First Timer to Universal - My Random Thoughts!

[Fiddysmum]

Just got back from a week in Orlando, did 2 days at Universal and 1 day at MK and then saw other Orlando sights.... It was our very first time to Universal, and our third time to MK.

We had a private home rental in a gated community in Davenport with family. We usually stay on property at Disney, but this was a family trip with about 9 of us total.

For Universal, we stayed at RPR for 1 night (just us 4) to get the 2 days of Universal Express and let me tell you, that was worth its weight in gold!!! During this very busy week (March 11-18), our 2 days we walked on almost everything with less than 5 minutes wait, with the only exception being Despicable Me which was a 25 minute wait once, but other times we went on was less than 10. This made our experience that much better but even if we didn't have that, I never would have expected the absolute mind blowingness of the rides at Universal!!! The kids would do rides like 3,4,5 times in a row! In the time it would take to ride something once without the passes.

We rode ET like 5 times - this was a unexpected hit!

We had early entry to IOA and during that time were able to ride FJ and Flight of the Hippogriff.

We bought lanyards at the hotel when we checked in for about $10 each to hold our EP. They were waterproof which came in handy because Jurassic Park soaked us!

Gringotts and FJ were UNBELIEVABLE! Like the entire time I was riding them, I couldn't believe that rides like that existed! We hadn't seen or felt anything like that at Disney before!!! It was basically that experience, over and over again, for our entire 2 days. DH couldn't ride FJ, he actually was pulled out of line (he's 6"3 and 300lbs....so we anticipated this) But the universal employee gave us some sort of super express pass that could be used on anything (including non EP rides) to make up for it and we were ok with that.

Harry Potter World was amazing! We got the kids the interactive wands and they had a blast spelling it up around the world.

Our favourites after the Harry Potter rides were Kong, Jurassic Park, and the Simpsons ride, but everything we went on was so much fun! It was just a fantastic week!

Best food value at the park was the big pink donut in Simpson world. $5 fed all four of us and it was DELICIOUS!

That about sums it up!

 

[disneyseniors]

OP, we stayed at RPR for 2 days,one night too to take advantage of early entry and EP's. The whole experience was great; can't say enough good things about RPR. We also loved the HP worlds, especially diagon alley. We spent most of our time there just wandering the alleys, checking out the stores, and riding Gringott's. There is nothing like in the world! You are right. We loved MIB too, and the Minions. The rest was great. I hope you caught the Horror Makeup show. It was a real treat; funny and fun. Knockturn alley was another unexpected treat, so dark and creepy, and fun!
So, I agree with you 100%. We went to Universal in the middle of our 10 day trip to WDW. WDW was great too, but Universal has them beat, IMO, with HP and Gringotts. Love both places as you can't really compare them, just two different experiences. We ate at the 3 broomsticks and it was delicious. Glad you had a great trip, too.

 

[schumigirl]

What a lovely review!

So nice to read about what a fabulous time you all had. We adore RPR and I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and yep EP is fabulous. We re-ride all the time and when my son was with us he rode 23 times one after the other on Dragon Challenge.......amazing. We wild too be without EP.....even on quieter times......

Pleased you enjoyed the rides so much too........shame about your DH on FJ.......but, glad they made it up somewhat.........and Potter areas are spectacular.........

Thanks for the review, so nice to read..........

 

[nene0182]

We got a super express pass when my husband couldn't ride FJ either. He's about 6' 230 pounds but just couldn't get that last click so he could ride.

This was our first trip to Universal (spent the first 2 days of our trip there this time) and it was amazing! We will definitely be going back.

 

[NDollie]

Thanks for the great review....you've gotten me super excited for my first trip coming up in May! We are staying at HRH for 3 nights.

 

[ChipDale]

Thanks for sharing! We visited Universal for the first time 2 years ago and stayed at the Royal Pacific too. We loved it and are looking forward to staying there again in May. So glad that you and your family has such a good time!

 

[bamajill]

I love it when someone tries Universal and has as much fun as we all have!
Loved your very happy and excited review. It makes me that much more excited to go back again!!

 

[nouvellefleur]

What a nice review!

I'm visiting for the first time in June and I'm increasingly intrigued by the Big Pink Donut! The universal (haha) opinion is that they're delicious, but I'm surprised they wouldn't be dried out from sitting in a cardboard box for however long!

 

[ChipDale]

Yay! So glad to hear that your family had such a fun time and enjoyed Universal and the Royal Pacific! Reading these reports gets me even more excited for our trip next month. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences!

I'm intrigued by the Big Pink Donut too - we saw those on our last trip. Is the frosting flavored?

 

[pcstang]

What a nice review!

I'm visiting for the first time in June and I'm increasingly intrigued by the Big Pink Donut! The universal (haha) opinion is that they're delicious, but I'm surprised they wouldn't be dried out from sitting in a cardboard box for however long!

I thought the same thing but it was really good! Very moist and fresh.