Help! Scared 1st timer

[cpdisney]

i have 50+ Trips to WDW and now planning my first to Uo. Where do I begin? Going with my adult daughter and 2 grandsons 6 & 3. They are big transformer, Spider-Man , minion lovers. Thinking about 3/18, 3 days Portofino CL. I know next to nothing about Universal. All tips appreciated. Direction needed. Thanks in advance

 

[BrianL]

Well, fortunately a trip to Universal is a lot less complicated than one to WDW and 3 days is generally plenty of time to enjoy US and IOA. If the Harry Potter stuff is important to you and you want to ride the Hogwarts Express, make sure you have the Park-to-Park option on your tickets as that is needed to ride since you will be let off in the other park. Other than that, there aren't a lot of ADRs to make and you don't pre-book fast passes or anything (I think an onsite stay comes with some form of Express Pass, but I don't know all the details of it).

If you are planning to do the new Volcano Bay water park, that is something to consider, but I really don't know much about it. Have fun on your trip!

 

[tweak89]

WDW Plans: Get giant 800 page book, plan each day tow work around the crowds, reserve rides 90 days in advance and hope for the best after those are used up, be exhausted (I love Disney, but sometimes it's too much).

Universal Plans: Reserve room at the big 3 (to get Express Pass). Show up, have fun.

As BrianL said, the only big thing to remember is park to park tickets if you want to ride Hogwarts Express between the Potter areas (neat ride, but if your not a Potter nut, may be expendable). It really is as stress free as you can be with this type of vacation.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

With kids that age, I might consider Cabana Bay over one of the hotels with Express Pass (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, Portofino Bay). Cabana Bay has a fun theme and a lazy river at the hotel. That said, I have never stayed there because I want the included Express Pass!

I would make sure the kids are tall enough for the rides that are important to you. Minions, Transformers, and Spider-Man are all 40". Of course, even if one of the kids can't do the rides, those characters all do meet and greets, so that will be fun!

Universal planning is much easier than Disney. There aren't many meals you need to book. I do recommend booking Mythos if you want to eat there, but you don't need to do it months ahead of time - a week or so is fine. If you want a character meal, I would book that, too.

 

[scoopmorgan]

i have 50+ Trips to WDW and now planning my first to Uo. Where do I begin? Going with my adult daughter and 2 grandsons 6 & 3. They are big transformer, Spider-Man , minion lovers. Thinking about 3/18, 3 days Portofino CL. I know next to nothing about Universal. All tips appreciated. Direction needed. Thanks in advance

As a Disney girl myself, I could not figure out how to keep myself busy before our first Universal trip (in 9 days). The Disney planning is crazy, but it does help keep the momentum growing as the trip nears. It may help you to watch Youtube videos and bloggers like Tim Tracker to fill the void. It has helped me a lot. There's that weird feeling like, "I should be doing something!" For the three year-old, check out the amazing looking play areas (Dr. Suess, Barney, Jurassic Park, etc.) in both parks, and Volcano Bay. The 6 yr old will probably get a hoot out of them, too. I'm nearly 60, and I can't wait to play in them. I would think kids will eat it up.

 

[scoopmorgan]

Here is a link about Jurassic Park kids area. I hope this works: https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/camp-jurassic/
And Seuss Landing: https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/islands-of-adventure-seuss-landing/
There is lot's of info on the OI page, for answers you cannot get here.

 

[anniemae]

Add me to the confused list!! LOL!!! We are planning a trip to Universal and I am lost. What are the "big 3?"

How many parks are there?

 

[Robo56]

Add me to the confused list!! LOL!!! We are planning a trip to Universal and I am lost. What are the "big 3?"

How many parks are there?

There are 3 parks

1. Islands of Adventure

2. Universal Studios

3. Volcano Bay (water park)

The big 3 is in reference to the 3 onsite resorts that include Unlimited Express Pass when you stay with them.

1. Royal Pacific Resort

2. Hard Rock Hotel

3. Portofino Bay

The other onsite Resorts are

1. Cabana Bay (budget resort)

2. Sapphire Falls

So there are a total of 5 Resorts and another one in the works.

All of the Resorts Guests get the advantage of entering the parks (either IOA or US) depending which one is opening early an hour before regular guests who are not staying onsite. All onsite guests get into Volcano Bay one hour early before other guests.

Water taxi's are available for RPR, HRH, PBH and Sapphire Falls.

Budget resort Cabana Bay provides bus service to the parks.

 

[Robo56]

Cpdisney I would first direct anyone new to Universal to go to the Universal Orlando website and look at the maps of the parks. You will find US AND IOA easy to navigate. No hyper planning needed.

1. Make resort reservations

2. Buy the park tickets that fit your needs.

3. Check out the dining options on their website.

4. If you are going during busy time you can make ressies to some of the restaurants on their website 30 days out
If you want.

5. Staying at RPR, HRH and PBH and getting the advantage of the Unlimited Express included in your stay is a plus.
This will save you the bother of standing in long lines for the rides during the busy season for sure.

You will find Your Universal experience very laid back and relaxing. Have a great time on your trip. If you have anymore questions come back. Someone will jump in and help you

 

[gotomu212]

It really is as easy as everyone is making it-especially staying at one of the Express pass hotels. Portofino is my favorite hotel. I think it's optimal for a family since the rooms are very good size. The pool is fun for those ages as well (OH and at UO you are able to pool hop!)

UO child swap is superior to WDW if needed. You'll all stay together in line and then split off to the child swap right at the ride.

Once you get to the hotel, everything is self contained. Water taxi to the park (a 5 minute ride; 15 minutes if you just miss it and have to wait). Parks are so close that most of us bounce between them all day. Get park to park tickets.

We usually reserve table restaurants the afternoon before we dine, but walk ups are usually available.

There are several play areas that are amazingly themed for the little one. Plan on spending time there- they really are attractions in themselves.

The stickies on the board are helpful, and any questions just shout.

 

[anniemae]

There are 3 parks

1. Islands of Adventure

2. Universal Studios

3. Volcano Bay (water park)

The big 3 is in reference to the 3 onsite resorts that include Unlimited Express Pass when you stay with them.

1. Royal Pacific Resort

2. Hard Rock Hotel

3. Portofino Bay

The other onsite Resorts are

1. Cabana Bay (budget resort)

2. Sapphire Falls

So there are a total of 5 Resorts and another one in the works.

All of the Resorts Guests get the advantage of entering the parks (either IOA or US) depending which one is opening early an hour before regular guests who are not staying onsite. All onsite guests get into Volcano Bay one hour early before other guests.

Water taxi's are available for RPR, HRH, PBH and Sapphire Falls.

Budget resort Cabana Bay provides bus service to the parks.

Thank You! I was looking at Saphire Falls. I thought that included the express pass.

 

[Mama Lo]

Hi @cpdisney

I now have 3 Universal trips under my belt in addition to countless Disney trips. What everyone says is true there is no need to advance plan.

For each of our trips we stayed at a different hotel that included the express pass. We just got back from our most recent trip one week ago, we stayed at Portofino. I would say that was my least favorite of the three. It seemed so big, that depending on where your room is you are further from something. We were close to the water taxi but further from the Starbucks. If you were near the Starbucks you would be further from the pool (which was awesome!). I know that my family is happy to have a quick trip after a day of touring. Also, was a bit further (not far at all) from the parks. So you would want to take the boat instead of walking. We didn't stay club level here but it's my understanding that you get access to the club but may not be on the same floor.

We like Hard Rock very much. It was an easy walk to the gates when we wanted to. CL here was very good. Lots of music memorabilia that was cool but will likely not enhance the experience for your kids. Neither will the music that plays all over. The pool was great.

Our favorite was Royal Pacific. We loved the tropical feel throughout especially by the pool. We loved that the Club lounge was on the same floor as our room. It was a short walk to the gates. The pool has a fun kid area with water guns and other splashy fun.

You will get more opinion about the hotels on the Universal Hotel Forum.

You can pool hop and since everything is SO close it's easy to do. With 3 days though you will have enough to do with going to UO, IoA and the pool at your chosen resort.

I think that the express pass will make your trip so much easier especially if your kids are too short or too chicken to ride but you want to. The kid swap is easier and you all get to stick together until you get to the ride. With EP over labor day the longest line we waited on was at Dueling Dragons but it was closing that day so many were getting in one last ride.

If you give more info about the height of your children and their adventure level you will get better advice on what to do. With 3 days and EP you will be able to do it all many times.

Happy not planning!!

 

[keishashadow]

i have 50+ Trips to WDW and now planning my first to Uo. Where do I begin? Going with my adult daughter and 2 grandsons 6 & 3. They are big transformer, Spider-Man , minion lovers. Thinking about 3/18, 3 days Portofino CL. I know next to nothing about Universal. All tips appreciated. Direction needed. Thanks in advance

Book an onsite with the FOTL perk. We prefer PBH, all properties are lovely (haven't stayed @ CB due to it not having boat service to parks.

My 7 y.o. GD prefers PBH for pool slide over RPH but has enjoyed both properties.

That time period will be active with spring break crowds & Mardi Gras events. IMO the FOTL perk is a necessity.

Consider purchasing one AP for discounted room rates. There's a sticky link here for last few years as to rates you might find for your dates.

 

[macraven]

Actually all the 5 hotels have a shuttle bus to city walk

The deluxe hotels are better served with the water taxis
Hrh and rpr walking paths are good also if your timing for the water taxi is off
Miss the boat, walk to the park

 

[agavegirl1]

I have also walked to City Walk from Portofino. It is a pretty, albeit longer trek. I've even used a "Pedicab" (bicycle cab peddled by a fit person) from Portofino. Hard Rock it was easiest to walk and Royal Pacific I seemed to always take the boat that trip.

 

[cpdisney]

Thank you all for the replies. I feel so much better. It will be a welcome change to not be planning 180, 60, 30 days out. That being said, I still have 2 very well planned WDW trips coming up before the end of the year! Thanks again for your help

 

[Erintx7]

Thank you all for the replies. I feel so much better. It will be a welcome change to not be planning 180, 60, 30 days out. That being said, I still have 2 very well planned WDW trips coming up before the end of the year! Thanks again for your help

My additional tip is to take Dramamine or to be prepared for motion sensory rides. Most of the Universal rides are simulators and multisensory (motion on a screen + effects/glasses and you are moving on a simulator), etc which can cause some people issues. I'm not prone to motion sickness, but my son can occasionally get carsick... so when my son and I went last Dec, we took Dramamine both days we were there before we headed to the parks, just as a preventative measure. Well, at one point, Transformers wasn't busy and we went three times back-to-back-to-back (after just having a Frappucino at Starbucks down the 'block') and I don't think we could have done that without Dramamine!! Have a blast!!

 

[Erintx7]

I have also walked to City Walk from Portofino. It is a pretty, albeit longer trek. I've even used a "Pedicab" (bicycle cab peddled by a fit person) from Portofino. Hard Rock it was easiest to walk and Royal Pacific I seemed to always take the boat that trip.

We loved the pedicabs! They ride for tips and it's enjoyable! I usually tipped between $4 and $8 for two of us from Hard Rock, but no idea if that was appropriate or not, it just happened to be the small bills /cash I had on me at the time.

 

[Erintx7]

Actually all the 5 hotels have a shuttle bus to city walk

The deluxe hotels are better served with the water taxis
Hrh and rpr walking paths are good also if your timing for the water taxi is off
Miss the boat, walk to the park

HRH also has a pretty butterfly garden - the walk is just so nice!