How many days to see it all at Universal and IOA?

[goofy4wdw2]

We are going to Universal for the first time in years. We have a DVC membership so have only done Disney recently. We booked 4 nights at Royal Pacific Resort but planned to do 3 full park days. Is that enough to see everything in both parks and have time to explore the Harry Potter areas? Would 2 days be enough or better to stick with 3? Thanks!

 

[gotomu212]

What time of year are you going? The crowds can make a difference but with your complimentary hotel EP you should have no problem making 2 days work, BUT honestly I’d do 3 just to be able to go back and reride favorited and get extra HP time.

 

[bchbetha]

Ditto pp. stick with 3. It’ll give you time to ride everything you want, catch just about all the shows and really explore the HP stuff. If you don’t mind spoilers, check out the sticky on this page of cool things to look for in WWOHP.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Mid/late August...the week of 8/14. I know it’s summer but hoping crowds will be less than the middle of summer due to some schools being back in session!

 

[bchbetha]

Crowd starts will still be high. More schools than not are still on break then.

 

[Catvondita]

Honestly I feel like 1 park a day is enough but I would agree with 3 so you can take your time and be able to relax a little more, redo favorites etc

 

[STLstone]

I don't have a definite number for you, but I have a piece of criteria to consider: The number of people in your group.

I found when we went to Disneyland with 10 people, we accomplished less than we did with 6. More people makes a lot of things go slower.

My wife and I went to Universal Orlando at a slow time (mid-November) and we felt like we practically ran out of things to do on the 2nd afternoon. When we go back with 10 people next year, we're going for 3 or 4 days.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Thanks everyone! We have 5 people.

 

[macraven]

We are going to Universal for the first time in years. We have a DVC membership so have only done Disney recently. We booked 4 nights at Royal Pacific Resort but planned to do 3 full park days. Is that enough to see everything in both parks and have time to explore the Harry Potter areas? Would 2 days be enough or better to stick with 3? Thanks!

You will have a very relaxing vacation with a 4 night stay at RPR.

You don't have to get up early to hit the early entry park in the morning.
You can take your time and use the ep for the shorter ride waits.

Take a look at the park maps online.
Get an idea of what rides you really want to do and those that you would do if you had the time.
Eliminate the rides that are not your thing.
If you don't want to spend a partial day hitting the water rides at IOA, you can find other things to do in the parks for the hours that would have taken you.

You can start your day at rpr by doing breakfast at Island Dining Room.
Buffet or menu order as it is a sit down eatery.
If you want something light, Orchid Court in the lobby is open at 6 am to 11 each day.
Weekends it is 6:00 to noon.
Ala carte breakfast items,
(cereal, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, fruit, muffins, danish, coffee, teas, etc.
Tables are in this area where you can sit and eat.

You can walk to the parks or take a water taxi to City Walk.
Try both ways as each are an experience of their own.

Check out the menu sitcky and reviews online.
Get an idea where you want to do main meals and give yourself up to an hour for meal breaks.

The sushi bar in the lobby at rpr is open at 5 each day for limited hours.
If you are into sushi, this is an ideal place to sit and eat and people watch.

There are some delightful shows in the parks.
At the Studios, Horror Make Up Show is a hoot!
It is not scary and has audience participation.
Each show can be different as parts of it will be based on the group attending this show.
Animal Actors on Parade is a cute animal show that has many different animals.
It is about 15 minutes long but in an area that is covered so no beating sun down on you

The street shows are entertaining and time killers.
Marilyn Monroe singing and dancing act could be about 10-15 minutes long.
Blues Brothers is a take off the characters in the movie.
Very light and entertaining for entire family.
this show could be up to 20 minutes.
Another show of singing and dancing and is on the side of Central Park across from the Mummy and same side of the street where Finnegans resturarnt is located.

Beat group is different.
I watched it once and it was a one and done for me.

The mini parade that is in the afternoon is simple and entertaining.
It is held once daily.

The short mini type of parade that is near the Horror Make Up Show in the streets is singing and dancing.
Probably over within 15 minutes from start to finish.

Things like the above are what many people miss out when doing only a one or two day visit to the parks.
It takes some of your time out of the day away from rides.

But, it is a fun way to see what Universal has for entertaining guests.

Schwabb pharmacy is an ice cream shop.
Fashioned from the famous Schwab pharmacy in CA in the golden years.

At IOA, same entertainment in parts of that park.
You have the super heros in one section.
Seuss in another section.

Its not just for kids to do those two areas/sections.
None of the trees in the Seuss area are straight, all have curves or bends in them.
It represnts the books of Dr Seuss completely.

Potter is in both parks.
If you are a fan, you will spend time there.

Some of the eateries are great.
But there are some that are real stinkers.....

Read through the menu sticky and pull up some past threads in using the search button.

City Walk has quite a few decent eateries and you might have trouble narrowing down which ones to try.

Hard Rock Cafe has their largest resturant in City Walk
If you like memorabilia of musicians, this is the place to check out.
Pink Cadilliac hanging halfway in the ceiling in that building.

Cinema and mini golf are the two activities in City Walk that some do for entertainment.
City Walk closes at 2 am daily.

Many of the sit down eateries stop serving food at midnight.

Blue Man Group is a lively show.
Tickets can sometimes be on sale.
I have seen the show three times over the past years they have been there in City Walk.
It will fill up a couple of hours of your evening if you chose to buy tickets for it.


Pool time at rpr is another thing you might be interested in.
You can pool hop to any of the hotel pools on site.
all you need is your room key to verify you are a guest at one of the hotels.


If you treat this vacation as a laid back, relaxing one, you will enjoy having 4 park days on the trip.

Sometimes it is not just all about being in the park and doing rides.
Include the shows and check out the stores and characters that roam the streets.
Pictures are encouraged by the staff.

Be sure to go to the attraction desk at RPR lobby.
Ask for coupons for some of the activities at City Walk