First Timer - Question about passes

[twinklestar22]

Hi everyone. I'm in the process of planning our first trip to Universal. We've only been to Orlando once (Disney 3 years ago, in February) and stayed on property using a relative's DVC points. Needless to say, we never left WDW property. For this trip we plan to spend 5 or 6 nights at Cabana Bay at the End of June or the end of August 2016. It will just be my husband, my 11 year old daughter and myself. Since we don't plan on getting Express Passes (and they don't automatically apply for guests of CBR) I'd like to know how many days in the parks is enough. We planned on 3 or 4. We went to AAA and it was suggested we get the 3 park unlimited pass with Wet n Wild instead of the 2 park 3 or 4 day pass but I really don't think we'll be going to a water park since I plan on spending quite a bit of time at the pool at CBR. I also plan on spending a day or an evening at Disney Springs. We are coming from NJ and I'm not sure yet if we will be driving or flying. Just wondering which pass will give us the best bang for out buck as well as the freedom to go to the Universal parks enough times to feel like we were able to get the most out of our trip. Thanks, and I look forward to checking out this board on a regular basis

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

I got an AP over the summer and spent 4 days total in the parks over the course of a summer. I spent most of the time in the Harry Potter sections, and got to see everything I wanted multiple times. I think 4 days is more than enough, 3 could also be sufficient.

 

[ginkybiloba]

We visited in January 2013 (our children were 8 and 10 at the time). We ended up spending 3 days in the parks (2 days at IOA, 1 day at Universal Studios) and felt like we saw everything. We stayed at the RPR though so we had express passes. I find the cost difference between a 3 day pass versus a 4 day pass is pretty small (around $10 per person more, if I recall correctly) so when we return in January 2016, we will be purchasing the 4 day passes. We've never visited Wet N Wild because we always travel in January so I can't comment on that, but I agree with you that the pool at CB looks amazing and I would personally choose to hang out there as well. Have a great trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

There are never enough days in the parks for us. We love reriding and re-experiencing.

We would go to the parks every day of your planned trip. It's why we got APs in 2011 and keep them so we can do that.

 

[kohlby]

If money is an issue, then I'd do the buy 2 get the 3rd day free ticket through undercover tourist. If you think you'll go back this year, then the AP will be worth it. If you're looking at 4 days, then you'd need to look up the prices of the 4 day ticket vs the AP. (And 4 day vs the buy 2 get the 3rd free option).

As for how many days - we bought AP's for the first time and are planning on 6 days on our next trip - but we'll also have another trip within that year. We did 6 days in the parks two years ago and spent pretty much the entire day, every day in the parks. (We had tickets purchased long ago for that one - only $99 for 7 days!) That was even before the extra HP attractions were there - though there were some then and one attraction that my kids loved that is closed now.

Another thing to consider is which time of year you'll choose and the heat. If it's hot, it's nice to feel that you can do a partial day or take a break and it not cut into precious park time. August is usually quite hot and humid. June can be hot and humid, but you can also get some June days that aren't nearly as bad. So, for August, I'd spend the extra without a doubt for max days.