First Universal trip! Any tips/suggestions

[NJlauren]

I haven’t been to universal in a long time and I’m really looking forward to a trip with my 7 year old.

Will just be the 2 of us, we have 2 full days but could get more time if needed. We are staying at the Lowes Royal Pacific, so will have early entry and express pass. But right now our park days are Saturday and Sunday.

Trying to decide if I should make any dining reservations, originally wasn’t planning on it, but now think it may be a good option for Saturday night. We get in a bit later Friday (till I change to an early flight ).

Is Ollivanders worth it? Trying to decide if I should just try to get a wand of eBay before or let her do the whole experience.

Am I understanding correctly Haggrids doesn’t run during early entry?

Would love any meal suggestions or must does that I might not know of as I haven’t been to universal in probably 9 years!

 

[bchbetha]

Eat at Jakes at your hotel Friday night.
in the park, prioritize the Harry Potter restaurants. Go for an early lunch to avoid crowds (by 11:30)
outside of the park, there are a lot of good choices in CityWalk. They will get busy post park closing.
if you have a true HP fan, do Ollivanders and buy the wand.

 

[NJlauren]

Eat at Jakes at your hotel Friday night.
in the park, prioritize the Harry Potter restaurants. Go for an early lunch to avoid crowds (by 11:30)
outside of the park, there are a lot of good choices in CityWalk. They will get busy post park closing.
if you have a true HP fan, do Ollivanders and buy the wand.

We do love HP! So maybe we will just do it!

Thanks!

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I would suggest a reservation for Sat night if you want to eat at a sit down resteraunt at a normal dinner time, or around parks closing.

For the small price difference, I would probably just get the wand at Ollivanders - adds a level of fun to shop for your own at the actual shops.

 

[CynBeth]

In case you have not heard wanted to pass on about getting a lanyard with a clear card holder. Your room key is also the express pass so it is great to have the bar code of that facing out one side and the park ticket bar code facing out the other side. The express pass is used a lot and the ticket is to enter a park and if you have the park to park ticket to go on the Hogwarts Express. They might have checked other times but can’t remember.

 

[NJlauren]

In case you have not heard wanted to pass on about getting a lanyard with a clear card holder. Your room key is also the express pass so it is great to have the bar code of that facing out one side and the park ticket bar code facing out the other side. The express pass is used a lot and the ticket is to enter a park and if you have the park to park ticket to go on the Hogwarts Express. They might have checked other times but can’t remember.

Is this something I buy when I arrive? Can I order now? This seems almost like a must have?

 

[DoryGirl1963]

You can wait until you get there or order them in advance online - we got ours at Amazon.

 

[CynBeth]

Is this something I buy when I arrive? Can I order now? This seems almost like a must have?

We got ours ahead of time. Can’t remember if it was from the Universal online store or Amazon.

 

[georgina]

I haven’t been to universal in a long time and I’m really looking forward to a trip with my 7 year old.

Will just be the 2 of us, we have 2 full days but could get more time if needed. We are staying at the Lowes Royal Pacific, so will have early entry and express pass. But right now our park days are Saturday and Sunday.

Trying to decide if I should make any dining reservations, originally wasn’t planning on it, but now think it may be a good option for Saturday night. We get in a bit later Friday (till I change to an early flight ).

Is Ollivanders worth it? Trying to decide if I should just try to get a wand of eBay before or let her do the whole experience.

Am I understanding correctly Haggrids doesn’t run during early entry?

Would love any meal suggestions or must does that I might not know of as I haven’t been to universal in probably 9 years!

Have to agree, the show at Ollivander's is worth it, but she may not get picked so I don't see where buying a wand ahead of time would be a problem. My 18 year old DD got picked, I think she was a bit embarrassed as there were younger kids there. We were not looking to buy an interactive wand.

For HP fans, eating lunch at 3 Broomsticks and/or Leaky Cauldron is a fun experience, even for me as a 59 year old. The theming is fantastic.

 

[NJlauren]

You can wait until you get there or order them in advance online - we got ours at Amazon.

We got ours ahead of time. Can’t remember if it was from the Universal online store or Amazon.

Does any regular card holder work?

 

[NJlauren]

Have to agree, the show at Ollivander's is worth it, but she may not get picked so I don't see where buying a wand ahead of time would be a problem. My 18 year old DD got picked, I think she was a bit embarrassed as there were younger kids there. We were not looking to buy an interactive wand.

For HP fans, eating lunch at 3 Broomsticks and/or Leaky Cauldron is a fun experience, even for me as a 59 year old. The theming is fantastic.

I ate at 3 broomsticks years ago, and loved it I can not wait to try it again and try Leaky Cauldron!

I’m leaning towards checking our Ollivanders right after a ride on velocicoaster during early entry…. Or at least that’s my tentative plan.

 

[CynBeth]

Does any regular card holder work?

Yes we just wanted ones that had something with Universal on it.

 

[NJlauren]

Yes we just wanted ones that had something with Universal on it.

I see lots of Cute Harry Potter ones on Etsy! Thank you for this tip!

 

[Kit Jackson]

I would add another day, especially if you are going on a weekend. It gives you more time to make sure you don't miss anything you really wanted to try. You can still watch the Olivanders Show even if you already have a wand. I went in just for the show and enjoyed it.

 

[NJlauren]

I would add another day, especially if you are going on a weekend. It gives you more time to make sure you don't miss anything you really wanted to try. You can still watch the Olivanders Show even if you already have a wand. I went in just for the show and enjoyed it.

Thank you!

am wondering if we should fly early Friday and get that day too. We do have a trip planned again in August as well….