Getting nervous (and excited)!

[lvdis]

We leave this Friday (1/6) for our first visit to Universal/IOA. We'll be staying at RPR 1/6 - 1/8, then moving over to Disney. For some reason I'm getting worried about the Universal part of the trip even though I've read up on it and should be ready. I guess it's just because it's all new to me and I'm used to planning our Disney trips!

Any last minute advice for me? Do you think we should do early entry into WWOHP both Sat (1/7) and Sun (1/8) or just one of the days? We have 2 day park-to-park tickets. Oh, and there's my husband and I and our 2 kids (17 and 20).

Thanks!

 

[mesaboy2]

Relax! IMO, Universal doesn't require the level of planning Disney does because it's easier in a number of ways, especially if you're staying on site.

1. Walk from any of the hotels to the parks. Walk between the parks, and even City Walk. No need to wait for any kind of transportation, unless you want to. We love RPR, and the walk to the parks is a pleasant one.

2. Unlimited Express as a resort guest will spoil you. No going to get FPs, no having to wait for a window to open, no trying to hit the window (even though that's not technically necessary). Except for four attractions, you will get in the short line every time.

3. Universal is smaller. Not a knock, just a fact. You should have plenty of time to experience all the attractions you want.

As for early entry, I would do it your first day and repeat the next if you like it. I would expect the Sunday to have lighter crowds than Saturday anyway.

 

[macraven]

We leave this Friday (1/6) for our first visit to Universal/IOA. We'll be staying at RPR 1/6 - 1/8, then moving over to Disney. For some reason I'm getting worried about the Universal part of the trip even though I've read up on it and should be ready. I guess it's just because it's all new to me and I'm used to planning our Disney trips!

Any last minute advice for me? Do you think we should do early entry into WWOHP both Sat (1/7) and Sun (1/8) or just one of the days? We have 2 day park-to-park tickets. Oh, and there's my husband and I and our 2 kids (17 and 20).

Thanks!

are you not doing the parks on the 6th, your arrival day?
you can upgrade your tickets to a 3rd day at guest services if you do want to add another day.

on your check out day from the onsite hotel, you have all the perks until the parks close.


i'm sure you will be fine.
don't worry about a thing.

you are off on a new adventure!


take in Horror Make Up Show.
it is a hoot.

 

[lvdis]

No, no parks on the 6th. We have a late flight that doesn't get in to Lakeland, Fl until 8:00 PM on Friday. We won't get to the hotel until after 9PM unfortunately.

Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

No, no parks on the 6th. We have a late flight that doesn't get in to Lakeland, Fl until 8:00 PM on Friday. We won't get to the hotel until after 9PM unfortunately.

Thanks!

The best advice I can give you is...just relax and enjoy the new experience. Do NOT try to compare Universal to Disney as so many people do. If you try to compare everything to Disney, you won't have a good time. I think you'll find the unlimited Express will spoil you and you won't want to wait in any lines at Disney. That said...maybe the next vacation you can to Disney first and then move over to Universal.

 

[LoserMomma]

I had that same panic just before we went down at Thanksgiving. As a Disneyphile, I'm used to planning things out to the minute. I was very anxious about having no dining reservations or touring plan....I found that it was fine. We have to eat in full service places because my son has food allergies and we had no problems anywhere. Remember that your room key can help with those too, not just the rides.

The front of line thing is great. We got very spoiled very fast. The lockers are a bit of a pain, but we had a non-rider for most things who held the bag (had to carry a bag for my son's meds). Only ride where we had to use the lockers was Men in Black (rode it 4 times....loved it. Waited about 5 minutes each time because of the front of the line thing).

I would do early entry for WWOHP, I know people said you can walk, but we took the boat and had no problems. Got there about a half hour early the first day and were the second family in line to get in. We did Olivander's first because of what we heard here and were the first family in the second show of the day. Still got on FJ with only about a 15 minute wait after that. In fact, I wanted the line to slow down so that I could enjoy the environment more.

 

[AJA]

You are going to have a great time!

As others have said don't compare it to Disney. Enjoy the front of the line pass, the restaurants at City Walk are very good and the UN hotels are gorgeous!

Have a great trip.

 

[Metro West]

OP...just to clarify since this is your first visit. The term "front of the line pass" only exists on the DIS. There is no such thing at the Orlando parks. The passes that are mistakenly called "front of the line" or FOTL passes are called Express Plus passes so you would be looking for the Express lines. I just don't want you going to the parks and asking where the "front of the line" queue is and get strange looks from anyone.

 

[mercydisney]

OP...just to clarify since this is your first visit. The term "front of the line pass" only exists on the DIS. There is no such thing at the Orlando parks. The passes that are mistakenly called "front of the line" or FOTL passes are called Express Plus passes so you would be looking for the Express lines. I just don't want you going to the parks and asking where the "front of the line" queue is and get strange looks from anyone.

Although I am not the person who posted this OT. I thank you for this advise. We will be in RPR in less then 2 wks and planning to use the "FOTL". I would probably get the same looks from my friends when I tell them I go "commando" when I go to Disney!

 

[LoserMomma]

Although I am not the person who posted this OT. I thank you for this advise. We will be in RPR in less then 2 wks and planning to use the "FOTL". I would probably get the same looks from my friends when I tell them I go "commando" when I go to Disney!

I posted that I went "commando" our last day at Universal on Facebook and my family all started making cracks about us being in public with no undergarments.

 

[Metro West]

I posted that I went "commando" our last day at Universal on Facebook and my family all started making cracks about us being in public with no undergarments.

Well...remember the old saying..."crack kills"...take that as you wish.