First timers to Universal - Need advice

[PrincessTaylorsMom]

I am starting to plan our 2011 trip to Disney World, and DD has requested (okay forcefully requested) that we visit WWoHP while we're there. We are not really coaster/thrill ride people, and I don't know which other offerings at Universal would be good for us and if we should spend 1 or 2 days there. I'm weighing several options and need some advice from those of you wiser in such things than me

Can we do the Family friendly stuff in IoA in one day? Should we do US too? Is the FoTL privilege good enough to justify staying onsite or can we just cab it over from Disney one day.

Sorry for all of the questions, but as you can see, I am clueless. I don't want to deprive my DDs of their Harry Potter fix!

Thanks!

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I am starting to plan our 2011 trip to Disney World, and DD has requested (okay forcefully requested) that we visit WWoHP while we're there. We are not really coaster/thrill ride people, and I don't know which other offerings at Universal would be good for us and if we should spend 1 or 2 days there. I'm weighing several options and need some advice from those of you wiser in such things than me

Can we do the Family friendly stuff in IoA in one day? Should we do US too? Is the FoTL privilege good enough to justify staying onsite or can we just cab it over from Disney one day.

Sorry for all of the questions, but as you can see, I am clueless. I don't want to deprive my DDs of their Harry Potter fix!

Thanks!

Imo spend one night onsite for 2 days Express and get a 2 days 2 park pass. IoA in one day should be easy w/o express but idk about worth it not doin coasters. Individuals will agree or disagree there.

 

[damo]

When in 2011 are you going? That will help us with crowd predictions.

 

[finucane]

I agree with Jonny_Duck. If you stay on site for one night, your Express Pass privileges are good for the day of, and day after your stay. Depending on how many are in your family, and what time of year it is, it could be cheaper to just pay for a room then to purchase an Express Pass Plus. Also, the purchased Express Pass Plus is only good one time per ride (hotel guest is unlimited.) There is a VIP ticket that has unlimited Express, but I don't know who in the world would buy that over a hotel room, it's about $80 extra per ticket for a one day ticket. You also get an extra morning hour at IoA as a hotel guest, which is usually a good time to do Olivanders and FJ. Also, only FJ doesn't have Express Pass. Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge coasters both accept it. Although, you said that's something you are typically not interested in.

In one day of our trip we were able to get most of Universal Studios, lunch at Hard Rock Care, Seuss Landing in IoA, and WWoHP in the evening, still with some time left over to do the Hulk coaster and Dr. Doom Freefall, on the way out. That was even on a day we slept in and didn't take advantage of the extra morning hour. So with an Express Pass and planning to visit WWoHP in either early morning, or later in the evening, I think you can get most of, if not all, of what your want to see done in a day. With two days, you'll definitely get to see it all, and at a more relaxed pace.

Even if you don't actually stay overnight at the hotel you can still use it as a spot to rest up, or use the pool to break up your day. You can still come out ahead with the extra hour and Express Pass versus just paying for the Express Pass Plus.

Hope that's more to chew on, sorry if it's a bit rambling, but I got woken up early and coffee hasn't helped out yet.

 

[PrincessTaylorsMom]

We're going at the end of October. Thinking to spend the weekend of 10/22 - 10/23 at Universal. Thanks.

 

[mjohnson96]

If you plan on going then you will have to deal with the HHN crowds and the parks will close earlier because of the events in the evening hours. I would think that staying one night will be your best option and book when they open up that month and then try for discounts later since October can fill up fast on some weekends.

The FOTL benefits and the close proximity to the parks are worth staying onsite imo. We love to stay at the RPR because of the FOTL access and the kids love the activities that go on around the pools. Also, having Citywalk just a couple minutes walk away is also nice.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm a certified ride chicken and can't do big roller coasters, anything that spins too much or goes upside down (inner ear issues). Having said that I ride everything at Universal except RRR and Simpsons. At IOA I skip Hulk, Dueling Dragons and the spinning ride next to Hulk - I think its called Storm Force Accelerator (think tea cups). I have to close my eyes on the "down" part of Spiderman - but its one of my favorite rides. We haven't been yet since the opened Harry Potter so I'm not sure about FJ.

At US I can ride The Mummy and Men in Black as long as I only do them once a day or once in the morning and once again in the late afternoon/early evening - I just can't do them back to back.

While I love WDW, I really enjoy going to US/IOA. They're great parks with wonderful theming and lots to do, even for us ride chickens.

 

[snowbuzz]

We just got back from Universal and stayed onsite at RPH. It was definitely great that we could walk to the parks and Citywalk. The Express pass was helpful in getting in as much in as we could. I see that your DD's are still young, they may change their tune about the rides as they get older. Both of mine were not Rollercoaster kids and then in one summer they changed completely and now love all of the coasters. We take non-drowsy dramamine before entering the park and do fine with the rides. Might be a bit of a hassle to change hotels for one night but the idea of paying and not staying is a good one especially if you can get a good rate. Good luck!

 

[Purseval]

If you plan on going then you will have to deal with the HHN crowds and the parks will close earlier because of the events in the evening hours.

Harry Potter is at Islands of Adventure. HHN is a separate event at Universal Studios that takes place in the evening. IOA's hours aren't affected at all by HHN. The park may get a bit more crowded due to people who have 2-park tickets heading over to IOA when US closes but, conversely, you will also have people leaving IOA to head over to Universal so they can be there for Stay and Scream. I wouldn't let HHN influence my planning unless it was where I was going.

Have you looked at the height requirements for Forbidden Journey to see if your daughters are big enough to ride it?