First Timers: Crowd levels, need some advice.

[skoi]

I've been reading here for a while, trying to get an idea of what we're getting into. We've spent a lot of time at Disney, and will be making the trip over to Universal in September (23-25). It'll be dh, dd (12 and a huge Harry Potter fan/thrill ride fan) and ds (12 with special needs: Harry Potter fan, not so crazy about thrill rides), and me. Early entry to HP areas is important, so we'll be staying on site.

I've been looking at various free crowd calendars, but want to get expert advice here: would you recommend staying at Royal Pacific over Cabana to get the express pass? Is it something that we'll probably need in late September? We're planning on booking everything separately, since you seem to save more that way, so I've been messing with numbers and options (purchasing express pass, etc).

Also, I'm feeling technologically challenged and am wondering where I can find (I looked and I'm sure I missed it if it's out already) what park has the early entry to the HP areas? Or do I assume it's the Studios since on the official calendar they have hours starting at 8?

Any other advice for ease of transition from Disney to Universal would be greatly appreciated. I read a recent review and it had me scratching my head. Universal seems more complicated than Disney, but more research would probably help me out with that.

TIA.

 

[macraven]

Rpr would be good as it will give you the unlimited free ep for all in your group

Fri-sat-sun studios will close at 5 for a hard ticket event which is Hhn
It is geared for older kids

Parks will be crowed during the day
Use the early entry and the ep lines
You will be able to do the parks quite well even if you face crowds

Weekdays will have less peeps in the parks

 

[Robo56]

I also read the recent preview you are probably refering to. I wish that poster had come here first for info. Let me assure you Universal is not complicated at all. And above all welcome. Ask as many questions as needed to make you feel prepared for your trip to Universal. Mac and all the regulars here will be happy to help.

As noted by Mac above RPR is a beautiful and friendly resort. Stay there as she noted and you will have the advantage of unlimited Express pass for your family. There is no way to beat the cost.

Some fun things to do when you get there is to let everyone pick a Lanyard of their choosing. Sounds like you have Potter fans so each house of Hogwarts is represented for possible lanyard choices. These are easily obtained at the Universal store in City Walk.

When you check into the resort they will give each of you room keys. Ask them to give the kids Potter characters. They also have Hulk, Spider-Man etc...

Then go to the kiosk not far from the front desk and get your Express passes printed for everyone. Put your park ticket facing one window in your lanyard so it can be easily scanned and your express pass facing the opposite window on the other side so it is easily scanned and your hotel room card in between. Easy peesy. Your done. No pulling out tickets, express passes etc.

Now go to the parks and have a blast. No complications.

We get new Lanyards every year. We love it. Everyone wears them. They make everything easy and they are a wonderful keepsake. Also for your Potter fans they have pins you can buy to put on your Lanyards. They have a Chocolate frog pin that actually smells like Chocolate.

You will all love the pool at RPR. If you haven't already go read the sticky on RPR Schumi girl has done a fabulous job with updating that site and others. Everything you want to know about RPR is there. This can be found under the Universal Resorts and Hotels section.

The park that is opening early should be listed on the Universal site for your days. You can always call your resort ahead of your check in date and ask if they have any updated information.

You can make reservations for Mytho's in IOA and Lombards and Finnegan's in US. Just go to Universal site under dining. These can be done 30 days out. The rest in both parks are walk up service. Take the Potter fans for a meal at Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade and Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley.

You will find the food in the Parks and City Walk is great.

RPR as well as all Universal Resorts have onsite dining options that are very good.

Make sure to purchase park to park tickets. This will allow you to ride the Hogwarts Express back and forth between the Potter Parks.

You will find Universal much more compact then Disney. Very easy to maneuver.

Which ever park is opening early for example if early entry is 8 am be there at 7:30. They always let everyone in a little earlier.

If you do early entry and want a break from the parks later you can easily get back to your resort for a pool break or rest without having to take a long bus ride. Then once refreshed easily head back to the parks again.

The boats will start running early enough to accomadate your getting to the park that has early entry.

Interactive wands to do the magic tricks in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are awesome for the Potter fans. Comes with a map and all sites are marked with medallion on the sidewalk in front area were the magic trick is to be performed.

Ollivanders wand shop show is very nice. It would be great if one of the kiddos is picked for the show. YOU KNOW THE WAND PICKS THE WIZARD.

There are shops in all the areas of both parks, but a majority of the items you see in all these shops can be purchased at the big Universal store in City walk or the large Universal stores on entry to both parks.

Check out the park maps at the bottom of the page of Universals website and get the lay of the land. Very easy.
Enjoy your wonderful uncomplicated trip to Universal.

 

[skoi]

Thanks to both of you for the quick responses. We'll be going with RPR and reading a lot more. I have Disney down (well I did, before all this ordering fastpasses online two months out-- I mean honestly, how do I know-- Disney fascist that I am-- what park I'll be in two months ahead of time?) but this is a new world. The kids are really excited. If we didn't need to use our DVC points we'd probably do more days at Universal than Disney.

 

[skoi]

Oh, and we would never do the Halloween hard ticket event. Our kids are scared of the advertisements they've seen driving down I-4! Funny, our older, biological kids never wanted to do Universal-- even though Oldest Daughter was a huge Potter geek-- she even belonged to/did a huge international HP role play for years, and had her own HP site for a while. But neither of the big kids ever wanted to go.

 

[kabbie]

I agree whole heartedly about staying at a property that gives you unlimited Express. First onsite hotel experience was Cabana Bay...fun resort and easy 5 min bus ride, but for our May trip, chose Hard Rock for walking to Universal Studios and EP especially since we're going on a weekend.

I love Disney and am used to uber planning a trip...hard to let that go. But I'm looking forward to relaxing and being spontaneous with Universal.

Love the Clark Gable avatar, by the way!

 

[schumigirl]

Thanks to both of you for the quick responses. We'll be going with RPR and reading a lot more. I have Disney down (well I did, before all this ordering fastpasses online two months out-- I mean honestly, how do I know-- Disney fascist that I am-- what park I'll be in two months ahead of time?) but this is a new world. The kids are really excited. If we didn't need to use our DVC points we'd probably do more days at Universal than Disney.

Good choice with RPR!!! Beautiful resort and you won't regret staying there.

You've already been given some good advice above, but want to reiterate just how easy Universal is to navigate. It truly is a relaxing vacation........and with EP it's even easier........

Planning is not an essential part of a trip at Universal........it's do as you feel at the time......ask questions, always someone here will help with anything.......

Oh, Welcome to the dark side.......you're gonna love it.........

 

[macraven]

To the darkside
We will help you so you won't feel like a stranger there when you go

 

[Michele Christian]

Hope it is okay to piggy back on skoi's question.

We are planning to travel to Universal the third week in September. This will be our first try at Universal, we are huge Disney fans.

We are staying offsite for free, so it does not make sense to book a resort. But, I am very concerned about the crowds! Should I take the plunge and buy the EP each day? And which one? the unlimited or regular?

Also, is 2 days enough? or should we plan on 3 to make sure we see everything? I anticipate spending a lot of time in Harry Potter world, and I don't want to feel rushed.

Thank you all so much in advance!

 

[schumigirl]

3rd week is still usually fairly quiet.

However, last couple of years we have seen crowds rise every year........weekdays are less crowded, weekends are busier. We saw some horrendous queues last year, particularly on weekends.

HHN is on selected nights then, Studios will close at 5pm on those nights.........crowds build late afternoon and most non HHN going folk venture over to IOA which closes slightly later.

As for EP wait and see if you need it.......don't buy it in advance. You can buy it all around the parks if you felt you needed it.

Get there early, stay late as you can........and I would never do less than 3 days........there truly is so much to see and do.

Have a look at www.universalorlando.com

Website Has loads of info and you can see what things your family would like to do.

 

[Michele Christian]

THANK YOU!!! This is exactly what I needed to know!

A couple more questions (I have watched you on the board, and you seem to be the Universal GENIUS )
1. Would buying from "undercover tourist" be safe? And could I still upgrade my ticket if I bought from them?
2. If we decide to do a 4th day, can we add that with the discounted price? Or would I have to "start over"?

We are so excited! especially for having a low stress vacation. The Disney vacation drove my husband insane because the amount of planning took the fun out of it.

thank you!

 

[kabbie]

I always buy tickets from Undercover Tourist (using the link from Mousesavers newsletters) and never had an issue. During my January trip, I upgraded my 4 day park to park ticket to Premier pass for $75 (I believe)...upgrade paid for itself that day with food & merchandise discounts.

When you upgrade, you must enter the park with your ticket first then upgrade at Guest Relations. That way, you get credit for full price ticket rather than Undercover Tourist discount.

Only planning I do is trying one day to go to US for early entry for Diagon Alley.

 

[macraven]

Yes, schumi is our genius

 

[schumigirl]

Oh if only...........been called many things but not often has genius made it in there........

Thanks for the lovely compliment Michele..........made my day!!!

Kabbie got it covered.......you'll be fine with UT and upgrading.......

I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip........it will be so much more relaxing.......you're there same time as us......if you see us be sure to yell Hi........

 

[Michele Christian]

You guys are the best!! thank you!!

 

[damo]

Hope it is okay to piggy back on skoi's question.

We are planning to travel to Universal the third week in September. This will be our first try at Universal, we are huge Disney fans.

We are staying offsite for free, so it does not make sense to book a resort. But, I am very concerned about the crowds! Should I take the plunge and buy the EP each day? And which one? the unlimited or regular?

Also, is 2 days enough? or should we plan on 3 to make sure we see everything? I anticipate spending a lot of time in Harry Potter world, and I don't want to feel rushed.

Thank you all so much in advance!

We've been to Universal twice in the past 3 years in the third week of September. It is HOT but it isn't crowded. I would definitely NOT get the EP in advance like Schumi says. It is really not necessary. Just make sure you give yourself some good shade time as it the heat can be overwhelming. One of the best suggestions to get out of the heat is to go to Diagon Alley. For some reason, the way they have arranged things makes it quite cool in that whole area!

 

[Michele Christian]

Please indulge me one more question (although, no promises!)

Can non-Florida residents buy a Power Pass? I think it might be most cost effective if we want to add a 4th day in the park.

 

[macraven]

Anyone can buy the power pass
No restrictions

Fl and GA residents can get discounts on passes

 

[skoi]

Thanks all for the additional info. Still working on things, but now am a lot more relaxed about it.