first trip to US

[Queen of Oakville]

I used to frequent the DCL portion of disboards. It just occurred to me this morning that there might be a Universal Studios board here

We leave in 10 days for our trip, but now I'm wondering what I should have been planning/pre-planning.

We are staying at Cabana Bay. My kids are 7 and 9.

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Is there anything I need to book before I go? Anything we need to see/do while we are there? rides or attractions not to miss?

When we last did WDW, I had every last detail planned. This trip I haven't done anything except book park tickets and a place to stay! We have the 3-park unlimited ticket.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

I bet your kids have a blast. Mine were 11 and 13 our first trip, and they are so looking forward to this one (they will be 14 and 16).

I did purchase a couple of books to get really good ride descriptions (my oldest is an Aspie, and I needed to know about loud noises, etc). We found that to be helpful, but much of is available online, like at Orlando Informer. If you leave in 10 days, the crowds will probably not be too bad (check crowd calendars). It was a cool, rainy week when we went in 2012 and we never waited more than 30 minutes for anything, so planning was not really necessary.

Most of the thrill rides don't let you take bags on board; you will need to use the free lockers at those rides. Bringing your own food is limited to small snacks. Those were the only things that were a major change from WDW I think.

Have fun!

 

[Queen of Oakville]

Thanks Cyndilowho!

Oh that reminds me, I've been meaning to check the apple app store for apps to help with rides, height restrictions, wait times etc.

I just read here about no bags, which is disconcerting. I need to figure that part out.

Just spent some time at the hotel board. Learned there to pack marshmallows and coffee pods lol.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

USO has an app - I have it downloaded for this summer's trip already.

 

[runsandjumps]

We will be there the first week of March and I feel so out of the loop. This will be our first time too. I downloaded the app and marked the things I want to do. I am so excited and just hope my stomach can handle the rides.

 

[nkereina]

The best part of Universal is that it requires very little planning. One thing that we found helpful was really familiarizing ourselves with each attraction prior to going. When looking at a park map while in the park, the descriptions didn't provide enough detail for us to know whether we'd want to skip it (too intense), if it was too childish, if it was a simulator vs show, etc. Knowing these things going in helped us to know what to expect and which attractions to look out for.

 

[Owlpost23]

It's nothing like Disney.Go and enjoy,and eat when and where you'd like.You'll have a wonderful time!

 

[Queen of Oakville]

Thanks! We did Disney 5 years ago. I think I will need a refresher course if I do that again! lol, I can book, pack for and take a cruise with my eyes closed, but land vacations scare me ... feel like I'm missing out on something!

 

[damo]

I used to frequent the DCL portion of disboards. It just occurred to me this morning that there might be a Universal Studios board here

We leave in 10 days for our trip, but now I'm wondering what I should have been planning/pre-planning.

We are staying at Cabana Bay. My kids are 7 and 9.

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Is there anything I need to book before I go? Anything we need to see/do while we are there? rides or attractions not to miss?

When we last did WDW, I had every last detail planned. This trip I haven't done anything except book park tickets and a place to stay! We have the 3-park unlimited ticket.

You should get a nice break from the Oakville deep freeze! Crowds should be quite low, so the lack of express pass shouldn't matter much. Make sure you spend some time at the Camp Jurassic (playground). It is an awesome place for kids to run around and explore all the caves. Also make sure you do the Jurassic Park Discovery Centre. Another thing, if you want to ride Pteranodon Flyers (which overlooks Camp Jurassic), do it first thing in the morning as it can accumulate quite a line!

 

[Queen of Oakville]

deep freeze is right! Today we have record lows -20C (feels like -26C) with winds up to -40C. Extreme weather alert says skin can freeze in 10minutes!!!! Can't wait to hit the warm temps in just a few more days!

 

[damo]

deep freeze is right! Today we have record lows -20C (feels like -26C) with winds up to -40C. Extreme weather alert says skin can freeze in 10minutes!!!! Can't wait to hit the warm temps in just a few more days!

I was toodling around down near Lakeshore and Kerr today and it hurt!!!!

 

[natebenma]

If you have a AAA membership, show your card at all the restaurants and when you purchase merchandise for a 10% discount. For merchandise, your total has to be more than $50 before they will apply the discount. For butterbeer, if you get it at the carts they won't apply the discount but if you get it at the Hogs Head bar (inside 3 Broomsticks) there will be a smaller wait and they will give you the discount. The counter place at Diagon Alley near the blacksmith shoppe also applied the discount for us.

 

[Queen of Oakville]

If you have a AAA membership, show your card at all the restaurants and when you purchase merchandise for a 10% discount. For merchandise, your total has to be more than $50 before they will apply the discount. For butterbeer, if you get it at the carts they won't apply the discount but if you get it at the Hogs Head bar (inside 3 Broomsticks) there will be a smaller wait and they will give you the discount. The counter place at Diagon Alley near the blacksmith shoppe also applied the discount for us.

I don't have AAA ... but I have read online about AMEX discounts at some dining areas. How exactly does that work? Pay with your AMEX and a discount is automatically applied? or do you have to ask for it?

 

[Queen of Oakville]

I was toodling around down near Lakeshore and Kerr today and it hurt!!!!

ha ha ... right in my neck of the woods! are you from Oakville?

 

[CyndiLooWho]

The Amex discount is the same as the AAA discount, but you have to remind them. Since I have both, I just show the AAA card and the Amex; it's harder for them to forget to apply the disc.

 

[Queen of Oakville]

Thanks so much! 10% hmmm. I will have to get DH to figure it out. My AMEX is a CAD card; but I have a USD visa. If I use the AMEX, I will save money, but then get hit with the currency conversion. 10% might be worth it though!

 

[Queen of Oakville]

lol. the answer I got was "not a chance". I guess it doesn't make sense to pay CAD, crazy exchange rate, plus currency surcharge, when we have USD.

Any chance you can show your AMEX for the discount, and then pay cash or visa? lol

I looked at applying for a USD amex, but Canada doesn't seem to offer one, and live chat on the US site says you have to be a US resident

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Nope, I think you have to pay with Amex to get the Amex discount.