First Time Universal Questions

[SoKatriotic]

Hola amigos!

I am a seasoned Disney World veteran who will be doing a day at Universal for the first time ever! I am also a classic over-planner so I have been spending a lot of time doing research. However, I have a few logistical questions…

Should I buy my Universal ticket prior to venturing down to Florida? If not, what is the best way to go about purchasing two one-day park-to-park tickets with Express Pass? I read that Express Pass can sell out. Is that true? I don't want to risk not getting it. Lastly, I know that the parks are within walking distance of each other, but how easy is it to go back and forth between the two? Is it feasible to go back and forth multiple times? Due to my limited ride tolerance, I have established a sequence for myself to work up to the scarier rides (I set the bar very low, so scary for me is Transformers). I guess I'm wondering if I start with something like Despicable Me, would it be doable to go ride Spider-Man, and then go back to Universal Studios for Transformers?

Sorry so many questions! Thanks for all the help!

-Katie

 

[macraven]

When is your trip?

 

[SoKatriotic]

I'll be in Disney World from August 20th until the 28th. The plan is to go to Universal Tuesday, August 23rd.

 

[damo]

Express pass won't sell out for those dates. Problem with waiting to buy your ticket at the gates is that you have to wait in line and that can sometimes take quite a while.

Personally, I'd purchase your ticket in advance and then wait until you get inside the park to decide if you want the express pass.

 

[macraven]

Ditto


What damo said....

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

Id buy it in advance b/c the lines to buy it there can be long and you will waste time standing in line. For the price of 2 one day park to park tickets plus express pass and a hotel, I'd look into booking one of the Universal onsite hotels that would include the express pass. I also spend lots of time planning our Disney trips....For Universal I used a site called "Orlando Informer" a lot...they had great tips and info..a lot of people think Universal requires less planning than Disney, but if you really like the 2 Harry Potter sections and plan to spend lots of time there, I think it requires a good deal of planning since those sections of the parks are really busy ...they have few rides in those sections so the lines get long and stay long....

 

[johde]

Getting from park to park is close and easy. But, I'm not sure I'd want to do it more than twice. Your looking at 10-15 minutes easily between parks if you walk. 10 minutes + wait time if you take the Hogwarts Express. I would plan on doing a few thinks at 1 park to get your feet wet. Ride the Hogwarts Express over to the other park. Ride everything there you want to. Then return to the first park via the Hogwarts Express and finish up the rides at the first parks.