First trip to Universal

[mickeysfavoritefan]

OK...so this is our first trip to Universal/IOA. We usually go Disney. This year the hubby decided we should do something different. Since we did receive one of the free passes, we have decided to go the Universal route. Since I am a planner, there are many questions I have. I was hoping to get a few answers here. Any help will be appreciated.

1. We are planning to go the week of October 11th. I am aware that Halloween Horror Nights will be in full swing at this time. Will this affect our touring during the day. Do the parks closeearly in order to change over to HHN? If so how early do the parks close to the general public? We are not interested in Halloween Horror Nights-big ole family of chickens
2. We received a 7 day 2 park unlimited pass, is 7 days in the 2 parks stretching it a bit far?
3. I am aware of the Front of the Line priviledge if staying on property, but is there any other positive aspect toward staying on property--in other words is it worth it?
4. Transportation--off property shuttles to nearby hotels vs. driving?
5. Is the dining plan really worth the cost? We are used to the dining plan at Disney. I do know that the dining plan at Universal is only counter service, but, we are a family of 5 with 3 teenagers who are HEALTHY eaters. How is the dining plan?

I know this is a lot of questions, but, as I said, I am a planner and cannot imagine a vacation at a theme park without a plan. Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks
mickeysfavoritefan

 

[Metro West]

OK...so this is our first trip to Universal/IOA. We usually go Disney. This year the hubby decided we should do something different. Since we did receive one of the free passes, we have decided to go the Universal route. Since I am a planner, there are many questions I have. I was hoping to get a few answers here. Any help will be appreciated.

1. We are planning to go the week of October 11th. I am aware that Halloween Horror Nights will be in full swing at this time. Will this affect our touring during the day. Do the parks closeearly in order to change over to HHN? If so how early do the parks close to the general public? We are not interested in Halloween Horror Nights-big ole family of chickens
2. We received a 7 day 2 park unlimited pass, is 7 days in the 2 parks stretching it a bit far?
3. I am aware of the Front of the Line priviledge if staying on property, but is there any other positive aspect toward staying on property--in other words is it worth it?
4. Transportation--off property shuttles to nearby hotels vs. driving?
5. Is the dining plan really worth the cost? We are used to the dining plan at Disney. I do know that the dining plan at Universal is only counter service, but, we are a family of 5 with 3 teenagers who are HEALTHY eaters. How is the dining plan?

I know this is a lot of questions, but, as I said, I am a planner and cannot imagine a vacation at a theme park without a plan. Any help is greatly appreciated.

thanks
mickeysfavoritefan

Here are my responses:

1). HHN is staged in the Studios only so the park will close at 5pm on those nights. You won't notice the crowd level increase until late afternoon so you should be good during the morning hours.

2.) Some people might say seven days is a little much but you can find stuff to do. If you aren't staying onsite, it's less enjoyable since you would have to drive back and forth so you might want to consider staying onsite.

3.) You can relax and take your time staying onsite. You can take advantage of the pools and staying so close by heading to the room for a nap and then back over later and of course the unlimited Express access.

4.) If you take the hotel shuttles, you won't have to pay for parking at the Universal garages but you're on their schedule. Most of the hotels in the area have free transportation to Universal.

5.) I think with three teens who like to eat, the Meal Deal would be worth it for you. They can eat whenever they want so you wouldn't have to be with them. Since it's just counter service, there are limited places on the Meal Deal but the food is pretty good.