bay Beach - If I want to do bowling do I need to make advance reservations?

4) How "roller coaster-y" is Forbidden Journey? My wife doesn't really like roller coasters. I am assuming Gringotts is OK - but how is Journey? Any other rides I should be worry fo for her?

A big thanks in advance!!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I have stayed at Cabana Beach several times and my family loves that resort. We have done the bowling and you generally don't need reservations. I was there during the summer and just walked in one afternoon to play. I think we waited maybe 15- 20 minutes. It is a fun bowling alley.

I think when your trip is landing in the second week of February will make a difference. If you are ending your vacation on Presidents weekend than it could be busy. I would take advantage of EE at least one day and go to HP Diagon Alley. The HP worlds get very busy and you will enjoy it with less crowds. Gringott's can get very busy so I would ride that at that time.Once you are finished you could either take the HE over to IOA and go to Hogsmeade (if you have park to park tickets, which is required) if it is still early and do that HP. The HP worlds are best early to mid morning or at the end of the day.

If you choose to stay in the studios I would grab virtual tickets for F&F and Jimmy Fallon if you are going to ride.These are like Disney's FP+ where you get a time to come back. I would then go over to Minions, that will be one of the longest lines throughout the day. I think if you want to stay in the studios I would go do Mummy next (if you are interested) Outside of that it doesn't matter as much the ride order. If it were me I would do Transformers after Minions or Mummy.

The other day you are there you could wait to go on Minions at opening and then go to DA if you want to do it again.

As far as IOA if you choose to go there one morning at opening I would do Kong then go up to HP. Kong is one of the most consistent longest lines in IOA.

Forbidden Journey is not a coaster. it is on a track suspended over the floor and an robotic arm moves you up down and around. I can tell you I ride a lot of rides and this one makes me and my DD nauseated. My DH and DS are fine with it.
Gringott's is the roller coaster type. I think she will be okay. It really only has one small drop in the beginning and a small one at the end. I don't consider it a coaster.

Mummy is more an indoor coaster. With that said I am not sure how she will like Mummy. I would watch videos on that one.

Simpsons is a simulated ride which I have gotten sick on this one as well. I think it depends if she doesn't like coasters or is there motion sickness involved with types of rides. If she doesn't get any motion sickness then she is fine with everything but Hulk,RRR and maybe Mummy.

I hope you enjoy your trip and just ask if you have any other questions

 

[stan]

Thanks!!!

Actually we will be there the end of the first full week of February - a week before President's Day, so we should be good. Thanks for all the info and tips on the rides. My wife is fine generally with not getting motion sickness (she is fine with Soarin' and the Old Back to The Future ride) but does not do well with the round and round and up and down (She did not like Space Mountain when we took it years ago, and won't go on Splash Mountain, but didn't mind the Kali River Rapids). So, it looks like your list is probably perfect with no Hulk, RRR, or Mummy (or Hippogriff), and probably no Dudley Do Right (closed for us anyway) or Jurassic River. Now I just have to decide which of those I may want to do while she meanders the park (probably Mummy & Hippogriff), but it's probably just as likely we both will be spending the spare parts of the day in the Harry Potter areas! Rowlinga Reproduciata!

 

[Travelgrrl]

I have to lobby for you guys to at least try Forbidden Journey. It's not a roller coaster. I get super nauseated on some rides and had no problems with FJ and it was the best ride I've ever been in my life! (Followed by Escape From Gringotts and Universal's Spiderman ride) If your wife has any worries about sickness, take one Bonine each morning (NOT Dramamine, which can make you drowsy). Hippogriff is a milder coaster.

Also, you have to hassle a lot with lockers at Universal if you don't have a small fanny pack that clasps with a (I think it's called) three point clasp. Think of the old, hideous fanny packs of yore. Yep! If you wear one, you won't have to use a locker.

Even adults like to cast spells. It's worth it to get the $50 interactive wand, as we're using ours for the second time this trip. (Apparently if it ever wears out its batteries, Universal (Ollivander) will swap out the batteries/replace it backstage, and bring it out, good as new!)

I hear good things about the food court at Cabana Bay. It's worth a try for lunch or dinner!

That's all I got! Have fun!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Mummy would be worthwhile to hit via single rider line. No appreciable wait that way.

I agree to hit Kong first on your IoA day. Line gets and stays long. Ditto Minions.

FJ does not feel coaster-y, probably because it isn't a coaster. No drops. If needed, you can do FJ single rider - for Potter fans, it's ideal to go through the line your first time as there are cool scenes in there. Ditto Gringotts, but the single rider line skips significantly more including the backstory.

Free lockers are not really a big deal, but if you can stash everything in your pockets for rides it's even easier. Saves time.

Hippogrif is a kiddie coaster. It is clearly visible, so your wife can scope it out & decide if she wants to hop on. You aren't missing all that much if you skip it, but it's a nice little ride if you've got time.