Help for a newbie

[Olivia'sMom]

My daughter and I are lifelong mouse lovers but she has decided to like Harry Potter now. So we are planning a trip to US and I need help with some info.

1. Where is the best ticket prices?
-I am a member of AAA. Navy Federal CU, USAA, Live in Georgia and work for a non profit.

2. Where is the best inexpensive place to stay within a couple of miles?

3. Best places to eat? Favorite Snacks?

4. Any insider tips you can share to make our planning easier?

TIA

 

[nkereina]

1. Undercover Tourist is where we always buy ours

2. We always stay on-site. Royal Pacific is typically the most inexpensive deluxe resort that includes express pass. If you don’t want/need express pass, Cabana Bay is the cheapest onsite resort overall usually. Can’t speak to off-site resorts.

3. Lots of options, both quick service and table service. If you’re into Harry Potter, Leaky Caudron at UO and Three Broomsticks at IOA are must do’s IMO. Both are quick service. For table service, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the City Walk restaurants.

4. Definitely get a park-to-park ticket. You will need it to ride Hogwarts Express.

 

[JaxDad]

- Read the Universal website.

- Read the many other newbie threads on this forum.

- Read the trip reports.

- Read other websites, like Orlando Informer, etc.

- Download the app and use it to familiarize yourself with the overall resort, parks, attractions, etc.

 

[angryduck71]

Look into getting an annual pass for one of you (it's cheaper than you think) and look into booking a room with it. It can be a cheaper option.

 

[tink1957]

We like the Holiday Inn across from Universal for an inexpensive off site hotel. If you drive or rent a car, it has free parking and it's a short walk to the parks.

 

[schumigirl]

- Read the Universal website.

- Read the many other newbie threads on this forum.

- Read the trip reports.

- Read other websites, like Orlando Informer, etc.

- Download the app and use it to familiarize yourself with the overall resort, parks, attractions, etc.

Sums it up perfectly!!!!

 

[Chuckers]

- Read the trip reports.

While I agree with the read up mantra, Trip Reports are sometimes tough to get through because there's SO many filler messages between the actual report messages.

 

[JaxDad]

While I agree with the read up mantra, Trip Reports are sometimes tough to get through because there's SO many filler messages between the actual report messages.

True. Maybe I should have suggested "power skimming" the trip reports, rather than reading them...

 

[sheilacp]

My daughter and I are lifelong mouse lovers but she has decided to like Harry Potter now. So we are planning a trip to US and I need help with some info.

1. Where is the best ticket prices?
-I am a member of AAA. Navy Federal CU, USAA, Live in Georgia and work for a non profit.

2. Where is the best inexpensive place to stay within a couple of miles?

3. Best places to eat? Favorite Snacks?

4. Any insider tips you can share to make our planning easier?

TIA

1.) You'll need to do some price checking, and it will depend on how many days you want to go. I think that either AAA or Undercover Tourist will be your best bets. Each AAA region offers different ticket options; ticket prices are also determined by time of year (value, regular, peak). I always start with checking prices at UT then compare from there. For me, AAA was the best price.

2.) There are tons of options...UT sometimes has *excellent* deals on hotels. Other than that, Trivago and Trip Advisor are my go-to places to research hotels. Depending on how long your trip is, you may want to check out vacation rentals. For longer trips (upwards of 5 days) it might be the best value. I use HomeAway and VRBO.

3.) I can't help here...we aren't big eaters at parks. But since this is a HP-focused trip, I assume Three Broomsticks and Leaky Cauldron will be must-do stops for you.

4.) UT has TONS of helpful resources...and this board, of course Also, you can get some AAA discounts in-park on food and shopping. Be sure to bring your card on your trip! Other than that, without knowing your daughter's age it will be hard to give too many tips. If she's a child you'll need/want different tips than if she's a teen or adult.

Happy planning!

 

[macraven]

I used to use my AAA card all the time until the system changed

I have the ap and use that now for food and merch discounts

AAA now has buy tickets from them and get the card that gives you the park discounts for any time the cost is $50 and over

Everyone has shared great info

If you have the time use the search button to find more info from others that secured best deals for tickets

 

[janicept]

Depending on your dates you could look at Seasonal AP. It doesn't include parking but you get admission to both parks which will let you ride the HP express. If you are going multiple days it might be worth getting one preferred AP to get free parking and food/merchandise discounts.

One tip I use for my husband's ticket is that we plan vacations around when the AP expires. This works for us since we don't have kids so we can go whenever. This would also work w/ kids if you go in the summer. That way you get two vacations for the price of one AP.