First time to Universal, opinions appreciated.

[pfanny37]

We've only been back from our second Disney vacation, and I'm already starting the planning for our next one in March 2018 (my wife is convinced that i like the planning more than the trip). On our two previous trips we've only done Disney, but as my boys get older, we think we would like to go to Universal for one day. We are planning on doing the 1 day park to park pass with the express pass that gets you 1 express pass to most rides. We will be staying at a Disney resort for that portion. My question is would it be worth it to go to a Universal hotel that offers the express pass with the tickets, or is that just too much hassle?

 

[MakiraMarlena]

You might want to consider 2 day park tickets if you do that, because the hotel express pass is good on the day you check in, and the day you check out.

 

[pfanny37]

Thanks. I should have said that we would think about the 2 day ticket if we stayed at Universal. Most things I've been reading is that 1 day is more than enough for the two parks if you have the express pass, so that is why I was thinking about just staying at Disney (although I would like the early entry you get with staying onsite). Do you have an opinion? I must have been hurrying because I've only got about 6 months before I can book.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There's not much better for a Universal trip than being able to walk back to your hotel. I dont' know if it's true about being able to do everything you want in both parks in one day even with express...will you want something like time to hang around and observe the Harry Potter areas, for instance?

(Also, express pass isn't good on the major Potter rides, so early entry is extremely helpful for those. They do have single rider if you're so inclined.)

 

[patrickpiteo]

Totally worth doing the on site hotel with the express pass they give you. Once you use it you going to hate the Disney FastPass lol. Also do two days if you want to see it all and ride the train to both parks.. When we visit Orlando we do bot parks as DVC members and AP holders to both parks..

 

[pfanny37]

I appreciate your responses. You two just answered my question in about 1/10 the time I've spent looking for older posts with info. I know it is just a drop in the bucket, but I hate not being able to use ME back to the airport, and having to pay for transportation to the new hotel. Guess I'll be trying out Uber for the first time.

 

[Darcy03231]

We love Universal and can spend a week there and not be bored!

Having said that, even with the express pass you might find it tight to get to everything in one day. Keep in mind that there are attractions that don't have express pass, including all of the Harry Potter rides. I would do two days with park to park admission (otherwise you can't ride the HP train as it starts in one park and ends in the other) and stay one night in one of the Universal hotels that offers the free express pass perk (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock or Portofino Bay - my kids prefer Hard Rock and I really like Portofino Bay). I would also do the two days at the end of your WDW trip. We did them at the beginning and my kids got used to the express pass really quick. Once we transferred to WDW they complained about the lines quite a bit. Also, they're thrill ride junkies and found the rides lacking at WDW after just having been to US/IOA. They kept wanting to go back to Universal.

 

[kelmcg]

If your kids like Harry Potter, I would suggest staying one night at Universal Hotel. The Express Pass is awesome but it doesn't work on the 2 main Happy Potter rides. However, they have early openings for Harry Potter. You will need a park-to-park ticket so that you can get early admission to the first park and then when the other park opens for early admission (which is usually an hour later) you can take the Hogwarts train over there. Our boys are 14 & 16 and we've been doing split stays for the past 4 years. We'll be at WDW for 6 nights and then 3 nights at UO this Thanksgiving. Our days at UO are not full days because we are up so early for the Harry Potter early openings.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

including all of the Harry Potter rides

Not entirely - you can use Express on Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff (one big coaster, one kiddie coaster). Forbidden Journey, Escape from Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express are excluded.

 

[macraven]

So going March 2018 ...


Spring break time
Stay onsite at the deluxe hotels for the ep perk


Spring break has crowds

A two night stay would be great

 

[Mom3girls]

Can't stress enough about having the EP!! Very convenient!! And so is having your hotel only minutes away when you wanna take a break back at the pool LOVE Royal Pacific

 

[squirrel]

I would say you need two days for Universal for most days of the year even with EP. The two parks are quite big.

 

[Patch'sD]

Might want to look at buying one AP Pass, that could get you a 30% discount on the Hotel Room for the night. Depending on which one you get, you may also be able to get 15% off of Food and Merchandise too. Other AP tickets you may have to watch out for black-out dates. I just booked the Portofino for about $230 for a garden view 2 queen bed for some of my family coming down for a visit. So we get two days of express passes for a party of five. I will also by their multi-day tickets at the gate for 15% off. The AP discount saves me about $ 200.00 for a two day/one night stay. It should do about the same for you. And if you have the AP you can plan your 2019 trip if it is less than a year from you 2018 trip

 

[ag329]

There's not much better for a Universal trip than being able to walk back to your hotel. I dont' know if it's true about being able to do everything you want in both parks in one day even with express...will you want something like time to hang around and observe the Harry Potter areas, for instance?

(Also, express pass isn't good on the major Potter rides, so early entry is extremely helpful for those. They do have single rider if you're so inclined.)

This is good to know! We are also planning a one day stop at Universal, just to see a few things. Of course the EP isn't avail for the HP rides - (roll eyes!)

 

[patrickpiteo]

This is good to know! We are also planning a one day stop at Universal, just to see a few things. Of course the EP isn't avail for the HP rides - (roll eyes!)

get there early and do the HP rides then..

 

[PartyofSix]

I just wanted to second Patch's D advise! USO/IOA just created a NEW seasonal AP. Check the blackout dates, but for me this worked great! I bought a pass and just saved a ton on our rooms at CBR and HRH for Thanksgiving using the AP rate! It's not going to save me on food and such but will on their park tickets and hotels. I did'nt see how old your children are and i know every family is different. Hands down my kids are 10,16,16,16,20.22, and 24 all LOVE Universal.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not entirely - you can use Express on Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff (one big coaster, one kiddie coaster). Forbidden Journey, Escape from Gringotts and the Hogwarts Express are excluded.

Thank you. Why do people forget about the coasters? I don't get it.

This is good to know! We are also planning a one day stop at Universal, just to see a few things. Of course the EP isn't avail for the HP rides - (roll eyes!)

Two HP rides are included with EP.

 

[Hikergirl]

I'm sorry to hijack this thread but I didn't want to start a new one since it is kind of related to what is being discussed. I'm considering buying my dd or myself an AP for the resort discount. The weekend I'm thinking of taking the kids is blacked-out for early admission. If we stay on-site will that matter, will I be able to use the early admission benefit for the resort or will they not let me because I have an AP not a regular ticket?

 

[pcstang]

I'm sorry to hijack this thread but I didn't want to start a new one since it is kind of related to what is being discussed. I'm considering buying my dd or myself an AP for the resort discount. The weekend I'm thinking of taking the kids is blacked-out for early admission. If we stay on-site will that matter, will I be able to use the early admission benefit for the resort or will they not let me because I have an AP not a regular ticket?

If you stay onsite the EA is tied to your hotel stay.

 

[Hikergirl]

If you stay onsite the EA is tied to your hotel stay.

Thank you, that is what I was hoping.