How do I start my planning?

[ready4mouse]

This may seem like an odd question, but I am totally lost about how to plan to "tackle" the Universal parks.

When we go to WDW, I study which days to go to certain parks and from there I start planning the park strategy- which ride to grab fastpasses for in a certain order, which rides to hit at park opening, etc... I'm just having a hard time finding resources on this about Universal.

Here's our info if it helps to guide me in the right direction:
-We will be there the last week of April (usually this is after the majority of spring breaks are done!)
-There will be me, DH, and 3 boys ages 4,7,11 (hoping the 4 year old isn't to young! He'll be almost 5 when we go...)
-We will be staying at Portofino Bay (hubby's choice) so we will have Express Passes


I would LOVE to hear any advice! My husband just wants to walk around and let the day happen. I, however, feel naked without a plan!

Last question-
Which park would you do first? IOA or US? I was planning on have 1 full day at each park and then our last day doing a split between the 2 to either hit favorite rides or those that we missed...

Thank you for all your help!!!

 

[Bluer101]

Since you are staying onsite your husband is correct, no need for any planning. We go all the time and the only thing your need to choose is which of the great restruants you want to eat at since they are all good.

 

[wdw&sonny]

If WWoHP is open, you may need a plan. Do what you would for WDW. Spend the winter learning about the attractions and watching the videos of the rides through the USF website. Choose your favorites and hit those first.

I would go to US first. Save the amazing themeing of IoA for the second day.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Since you will have the express passes, you really don't need a plan. Sometimes it's even more fun to just wander around and not have a plan. DH has a good plan right there.

As to which park to hit first, seeing the ages of your kids, I think they will have a little more fun at US. So I would start there. However; keep in mind that IOA is now adding the Harry Potter portion at the park. As no opening date has been set yet, maybe you'll get lucky and it will be open by then. Rumors are it will open in Spring of 2010, or early summer (June 2010). If it just so happens to be open by then, then I would go to IOA first so you can see the new HP portion. I'm sure this part of the park will be the most popular at the time, and probably the most crowded. Again, only if they manage to get it open by then.

At US you might need to make a plan at the beginning of the day once you get there. Some of the live shows only perform so many times a day. So if you wanted to see them all, then you'll need some kind of plan to hit them all. Unless you want to split some of them up. Since you're plan on the last day is to see or ride what you missed, you can probably plan some on the last day. I looked online and they don't offer the show times. I can't remember if their maps offer the times or not. Either way, I'm sure you will have fun.

 

[rwdavis2]

I agree with most everyone else. With the Express Pass you won't need to plan much at all. You don't "grap fastpasses" at Universal like you do at WDW. The Express Pass IS the equivalent of a Disney Fastpass but you don't have to go to a ride to get the pass itself. You show the Express Pass to the gate attendent and they let you in that line.

The day you go to Islands of Adventure you may want to go to Harry Potter first thing since that attraction is new. Other than that you won't hit hardly any lines.
BD

 

[mickeymousepuppy]

I can relate to your concern of not having a plan. We went with friends a few years ago and I really did not want to stay on grounds because of the cost. However, after having the express pass I would never do it again with out one! You can just walk around and have time to see and do everything. We had the same length of stay and it was perfect! It even allowed us time to go back and enjoy the pool. Anything we didn't get to do on day one, we had the extra day to it . My youngest was 3 1/2 at the time and he enjoyed everything. The only thing that I can remember he was too young for was the rock climbing wall. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I echo the other posters -- I know it is scary, but you really don't need a plan! We went as a family for the first time when my ds was 4 going on 5, and he had a blast. You may decide you want to split up for a little while because the older boys may be less interested in a couple of things -- my ds loved the Barney Show, that might be a nice break to let the older ones ride something more challenging, or that ds4 is not tall enough to ride. That said, I think all three will like the Curious George area, Fievel's playground, etc. If the "big" rides in IOA -- Spiderman, Hulk, Dueling Dragons are too much for the little guy, I bet he will be thrilled to spend the time in Seuss Land, in addition to the rides, there's a playground and plenty of places for grown-ups to relax.

Just make sure you take all the room keys, you will probably need to show the key for each person to each attendant at the rides. The lanyards that go around your neck are great for this.

I would also plan for a great meal at Mythos. Definitely much better than a regular theme park restaurant, and a really lovely break in your day!

It's also super-easy to leave either park and PB eat at CityWalk, so if something there appeals to you, don't be shy! We always have lunch at Margaritaville at least once.

Those are my best planning tips!

Maria

 

[RobnRud]

Great replies everyone...but how about advice for somebody who doesn't have the express pass? We're going to Universal for the first time with the kids (8,9,10) Thanksgiving week. We're DVC members so staying at OKW, and I purchased the $99 2 park tickets. Express tickets would have been $750 extra!!! So suggestions, anyone??
Thanks

 

[Worfiedoodles]

RobnRud -- How do you feel about paying for one night at a Uni hotel? This would get you Express Pass access for two days, and you don't have to stay there if you don't want to, just check-in. Thanksgiving is a more crowded time, I think the Express Pass would serve you well.

We are going over Thanksgiving as a reward to ds11 for some extra academic achievement. We were going to WDW first, and then he told us he'd rather go to Uni because he doesn't want to wait in the big lines at Thanksgiving, and we'll stay onsite.

If that really won't work for you, I would arrive at park opening, and head to the back of the parks. I also find the Unofficial guide touring plans work great, just a suggestion...We've followed them before and found them to be quite useful.

Good Luck, maybe we'll see you at Mythos!

Maria

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

Great replies everyone...but how about advice for somebody who doesn't have the express pass? We're going to Universal for the first time with the kids (8,9,10) Thanksgiving week. We're DVC members so staying at OKW, and I purchased the $99 2 park tickets. Express tickets would have been $750 extra!!! So suggestions, anyone??
Thanks

If you reserved a room for one night, all five of you would get an express pass for 2 days, you don't have to stay in the room, but you could use it during the day if you want a break, or the kids want a swim. If you have AAA you may get a really good rate too. We've paid under $200 for a room before.

If you are going before Tday you may not even need express, we find the only super busy time is the week after Thanksgiving. Before Thanksgiving crowds have been light. Its a great time of year to go, the weather is great!

 

[RobnRud]

Thanks. I'm glad to hear that it's not crazy before Thanksgiving. We're flying in late Saturday nite, (don't check inot DVC til Sunday) so if we do stay on-site at Uni, does that mean we would only get express passes for Sunday?? I'm also thinking to see how it goes and then if it seems too busy can we "upgrade" our $99 passes for the additional $19.99 each day we want to do express??

 

[Planogirl]

We have done the Universal parks without Express passes and it's not that bad. It's vital that you get there at opening. It's amazing how many people don't arrive until around 11 or so and the back of both parks are almost like ghosttowns early in the day.

At Universal, go to the Simpsons, Men in Black and the Mummy. Then Shrek and Jimmy Neutron. Disaster threw us off a bit last time, for some reason it stayed crowded!

At IOA, ride Hulk and Spiderman. And Spiderman again if possible. Then Dr Doom. Dueling Dragons. The water rides get crowded on a nice day so those next. This usually works well for us.

Of course, if you can stay onsite for a night that solves all of this. If you arrive late on Saturday you would only get the Express feature for that Sunday.