I need major help.... Universal newbie here

[Kristine316]

I am such a newbie when it comes to Universal and I really, really need some input!

We are going to be at Disney for a week starting 9/18. I have spent so much time reading and planning for this trip, all focused on Disney. My husband said a couple days ago that he wants to go to Universal for a few days after we leave Disney.

Now, I am totally frazzled because I know almost nothing about Universal. I am learning a little from reading this forum but, I have several questions to ask.

First, I am trying to decide if staying on site is worth it at Universal. I have checked into prices and the good neighbor hotels are much cheaper and you don't have to pay extra for a microwave and fridge or even parking for that matter. I figured if I added all three of these "extras" it would cost about $47 extra every night!

I love the idea of the unlimited express pass though... and I am curious how this works... are you still waiting in lines just shorter like Disney FP, or is it literally walking onto every ride without much of a wait?

We will be there at the end of September and I am curious what kind of crowds to expect and if having Express Pass is even worth it? Like I said I love the idea of it but, if we end up spending hundreds more to stay on site and things aren't all that busy to begin with I will probably regret paying the extra money. Can anyone give me a little advice?

Also.. do I need Dining reservations at Universal? As you know at Disney you have to have everything booked months in advance. I am a little worried with our trip being less than 2 month that I may not be able to get the better restaurants at Universal. I am hoping someone will tell me they are not needed but, that is probably wishful thinking... lol

Also.. I am thinking 3 days at Universal. Does this seem like enough time to see both parks and ride most of the rides?

Thanks!!

 

[NH Disneyfan]

We did 2 days at universal last year and it was plenty of time to do the parks. Took a town car from Disney early on day 1 and returned at 5pm day 2.

Staying on site for the one night was the best decision EVER!!! Universal front of line is literally the front. No merge at the end like Disney fastpass, and for hotel guests it is unlimited use.

We didn't get any reservations for dining, but I would recommend penciling in spots to eat so you know destinations. We did walk in circles a few times looking for food.

 

[NH Disneyfan]

I should mention the Harry potter rides. We waited for the wands about 45 minutes. Standard wait and this was at 1pm. Basically had an easy wait for forbidden journey, but the queue us fantastic so you want to wait a bit. Front of line works for everything but Harry potter, but onsite stay gets you in there an hour early.

 

[zaz]

We just arrived back from a combo trip between Disney and Universal. The cool thing about staying onsite is early opening hours and the express pass. They let in all express pass holders before the stand by line. Always! I can be a bit annoying if you are in the stand by, but understanding the prices they paid, we were happy to wait! You can also by an express pass without staying at the hotels. About 100 $ per day per person.

We used another option which was to by a package from Universal. We stayed at a parter hotel that offered shuttles (in our case it was a Best Western). It gave us early entry into the parks for each day. Our Universal day entry was 8 AM and by noon, we had knocked off all big attractions (even with a kid and child swap). When we were there, people visiting Universal didn't arrive until 11 or so, so we were ahead of the curve. By 5 PM, we had done it all and waited around, so we left for City Walk to grab supper. We found that in most City Walk restaurants, they gave you a pager and you then went a cocktail and by the time we were finished, our pagers were ringing. We did not go to the evening concert and night spectacular show.

At IOA, our day was very full. But then again, by getting into the park with early admission at 7 AM, we were done with Harry Potter world by 8:30 (the HPW does not allow express pass). By 7 PM, our day was over and we had done everything with express pass.

We really like the Universal atmosphere. It's more 'cool and relaxed' than Disney. I would suggest that you figure out what are your must dos, and see if you can do them early in the AM.

 

[zaz]

Oh, I forgot, if you do three days, you could probably do 1 day at Universal; 1 day at IOA; and one day half and half; or you could take the package with the water park; or then again go do Seaworld. Now that's a park we couldn't do it all from 9 AM to 5 PM... we wish we would have stayed until 10 PM, but we were transfered back to Disney.

 

[AJ1983]

If saving money is a priority for you (as it is for me!), then I would definitely not stay at the Universal Onsite hotels-just too expensive. If you have 3 days at the two Universal parks, I think that would be plenty of time to do everything you want in each park, without need for the Express Pass. Also, you'll be going at a relatively slow time of year, so the crowds shouldn't be that bad.

Honestly, the only way I would consider onsite at Universal is if I only had ONE day to hit the parks...then it would be worth it to get the hotel and FOTL access to ensure I got on all the major rides. That's my opinion anyway

 

[NH Disneyfan]

After doing 2 day park hoppers with express pass, I would say you probably don't need a third day. If you can remove the tickets and hotel stay for that extra day, it may pay for the 2 nights at Universal.

I paid about $200 for my room at Universal Royal Pacific. Not an amazing room by any means....but.....Being able to walk or boat to the parks and have front of the line access for a family of 4, the math speaks for itself.

I would agree with a prior poster, Universal is a much different experience and while I'm not sure I would've said more relaxed, that does make sense now that I think of it.

 

[Maytrix]

I could spend a week there, but if your goal is just to do everything once or twice and then that's it, two days is enough time, but you'll want to stay onsite.

Just stay onsite one night. Leave disney very early, get to the hotel, check in and head right to the park - get there before it opens if you can. Enjoy the day using the express and wait maybe 5-10 minutes or less on most rides - some you can almost walk right on depending on how busy things are.

Head back to the hotel end of day and go back the next morning and have a 2nd day with the express pass.

The only downside to the express pass is that if you ever go again without it, it will be painful

We also always go to Dragon Challenge first - riding in the front row is the only way to do this ride as far as I'm concerned. You can go back and forth about 6 times before you have to start waiting much. We ususally spend an hour there and then move on as we have to start waiting.

We end up doing this both days since its really the only ride where you'll always have to wait for front row as the day goes on. Other rides that may not have express, we just use single rider and wait a lot less. Only exception I'd make once is maybe Harry Potter Forbidden Journey since the queue is cool - I especially like the room where it snows.

 

[Kristine316]

Thank you to all who replied!!

I still have the decision of whether saving money is more important or not waiting in a line. That is something I have to decide for myself.. obviously but, having the in put is tremendously helpful!

I do know its not as busy in September but, Disney should be sort of hectic with the Free Dining so having a few days of barely waiting in lines at Universal sounds good.

We are splurging at Disney so I am not totally sure I want to splurge at Universal too... however, when it was mentioned that you could stay the one night in an on site hotel and have two days of unlimited express pass.. that sounded pretty sweet to me. Almost too good to pass up!

Thanks again for the great advice.

 

[Belleoftheballl]

How much is the express pass? Newbie here!!

 

[DorianDonP]

How much is the express pass? Newbie here!!

It depends on what day you go and if you want them for one park or both.

Right now, they are 69.99 per person, per day.

In September, a less busier time of the year, they will be 35.99 per person, per day.

You can check the calender/prices at the Universal Studios Orlando website.

 

[DorianDonP]

I am such a newbie when it comes to Universal and I really, really need some input!

We are going to be at Disney for a week starting 9/18. I have spent so much time reading and planning for this trip, all focused on Disney. My husband said a couple days ago that he wants to go to Universal for a few days after we leave Disney.

Now, I am totally frazzled because I know almost nothing about Universal. I am learning a little from reading this forum but, I have several questions to ask.

First, I am trying to decide if staying on site is worth it at Universal. I have checked into prices and the good neighbor hotels are much cheaper and you don't have to pay extra for a microwave and fridge or even parking for that matter. I figured if I added all three of these "extras" it would cost about $47 extra every night!

I love the idea of the unlimited express pass though... and I am curious how this works... are you still waiting in lines just shorter like Disney FP, or is it literally walking onto every ride without much of a wait?

We will be there at the end of September and I am curious what kind of crowds to expect and if having Express Pass is even worth it? Like I said I love the idea of it but, if we end up spending hundreds more to stay on site and things aren't all that busy to begin with I will probably regret paying the extra money. Can anyone give me a little advice?

Also.. do I need Dining reservations at Universal? As you know at Disney you have to have everything booked months in advance. I am a little worried with our trip being less than 2 month that I may not be able to get the better restaurants at Universal. I am hoping someone will tell me they are not needed but, that is probably wishful thinking... lol

Also.. I am thinking 3 days at Universal. Does this seem like enough time to see both parks and ride most of the rides?

Thanks!!

are you still waiting in lines just shorter like Disney FP, or is it literally walking onto every ride without much of a wait?

It depends on the time of the year, but I've went during spring, summer, fall, and winter, and every time I've used express, it's been a 10 minute wait or shorter. In September, you would pretty much be walking onto most attractions, with little to no wait.

Should be noted that there is no express for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (in Islands of Adventure) or the rollercoaster Rip Ride Rockit (in The Studios).

Also.. do I need Dining reservations at Universal?

From my experiences, no. It's not like Disney at all where you have to plan your dining months in advance. Though if you'd like to eat at Mythos (prolly the best dining experience inside of the parks) then it would be smart to reserve. But then again I've heard of people walking in and waiting 20 minutes or so there, so it might not be a problem either way.

Also.. I am thinking 3 days at Universal. Does this seem like enough time to see both parks and ride most of the rides?

3 days should be plenty. I like the idea of booking an onsite hotel for one night and having 2 days of express. I think you'd be able to experience both parks in those 2 days, and do repeats of your favs on a 3rd day if you decided to go back.

Have fun!

 

[Metro West]

I love the idea of the unlimited express pass though... and I am curious how this works... are you still waiting in lines just shorter like Disney FP, or is it literally walking onto every ride without much of a wait? Think of unlimited Express as unlimited FastPasses...there is still a line but not much of one...most of the time. The only true "front of the line" is with a private tour but otherwise you will wait in the Express queue just like FastPass.

We will be there at the end of September and I am curious what kind of crowds to expect and if having Express Pass is even worth it? Like I said I love the idea of it but, if we end up spending hundreds more to stay on site and things aren't all that busy to begin with I will probably regret paying the extra money. Can anyone give me a little advice? I seriously doubt you will need EPs at the end of September as the parks are pretty slow. Save your money and stay offsite...you won't miss Express that time of year. Remember though...Halloween Horror Nights begins 9/21 but it only affects the Studios. On the nights HHN is staged, the Studios will close at 5pm for set up but IOA is open until 7pm.

Also.. do I need Dining reservations at Universal? As you know at Disney you have to have everything booked months in advance. I am a little worried with our trip being less than 2 month that I may not be able to get the better restaurants at Universal. I am hoping someone will tell me they are not needed but, that is probably wishful thinking... lol
No reservations are required at Universal. Unlike Disney...who wants you to make your ADRs nine years in advance...you can pretty much walk into any restaurant and can be seated within a reasonable amount of time. Still...if you wanted to make reservations, you can use www.opentable.com for most CityWalk restaurants and Mythos at IOA.

Also.. I am thinking 3 days at Universal. Does this seem like enough time to see both parks and ride most of the rides? Three days is a perfect amount of time. One day for each park and then a park to do favorites again or hang out by the pool. September's weather will still be good swimming weather.

My answers in blue.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Just did Universal/IoA in May - Stayed on-site at RPH.

Stayed 2 nights. Did Universal first day and early admission IoA Day 2. (could have rode Harry several times in a row!) The boat and express pass is worth the $$ IMO.

Royal Pacific is very nice (closest to IoA). I would compare it to WL/AKL at Disney (kinda the same layout but NO balcony). We got a AAA rate for the 2 nights.

They do charge $18 for parking but you will have to pay $15 at Universal if you drive yourself. (We stayed the night before at the Hilton across the street and had to pay $12 to park there so not sure about the partner hotels parking fees.) The Hilton shuttle had VERY limited times also.

We bought our tickets on the Universal site before we went and saved about $50 for the 2-day ones. Picked them up at the hotel with our card/confirm. #. Easy!

If you can make a ressie for dinner I would do it. I think the hotel can help with it. Had to wait awhile at M..ville. We made our own for Emerils.

 

[damo]

You have to think of the other advantages to staying onsite as well. It is really nice to be able to go back to the hotel if need be. Being immersed in the Universal resort atmosphere adds so much to a vacation and gives you a totally different experience. If you are going for 3 days, you really should look at purchasing one annual pass. They are around $250 and can give you huge room discounts. Always check the room discounts to see what would be your best bet. Often, RPR is available for around $150/night with an annual pass. You can check rates by using the code APH. Also remember that you get two full days of early entry and express with one night's stay.

 

[alm1211]

We are taking our first trip to Universal the second weekend of December (followed by a very well-planned week at WDW!) This information is so helpful! We plan to stay at Royal Pacific since we are "kind of" saving money with Disney Free Dining. Thanks for all the tips!