First trip to Universal in over 5 years...

[mh1973]

Just booked this last week a 3 night stay at RPR for 3 nights beginning this Saturday. I bought the one day park 3 day pass for the 4 of us. What do I need to know? I know you get early entry by staying onsite, but now I am reading it's only one park a day, not both, is that correct? Give me all the basics I need to know before we go...where to eat, what time to leave resort, which attraction to go to first, etc. We usually do Disney and I can plan that but am clueless to Universal.

 

[macraven]

there are two parks.
IOA and the Studios

if you want to do both parks, upgrade your park tickets to the park to park passes.
this can be done at guest services inside the park or outside the park.

it will make the 3 day passes valid the entire time you are there to switch back and forth from the parks.

www.universalorlando.com
check out the eateries and their locations in the parks.
there will be menus listed on the site so you will know where to go for the foods that appeal to you.

www.citywalk.com
you can look at the menus and information of all places located in city walk.

read some of the trip reports on how others handle their park day for rides/shows etc.

go and have a fun time!!

 

[Nohal]

We were there the last weekend in May and stayed at Cabana Bay. First off you will have the express pass so lines won't usually be an issue. However the lines at the Harry Potter rides were usually long. We only rode at rope drop. In the park that opens early the only think opened is the Harry Potter area, nothing else is open until official time. When we were there the park that didn't open early still let people in around 8:30. Can't help you with what time to leave the resort. We got the bus at Cabana Bay at 7 for early entry. You can check out the menus on Universal site. It is so different than Disney in that you don't need to plan as much. You can pretty much just wing the entire trip. Was very relaxing as we didn't need to be anyplace at any certain time. Keep reading through these threads thats where I got all of my info on Universal.

 

[RMulieri]

As of yesterday, both parks have early entry for the summer.

 

[HM]

Minions is the first attraction you should do one day. The line for that is long all day long. Even Gringotts and Forbidden Journey don't have as long a wait all times of day like it does.

RPR takes about 15 minutes walk to IOA and a bit more to US at an easy pace. So, plan your timing for early entry if you wish to get there as it opens. Don't wait for a boat in the morning, just walk while you're still fresh.

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

Minions is the first attraction you should do one day. The line for that is long all day long. Even Gringotts and Forbidden Journey don't have as long a wait all times of day like it does.

RPR takes about 15 minutes walk to IOA and a bit more to US at an easy pace. So, plan your timing for early entry if you wish to get there as it opens. Don't wait for a boat in the morning, just walk while you're still fresh.

I have also noticed even with express pass, Minions ride is still long.

 

[RMulieri]

I have also noticed even with express pass, Minions ride is still long.

YUP...We waited 20 mins for it WITH express.I have family down there now and they waited over 30 mins WITH it ..

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

YUP...We waited 20 mins for it WITH express.I have family down there now and they waited over 30 mins WITH it ..

Last July I had it and waited 45 once though second time was much shorter. I am still getting one when I go in July but not expecting to walk right on some rides (especially the water rides).