Haven't been to Universal since 2014

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

Some of the indoor thrill rides have shows/outdoor entertainment nearby. Near the Mummy ride is the Blues Brothers Show and the Beat Builders uses the same stage. Not too far from Gringotts are two Harry Potter shows that share the same stage.

Thank you

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

The best part is very little planning needed because you will have express pass. go where the day takes you. Make sure you ride ET - very tame!

Try to fit in a couple shows. Horror Makeup show is really fantastic.

Thank you

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

They should probably have the parade and night time lagoon show that they had last summer at studios.

Thank you

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

Overall agree with you that yeah Jurassic Park may not get you as wet as Popeye and Bluto or Ripsaw Falls but you can still get pretty wet on it enough that you may not want to walk around with soaked clothes, the back of the ride you may only get a few splashes, the front different story. My advice is normally to just plan to do all 3 rides back to back

When we went in 2017 we just dealt with it and dried off while people watching people on the drop of Jurassic Park and eating but in 2022 we packed a change of clothes and brought water shoes and just wore those for the rides. In 2022 however we did skip Ripsaw Falls only really because I wasn't feeling the 75 ft drop that day.

FWIW in 2022 even though we were at Royal Pacific we just did a locker for the day. Ordinarily we wouldn't do that but we knew we wanted to do some water rides. I'm not really fond of walking (or taking the boat) when just getting off a water ride personally speaking but I can understand how if someone was going to pause for the day after that it wouldn't be the end of the world doing that.

Thank you

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

Was going to mention that as well. The streetmosphere is still present enough at Universal. It's been a bit since I've ridden the mummy (although I'd like to go on it again if I work up my nerves lol) but last time my husband rode it The Blues Brothers was just getting started on their set so I just sat and watched them, was a nice way to pass the time

Thank you

 

[Skywalker3]

I love reading about folks going back to Universal after a long while, or first time. I love Universal, and we love Disney. you can do both!! they are just totally different vibes and experiences, and that's ok.
I do agree that Universal takes a LOT less planning, especially with the express passes you'll get from staying at RP. But still have some sort of plans, in case of ride breakdowns, etc. Like I've seen many families rush over to Hagrids or VC, and they'll be down, and just kinda not know what to do next, etc.
Agree on the water rides. Soaking wet!! Lots of screen rides, so anyone that gets queasy from stuff like that , be prepared. I can't do them much. Simpsons is the worst, but I mostly just close my eyes , and do go on it, because it's so funny.
What all do y'all like to do at WDW?
Are y'all Harry Potter fans? there's SO, SO much to do now in Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade if so. We're uber-Star Wars fans, and LOVE Galaxy's Edge, but believe that Diagon Alley is the most immersive, spectacularly themed theme park area we've been to. Even if not HP fans, the HP rides are all fun. VC is THE best coaster in Orlando, and my favorite. Intense but smooth. Forbidden Journey.....I cannot at all ride that anymore, but it's worth it to walk the castle queue.
Lots of fun planning ahead for you. Plus all the great stuff to come with Epic!! Hope you have a great trip!! So much wonderful info in these threads here on the board, spend some time reading back through them if you can.

 

[disneyseniors]

I just wanted to add that there are some rides that make me dizzy and queasy, but others have no problem. I can't ride Forbidden Journey in IOA due mainly to it's jerky ride seats and feeling like I am going to tip over backwards. Also Veloci. coaster is off the table too, because I am not a thrill ride fan. But I can ride the Mummy with no problems

I just wanted to say that the Bourne Stuntacular is fantastic. We see it at least 2 times when we visit. You have to see it to believe it because it's hard to explain what they do. Also the Makeup Horror show is a lot of fun, and even the animals show (Iforget what it's called) is fun. Theres so much more than rides at Universal and the best part is: you can wander around, take your time and get on a ride when YOU want to. .

 

[Skywalker3]

Ditto on the shows too, They are fun!! and the character meet/greets, if you like doing that kind of thing.
There are some good threads with food recommendations on here too, to look over.

 

[disneyseniors]

I just wanted to add that there are some rides that make me dizzy and queasy, but others have no problem. I can't ride Forbidden Journey in IOA due mainly to it's jerky ride seats and feeling like I am going to tip over backwards. Also Veloci. coaster is off the table too, because I am not a thrill ride fan. But I can ride the Mummy with no problems

I just wanted to say that the Bourne Stuntacular is fantastic. We see it at least 2 times when we visit. You have to see it to believe it because it's hard to explain what they do. Also the Makeup Horror show is a lot of fun, and even the animals show (Iforget what it's called) is fun. Theres so much more than rides at Universal and the best part is: you can wander around, take your time and get on a ride when YOU want to. .

Part of my post was "eaten" or "lost" somehow. ??
I said that I could have written that post and agree with all of it. I can't remember what I said, so I guess it's not important, LOL

 

[Rory607]

I agree that Universal takes less planning than Disney overall. We really enjoy it for that reason. But be aware that the first week of June will be right after the opening of Epic, so I would plan on large crowds. If you can get up and use the early entry time to get lots of things done it would help, even with express pass. Our typical Universal schedule:
-Early entry
-Stay in parks until early afternoon, quick service lunch
-Back to hotel after lunch for break/maybe swim
-Early-ish dinner reservation at hotel or CityWalk, then back to parks for the evening assuming everyone is up for it

However, our next trip will include Epic, so that day I’m planning on a long day there with no break.

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

I agree that Universal takes less planning than Disney overall. We really enjoy it for that reason. But be aware that the first week of June will be right after the opening of Epic, so I would plan on large crowds. If you can get up and use the early entry time to get lots of things done it would help, even with express pass. Our typical Universal schedule:
-Early entry
-Stay in parks until early afternoon, quick service lunch
-Back to hotel after lunch for break/maybe swim
-Early-ish dinner reservation at hotel or CityWalk, then back to parks for the evening assuming everyone is up for it

However, our next trip will include Epic, so that day I’m planning on a long day there with no break.

Thank you

 

[WLSILVERCREEKSPRINGS]

So far my experience with Universal's website and app have left me underwhelmed. Very poor layout, has our party of three listed as a party of 22 with my wife and daughter being listed 21 times, & unable to link hotel reservation that shows up on the website to the app.

Just wanted to vent, hopefully the in-person experience will be much better than the digital.

 

[disneyseniors]

So far my experience with Universal's website and app have left me underwhelmed. Very poor layout, has our party of three listed as a party of 22 with my wife and daughter being listed 21 times, & unable to link hotel reservation that shows up on the website to the app.

Just wanted to vent, hopefully the in-person experience will be much better than the digital.

That's unfortunate!
I've used the website several times, most recently last November, and haven't had any problems. Maybe I'm just lucky? I did have to change something and I called, got the answer right away.
If this is a new thing, I hope they get it fixed ASAP because it sounds like something is definitely wrong with the system. I am going to book for this fall and let you know how that goes.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

unable to link hotel reservation that shows up on the website to the app.

IIRC I don't believe my hotel reservation showed up on my account either when we went in 2022 so I'm not sure they have it programed to (I'm trying to remember if that was the case but I feel like it wasn't connected.

I would say Universal's website has always been clunky even after they did some revision to it BUT in terms of reliability meaning "stitch ate the page" stuff it always seemed to work better than Disney's and I think (personal opinion) that's because they didn't have nearly as much graphics as Disney's websites do (DL and WDW).

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I don't think there is a way to link the hotel reservation in the App. It'd be nice though.